Mia's POV
Every muscle in my body ached as I struggled against the ropes that
bound me. Scarlet and Layla had spent what felt like hours taunting me,
slapping me, kicking me, and finding every way possible to inflict pain.
My wolf, Ima, had been trying to push forward, but I held her back. I
couldn't let her reveal herself-not to them, not now.
"They're animals," Ima growled in the back of my mind, her fury
simmering. "Let me out. I'll show them what happens when they mess
with a white wolf."
"No," I whispered internally. "If they find out what I am, it'll only get
worse."
Their laughter rang in my ears as they circled me. Layla delivered
another sharp kick to my ribs, the force knocking the air out of my lungs.
I gasped, coughing as I felt my ribs snap-only for them to begin healing
almost immediately.
"Look at her," Scarlet sneered, crouching down to grab my chin roughly.
"She heals so fast. It's almost… fun."
"Like a toy that fixes itself," Layla added, her voice dripping with malice.
"Let's see how far we can push her."
I bit down on my lip, refusing to give them the satisfaction of a scream.
The pain was unbearable, but Ima kept working in the background,
mending the damage as quickly as they inflicted it.
Scarlet's lips twisted into a sneer as she paced around me, her gaze full
of venom. "You really think you're better than us, don't you?" she spat,
her voice laced with mockery. "Prancing around like some innocent little
angel when, deep down, you're nothing but a cheap, desperate whore."
Layla leaned against the table, her arms crossed as she laughed. "She's
delusional, Scarlet. She actually believes she's worth something. As if
anyone would want her after this."
I flinched at their words, anger bubbling beneath the surface. "You don't
know anything about me," I snapped, my voice shaking but firm.
Scarlet's laughed as she saw me helpless. "Oh, we know enough. Look at
you, running to Tristan, trying to get the boys to fight over you. You're
nothing but a desperate little slut, clinging to every man who glances
your way."
Layla stepped closer, her eyes narrowing. "Do you really think anyone's
going to love you? That you're anything more than a burden? Once we're
done with you, no one will even look at you."
Scarlet's smirk widened as she pulled a small blade from her pocket,
twirling it between her fingers. "And that pretty little face of yours? Let's
see how much they love you when it's gone. When you're just a scarred,
broken mess."
My heart pounded, but I refused to show fear. "You think scaring me will
make you feel powerful? That it'll make you feel better about
yourselves?"
Scarlet's eyes flashed with anger, and she stepped closer, the blade
glinting in the dim light. "Oh, we're not just going to scare you, Mia.
We're going to make sure you remember your place."
Layla chuckled darkly. "And when your face is ruined, when no one can
even stand to look at you, you'll finally understand that you're nothing.
Less than nothing."
I clenched my fists, my wolf growling in the back of my mind. Let me out,
Mia. Let me show them who they're dealing with.
"No," I whispered to Ima. "Not yet."
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stand tall. "You're pathetic," I
said, my voice steady despite the fear thrumming through me. "You
think tearing me down will make you feel better about yourselves? It
won't. It just proves how weak you really are."
Scarlet's smirk faltered, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of uncertainty
in her eyes. But it was gone just as quickly, replaced by anger.
"You're pathetic," Scarlet hissed, slapping me hard across the face. "Do
you think the boys will save you? Do you think anyone cares what
happens to you?"
I glared at her, trying to reason out. "They care enough to keep me alive,
don't they?"
It was true; if I die, then they will suffer even more. Were their hatred
more valuable than their own life?
Her expression darkened, and she struck me again, but I barely flinched
this time.
After what felt like an eternity, they stopped. I was slumped against the
wall, my body aching but no longer broken thanks to Ima's relentless
healing. They stepped back, exchanging glances before Scarlet's lips
curled into a smirk.
"Let's make this interesting," she said, crossing her arms.
Layla tilted her head. "What are you thinking?"
Scarlet pointed at me. "A fight. Just us, no interference. Let's see if she's
as strong as she looks."
My heart sank. "I don't want to fight you."
"Too bad," Layla retorted, cracking her knuckles. "You don't have a
choice."
I pushed myself to my feet, my legs shaky but functional. "I just want to
leave," I said firmly.
Scarlet laughed, circling me like a predator. "Not until we're done. Come
on, Mia. Show us what you've got."
They lunged at me without warning, and I stumbled back, trying to avoid
their attacks. But they were relentless, their movements precise and
coordinated.
"Fight back," Ima urged, her voice sharp.
"No," I muttered. "I can't."
Another punch landed against my jaw, snapping my head to the side.
Layla followed with a kick to my stomach, sending me sprawling to the
floor.
"They're going to kill you if you don't fight," Ima warned. "Let me out."
I clenched my fists, blood dripping from a cut on my hand as I struggled
to stand. Layla grabbed my arm, twisting it painfully, and something
inside me snapped.
"Enough," I growled, letting Ima take control.
My vision sharpened, my senses heightened as power surged through
me. I grabbed Layla's wrist, twisting it with enough force to make her cry
out. Before she could recover, I shoved her back, sending her crashing
into the wall.
Scarlet lunged at me, but I sidestepped her, using her momentum
against her to slam her to the ground. The strength flowing through me
was unlike anything I'd felt before.
"This is what they wanted," Ima said, her voice laced with satisfaction.
I didn't stop. Every punch, every kick was delivered with precision and
purpose. By the time I snapped out of it, Scarlet and Layla were on the
ground, barely moving. Blood pooled beneath them, their faces pale and
bruised.
My breath hitched as reality set in. "What have I done?"
I dropped to my knees, shaking as I stared at their broken forms. They
weren't moving, their breaths shallow and ragged.
"You protected yourself," Ima said calmly. "They got what they
deserved."
"No," I whispered, my voice trembling. "This is too much."
My eyes caught the glint of a knife lying nearby, the blade slick with
blood. Without thinking, I grabbed it, pressing it against my palm.
"What are you doing?" Ima demanded.
"I have to save them," I replied, biting down on my lip as I dragged the
blade across my skin. Blood welled up immediately, dripping onto the
floor. I reached out, letting my blood mix with theirs, hoping it would
heal them.
Before I could finish, the sound of footsteps filled the room. My head
snapped up as people flooded in-guards, pack members, and then the
brothers.
"What the hell is going on?" Nathan demanded, his eyes narrowing as he
took in the scene.
I froze, the knife slipping from my hand as their gazes locked onto me.
"What did you do?" Xavier growled, stepping forward.
"It's not what it looks like," I started, but Rolex cut me off.
"Not what it looks like?" he repeated, his voice cold. "They're half-dead,
and you're covered in blood with a knife in your hand. What else could it
be?"
"I was trying to save them!" I yelled.
Nathan scoffed, his lips curling into a sneer. "Save them? Looks more
like attempted murder to me."
Xavier grabbed my arm, pulling me to my feet. "We should've known you
were dangerous. You can't be trusted."
My heart sank as they dragged me away, their accusations ringing in my
ears. No matter what I said, they wouldn't believe me.
"Ima," I whispered. "What do I do now?"