Taming My Alpha Bully

Chapter 4 Heartbroken

Briar

I stood frozen between two Alphas, feeling like a rabbit caught between wolves. The air crackled with tension, and I swear I could smell the testosterone-fueled anger rolling off both men in waves.

"I said," Damian growled, his fingers digging into my arm, "keep your hands off what's mine."

Eric's eyebrows shot up, a mix of amusement and challenge in his amber eyes. "Yours? Funny, I don't see your mark on her neck."

Oh goddess. This was not happening. I tried to shrink into myself, wishing I could disappear into the floor. Around us, the party had gone eerily quiet, everyone watching the drama unfold with rapt attention.

"My pack, my Omega," Damian snarled, pulling me closer to him. The heat of his body seeped through the thin fabric of my dress, making it hard to think straight. "Back off, Ryder."

Eric's lips curled into a smirk. "I don't see Briar complaining about my company. In fact," his eyes met mine, warm and inviting, "I think she was rather enjoying herself. Weren't you, sweetheart?"

Before I could stammer out a response, Damian let out a low, menacing growl that vibrated through his chest. "I'm warning you-"

"Or what?" Eric challenged, taking a step closer. "You'll throw a tantrum like the spoiled pup you are?"

Damian's eyes flashed dangerously, and for a second, I thought he might actually lunge at Eric. The two Alphas stood chest to chest, neither willing to back down. I could feel Damian's muscles coiled tight, ready to spring into action.

Just as I was preparing myself for an all-out brawl, a familiar voice cut through the tension.

"What the hell is going on here?"

Finn. Thank the moon goddess for my brother.

He strode into the room, his wolf guard uniform crisp and authoritative. The crowd parted for him like the Red Sea, and even Damian and Eric seemed to deflate a little in his presence.

"Finn," I breathed, relief washing over me.

My brother's eyes darted between the two Alphas, then landed on me. His expression softened for a moment before hardening again as he addressed Damian and Eric.

"Whatever pissing contest you two are having ends now," he said, his voice leaving no room for argument. "This is a graduation party, not a fighting ring."

Eric stepped back first, hands raised in a placating gesture. "My apologies. I meant no disrespect to your pack, or to Briar."

Damian, on the other hand, looked like he'd rather eat glass than back down. But with more and more people looking that way, this was clearly not the time to start a fight.

"Fine," he bit out. Then, without warning, he grabbed my wrist. "Briar and I need to talk. Alone."

Before I could protest, Damian was dragging me through the crowd. I could only catch a glimpse of Finn's worried face and Eric's curious look.

Damian pulled me through the house and out onto a secluded balcony. The cool night air hit my flushed skin, making me shiver. Or maybe that was just the effect of being alone with a clearly pissed-off Alpha.

He released my wrist and paced the length of the balcony, running a hand through his hair in frustration. When he finally turned to face me, his gray eyes were stormy with barely contained rage.

"What the hell were you thinking?" he demanded.

I blinked, taken aback by the venom in his voice. "Excuse me?"

"This," he gestured at my dress, my hair, my makeup. "All of... this. Did you seriously dress up like some cheap imitation of Selena just to throw yourself at the first Alpha who looked your way?"

His words stung, but I refused to let him see how much they hurt. Instead, I lifted my chin defiantly. "I dressed up for myself, Damian. Not that it's any of your business."

He scoffed. "Please. I saw you fawning all over Ryder. You do realize he's not actually interested in you, right? Guys like that, they see a pretty face and think they can take advantage-"

"Stop," I cut him off, anger bubbling up inside me. "Eric was nothing but kind and respectful. Which is more than I can say for you."

Damian's eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed dangerously. "Oh? And I suppose you think he's so much better than me, is that it?"

"As a matter of fact, yes," I snapped, beyond caring about the consequences. "He treated me like a person, Damian. Not some... some worthless Omega beneath his notice. He was gentle, and funny, and actually seemed interested in what I had to say. So yeah, I'd say he's about a hundred times better than you."

Damian's face hardened into a cold mask, and when he spoke, his voice was dripping with disdain.

"You really are pathetic, aren't you?" he sneered. "One dance with an Alpha, and suddenly you think you're hot s**t. Briar, putting on a fancy dress and some makeup doesn't change who you are. You're still just a weak, useless Omega. And no amount of primping is going to make an Alpha like Ryder – or anyone else, for that matter – actually want you."

I felt something inside me break at his words. The tiny, foolish part of me that had always hoped there was more to Damian – that maybe, deep down, he didn't really hate me – shriveled up and died.

"You think I don't know that?" I whispered, hating the way my voice cracked. "You think I don't know exactly what I am, what my place is in this pack? I've had you reminding me every single day for years."

Damian's jaw clenched, but he didn't say anything. I plowed on, the words spilling out of me like a dam breaking.

"I know I'll never be good enough for an Alpha. Hell, I'll probably never be good enough for anyone. But for one night – just one night – I wanted to feel pretty. To feel like maybe, just maybe, I was worth something. Is that really so terrible?"

I could feel tears pricking at the corners of my eyes, and I blinked rapidly, determined not to cry in front of him. Damian stared at me, his expression unreadable.

"Briar, I-"

But I didn't want to hear whatever cruel thing he was going to say next. I'd had enough. Without another word, I turned and ran, ignoring his shout behind me.

I pushed past the party-goers, barely registering their confused looks. I just needed to get out, to get away from Damian and his words and the suffocating weight of my own inadequacy.

The cool night air hit me like a slap as I burst out of the house. I kicked off my heels, feeling the damp grass between my toes as I ran towards the woods. Branches whipped at my face and arms, tearing at the beautiful dress Finn had given me. I didn't care. I just needed to run, to escape.

Finally, my lungs burning, I collapsed in a small clearing. The sounds of the party were distant now, replaced by the gentle rustling of leaves and the soft hooting of an owl.

And then, in the quiet of the forest, I finally let myself break.

Sobs wracked my body as I curled into myself, all the pain and anger and hurt of the past years pouring out of me. Why did Damian hate me so much? What had I ever done to deserve his cruelty?

I cried for the little girl who had lost her parents, for the Omega who would never be accepted, for the woman who dared to dream of something more. I cried until I had no tears left, until my throat was raw and my eyes burned.

As my sobs quieted, I became aware of a strange sensation building in my chest. My breathing quickened, and a tingling warmth spread through my limbs. What was happening?

And then it hit me. Oh goddess. Not now. Please, not now.

But there was no stopping it. I could feel my bones beginning to shift, my muscles stretching and reforming. Panic gripped me as I realized what was happening.

I was about to experience my first shift.