The One Who owns Me

kianna's Pov:

I walked slowly toward my door, pausing to draw in a long, shaky breath. My palm hovered on the knob as if the wood itself was a barrier I wasn’t ready to face.

Finally, summoning courage, I turned it open...only to let out a dramatic sigh of relief.Not who I expected, Just Leslie my roommate.

“Roomieee!” she squealed, throwing herself at me in a tight hug. My heart was still racing from that ridiculous knocking, but I forced a smile and hugged her back.

“God, Les, I almost thought you were dead,” I teased with a smirk, masking my relief.

She flopped dramatically onto her bed, rolling her eyes with a grin. “Please. My man was just too clingy. He wouldn’t let me leave him all weekend, and honestly? I didn’t want to.”

I let out a soft laugh and leaned against my bedpost. “Lucky you. If I had a happy relationship like yours, I’d do the same.” The words slipped out like a sigh, more truth than joke.

Leslie caught it instantly. Her smile faltered into that pitying look I hated. “Kiana… don’t tell me Maddox is still being a pain in the ass?”

I didn’t answer immediately,I just settled on my bed and stretched out,staring at the ceiling and letting the silence speak for me.

Of course, Leslie being Leslie, she switched gears in an instant. “Anyway! Did you hear? Friday’s the big Princess and Prince of Monticello High Prom night.” Her eyes lit up, and she nudged me with her elbow. “Hope you’re ready.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “Ready for what? I don’t even have a date. Won’t be getting one either, so what’s the point?” My voice sounded flat, but inside my chest, the ache pulsed, raw and stubborn.

Leslie sat up, crossing her arms with a frown sharp enough to cut glass. “Don’t tell me Maddox isn’t taking you. If he doesn’t, Kiana… maybe it’s time to let him go.”

Her words hit like a slap. I blinked at her, stunned, because we both knew letting go of Maddox was easier said than done. If it were that simple, I wouldn’t still be tangled in this mess.

“You say that like it’s easy,” I muttered, forcing a small smile. “Hopefully he’ll ask me. If he doesn’t… well, maybe it’s because he’s not going either.”

“Ugh, don’t even get me started on that horror-show boyfriend of yours.” Leslie threw her hands up, then shuddered theatrically. “You know I still can’t forget what he did to me last semester just because I took you to that night club party? Maddox Bianchi—innocent face, demon heart.”

I narrowed my eyes, sitting up to glare at her.“Watch it, Leslie. He’s still my man.” I threatened, but she brushed it off with a soft laugh.

We spent the rest of the night talking about our goals, relationships and studies. I was so caught up in it I didn't even remember how I fell asleep.

The next morning, I woke up really earlier than usual. And the very first thing I did was to check on my phone, just to see if maybe Maddox had texted me because he mostly gets mad if I don't reply to his texts faster.

Then I realized I didn't reply to Mordred's message yesterday and so I sent him an “okay” and threw my phone back on my bed.

After getting ready, I waited for Leslie before finally going to class. And as she said, today was actually the day boys will propose to the girls they're interested in and take them to tomorrow's prom as their date.

It was quite a sight and cute to watch. It began right at the entrance of the school. Most of the boys were waiting for the ladies with a banquet of flowers, teddy bear and some gifts.

Luckily for Leslie, her man—Jordan,who attended different high school came with some gifts for her. It was really nice and sweet of him to think about his woman like that.

After taking several pictures and chatting with some of our mates we headed inside and went straight to the school cafeteria. That's when I heard the rumors.

“Maddox, the school President, actually asked Ciara to be his prom date this morning in his class.” A girl seated behind Leslie and I muttered to her friends.

My heart ached instantly but blushed it off with a smile and asked Leslie not to pay any attention to what they're saying. But that was just a start, through the hallway to the class room…everyone was talking about it.

Some talked about the expensive gifts he got Ciara, how she was happy to receive those gifts and how she and Maddox actually hugged and kissed each other.

