THE WOLF'S HEART!
758 Words
AIDEN'S POV
The alley behind Midnight Howl was dimly lit, the only light coming from the flickering neon sign above the club’s back entrance. The bass from the music inside pulsed faintly through the walls, but out here, it was quiet—just me and the bastard who had dared to attack me the other night, a mere human.
I had him pinned against the cold brick wall, his breath coming in ragged gasps as my fingers tightened around his collar.
"I promise… no one sent me," he gasped, desperation clear in his voice.
I scoffed, my patience wearing thin. "You really expect me to believe that?" My voice was calm, but the edge in it was unmistakable. "You attacked me from nowhere? No orders? That doesn’t make sense."
I could feel my wolf stirring beneath my skin, my anger barely held in check. My eyes darkened as I leaned in closer. "I’ll ask you one last time—who sent you?"
The man swallowed hard, his eyes darting around as if searching for a way out. "M-Mr. Quins," he finally admitted. "He sent me to you. I don’t know why, but he—"
"You don’t need to say more. I already know."
Without hesitation, I struck. My fist connected with his stomach, making him double over with a choked gasp. His knees buckled, and he groaned, clutching his ribs. I was about to hit him again when—
"Martins!"
I froze.
That voice.
Before I even processed what I was doing, I stepped back into the shadows, my body moving on instinct. I held my breath, watching as she ran toward him.
Mia.
She dropped to her knees beside him, her hands shaking as she reached out to touch his face. Her expression was filled with concern, her voice urgent.
"I told you to stop singing in this bar!" she scolded him, her tone a mix of frustration and fear. "This place is too dangerous for you to achieve your dreams! There are other things for you to venture into, other than music!"
Something inside me twisted uncomfortably.
Why is she so worried about him?
I watched from the darkness, my jaw tightening. Her touch was gentle, her eyes scanning him for injuries. She cared about him—that much was clear.
Had she forgotten me so easily? Had that night meant nothing to her?
I should’ve walked away. But I didn’t. Instead, I stayed in the shadows, watching as she helped him to his feet, guiding him toward her car. He leaned on her, and she let him.
I felt my fists clench.
She never looked around. Never sensed that I was there.
Then, she was gone.
I exhaled sharply, stepping out of the shadows and heading back to my car.
Karl, my Beta, was already waiting in the driver’s seat. The moment I slid in, he spoke.
"Who was responsible for the attack?"
"Mr. Quins," I said flatly.
"That son of a b***h," Keiran muttered from the backseat. "He sent men to kill you just to get out of his deal? Coward."
Karl’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. "I had a bad feeling when we didn’t hear from him. He must’ve spent our money and figured killing you was the easiest way to cover his tracks. He has no idea who he’s dealing with—thinks you're weak."
I barely listened.
Because my mind was elsewhere.
I had convinced myself that night meant nothing. I had only made it special for her because it was her first time. That there was no deeper meaning to it.
But if that was true, then why was I so bothered?
Why did it irritate me to see her care for another man?
And how—how was it even possible that I, an Alpha, could feel anything for a human?
I was supposed to be stronger than this. Above emotions like these.
And I hated it.
"Something else happened at the club?" Karl asked, glancing at me.
I didn’t answer right away. Karl was too perceptive. He always had been.
Before I could respond, Keiran scoffed. "What kind of question is that, Karl? Of course, he’s pissed—Mr. Quins just tried to double-cross us."
I let out a slow breath and leaned back against the seat.
Let them think that. Let them believe my anger was about Mr. Quins.
Because the truth?
The truth was far more painful than I’d ever imagined, and confronting it would exact a toll I wasn’t sure I could afford.
- Writer
