3

Maya's POV

Allison looked like she had seen a ghost soon after Stephen's words dropped like venom.

“She doesn’t deserve your sympathy, Stephen. She’s a liar and a dirty whore,” she spat.

“shut the fuck up and get out.” Stephen growled and began to press in my chest, trying to get the water out of my lungs.

The more he pressed, the more I wondered in my delirious state. He hated my guts, my very existence so why was he helping me? And why at the expense of Allison?!

I coughed and sputtered, finally expelling the last of the pool water from my lungs. As my senses fully returned, I became aware of Stephen kneeling beside me, his expression unreadable.

"Wh-why...why did you save me?" I managed to rasp out between gasping breaths.

Stephen's jaw clenched minutely. "Let's just say I didn't want your death on my conscience."

A bitter, ragged laugh escaped my lips. "Since when did you grow a conscience where I'm concerned?"

His eyes flashed dangerously. "Watch your tone. I may have just saved your worthless life, but you're still talking to an Alpha."

I flinched at the harsh rebuke, shrinking back. Of course, I was foolish to think he had developed any sympathy for my plight. To him, I was merely a plaything to be tormented.

Stephen seemed to realize his words had hit their mark, letting out a slow exhale as he raked a hand through his chestnut hair. When his gaze returned to me, there was an undeniable intensity simmering in those lupine eyes.

"Listen, I didn't have to intervene back there. I could've just let Allison have her fun, let you drown like the pathetic little mutt you are." His voice was low, tinged with an almost predatory edge that sent a shiver down my spine.

I said nothing, fear once again seizing my voice as I met that scorching stare. He leaned in closer, so close that I could smell the mint on his breath.

"But I saved you. Which means you owe me a debt, little pup."

My eyes went wide at the implication, panic fluttering in my chest. Surely he couldn't mean...could he? Before I could give voice to my terror, Stephen's fingers grasped my chin in an unforgiving grip, forcing me to hold his piercing gaze.

"I haven't decided how you'll repay me yet. But when I do, you will obey without question. Are we clear?"

I wanted to spit defiance in his face, to renounce any debt to this cruel, sadistic Alpha. But some deep-rooted instinct for self-preservation stayed my tongue. Grinding my teeth, I gave a mute nod of acknowledgment.

A slow, predatory smile curved Stephen's lips as he released my chin with a light shove. 

"Good girl. I'll let you know when it's time to start paying up." 

How could the one I loved so deeply betray me like this? When I thought Stephen was the light to guide me out of my desperate life, he instead dealt me a crushing blow. I was utterly confused by his actions. And then, as if that weren’t enough, he had the audacity to suggest I now owed him a favor. The hurt and anger burned deep within me.  

Stephen was my first love. I had given him every piece of my heart, only for him to trample on it. And now, not only had he betrayed me, but he was the ringleader in the cruel bullying I suffered daily. Each taunt, each prank, each humiliation – it all traced back to him pulling the strings.

My mind filtered back to the last time Stephen and I spent together as lovers.

We had gone on a date by the lake. The brilliant colors of the sunset reflected off the lake’s surface as Stephen led me along the water’s edge, our hands intertwined. When he stopped and turned towards me, I was captivated by the adoring look in his eyes. 

“You look beautiful,” he murmured, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. 

I felt my cheeks grow warm. “You don’t look so bad yourself,” I managed with a shy smile.

Stephen chuckled, that rich sound I loved so much, and pulled me into his strong embrace. As his arms wrapped around my waist, I melted against him, savoring his familiar, comforting scent. In that moment, the rest of the world just fell away until it was just the two of us.

When our lips finally met, I felt like I was being swept away by the tenderness of his kiss. My heart fluttered rapidly in my chest. As we parted, Stephen rested his forehead against mine.

“I love you, Maya. More than you’ll ever know,” he whispered with clear reverence.  

Tears of pure joy stung my eyes as I gazed up at this wonderful man that I loved so deeply. “And I love you, Stephen. Always.”

Bound together by our blazing love, nothing could tear us apart. If only that endless bliss didn’t crumble the very next week.

My thoughts were interrupted by the shrill ringing of the school bell, signaling the end of classes for the day. The lecturer didn’t even acknowledge my drenched appearance from the latest prank, merely reminding us about proper decorum for next period. 

Allison’s snickering cut through me like knives as I hung my head in shame. Perhaps it was Stephen’s “suggestion” that had taken effect, as Allison didn’t bother me further after the morning’s events. The rest of the quadruplets, that powerful pack of rich alpha heirs, were also nowhere to be seen. As the top students, they enjoyed a privilege the rest of us couldn’t fathom – skipping classes entirely if they so chose.  

I breathed a small sigh of relief knowing I was spared their torment for now. But a larger worry still gnawed at me – what could I possibly give to satisfy Stephen’s debt? He was the wealthiest amongst his brothers and the most influential student here. What did I have that he could possibly want?

Shaking off those thoughts for the moment, I glanced at the clock. Nine hours until midnight. Until my shift. A tremor of anticipation ran through me as I thought of what the future held for me. What if I ended up still being bullied even after I’ve gotten my wolf? Will my future even get any better?

If I succeeded with stopping the bullying at school, what about my father? 

I had always said he would find me if I ever tried to runaway but coming to think of it, I've never actually tried to run away. I've always sat back like a puppy and swallowed every single faeces that was thrown my way.

I thought of my mom and for the first time i saw myself as her without feeling betrayed, that brave woman who dared to break free from the clutches of the devil himself.

And that's who I was going to be tonight, as soon as I get my wolf. 

Feeling exasperated, I stepped through the school gates but almost immediately, three towering figures blocked my path – Nathan, Elijah and Karl. Three more members of Stephen’s cruel pack. I trembled as they approached, dreading whatever fresh torment they had cooked up.

“We heard today's your birthday little wolf,” Nathan sneered, cracking his fingers as he spoke.

“How could you keep something so important away from us, huh?” Karl interjected, barely seconds after Nathan.

I didn't respond and tried to walk past them but Elijah who was silent all through suddenly pulled me back, much to my terror.

"Relax, Maya, we just wanted to celebrate with you," Elijah huffed.

A bitter laugh nearly escaped my lips at the absurdity of it all. These three had made my life a living hell, and now they wanted to celebrate my birthday? As if I had any other choice, I gave a fearful nod of acceptance, thinking everything was going to end.

But when Nathan's eyes lit up, a sinister glint shimmering in them as he added with his fingers trailing from my chin down to my neck, "Our pretty and dearest brother's ex-girlfriend," I was forced to think otherwise.