Chapter : Freedom!
1362 Words
'I feel it, mate. We're in danger.'
Aidrian's inner wolf, Dominik, echoed loudly in his mind, his voice full of urgency and uncontrollable anger.
Aidrian was still sitting behind the wheel of his luxury car. The Dunne family mansion loomed before him. He closed his eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, and lowered his mental defenses.
"I see it," Aidrian muttered softly, his jaw tightening. "Moira is arguing with two maids."
'Enough!' Dominik hissed. 'Go in now. Save our mate.'
"Wait." Adrian's voice was strained. "Moira asked me not to interfere."
'She asked that because she's used to getting hurt,' Dominik replied sharply. 'Not because she's strong.'
Aidrian opened his eyes. His gaze sharpened toward the main door of the mansion. “If I go in now, Olivian will humiliate her in front of everyone. I won't let that happen."
'Do you think leaving her alone is a better option?' Dominik snorted angrily. 'I can smell her fear. Her breathing is erratic. They're pressuring her.'
Aidrian gripped the steering wheel tightly. His knuckles turned white. "I know," he said softly. "I feel it, too."
'Then move!' Dominik roared. 'You're the Alpha. She's your mate.'
"I know," Adrian repeated heavily. "It's my job to protect her, even from mistakes that could destroy her."
In his mind, the image reappeared. Moira stood in the large kitchen of the Dunne mansion. Two servants faced her: one with his arms folded across his chest and the other pointing at her with a condescending expression.
Adrian growled low without realizing it. His chest felt tight.
"Look at that!" Dominik roared. "They're trampling him! His inner wolf hasn't awakened yet. He's alone!"
"He's not alone," Adrian quickly protested, his voice trembling. "I'm here."
"You're outside," Dominik cut him off coldly. "And they're inside."
Adrian closed his eyes again, tighter this time. "If I go in and destroy them now, Olivian will twist the facts."
"I don't care about human politics!" Dominik growled. "I care about our mate."
"I care too, and I won't let her be destroyed," Adrian replied in a low, firm voice. "I won't let Olivian win."
Silence. Only Aidrian's heavy breathing could be heard.
"Then what's your plan?" Dominik asked worriedly.
Aidrian slowly opened his eyes. His gaze was cold and calculating. "I'll go in if they corner him.
"What if it's too late?"
Aidrian's jaw tightened. "Then the entire Dunne family will regret tonight."
He saw Moira slowly lifting her face again in his mind.
But something was strange. Moira's gaze seemed different. Something was burning inside her.
Dominik was silent for a moment.
"I feel it, too," the wolf finally muttered. "There's something moving inside her."
Aidrian leaned forward as the car engine vibrated softly. "Hang in there, Moira," he whispered. "Just a little longer."
***
Orla snorted harshly and stepped forward quickly. Her hand rose, ready to push Moira in the chest. But what happened?
TAP!
Moira's grip clamped down on her wrist before she could touch her.
They all heard a loud sound like bone locking, which made them all widen their eyes.
"Ah! Let me go!" Orla shouted in panic, her body trembling slightly.
Moira lifted her face, and at that moment, her golden eyes with sharp pupils shone. It was as if something inside her was urging to come out.
"Have you forgotten," she said softly, "that I am Mr. Dunne's lawful wife? I am the young mistress of this house."
"It's just your imagination!" Aine exclaimed quickly, but her voice trembled. "No one here respects you!"
Moira ignored her. She twisted Orla's arm with a quick, precise movement.
A loud scream echoed through the kitchen.
"AAARRRGHH!"
Orla fell to her knees, clutching her arm, which she could no longer straighten.
The other two maids backed away, their eyes wide. They began to feel horror, which intensified when they saw the look in Moira's eyes. It was different; it seemed to belong to another creature.
"Listen carefully," Moira said firmly. "I am no longer the Moira you once knew. Not the weak woman you despised and trampled on every day."