It felt as if a dagger had been shoved into my heart. But I remained composed, clenched my hips to control my temper and then rushed to the bathroom to do what I normally do when I'm overwhelmed or furious.

I washed my hands countless times until my palm was red like blood. Then I finally exhaled sharply. I really wanted to cry, shout and even grab him by the neck and choke him till he's breathless.

But I pressed on it all, and assured myself it's even good I wasn't there to witness it. It's great I missed such a scene and so I will just take it as a terrible nightmare and let it pass.

But fate was such a tease, the moment I got out of the bathroom and slipped to the locker room, I spotted him…seated beside Ciara and leaning in with a smirk to whisper something into her ears.

I pretended not to see them and passed by but Ciara intentionally called me once but I didn't turn then stood up and crossed my path. Now she was really reaching..I turned to Maddox who was seated quietly and watching it happen without saying a word.

Then faced her,”what now? Why cross my path? I asked her with a frown.

“Are you def? Didn't you hear me calling you? Oh perhaps you're mad because you saw me with Maddox. Just like you always do when you see us together.” She uttered teasingly and folded her hands.

I stared at her for a moment, trying to figure out where all this audacity was coming from. Then I stepped closer until there was no space left between us and whispered for only her to hear, “ I don't respond to dogs when they bark at me because they'll always remain an animal no matter who the owner is.”

Then rolled my eyes and walked past her without waiting for a response. But what she yelled stopped me in my tracks but I didn't turn around.

“After all I'm not a second option!”

Then I heard a loud laugh from Maddox which hurts more than anything else. I've been through a lot of humiliation because of him, but this one? Hurts me more than them all.

I didn't speak back, just sighed and went on with my day. My whole day in school felt like a punch and some sort of Karma. Everything reminded me of the rumors and Ciara's boldness towards me.

Finally the class ended and it was time to go home. I was a bit excited despite all the drama, but my happiness got cut short when I got dragged to a whole hockey hall by Maddox's boys.

I protested on our way but they were stronger than me and so I couldn't get away with it.

When we reached there, Maddox was seated on one of the benches with Ciara on his lap, surrounded by some of the students.

I let my eyes flicker around the room, hoping to catch sight of a teacher or perhaps any authority. Because with the way Maddox’s gaze pinned me down, I could already feel humiliation creeping close.

“Well, well , well, Kiki. You really did think you would get away with disrespecting my Prom date like that?” He shot with a smirk, as if watching me panic satisfied him.

I tiled my head and stared through his soul. I didn't want to talk back at first, because that would make him lose it but Ciara's body language got me to shoot back.

“Why not? Did I bruise you and your little prom date’s ego?” I muttered, letting my words sink in.

“How dare you talk back at me without permission!” He roared, then shoved Ciara aside and walked towards me without hesitation. “It seems you've forgotten who owns you and I have to teach you right now..”

Before I could even blink, his palm cracked across my face, sending me crashing to the floor. Pain stung hot against my cheek, but before I could recover, his rough fingers gripped my chin, jerking my head up to meet his blazing eyes. “Look at me,” he snarled—then another slap landed, harder, sharper and fueled with rage.

Tears streamed down my cheeks but everyone who sat there saw it as entertainment, especially Ciara who even clapped her hands and yelled, “This is little, she deserves some beatings for that rudeness.”

And Maddox smirked at her then turned to face me. “You heard that? Well, you won't be going to the prom tomorrow so I wouldn't mind teaching you some lessons until your bones break.”

Then everyone began laughing as if that was a joke. Knowing damn well, Maddox does what he says. I pleaded with him, because I knew how far he could go to make me miserable in front of people just to show dominance over me.

My knees buckled, and I clutched desperately at his leg, tears spilling down my cheeks.

“Please, Maddox, I’m sorry… I swear I won’t even breathe near Ciara again!” My voice cracked, trembling with fear, but his eyes slid past me like I was beneath him.

