Chapter 5: I Will Always Protect You

16 years ago

Diana could only remain silent in response to all Annabelle's words because she felt that her half-sister's words were true. She was just a stepdaughter, she should be the one sacrificing, not Annabelle.

So even though Annabelle was shaking her shoulders and getting mad at her, she couldn't help but accept her step-sister's anger.

“Tell father that you want to be married with him.” Annabelle was still shaking Diana's body and pointed at Darren who was standing behind Diana.

Meanwhile, Diana tried desperately to hold back her tears from falling. She didn't want to be scolded by her mother again for being whiny. Here she was at a loss because if she obeyed her half-sister's words, then she would have to oppose her mother while she was also afraid of her mother.

“Hurry up and say that you volunteered for the arranged marriage!” snapped Annabelle.

“That's enough.” Darren let go of Annabelle's hand that was gripping Diana's shoulder. He also pushed Annabelle away from Diana. “Your parents' decision is not Diana's fault. If you really don't want to be married with me, you can tell your parents by yourself. Don't involve Diana and blame her. She knows nothing about their decision.”

Diana was a bit shocked that for the first time, someone was defending her instead of blaming her. She tugged at the cuffs of Darren's shirt, and when Darren saw it, Diana shook her head. She didn't want Darren to blame Annabelle.

Seeing all of Diana and Darren's interactions only increased Annabelle's anger. She walked forward towards Diana. “Why are you always so lucky? You can do whatever you want, but me? I have to obey my father. I have to follow this and that, learn so many things that I'm sick of just because I'm the first child and heir to the Genevieve family.” Her breathing rose and fell violently. “I also want to be like you who is free to do anything, Diana!” Unexpectedly, Annabelle pushed Diana until she fell into the lake.

The sound of objects falling into the water was so loud that it startled the parents as well. They ran to their children. Meanwhile, Darren had thrown himself into the lake to save Diana.

Diana couldn't swim, she was afraid of the quiet water because it made her feel like she could be drawn in.

Some water had already entered Diana's mouth but before she completely drowned, Darren managed to grab her body. Darren swam to the edge while hugging Diana's body from the side to ensure that Diana was safe with him.

“Oh my gosh!” Miranda acted as if she was very worried. When in reality, she would rather Diana sink to the bottom of the lake.

Diana coughed and was soothed by Darren. Meanwhile Annabelle was crying for fear of being blamed. The atmosphere became very chaotic and uncontrollable. The lunch that aimed to match the children of the two families ended up falling apart like this because of the jealousy of one party. And unfortunately, Diana was the one to blame.

“Come with me baby, you need to clean up.” Miranda pulled Diana away from Darren and took her to the public restroom.

Diana's soaked body shuffled along with Miranda's quick steps. Her hands were sore and red from being grabbed and pulled too tight but she couldn't protest out of fear.

And when they reached the restroom, Miranda threw Diana's body to the floor, making Diana's elbow hurt and bleed.

“You trash! You know you've ruined this meeting, huh?” Miranda pulled Diana to her feet. Then she pushed Diana into the toilet cubicle and flushed her with the shower jets.

Diana's body shivered with cold. She also felt the sting of the wound on her elbow although it would eventually close and heal itself.

“You ruined everything!” Miranda was really tantruming to the point of stomping her feet and also still dousing Diana's body by pressing the shower jets harder and harder until the water pressure became greater which was even more painful when it touched Diana's body.

Diana was the victim here but she was the one being punished.

Diana could only cry and protect her head with her arms. She was totally surrendered to whatever her mother did to her. She was too weak to fight back and too scared.

Diana bit her lip so as not to make a sound while crying and let her tears mix with the water sprayed by her mother until finally Miranda was annoyed by it and she threw the shower jet.

“You should be grateful that I took you away from your unreliable father. I gave you a good life by becoming part of Genevieve's family. You just need to obey my orders and not make any mistakes that would make your stepfather hate you. Is that so hard to do?” Miranda slapped Diana without hesitation. After that, she scrunched up her waist and turned her face away.

“I won't keep quiet next time. If you act up again, then I will sell you to that prostitute. Do you understand?”

Diana hugged her mother's legs and shook her head. She begged not to be thrown away there, to a place that had traumatized her so deeply that she had selective mutism.

*"I'm sorry, I won't make any more mistakes. Please don't throw me there. I don't want to be sold.” Diana was still begging with a trembling body.

But Miranda didn't care, she removed Diana's hands from her legs forcefully. And finally before leaving, she turned back to Diana. “Shut your mouth and never make a sound if you want to stay by my side.” Then she closed the door with a bang.

Now Diana was alone, she could cry more freely although she still held back her voice.

Her heart felt very tight because of her biological mother's harsh treatment. Diana also questioned her decision to go with her mother rather than her father. Although Diana's father was unreliable, he never hurt Diana.

Diana hugged her own body and buried her head between her bent legs. Her shoulders rose and fell as she was still crying.

Without Diana knowing, Darren was listening to everything from earlier. He knew everything and it made him furious. Darren was mad that Diana was treated like that but didn't fight back. He decides to come out of one of the toilet stalls and take off the suit he was wearing to put it on Diana's body.

“You're hurt.” Darren held Diana's arm. And he was very surprised when he saw Diana's wound slowly disappearing. “How .... do you have healing abilities?”

Diana nodded weakly. She did have that rare ability, which only one werewolf in the Pack had.

Darren sighed. “You should have fought back, not let her trample you even though she was your mother. You're not wrong, but you're the victim.” While giving Diana advice, Darren also helped Diana to stand up. He was sad to see Diana like this, especially when he read Diana's thoughts, it made him heartbroken.

“Dare to fight for your own good,” Darren said.

*****

16 years later ( Nowadays )

Alpha Darren still had his phone to his ear to listen to the caller on the other side. His veins were already showing as he recalled the incident a few years ago when he first met Diana. It made him so mad until now.

[You were the one who asked me to leave a year ago and you also asked Diana to replace me. It was all arranged by you. So I want to repay the favor I have done. I will return to Pack Kyne as soon as possible.]

That's true. The contract marriage was planned by Alpha Darren without the knowledge of anyone except Annabelle. Everyone only knew that Diana replaced Annabelle, but in reality it was Alpha Darren who deliberately chose Diana as his bride.

Diana did not replace her half-sister, but she was indeed the bride Alpha Darren wanted. Because Alpha Darren wants to free Diana from the suffering she has felt since a dozen years ago.

Since his first meeting with Diana, Alpha Darren wanted to save Diana from the injustice she had received. And he let Diana misunderstand this truth so that Diana would not love him because her life was too dangerous. Alpha Darren just wanted to make sure Diana was safe and happy even if he had to sacrifice his feelings that Diana did not reciprocate.

Alpha Darren sighed. “I don't care. As long as you don't hurt Diana, it's none of my business.”