Chapter 5

Fiona’s POV.

Stunned.

I was stunned and shocked at the same time. Of all the ways I could imagine this night going south, this wasn’t one of them. I just stayed rooted on the spot, staring at the four alphas in dumbfounded amazement.

“Are they speaking up for me?” I thought mentally.

The party fell into hushed silence as the drama unfolded. I saw Helena and her group pale at the unexpected sight of the four alphas. Helena looked pale, gulping instinctively as Jin and the remaining three drew closer but her main focus was on Jon watching her with cool, blank eyes.

“I asked you a question, Fiona.” He said again with a deceptively soft voice, his face was anything but. His dark eyes had a hard glint in them. He turned those dark eyes to me in question and I resisted the urge to flinch under his intense stare. That and the anxiety crippling me at the nearness of the four alphas surrounding.

I said the only thing that came to mind at best, “I’m sorry.”

A slight frown appeared between his brow at my words before it disappeared.

I heard a snort behind which sounded suspiciously like Lyn’s or Soren’s. I didn’t turn to find out.

Jin rested cold eyes on Helena who turned an impossible shade of white and asked, “Is there particular reason you did what you did?”

“I—I…” she stuttered stupidly.

I watched her group slowly ease away from her, putting some distance between Helena and Jun, probably trying to avoid getting into the crossfire. It was pathetic really.

“You what? Cat got your tongue?” Jin taunted.

Helena shook her head dumbly, words left her throat in a choked gasp.

Jin returned to me and as our gaze connected, I swallowed tightly at the emptiness in his eyes even though there was a hint of amusement on his face.

“Fiona has always been clumsy.” Luna chimed. “It’s no surprise if she tripped and fell only to blame Helena.”

Jin turned to face his mother squarely. She met his eyes unflinchingly. “I know what I saw, mother. We all did so there’s no need to the lies and blame. Fiona is innocent.”

The Luna blushed, embarrassed at her son’s quiet retort. She spared me a dark look before walking away in haughty silence and I instinctively knew that I was in for a long night. The Luna didn’t take public embarrassment too lightly and since she couldn’t obviously blame her son, she’ll blame me instead like she’s always done.

I watched like my spirit had left my body as Jin helped me to my feet, inspecting my hands for any injuries, which unfortunately they were; some of the broken shards were embedded in my palms, bloodied and all. I barely noticed the pain. The sensation of Jin’s hands on my shoulders made me shudder with repulsion. I wasn’t fooled by his gentle act. He was anything but gentle. He was dark and soulless, and seductively charming like a viper.

I gasped as Jin reached down, his fingers curling around my shoulder as he helped me up from the cold marble ground littered with broken, bloodied glass and champagne. The sting of my cuts, raw and still bleeding, bit through my skin, I wish I didn’t need his help. I still didn’t, but somehow my legs couldn’t comply and I hated it. My pulse thundered in my ears, an erratic drumbeat to match the chaos that unfolded.

As I steadied myself, Jin stepped forward, his face a mask of controlled fury, his voice hard as steel. He took the bloodied glass shards from my trembling hand, his fingers brushing against mine, warm and resolute. Then, without batting an eyelash, he slammed them down onto Helena’s outstretched palm, each shard glinting under the harsh light, stained with the remnants of my blood.

Helena screamed. Some of the shards had slashed her delicate looking palm but Jin ignored her and no one else dared to speak.

“I order you,” Jin commanded, his voice as cold and cutting as the glass itself, “to clean up these shards. Now.”

Helena’s defiance crumbled, her eyes widening with something close to fear. She wanted to protest but held back at the dark glare Soren and Lyn leveled at her. "I didn't mean to, it was Fiona who just angered me—"

Jin raised a hand, interrupting Helena’s protest. “Someone, kick this woman out of my party! Security!”