She turned slowly, looking at Aine and Fiadh one by one.
"Tell your masters that, starting tonight, I will collect everything. One by one. No one will escape."
No one answered. No one moved. The three of them froze in place.
"Moira! You always cause trouble wherever you go! Tonight, I won't let you leave this mansion just like that!"
His shout echoed, bouncing off the kitchen walls like a whip.
Moira flinched. The golden glow in her eyes faded instantly and her pupils returned to normal. Her breath caught in her throat.
Olivian stood in the doorway, her face flushed red.
Behind her, Trystin strode arrogantly in, his chin raised.
Mrs. Evelyn followed with an angry, panicked expression, while Fiona looked anxious yet disgusted.
"What is this?" Evelyn pointed at Orla, who was grimacing in pain on the floor. "What did you do to our maid, Moira?!"
"I—" Moira fell silent. Her gaze fell on Orla's unnaturally bent arm. Her chest trembled.
What happened? She couldn't even remember how her hand had moved.
"She's dangerous!" Aine quickly spoke up, pointing at Moira with a trembling finger. "She attacked Orla for no reason!"
"Yes, sir," Fiadh quickly added. "We were just doing our job. But she was acting like a possessed person!"
Moira turned sharply. "You guys—"
“Enough!” Olivian quickly cut Moira off. "I'm sick of this. This is too much.”
Trystin stepped forward and slipped a piece of paper into Olivian’s hand. “No more drama. Here's the solution."
Olivian grabbed the paper and roughly threw it at Moira. “Sign it.”
The paper flew and fell to the floor. Moira reflexively bent down to pick it up. Her eyes quickly scanned the writing on it—a divorce letter.
However, she felt nothing. She didn't beg or cry.
"Hurry up," Trystin said, handing her a pen. His smile was thin and piercing. "Don't waste our time."
Moira lifted her face and looked at them one by one.
Olivian sneered. Evelyn snorted coldly. Fiona turned her face away as if disgusted to look at her.
"Why?" Olivian laughed shorty. "Afraid of being homeless? You have nothing, Moira."
There was a slight tremor in Moira's chest. The remnants of old fears and despair that had almost consumed her. However, between her breaths, she heard a soft, warm whisper as if embracing her from within. "Don't be afraid."
Moira's lips curved slightly. She reached for the pen. With one swift motion, she signed.
"I've signed," she said calmly. "There's no need to bother taking it to your lawyer. I'll take care of it. Now we can get divorced immediately."
The room suddenly fell silent.
Olivian smirked. "You?" She laughed mockingly. "With what money will you pay the lawyer?"
"That's none of your business," Moira replied flatly.
"How dare you!" Evelyn stepped forward. "If you file for divorce, Olivian will be sued. Do you want to embarrass our family?!"
"It doesn't matter," Trystin interjected quickly, moving closer to Olivian. "The important thing is that we get divorced."
Olivian suddenly tensed up. Her eyes narrowed. "No." She turned sharply to Aine and Fiadh. "Take that letter."
"What—" Moira was shocked.
Aine and Fiadh lunged forward. Moira reflexively hid the paper behind her back.
"Give it here!" Aine grabbed it roughly.
PLAK!
A hard slap landed on Moira's cheek. Her head swayed, but the paper remained in her hand.
"You dare to resist?" Olivian stepped forward, her foot raised and ready to kick.
However, she was startled by a shrill scream coming from the hall. It was followed by the sound of breaking glass and the guests' panicked screams.
Everyone froze.
"What was that?" Fiona whispered in panic.
"What's wrong with the party?!" Evelyn gasped and ran outside.
Olivian, Trystin, and Fiona followed quickly. Aine and Fiadh left too, leaving Orla still grimacing on the floor.
Moira rubbed her sore cheek. Her breath was labored, but her eyes sharpened.
She turned to look at them all, then stepped forward to follow.
- Writer
