Chapter 29: Bite Back–1
Thea’s POV
Everyday made me flinch after that attack. My body was healing, the bruises fading to sickly yellows and greens, but the mental scars ran deeper. Sleep came in fitful bursts, filled with nightmares of rough hands and cold knife. Three attempts on my life. Three times I’d somehow survived. But as I stared at my reflection in the grocery store window, tracing the bruises on my face, I wondered how much longer my luck would hold. The person who wanted me dead clearly wouldn’t stop until I was six feet under, ensuring I’d
never see Leo grow up.
The thought of missing my son’s life sent stabbing pains through my chest. I’d miss his first shift, his teenage years, graduation, everything. My hands trembled as I pushed the shopping cart down another aisle, trying to focus on my grocery list instead of the dark thoughts threatening to overwhelm me.
These days, I felt like I was sleepwalking through life. Everything seemed distant and unreal, like I was watching someone else go through the motions. Deep down, I was still waiting to wake up from this nightmare, even though I knew it was all too real.
“Dear, are you alright?” A gentle voice pulled me from my spiraling thoughts.
1 looked up to find an elderly woman studying me with concern, her kind eyes lingering on the healing split in my lip and the purple–yellow bruising along my cheekbone.
“I’m fine, thank you.” I attempted a smile but couldn’t quite manage it.
“Are you sure? Would you like me to call someone for you?”
Her kindness, offered so freely to a complete stranger, made my throat tight. If only everyone could show such simple compassion.
“Really, I’m okay. Just tired.” I forced more conviction into my voice.
She squeezed my hand gently. “Things will get better, dear. Keep faith.”
I watched her walk away, grateful for the brief moment of human connection. But my solitude was short–lived.
1/3
3.20 pm
Chapter 29: Bite Back–1
“Well, don’t you look absolutely wrecked.” A familiar, sneering voice made my shoulders
tense.
Shit. Of all people to run into, Callista was the last person I wanted to deal with right
now.
I tried ignoring her, focusing intently on the shelves of canned goods before me. But Callista, true to form, wasn’t about to let me escape that easily.
“What happened? Try seducing another woman’s man and get what you deserved?” She smirked. Callista was the Ashworth Pack’s Liaison, she assisted the Alpha and Luna with daily pack affairs and coordinated meetings with other packs. It was a prestigious position, one that gave her significant influence. But she’d always looked down on me, wolfless Luna.
–
the
someone
I clenched my fists, fighting for control. The whole city knew about the attack had leaked the story to the media, along with details about the previous two attempts. Sebastian was still investigating who’d betrayed pack confidentiality.
“What do you want, Callista?” I kept my voice steady. “We both know you’re aware of what happened.”
“Oh, I don’t want anything. Just speaking the truth. Maybe the one trying to kill you is some she–wolf whose mate you tried to seduce? After all, that’s your specialty, isn’t it? Seducing taken men because no real wolf would ever want a wolfless thing like you.”
I studied her, taking in her immaculate appearance while I looked like I’d gone ten rounds in the training ring. Same old Callista, still bitter that Sebastian had never noticed her obvious attempts to catch his eye.
“Really? That’s the best you can do? Same tired insults after all these years? You need new material.” My tone dripped sarcasm.
She quickly regained her composure, a wicked gleam entering her eyes. “How does it feel, watching Sebastian with your sister? Knowing he’s finally with the woman he always
wanted?”
Her painted lips curved into a cruel smile. “How does it feel, watching Sebastian with your sister? Knowing he’s finally with the woman he always wanted?”
2/3
