Mia’s POV
The party continued to swirl around me in a dizzying blur of lights,
music, and laughter, but my mind was elsewhere. Tristan had pulled me
aside earlier, finally managing to get me away from the brothers and the
chaos they brought with them.
“I’m sorry, Mia,” Tristan said, his eyes searching mine. “I didn’t think
the night would turn into this.”
“It’s not your fault,” I replied, trying to ease his guilt.
“It is,” he insisted. “I wanted tonight to be special for you. I wanted it to
be about you and me, but…” He hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck.
“There are pack issues I can’t ignore. That’s the only reason I haven’t
been able to spend as much time with you as I’d planned.”
I studied his face, his genuine frustration and regret clear. “I
understand,” I said softly. “You don’t have to explain yourself. You’re
here, and that’s enough.”
He gave me a small smile, his hand brushing against mine. “Thank you
for understanding. But I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”
I nodded, my chest tightening with a strange warmth I wasn’t used to.
Tristan’s intentions were genuine, and despite the interruptions, I
appreciated the effort he’d put into tonight.
After he was called away once again, I decided to take a moment for
myself. The party was overwhelming, and I needed to clear my head. I
slipped away quietly, heading toward the restrooms at the far end of the
hall.
As I stepped out of the restroom, I froze. Standing just a few feet away
were Layla and Scarlett, their perfectly styled hair and designer dresses
making them look like they’d stepped out of a magazine cover.
I turned, hoping to avoid them, but they spotted me instantly.
“Oh, look who it is,” Layla said, her lips curling into a saccharine smile.
“Cinderella herself.”
Scarlett folded her arms, raising an eyebrow. “Though I’m not sure if
she’s dressed for the ball or for… something else.”
I sighed, already regretting my decision to leave the safety of the
restroom. “Is there a reason you’re blocking the exit, or are you just
trying to collect a toll for passing through?”
Layla’s fake smile faltered for a moment before she leaned closer. “We
just wanted to chat, Mia. After all, you’ve been so… interesting tonight.”
“Interesting?” I repeated, crossing my arms. “That’s one way to put it.
What’s the other? ‘Intimidating’? ‘Outshining you’? Go ahead, I’ve got
time.”
Scarlett’s eyes narrowed. “You really think you’re something, don’t
you?”
“I think I’m someone who was just trying to leave the restroom,” I
replied with a shrug. “But if you want to make this about me, who am I to
stop you?”
Layla stepped forward, her eyes scanning me from head to toe. “You’re
really pushing it with this whole ‘new Mia’ act. The dress, the hair… what
are you trying to prove? That you’re better than us? Newsflash: you’re
not.”
“Better than you?” I pretended to think for a moment. “Well, I didn’t
want to say it, but since you brought it up-yeah, I kind of am.”
Scarlett let out a sharp laugh. “That’s rich, coming from someone who’s
clearly starving for attention. Tristan, the brothers… You’re just hopping
from one guy to the next, hoping someone will finally take notice.”
I tilted my head, giving her a pointed look. “And yet here you are,
dedicating your entire evening to talking about me. Funny how that
works, huh?”
Layla’s face turned red, but she quickly recovered, stepping closer.
“You’re nothing but a desperate little girl trying to play dress-up. Let me
guess-you’re hoping that if you look the part, someone will finally see
you as something more than an omega nobody.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” I shot back, feigning innocence. “I didn’t realize I was
supposed to take advice from the backup dancers in my show.”
Scarlett scoffed. “You’ve got a big mouth for someone who’s way out of
her league.”
“Big mouth? Maybe,” I said, smirking. “But at least I’m not spending my
entire night trying to tear down someone else to feel better about myself.
What’s next, ladies? A slideshow presentation on why I shouldn’t exist?”
Layla’s expression hardened, and she crossed her arms. “You’re acting
like you’re some kind of prize, but let’s be real-you’re not. You’re just
Tristan’s charity case.”
I took a step closer, meeting her glare head-on. “Charity case?
Sweetheart, if anyone here looks like they need help, it’s you. That
desperation? It’s showing. And trust me, it’s not a good look.”
Scarlett’s jaw tightened, and I could tell I was getting under their skin.
“Let me give you both a little advice,” I continued, my tone dripping
with mock kindness. “If you’re so interested in the brothers or Tristan,
go for it. They’re all yours. I don’t need to fight for leftovers.”
Layla’s face turned bright red, and Scarlett’s hands curled into fists.
“You’ve got some nerve-”
“Oh, I have plenty,” I interrupted, holding up a hand. “And if you two
keep trying to play this little mean-girls routine, you’re going to find out
just how much nerve I have. So, unless you want to spend the rest of the
night licking your wounds, I’d suggest you move along.”
Scarlett stepped forward,”You think you’re tough?”
Ima’s voice echoed in my mind, “Teach them to never touch you again.”
Scarlett reached for me, but I caught her wrist mid-air and twisted it just
enough to make her wince.
“Touch me again, and you’ll regret it,” I warned.
Layla grabbed Scarlett’s arm, pulling her back. “Let’s go. She’s not worth
it.”
“That’s right,” I said, smirking. “I’m not. Glad we’re finally on the same
page.”
They stormed off, their heels clicking loudly against the floor. I let out a
deep breath, my heart racing.
“You handled that well,” Ima said, her approval ringing in my mind.
Ima’s energy surged through me, and before I knew it, I twisted her arm,
forcing her to release me.
Layla stepped back, cradling her wrist as she glared at me. Scarlett
moved to her side, whispering something I didn’t care to hear.
Satisfied they wouldn’t push further, I walked away, my heart pounding
with adrenaline. For the first time, I felt truly strong, like I wasn’t just
surviving-I was fighting back.
I turned to leave, but as I rounded the corner, I nearly ran straight into
Nathan.
“Great,” I muttered under my breath.
His smirk spread across his face as he leaned casually against the wall.
“Having fun, Mia?”