Mia's POV:
The slap was something I hadn't seen coming.
It stung so damn bad that I wanted to cry out.
But I held it in and just held my burning cheek.
My mother-in-law glared at me and yelled in my face.
"You have no right to raise that cursed hand of yours to hit my precious daughter!"
I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from crying.
Her words were always very sharp and very menacing.
Cassey wasn't even a bit happy at all these and muttered in frustration.
'If you as much as know how much I hate this mother-in-law of a person, then I'm sure the entire pack would be stabbing a sword into me'
Her words were out of anger. One that I didn't have the right to show.
"And what did you do to make her raise her filthy hands to slap you?"
She asked Chloe who had fake tears running from her eyes.
I didn't even hit her hard, she just happened to be a good drama queen.
"Mum I came in here to ask for some sweets, but Mia suddenly called me stupid and hit me across the face"
Cassey howled in anger and begged to shred that bitch into pieces.
'How dare she make up such a cheap lie?! Mia, go ahead and tell them it was a lie!' Cassey requested, but I stood rooted in one place with my eyes still cast on the floor.
What could my words change?
It couldn't do much for me except get me an extra beating.
My mother-in-law turned around again to glare at me and the next minute, she gritted her teeth and slapped me again.
I felt dizziness set in as I stumbled backward almost falling to the floor.
"You bitch!" She yelled and came forward.
Cassey was thrashing around in anger as she tried to take over and defend us.
'Mia let me handle this, for fuck's sake!'
I shook my head, directly pushing her voice down.
It was my mother-in-law talking to me.
I had to respect her.
Even if she wanted to kill me, I just had to stay and face it.
My mother-in-law then angrily pulled me out of the kitchen by the ear and into the massive living room.
Maids were cleaning the entire place and she pushed me down to the cold floor.
"I'm so tired of your presence in this house! Can't you just die and let my son be?!" Her hurtful words made the tears I had been holding in, fall uncontrollably from my eyes.
She gripped my jaw and made me look at her, "I hate you, Mia. I hate you so much that I wish you would die!"
My hands were trembling as I listened to every word that came from a fellow woman's mouth.
What is the name of the goddess did I ever do to her?
I never had any grudges against her, to begin with, neither did I do anything to theme us as enemies.
So why did she hate me this much?
Just cause I was barren?
When I first stepped into Hudson's house, my heart was filled with hope.
I had this sparkle in my eyes, full of dreams and expectations.
Everyone treated me so well.
His mom, his sister, everyone. They showered me with kindness, accepting me as Hudson's mate.
But life could be so cruel sometimes. A year went by, and I couldn't give birth to an heir. Two more years passed, and still, no children. And that's when everything changed like a switch flipped.
It was like a dark storm cloud rolled in, casting a shadow over that once-welcoming home. The love and acceptance I once had turned into hate and disdain. They started treating me like I was just some lowly maid, all because I couldn't have kids.
My heart shattered into a million pieces as I witnessed their love turning into cruelty. I felt the weight of their disappointment and resentment crushing me.
Just as I was lost in my thoughts, I felt another slap on my cheek and I almost passed out this time again.
It was Cassey holding me and keeping me from fainting.
My mother-in-law had slapped me again and she gritted her teeth in anger.
She dragged me up to my feet and spat in my face, "How dare you space when I'm talking to you?!" She yelled.
She angrily pushed me backward when I cried out.
The push was strong and I was about to fall to the floor.
Just when I felt myself falling helplessly to the floor.
A strong arm held me and broke my fall.
I had my eyes closed in shock, waiting for the painful impact of the fall, but it never came.
The room fell silent for a moment.
My heart races and tears welled up in your eyes.
As I waited for a long time and didn't feel any pain, I slowly opened my eyes.
A pair of deep black eyes was staring back at me.
Hudson was back.
There was a frown on his face as he gazed at my swollen ones.
Just then, his mother blew air and pointed a finger at me, her voice trembling with rage. "You think you can just cry and play the victim? Well, it's not going to work with me!" she shouted, her tone filled with venom.
Feeling a mix of fear and defiance, I mustered the strength to stand up to my feet.
Hudson turned to look at me properly.
He touched my face and I winced.
He frowned deeply and turned to his mother, Through gritted teeth, he asked "Why did you hit her this way?"
The tension in the room was palpable as Chloe and his mother glared at me.
"Hudson, I'm glad you're back! This bitch, she dared to hit your sister across the face and even spat on me!"
My eyes widened at this accusation.
Oh, goddess.
Cassey whined in anger and thrashed around again.
She lied also.
Just like her daughter.
I hurriedly turned to Hudson and shook my head to tell him it was all a lie!
His mother yelled at me again, "Bitch are you trying to say I'm a liar?!"
I ignored her and tried to explain myself to my mate.
That's what mattered to me.
But never in a million years did I expect what came at me next.
Before I could explain myself to Hudson, his eyes darkened and he raised his hand, giving me a dirty slap that sent me directly into darkness.
