Tristan's POV
Mia was in my arms, her soft curves pressed against me as she tried to
steady herself after tripping. Her hands clutched my shirt, and I could
feel her warmth through the fabric. Her wide, startled eyes met mine,
and for a moment, time stood still.
Her lips-plump, pink, and so inviting-were mere inches away. I
couldn't stop myself, couldn't hold back the desire that had been
building inside me for so long.
I brushed a strand of hair from her face, my fingers grazing her soft skin.
"Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?"
Her cheeks flushed, and I caught the slight parting of her lips, as though
she were about to say something, but I didn't give her the chance. I
leaned down, my lips capturing hers in a kiss that I had dreamed about
more times than I could count.
At first, she was still, as if surprised, but then I felt her soften, her lips
moving hesitantly against mine. That small gesture was all I needed. I
deepened the kiss, my hand sliding to the small of her back, pulling her
closer. She tasted sweet, like honey and something I couldn't quite place,
and I found myself wanting more.
Her fingers clung to my shirt, and I felt the slightest tilt of her head,
granting me better access. It was intoxicating. I moved my other hand to
her face, cupping her cheek as I angled her closer, every thought
vanishing except for how perfect she felt.
But just as I began to lose myself in her, she pulled back, her breathing
uneven as she looked at me with wide eyes.
"Tristan…"
I paused, my forehead resting against hers. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have
-"
"No," she interrupted softly. "It's just… this is a lot for me."
I nodded, understanding. "I'll stop. You're not ready, and I don't want to
push you."
I stepped back, creating space between us even though every instinct
told me to keep her close. She looked so vulnerable, yet so strong in that
moment, and it only made me want her more.
As I watched her, my wolf stirred within me.
"You feel it, don't you?" my wolf asked.
"Yes," I replied internally. "She has a wolf."
"And not just any wolf," my wolf continued. "You know what it is."
I had suspected it before, but now I was certain. Mia wasn't just any wolf
-she was the wolf, the rare and powerful vortex wolf. It all made sense
now: her sudden strength, her resilience, and the way she had healed so
quickly after what should have been fatal.
"She's the white wolf," I said to my wolf.
"We should tell her," he urged.
"Not yet," I responded. "She's not ready. She's still figuring things out,
and I won't force her to confront something she's not ready to face."
My wolf grumbled but didn't argue further.
I turned back to Mia, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, her fingers
brushing the dreamcatcher hanging by the window.
"You're safe here," I told her. "I'll always be here for you, Mia. You don't
have to face anything alone anymore."
She looked up at me, her eyes searching mine. "Thank you, Tristan. I
don't know why you're so kind to me, but… thank you."
I sat down beside her, careful to keep a respectful distance. "You don't
need to thank me. You deserve someone in your corner, someone who
sees you for who you are, not who they want you to be. And if you ever
need a supporter, a friend, or anything else, you can count on me."
Her lips curved into a small smile, and for the first time, I saw a glimmer
of hope in her eyes.
I stood, not wanting to overstay my welcome. "Get some rest. You've had
a long night, and you'll need your strength."
She nodded, and I left the room, quietly closing the door behind me.
As I descended the stairs, I couldn't shake the thought of her. She had no
idea how desirable she would soon become, how many wolves would try
to claim her once they realized who she was. And that thought alone
filled me with a protective rage.
"I won't let anything happen to her," I told my wolf. "I'll keep her safe,
no matter what."
When I stepped outside, the cool night air hit my face, but it did little to
calm the storm brewing inside me.
Unfortunately, my moment of reflection didn't last long. Standing near
the edge of the property were the brothers, their presence like a dark
shadow over an otherwise perfect night.
"Look who it is," Nathan drawled, stepping forward with that smug grin
I wanted to wipe off his face. "Tristan, the knight in shining armor.
How's our little Mia doing?"
"She's none of your concern," I said, my tone firm.
"She's our stepsister," Xavier added, crossing his arms. "Everything
about her concerns us."
Sean smirked. "Especially since you seem so… attached."
My fists clenched at my sides, but I kept my voice calm. "You don't care
about her. You've made that abundantly clear. So why don't you all back
off and let her live her life?"
"Back off?" Nathan repeated, laughing. "That's rich, coming from you.
You think you're so much better than us, don't you?"
"I don't think it," I replied. "I know it."
That was all it took. Nathan lunged at me, his fist swinging toward my
face. I dodged easily, stepping back as Xavier and Sean joined the fray.
"Three against one?" I taunted. "That's fair."
"You're the one trespassing on our territory," Xavier growled, his eyes
glowing with rage.
"You don't even know what's at stake," I shot back, blocking a punch
from Sean.
The fight escalated quickly, punches and kicks flying as we clashed. But
even as they came at me, my mind stayed on Mia. I couldn't let them
near her again.
By the time the fight broke apart, we were all bruised and battered, but I
stood my ground, glaring at the three of them.
"This isn't over," Nathan spat, wiping blood from the corner of his
mouth.
"You're right," I replied. "It's not. But if you even think about going near
her again, I'll make sure you regret it."
They walked off, while showing me middle finger to me as their anger
palpable, but I didn't care.
"Fuck off-" I groaned.
All that mattered was keeping Mia safe.
I would protect her. Because she wasn't just a girl to me.
She was everything.