Mia’s POV
The weekend felt like a lifeline. I finally had some space, some quiet, to
figure out what I needed to do. Staying under Diego’s roof was safe, and
Tristan’s presence gave me comfort, but I knew I couldn’t rely on them
forever. I needed independence.
With that thought in mind, I set out early in the morning, scouring the
city for part-time work. The hustle and bustle of the streets distracted
me from my swirling thoughts, and I felt determined to find something.
Anything.
The first cafe I stopped at had no vacancies. The manager was kind but
firm, letting me know they’d just hired someone. The second store, a
quaint bookstore, was the same story. By the third rejection, I was
starting to feel disheartened.
I stood outside a small diner, staring at the “Help Wanted” sign taped to
the window. My hand hovered over the door handle, but I hesitated.
Could I really do this? Balancing work, school, and whatever chaos the
brothers were bound to throw my way?
I took a deep breath and pushed the door open.
The waitress at the counter glanced up at me, a flicker of sympathy
crossing her face as I asked about the position. “Sorry, sweetheart,” she
said. “We just filled the role yesterday.”
I thanked her, trying to mask my disappointment as I stepped back
outside.
By mid-afternoon, I was out of options. Frustration bubbled inside me as
I sat on a bench, staring at the list of places I’d tried. I was running out of
time.
I scrolled through my phone, hesitating before dialing Tristan’s number.
I didn’t want to bother him, but I had no other choice. He has done so
many things for me, I don’t want to be burden on him.
But before I could call him, Tristan pulled up in his black car not long
after. He stepped out of his car, he looked more handsome with his clean
shave and tuxedo suit.
I felt more conscious about myself, as I tried to run my fingers in my
hair, trying to fix it after running all day, I was sure that I must be
looking like a mess.
“What’s going on?” he asked, leaning against the car.
“Uhmm.. I need a part-time job,” I admitted. “I’ve been looking all day,
but no one’s hiring. I thought maybe you’d know someone who could
help.”
His lips quirked into a small smile. “You should’ve come to me first. Get
in.”
I climbed into the car, grateful for the air conditioning as he drove us
back to his office.
“I have an opening,” Tristan said after a moment. “I need an assistant,
part-time. The hours are flexible, the pay is decent, and I’ll make sure it
doesn’t interfere with your school.”
I blinked, surprised. “Are you serious?”
“Dead serious,” he replied. “But only if you’re interested.”
The offer felt too good to be true. “What’s the catch?”
“No catch,” he said, glancing at me. “I just trust you. And honestly, I
could use someone who’s reliable.”
I considered it for a moment before nodding. “Okay. I’ll take it.”
He grinned, pulling into the driveway of his estate. “Perfect. You’ll start
Monday. I’ll send you everything you need to know.”
As we stepped out of the car, I couldn’t help but notice how fast my heart
was beating. Tristan’s presence had a way of doing that to me-making
me feel safe, yet completely on edge at the same time.
But then my thoughts shifted, unbidden, to the brothers. No matter how
much I wanted to separate myself from them, the bond still tied me to
them. And as much as I hated to admit it, I wasn’t immune to their pull.
“Tristan,” I said hesitantly as we walked toward the house.
He turned to me, his expression softening. “Yeah?”
“Thank you. For everything,” I smiled at him. He was indeed a supporter
and a hero of my life, if he wasnt there, then I couldn’t do anything.
“You don’t have to thank me,” he replied. “You deserve to have someone
in your corner.”
I gave him a small smile before heading to my room, determined to make
the most of the opportunity he’d given me.
Finally, I would walk out of hell and live my peaceful life. I went to live in
that family with 4 stepbrothers in the hope that finally my life would be
better, but my life became a nightmare in these months.
As I bid goodbye to Ima stirred in the back of my mind.
“Let’s go for a run,” she said.
I paused, surprised. “A run?”
“You’ve been holding back too much,” she said. “Let me out. We both
need this.”
I hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Okay.”
I slipped out of the house quietly, making my way to the nearby forest.
The cool night air brushed against my skin as I shifted, letting Ima take
over.
The sensation was exhilarating. My wolf was fast, her movements fluid
and powerful as we darted through the trees. For the first time in weeks,
I felt free-unburdened by fear, by expectations, by everything that had
been weighing me down.
But my peace didn’t last long.
As we rounded a bend, I skidded to a halt, my ears pricking at the sound
of footsteps. I shifted back quickly, throwing on the clothes I’d tied
around my waist.
Before I could react, a group of wolves stepped out from the shadows,
surrounding me.
“Well, well,” one of them said, his voice low and mocking. “What do we
have here?”
I backed up, my heart pounding as I counted them-five in total, all
larger than me.
“Just out for a run,” I said, keeping my tone calm.
One of the wolves stepped closer, his eyes narrowing. “You don’t smell
like you belong here.”
“I’m not looking for trouble,” I answered them, trying to excuse myself
from them.
“Too late for that,” another wolf said, his grin revealing sharp teeth.
Ima growled in the back of my mind, her presence steady and fierce. “We
can take them.”
“There’s too many,” I whispered internally.
“We’re stronger than we look,” she replied.