Mia's POV:“Talia!” I screamed.Her body was burning. She had a fever and she was unconscious. I didn't think. I just found a way to carry her on my back.I ran out of my room, barefoot. “Melanie! Zayn!” I yelled.Zayn sat up in a bolt and was by my side. “What happened to her?” He asked.“I don't know. Grab the car keys.” I instructed, hurrying to put my shoes on while carrying her. “Melanie!”“What's the noise for—” Melanie replied, swinging her door open. She saw Talia on my back and hurried to meet us. “Shit. Talia?” She tried to shake her awake. “What the hell? What's wrong with Talia?”“I don't know. You're driving.” I told her, already barreling through the front door.Zayn had unlocked the car. Melanie quickly went to the driver's side. I placed Talia in the passenger seat, draping her head on my lap. Zayn sat in the passenger seat, next to Melanie, turning his head to look at her.The fear on his face was evident. He was scared of losing his sister. Melanie glanced back but s
Mia's POV:Talia got back home an hour and a half later than she said she would be back. She said she would be back by 7pm. 7:30 latest. It was a little past 9pm. I couldn't relax.I was worried sick because she hadn't been taking her calls. What if something had happened to her? She was a member of our pack. The enemy could have attacked her. What if she was hurt and there was no one to help her?I was ready to grab my keys and go out, driving around to find her. I didn't care how long it takes.The door unlocked and she walked in. I heard her saying bye to her friends who had probably walked her home since it was along their route or something.I stood up as she walked in. “Talia.”She jumped, placing her hand on her chest. “Oh, my goodness, you scared me.” She said. “Mia, hi, good evening.”“Where have you been?” I asked. “I've been trying to call you. You said you'd be back by seven. This is nine.”Talia turned on her phone, the light casting a glow on her face. “Oh, I'm so sorry.
Mia's POV:I drove back home. Melanie's car was in the garage when I arrived. She was talking to Zayn. Talia was nowhere to be found.“Hey, what's up? Where's Talia and why are you home so early?” I asked, taking off my shoes and slipping my feet into comfortable slippers.“She had that movie thing with her friends today, remember?” Zayn said, reminding me.“Oh, yeah, she said it was today.” I walked into the living room and plopped down on the couch. “Mels,” I called.Melanie looked over her shoulder at me, a smile on her face from whatever Zayn had said. “I had a half day today. With the war happening, Jennifer wants everyone to be safe. She believes that not a lot of people coming to the orphanage will keep it safe.” She said, answering my question. “And besides, ever since you became mates with the Triplets, Jennifer has been able to hire more workers and get more funding, thanks to all you've been doing undercover.”“So you just go to work for fun now.” I grinned.Melanie squeale
Mia's POV:“I call bullshit. There's no way that William will ask for a truce. We haven't even retaliated yet.” Jackson said, unfolding the hand across his chest.“I think it's fake too. Why would he call a truce for a war that he's only just begun?” Jace asked.I remembered the fact that I had met William a few days ago and discussed the war. Maybe he had changed his mind about it.“What if it's true? What if he's realized that this is all a mistake?” I asked, bringing all the eyes in the room to mine. “What if he wants peace?”“You're not that naive, Lady Mia. I know that you have a personal relationship with this Alpha William but I suggest that you keep your prejudices out of it and think about him as an enemy.” Lord Torak advised folding his hands behind his back. “Because regardless of how you may feel, you must always remember that he is the enemy and he will do anything to deceive us, like this.”I nodded, solemnly. “You're right. Thank you for reminding me about that. I'll ke
Mia's POV:It wasn't long before the men Jaxon sent. We heard news from them about the town that the Frost Moon Pack had taken over. The Triplet forces had successfully reclaimed it. They'd gotten back the territory, even the hostages.William's warriors had retreated. I was in Triplet's office when the briefing came. Their Beta — Luca— mentioned that their sources believe that William was already gathering a new attack team.Jaxon linked his fingers together. “As agreed, we're retaliating. We're taking one of theirs.” He said.“Jaxon, I don't know about that. Don't you think we're making a big deal out of it? I mean, I know people have been hurt but can't we push for a treaty?” I asked, looking at him.“We can't keep being on the defensive, Mia. We're going to lose more that way. You know it.” Jaxon replied. “I know where your heart is but sometimes, you need to make hard decisions.”“A show of strength is necessary. We need to send a message to William. He thinks by taking over Broo
Mia’s POV:“We’ve all heard about the attack of Frost Moon Pack at the border of our territory.” He began.It elicited a round of murmurs in the room. I sat in my chair, beside Jackson, schooling my features.Jaxon lifted his hand and got silence from all of them. “This isn't going to fix our current problem. The issue now isn't what happened to that town, it’s how we're going to respond to this. Brutally and the Moon Claw way.”“What did you say the motive of the war was, Alpha Jaxon?” Lord Torak asked. He was sitting next to Jace.“Territory expansion.” Jaxon said, “And a fight for my mate, your Luna.”A new round of murmurs flowed around the table. People glanced at themselves and stared at me wondering why I was important enough to start a war.“Their Alpha William wants Mia,” Jaxon explained in case anyone was slow. “And that's not negotiable.”“That's disrespect,” Torak said, palming the table. “Wanting to covert another Alpha's Luna? It's not unheard of but starting a war becau