Helena turned pleading eyes to Soren, Lyn and Kai still standing behind me and paled all over at the vile contempt written on their faces. Soon the security came and hijacked Helena roughly even as she struggled at their steel grips, screeching like a banshee as they escorted her out of the venue.

The head security came forward and bowed respectively at the four alphas. “Apologies for the disturbance.”

“It’s fine. See to it that she get her wounds treated.” Jin said with a dismissively.

The ambience of the party returned back to normal after the chaos was over and the host resumed his duties. Jin turned to his friends, muttering in low tones. I took that chance and snuck away, making a run for the kitchen. Hopefully I could sneak away to my room in peace.

A hand shot out and grabbed me by the scruff of my shirt and my heart stopped for a beat yet I didn’t turn back to see who it was. I already knew.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Jin questioned.

“I… to the kitchen.” I squeaked.

Jin took my bloodied hand and examined it closely before releasing a tired sigh. “Come with me.” He said, dragging me along. I got a few questioning stares but no one said anything. It wasn’t their place. My gaze moved to Jin’s hand closed over mine and tried to ignore the grimy sensation of his hand wrapped around my wrist. I hated being touched but I ignored it this time. This was the first time Jin has ever stood up for me for as long as I can remember. It was surprising really and my brain didn’t seem to fully process that had just occurred.

The sound of a door closing behind me drew me out from my thoughts and I stared at my surroundings — the large room richly furnished in cool earthy colors with tasteful furniture left me staring stupidly in admiration. But what stopped my heart and stilled my soul was the sight of king-sized situated at the right corner of the room. Memories of that night threatened to surface. My eyes pressed tightly close and I shook my head roughly to remove the images playing on repeat in my head.

Hands pinning me down…

Hands tearing my clothes off…

Hands touching my body…

The cruel laughter echoing above me as I wiggled helplessly against them….

My lungs worked for air as the potent urge to vomit crawled up my throat for the fourth time today. I must have been shivering violently because a pair of warm hands closed over my shoulder, giving me a gentle shake with startled me out of the nightmarish memories.

“Hey. You’re alright. You’re safe now.” Jin consoled gently, stroking my shoulders as the last of the nightmare faded away.

Rage had me shoving forcefully at his chest, putting a great distance between us. I was close to the door so I could bolt away if he tried anything funny. “Why did you bring me here?”

Jin raised two hands up in surrender, moving towards me.

“Back the fuck off!” I hissed, wishing I had some sort of weapon.

Jin let his hands drop lifelessly to his sides with a sigh. “You’re injured.” He stated, eyeing my bloody palm.

“I can take care of it myself.” I shot back.

“Don’t be foolish. At least let me clean up your wound before it gets infected.” He coaxed, moving closer.

“I said back off!”

Jin studied me closely and we stood there for a while before he said in the gentlest voice, “Let me treat your wound, Fiona. I know I’m the last person you want to be in the same room with. But I can’t in good conscience let you go like this.”

“Conscience? Only the living have that, not you. How do I know you won’t pounce on me the second I let my guard down?” I asked.

“I swear on my honor.”

“You have no honor.”

He fell silent for a moment before moving to the large desk, opening one of the drawers and held out an object to me that almost made me see red. “Remember this?”

Of course I did. It was the Swiss knife he used to chop my pigtails off. “I do remember.” I said stiffly under my breath.

Jin rounded the large desk and moved hesitantly to me before pressing the Swiss knife in my hand. “You can slice my throat if I try anything outside of treating your hand.”

“I’ll be dead before I step one foot out of this house.” I whispered, clutching the knife reassuringly.

Silently, he left me for the adjoining bathroom which he left open for me to see him take out the first aid box before coming out to meet me again. “Please, have a seat.” He invited with a wave of his hand with a small smile.

I’d be a fool to take his word for it. I took one of the chair near the door and sat, watching Jin suspiciously all the same holding onto that knife for dear life. I don’t care if I die protecting myself. No one will touch me again.

No one.