“ Too late, boys …give her some heavenly beatings but make sure she breathes because I need her alive.” he ordered, then went back to his seat ignoring all my protest.

Then the boys began. The first punch drove into my stomach, folding me in half as the air whooshed out of my lungs.

Another cracked across my temple, stars bursting in my vision. Boots thudded against my ribs, my back, my legs, each strike branding my body with pain.

Inside me, my wolf howled. Fight back, Kiana! Tear them apart! Don’t let them break us! Her fury burned hot, clawing at the edges of my mind, begging to be unleashed.

My nails scraped the floor, aching to lengthen into claws, my teeth grinding as if fangs wanted to tear through.

But I couldn’t. Maddox’s presence pressed down on me like chains, suffocating my wolf, forcing her into silence. Fear shackled me tighter than silver ever could.

I screamed until my throat was raw, pleaded until my voice broke into hoarse sobs. My body shook violently, curling into itself on the cold floor, but the kicks kept raining down.

Each strike was a cruel reminder that my destiny wasn’t freedom but it was torment.

First my mom's painful death in front of me, second being abandoned by my pack, thirdly, being sold twice before getting adopted into a family that sees me as one of their possessions instead of their child.

And now fated to a boy who wouldn't hesitate to tear me apart if it'll make him happy.

“Why, why !!!!” I yelled on top of my voice, letting out all the emotions that had choked inside me.

Then Maddox signaled to his boys to stop. I tried to stand up but failed miserably. And so I knelt on the floor and glared at him.

“It's over Maddox, it's over between us…unless you kill me–even if you don't,

I'll do it right after I leave this place….” I muttered with a shaky voice, my fits were trembling when I managed to look him dead in the eye and continued.

“And I'll make sure to hunt you after.. I'll hunt you till you have nowhere to go, nobody to talk to and helpless like I am right now.”

The room went silent for a second, then they all bursted out laughing including him. To him, I was just mumbling because I'm annoyed. But to me? It was a promise.

I've finally given in, I can't keep up anymore. I've made up my mind to end my suffering by vanishing from this world for good. After all, there's nothing I wanted that has ever been mine.

“Lift her up!” He barked, his voice echoing through the hall. The boys immediately helped me get on my feet.

“You'll end your life? You're threatening me isn't it?…trying to manipulate me to stop right?”He muttered, his husky voice filling the room before letting out a chuckle.

“Listen to me Kianna, you belong to me and can't even die without my permission. Now get out of my sight before I lose it for good.” he added, then smirked faintly before turning to face Ciara.

That did it, I limped my way out without saying a word. When I reached the entrance I stared at him for the last time before leaving.

At the hallway, I met two students from my class who helped me to the roof top out of sympathy.They actually thought I needed fresh air but didn't know what I was about to do.

My body trembled as I dragged myself, limping toward the far wall. Every breath burned in my chest, every step felt like knives digging into my ribs.

My wolf screamed inside me, her voice raw and desperate. “What are you doing, Kiana?! Stop! Don’t you dare! Don’t you let him win this way!”

But I shut her out. I couldn’t bear the sound of her rage and her pleading. I couldn’t bear myself either.

My hands clutched at the cold bricks as I climbed, fingers shaking, knees buckling beneath me.

I reached the edge and stood there, the world was spinning beneath my feet. Closing my eyes I breathed in deep, trying to drown out the chaos in my head.

Just one step, and it will all be quiet, but the voices in my head screamed louder, my wolf howling, memories flashing like lightning—but I tilted forward anyway, craving the silence and release.

And then….

A hand shot out of nowhere seizing my wrist. My eyes flew open immediately as I was yanked backward with brutal force, crashing onto the ground.

Pain jolted through me, knocking the air from my lungs.

I gasped, blinking through tears and shock, staring up at the figure above me. My breath caught in my throat.

“Y–You again?”