CHAPTER 6
Anna's POV
I stand in front of Alpha Dylan's gated mansion, my heart pounding like it's trying to escape my chest. What am I doing here? Is this a mistake? What if he captures me and throws me into the dungeon like some criminal? A chill runs down my spine, and I start to turn away, my instinct screaming at me to leave while I still can.
But just as I spin around, my foot slips on a loose stone. I lose my balance, and I'm about to fall when a strong hand catches me by the waist, steadying me.
The scent of wood and pine hits me before I even see the face of my savior. For some reason, it smells awfully familiar—so comforting and strangely… nostalgic. Before I can figure it out, I hear his voice.
"Are you okay?" the familiar voice asks.
I whip my head around—and freeze. It's Alpha Dylan. He's my savior… again?
This is the second time he's saved me. The first was when he gave me his jacket—the one I'm still wearing now.
His eyes soften as he looks at me, brushing a loose strand of hair away from my face. I flinch and pull back, the contact too much, too soon.
"I thought you changed your mind," he says with a gentle smile.
Why is he being so nice? Doesn't he know who I am? I'm just a lowly omega… Beta Chris's slave. I'm nobody.
"I'm sorry, did I scare you?" he asks.
I shake my head quickly, eyes fixed on the ground. "No, you didn't. I'm sorry," I whisper, bowing low like I've been taught.
How could anyone call this man wicked? He's nothing like the cruel, ruthless Alpha I've heard whispers about. All I see is a man with kindness in his eyes—one who respects me, despite my rank.
His gaze drops to the jacket I'm wearing. "Why are you still wearing that?" he asks.
I open my mouth but nothing comes out. I don't know what to say. Do I tell him I never got the chance to change? That Chris—
"Wait a minute," Dylan says, his voice hardening. "Don't tell me Chris refused to let you take your things. Even after I gave the order?"
His face darkens with fury, his jaw clenched.
Why is he so angry? Over someone like me?
"No one's ever cared like this," I think, biting my lip. Not in my twenty years of life—not my parents, not anyone. And now, standing here in front of this man, I wonder… could I use this? Could I use him to take down Chris and Caroline?
If Alpha Dylan can help me get rid of Beta Chris… I would owe him everything.
"They beat me up and kicked me out," I say, the words sticking in my throat.
"What?" he growls, his eyes blazing. "Chris laid his hands on you? And then threw you out empty-handed?"
I nod. "Yes," I murmur, my voice trembling.
Dylan's eyes narrow, and a dangerous smile curls on his lips. I know that smile. It's not gentle anymore—it's lethal. "He'll pay for this," he says coldly. "I promise you. Even if it's the last thing I do."
He turns toward the mansion and gestures for me to follow. "Come. I'll have the maid show you to your room."
My feet move before my brain can catch up, but then a thought slips out of my mouth before I can stop it. "You're not going to turn me into your maid later, are you?"
The moment the words leave my mouth, I wish I could take them back. His smile fades. His eyes go cold.
Idiot. Why did I say that?
I brace myself for the backlash, for the slap I'm used to from Chris. But instead, Dylan's eyes soften again, and the smile returns.
"If that's what you want, then I won't," he says quietly.
Goosebumps rise along my arms. How can anyone be this gentle and powerful at the same time?
He reaches for my hand, but the moment his fingers touch mine, pain explodes through my palm. I scream and snatch my hand away, staring at the burning sensation. My skin looks… charred, like something branded me.
He steps forward. "Are you okay?"
I recoil before he can touch me again, my eyes dropping to the ring on his right index finger. A dragon is carved into it—large, with wings flared wide. My breath catches.
Did that thing… just breathe fire?
I take several steps back, shaking my head. My legs tremble beneath me. "I'm sorry," I whisper. "I shouldn't have come here."
I turn to leave.
"Do you think you'll be safe out there?" Dylan calls after me. "I'm the only one who can protect you, Anna. From Chris. From anyone."
I stop, his words echoing in my head. I want to believe him. I want to believe someone—anyone—could protect me. But I've learned better. Once bitten, twice shy. I'm not falling for that again.
I bow slightly and begin to walk away. My heart aches, but my instinct screams to run.
I don't even make it five steps before I hear it.
"Anna, get down!" Dylan shouts.
I turn, confused—then freeze.
A man stands not far away. His shirt is stained, once white but now a filthy brown, and his pants are torn like he dragged himself out of a sewer. But it's not his appearance that terrifies me—it's the gun in his hand.
A gun pointed right at me.
I let out a bitter laugh under my breath. So this is how it ends? After everything… Beta Chris still wins.
I don't move. There's no point. I can't outrun a bullet. Maybe this is for the best. Maybe I'm finally free.
"Goodbye, bitch," the man sneers.
He pulls the trigger.
The bullet flies toward me, but something strange happens. Time slows. I see the bullet—actually see it—cutting through the air.
And then… I catch it.
With my bare hand.
I stare at the bullet in my palm, my mind blank. What the hell just happened?
"She's a witch!" the man screams in horror. "We have a witch in Dylan's Moon Park!"
"No, please—I'm not a—" The words die in my throat as he lifts the gun again.
He fires.
I don't even scream. I freeze.
But then Dylan moves faster than the wind, throwing himself in front of me, wrapping his arms around me, shielding me with his body.
He groans softly and brushes my hair from my face. "Are you alright?" he asks.
I stare at him, stunned. "Did you just… take a bullet for me?"
He nods, smiling faintly. "I'm fin—"
Blood spills from his lips before he finishes the word. It splashes onto my face.
"No!" I cry out.
He slumps forward, his body going limp in my arms. I scream his name, but he doesn't respond.