Chapter 12
1067 Words
Charlotte stood there, frozen in shock.
Growing up, she'd been coddled and adored, shielded from harsh words and physical pain.
Now, her face bore the red mark of my slap, a foreign sting that seemed to short - circuit her brain.
"Olivia, you dare hit me?" she finally spluttered, rage boiling over as she raised her hand to retaliate.
I reacted on instinct, seizing her wrist mid - swing.
My vision blurred with a red haze of anger, and I could feel the heat of my fury radiating off me.
"Charlotte, if you so much as breathe another insult about Ellie, I'll tear your tongue out," I hissed, my voice low and menacing.
The fear in her eyes as she shrank back was a small victory, but it didn't ease the ache in my chest.
I couldn't bear to be in that room a moment longer.
Charlotte's cruel words about Ellie and Alpha Sean's cold indifference felt like salt in open wounds.
Without another word, I turned to leave.
I heard the sound of a slap behind me as I walked out, but I didn't look back.
It wasn't until I was outside that I realized it was Alpha Sean who'd struck Charlotte.
The thought was a strange mix of satisfaction and confusion, but I pushed it aside. I had more pressing matters on my mind.
My phone buzzed relentlessly with calls and messages from Ethan.
I called him back, keeping my voice steady as I reassured him I was okay.
The hour - long drive back to Maple Grove Haven felt like an eternity.
By the time I reached my stop, it was late, and the streets were eerily quiet.
I sent Ethan a quick message to let him know I'd made it safely, then tucked my phone away.
As I passed a dark alley, a sense of unease crawled up my spine.
Before I could react, a large, rough hand clamped over my mouth, dragging me into the shadows.
Panic surged through me, and I thrashed wildly, my muffled cries echoing in the alley.
But the wolf's strength was overwhelming.
For a split second, I thought of Ellie, and a fierce determination washed over me.
I remembered the pepper spray in my bag and fumbled for it, praying I could reach it in time.
With a wild swing, I sprayed the contents into my attacker's eyes.
He howled in pain, his grip loosening.
I broke free and took off running, screaming for help at the top of my lungs.
But the old neighborhood was deserted, and my cries echoed back at me, taunting me.
In my desperation, I stumbled, twisting my ankle painfully.
The sharp pain shot through my leg, but I ignored it, forcing myself up.
I could see the end of the alley, a beacon of hope, but it was too late.
The wolf caught up with me, yanking my hair and dragging me deeper into the darkness.
I fought back, scratching and clawing at him, drawing blood.
But it only enraged him more.
He threw me to the ground and slapped me hard, and stars exploded in my vision.
The stench of his breath as he leaned in made my stomach turn.
"Play nice, and you'll suffer less," he sneered, his eyes filled with a sickening l**t.
I kicked and squirmed, but he pinned me down, his weight crushing me.
I could feel his hands tearing at my clothes, and a wave of desperation washed over me.
"Get off me! Don't touch me!" I screamed, but my voice was hoarse and weak.
Just when all hope seemed lost, the weight on me suddenly disappeared.
I looked up to see Alpha Sean standing over me, his eyes blazing with a terrifying anger.
With a single, powerful kick, he sent my attacker crashing into the wall.
The wolf crumpled to the ground, defeated.
I lay there, trembling, unable to believe what had just happened.
I lay there, still trembling from the ordeal, as Alpha Sean's menacing aura filled the alley.
He stalked over to the wolf who'd attacked me, his every step oozing danger.
With a terrifying ease, he grabbed the attacker like a discarded doll and began raining down punches.
Each strike landed with a sickening thud, his movements precise and brutal.
The wolf was no match for him, quickly reduced to a whimpering, bloodied mess.
In the end, Alpha Sean tossed him aside as if he were nothing more than a broken toy, the wolf crumpling to the ground, half - dead.
I stared up at Alpha Sean, my mind spinning.
His tall, imposing figure seemed to block out the dim light of the streetlamp, casting a shadow over me.
And just like that, I was catapulted back in time, to when I was fifteen years old.
I'd been brought to the Jovia pack at eight by Helen.
Eleanor, the pack's matriarch, treated me like a beloved granddaughter, perhaps even better than her own flesh - and - blood, Charlotte.
In those few short years, I'd transformed from a scrawny, scared orphan into a young woman finding her feet.
But then, one fateful day, I was walking home alone when a group of local thugs emerged from the shadows. They'd dragged me into a dark alley, their leers and jeers filling my ears with dread. I'd thought it was the end, that I was about to meet a terrible fate.
And then, he'd appeared.
Alpha Sean, even then, had been a force to be reckoned with.
He'd taken on the entire g**g by himself, his strength and skill overwhelming them. In minutes, they were all on the ground, barely conscious.
After he'd defeated them, he'd turned to me.
I'd been shaking uncontrollably, tears streaming down my face.
Gently, yet firmly, he'd pulled me to my feet. "Go on," he'd said, his voice low and commanding.
I'd looked up at him, confusion and fear clouding my mind.
What did he mean? Hit them?
I was still too terrified to move, my body rooted to the spot.
And then he'd spoken again, his words cold and unyielding.
"Hit them."
"What are you scared of? Olivia, from now on, anyone who messes with you, you hit back—hard. If they're broken or dead, I've got your back."
- Writer
