Chapter 11
1192 Words
The moment Alpha Sean released me, my legs gave out beneath me.
I stumbled, barely managing to catch myself before hitting the floor.
When I looked up, my heart sank.
Ethan was no match for Alpha Sean's strength.
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, and his stance wavered.
Without thinking, I lunged forward, throwing myself between them just as Alpha Sean drew back his fist for another punch.
His icy gaze landed on me, cutting through the air like a blade.
"Move," he commanded, his voice devoid of any warmth.
But I stood my ground, my feet rooted to the floor.
The protective instinct I felt for Ethan only seemed to fuel the darkness in Alpha Sean's eyes.
Before I could react, he grabbed my arm, yanking me aside with such force that I crashed into the wall.
A gust of wind swept through the room, slamming the side door shut with a deafening bang.
Alpha Sean didn't spare it a second glance, his attention fixed on Ethan, who stood defiantly despite his injuries.
Ethan's eyes widened in horror when he saw me crumpled on the floor.
"Olivia!" he shouted, reaching out for me.
But Alpha Sean was quicker.
He seized Ethan's outstretched hand and delivered a brutal kick to his shin.
Ethan crumpled to one knee, a pained grunt escaping his lips.
Alpha Sean twisted his arm behind his back, and I heard a sickening c***k that made my blood run cold.
"Alpha Sean, stop!" I scrambled to my feet, my voice shaking with a mix of anger and desperation.
I grabbed his arm, trying to pull him away from Ethan.
"You can't hurt his hand—it's too important!"
He laughed, a cold, mocking sound that sent shivers down my spine.
"Ethan's hand matters, but Claire's doesn't?"
The realization hit me like a ton of bricks.
He was here for revenge, convinced that I'd deliberately hurt Claire.
"Fine, I was wrong, okay? I shouldn't have burned Claire's hand. Let him go, and I'll apologize to her!"
"Olivia, don't admit to something you didn't do!"
Ethan's voice was filled with indignation.
"I'm not letting you grovel to that two-faced snake!"
I cut him off, my eyes stinging with unshed tears.
"Alpha Sean, if you've got the guts, break my hand—"
"Shut up!" I snapped, silencing Ethan with a glare.
I knew how much his upcoming competition meant to him.
Years of training, countless sacrifices—all for a chance at that gold medal.
I couldn't let Alpha Sean destroy his dreams.
"Let him go. I'll go apologize," I said, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.
Alpha Sean stared at me for a long moment, his expression unreadable.
Finally, he released Ethan, who stumbled forward, clutching his injured arm.
Dusk had fallen by the time we left the house.
I sank into the backseat of the car, closing my eyes and willing the world to disappear.
I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't realize we weren't heading to the hospital until Alpha Sean's voice cut through the silence.
"Stay away from Ethan," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
I yearned to ignore his command, to my lips sealed in defiance.
But the image of Ethan's battered form, his arm twisted at an unnatural angle, flashed through my mind.
Alpha Sean's influence in the Joravia - pack was a shadow that loomed over everyone, a power capable of crushing Ethan's dreams like a bug under a boot.
Reluctantly, I opened my eyes and met his cold gaze.
"Ethan and I are just friends," I said, forcing my voice to remain steady.
"Hmph." His scoff filled the car, laced with disdain.
"Friends? What kind of friends cling to each other like that?"
His insinuation grated on my nerves, and before I could stop myself, the words tumbled out.
"Just because your mind's in the gutter doesn't mean everyone else's is."
The car swerved violently as he jerked the wheel, pulling over to the side of the road with a screech of tires.
The click of his seatbelt unbuckling made my heart skip a beat.
He leaned in, pinning me against the door, his eyes blazing with a dangerous fire.
When his lips descended, I turned my head, dodging his kiss.
Taking a deep breath, I met his gaze head - on.
"Are we going to apologize or not? If not, I'm out."
I reached for the seatbelt, my fingers trembling slightly.
His hand shot out, clamping down on mine, and he slammed the car door shut.
"If you're so eager to apologize, do it right," he hissed, his voice like ice.
The rest of the drive to Joravia - pack Hospital was a blur of tension.
As we entered the building, I followed him to the exclusive ward.
When the door swung open and the top neurologist stepped out, my blood turned to ice.
I remembered Ellie, my precious daughter, lying in a cramped standard ward while she fought for her life.
And here was Claire, with nothing more than a scalded hand, receiving the best care the pack had to offer.
Inside the ward, Charlotte's shrill voice cut through the air.
"Bro, where've you been? How could you leave Claire alone in the hospital?"
Her eyes landed on me, and a malicious grin spread across her face.
"Claire, looks like my brother dragged the culprit here to apologize. Told you—he adores you. Olivia dared to burn you? No way he's letting her off!"
Claire looked at Alpha Sean with a fake - sweet voice. "Alpha Sean, you didn't really go after Olivia just for me, did you?"
His gaze flicked to me. "Apologize!" he barked.
" If I apologize, can I go?" I asked, my voice flat.
When he didn't respond, I took it as a yes.
I turned to Claire, a cold smirk on my face.
"Sorry." The word was as empty as my feelings for her.
"Olivia, it's okay. I know you didn't mean it, you just got carried away…" she began.
"Claire, you know exactly how your hand got hurt. Let's see how long you can keep up the act," I interrupted. I spun on my heel, ready to leave this nightmare behind.
But Charlotte's hand shot out, grabbing my arm.
"Olivia, what kind of attitude is that?" she shrieked.
I wrenched my arm free.
"You get what you give," I snapped.
Memories of her endless bullying since I joined the Jovia pack a flooded my mind.
She sneered at me.
"Everyone knows your dirty little schemes, Olivia. You think burning Claire's hand will stop her from competing in the fashion contest? Dream on. My brother just sponsored the competition. One call from him, and Claire's in. She'll take first, win my uncle's approval, and join the Jovia pack in a sacred bond. You and that little mongrel you birthed? You'll never set foot in our villa!"
- Writer
