Bitten By The Alpha

"They say obsession is dangerous, but for you, I'll embrace madness if it means keeping you." Knox...

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ARIA'S POV

My fists slammed into the thug's stomach, and he groaned, stumbling backward.

"Leave her alone," I snapped, stepping between him and the girl huddled against the wall. She was shaking, her face wet with tears and her dress torn at the sleeve.

The thug sneered, wiping blood from his mouth. "You've got guts, girl. Too bad they won't save you."

I clenched my fists tighter, ignoring the sting in my knuckles. "Try me."

He lunged, but I was faster. I dodged to the side, kicking his leg out from under him. He crashed to the ground with a curse, clutching his knee.

"Run!" I yelled at the girl.

She hesitated for a moment before scrambling to her feet and bolting out of the alley. I didn't look back to watch her go.

The thug pushed himself up, glaring at me. "You're dead."

"Not today," I said sharply

The thug chuckled at my audacity. Well, I might be small in size compared to him but in here, I have the upper hand.

Yeah... The only place I act strong..... My imagination.

My imaginary 'come to the rescue scene dissolved into the dim walls of my bedroom. I stared at my reflection in the mirror. My hands weren't bruised from a fight. The thug wasn't real. None of it was. Here, in my imagination, I was unstoppable. I was strong- fierce enough to stand up to anything which was far different from my reality. Here, I wasn't a hero.

I opened the door as I stepped out of my room- my safe haven. The faint scent of coffee wafted the air from the kitchen. I wasn't even halfway down the hall when I almost collided with Daphne.

"Watch it," she snapped, stepping back with a scowl. Her perfectly manicured nails tapped impatiently against her arm. She was dressed in her usual leather hunting jacket, the one she wore when she went out with the others.

"Sorry," I mumbled, stepping aside to let her pass.

Her eyes narrowed as they darted to the folder in my hand. "What's that?"

"Nothing important."

Before she could press further, heavy footsteps echoed behind her. My stepbrother, Jordan, appeared, his crossbow slung casually over his shoulder. He was grinning, but there was a coldness in his eyes that always made my stomach turn.

"Where are you going to, Aria?" my stepmother's voice, Wren, cut through the air before I could answer. She emerged from the kitchen, her sharp gaze pinning me in place. She was dressed like the others, her gear strapped tightly, ready for the hunt.

"I have a... a job interview," I stammered, clutching the folder tighter.

"A job interview?" Daphne sneered, her tone dripping with mockery. "What for? Cleaning toilets?"

Jordan just gave me a calculating gaze. Well, he doesn't pick on me like Daphne does, but doesn't his disinterest.

As for my stepmother,