I looked out of my bedroom window, watching Nora play with the other children. Her face glowed with happiness while she chased and ran around the park with her friends.

I had left the hospital late this morning, followed by a very fussy Ashton at my side. He insisted on the silliest things, and had nearly driven Marcus and me up the wall.

Mercifully, he had tons of work in the office and had left me to myself a while ago.

Freedom!

A smile made its way to my face and I watched the children enjoy themselves.

So carefree. So innocent and childlike.

Their faces glowed with happiness.

The same happiness I had long forgotten.

They reminded me of my days at Dark Wolf. Both sweet and bitter memories, that would forever be etched to my heart.

"Pass me the ball, Carson!" Evan hollered as he waved his arms frantically, trying to get his attention.

"Catch it! Catch it!!" Carson yelled as he threw Evan the ball,who in turn threw it in James' direction.

Everyone was present, except for two people — Aden and me.

Aden still hadn't come to terms with Arie's kidnap. He missed her like hell and though we didn't talk about her much, his eyes said it all.

He was moody, sour and rarely came out to play with the other boys now.

I, on the other hand, didn't want to go. Times had changed, ranks had changed and so had their attitude. I was already on the borderline of a social pariah.

I sighed as I tried to ignore the noise the boys were making and turned my focus on to my sketchbook again.

I was sitting next to Dad's grave, like always. This had been my place of comfort, ever since he died. When I sat here, I could literally feel his presence next to me. It was weird, yet comforting. Sitting next to him, even though he wasn't physically present next to me, made me feel safe and secure.

Dad was buried in the place where he always wished to be. I remember him coming with Mom every weekend and sit here, watching us kids play. He would even join us occasionally and cheer us on when we were about to give up.

"Go, Kiara, go!!" My father would urge me as I raced along the perimeter with Aden and the other boys, "Show them what you're made of!"

And that would make me run with renewed energy.

I used to come first occasionally and I would run into his open arms squealing with delight, while he would pat my back and tell me how proud he was of me.

"That's my girl!" He would say and I would flush with pride.

Oh, I would give my hand and limb to get those days back now, but fate seemed to derive sadistic pleasure in my grief.

Visiting his grave everyday had become my habit. Every evening my feet dragged me towards the very spot, with the sketchbook clutched in my hand, where I knew I could feel him again. Dad's surreal presence was like a drug, an escape from bitter reality.

In my sketches, my family seemed complete. Lovely parents and two mischievous twins, it was ideal. A dream come true

Unfortunately, they seemed happy only in my sketchbooks. In real life, I was just a broken doll, whom people now looked at with disgust.

I was about to resume sketching, when the ball hit me and splattered mud all across the page. It then bounced off and fell in the thorny bushes a few feet away.

I looked at my ruined drawing and let out an exasperated groan. "Damn!" I cursed out loud, "There goes my all effort, down the drain!"

It was the result of three hours of hard work and now, thanks to Bully Boy aka Evan Luke, it was completely destroyed.

It had been a beautiful one. One in which my father and mother sat together, holding their hands as they watched us play with the other kids. It was a sketch of the picture that hung in my room. A picture when my family was complete.

"Fetch me the ball, you little pipsqueak!" Evan growled as he towered over me with his whale like structure.

I had been too engrossed in mourning over my drawing to notice his shadow looming over me.

I shook my head defiantly, though I was just a bundle of knotted up nerves inside. "You go get it, Evan! I'm not the one who threw it there."

It was either fight or flight and right now I ignored the coward in me and chose the former.

His face turned dark red. "What did you say, you good-for-nothing brat?" He asked me menacingly as his face drew closer to mine, "How dare you argue back!"

Nobody except Aden and Ashton could show him his rightful place. He was a fearsome bully and it had been his mission to torment me everyday since the last two months.

I gulped nervously, while my eyes darted around in the hope of a saviour. But no one seemed willing to help me. On the contrary, their faces wore a look of amusement and glee, as they watched their leader torture me.

I turned back to face him. "You h—heard me!" I stuttered, "I'm n—not repeating it!"

Those words turned out to be a grave mistake.

Evan yanked me up, pulling me by my hair as I let out a painful shriek. His iron arms shook me roughly and tears rolled down my eyes in agony.

"Let go off me, you moron!" I screamed in both pain and anger, "Get your filthy hands off me!"

"Not unless I tame you, wildcat!" He sneered as he pulled my hair harder, "Do as I say and you'll survive."

"Never!" I spat with all the contempt I could muster, "NEVER EVER!"

My courage might have been in shreds, but my obstinacy definitely wasn't.

"You bitch-"

"That's enough, Evan." A new deathly calm voice spoke behind us, "Let her go if you know what's good for you."

Evan spun around, his face paling with dread, "Is that you, Aden?"

He dropped without a thought and I landed on my butt unceremoniously.

"Yeah, it's me," he answered him coolly. "Now leave her the fuck alone." His demeanor was calm and composed, yet I could see the fury hidden under the the facade.

"Hey, I swear I wasn't doing any harm, buddy," Evan protested, "I just asked Kiara to get the ball for us."

I suppressed the urge to snort when he said that. Who was he trying to fool? It was impossible to get the ball without being hurt by those thorns. Evan damn well knew that!

"Get it yourself," Aden told him. I smiled at him gratefully for his intervention.

Evan's eyes narrowed at my smile. He knew fully well that I was now protected by Aden, and his hate for me just multiplied.

"No, I won't. That's an Omegas job." he stated defiantly and crossed his arms over his chest. He turned towards me again. "Kiara, go get it."

Aden clenched his teeth and his fingers curled into fists as he faced Evan bravely. Evan was three sizes bigger than him, but that didn't deter him at all.

"I said leave her alone. She's not your slave," he said angrily, "Kiara will NOT get it for you."

Evan gave me a death glare and then turned towards Aden with a defeated look on his face, "Alright, alright," he surrendered, raising his hands, "I'll go get it. No need to go all Alpha mode on me, Aden."

And with that, he stomped off with his lackeys tailing behind him faithfully.

Once they were gone, Aden's eyes met mine and I saw they were filled with worry and concern, "They didn't hurt you, did they Kiara?"

Unlike, Arie and Ashton, Aden never called me 'Ki'. I wanted him to, but I guess we weren't that close even after so many years.

I shook my head, "No they didn't. You came to help at the right time." I added with a small smile.

He ran his hands through his hair as he looked down, away from my eyes, "Glad I could help. I dread to think what he would have done -"

"I'm fine, Aden," I reassured him. "I really am. Thanks."

"You are welcome," he muttered and his cheeks turned slightly pink at that.

We stared at each other, waiting for the other to break the silence first. Seconds passed, but the intensity of his gaze had me rooted to the spot. I cleared my throat finally, and looked away awkwardly.

"I think I should be going now," he broke the silence at last, "I... I just came because I saw him bullying you."

I nodded faintly while he turned and left me. I wanted him to stay; I wanted to talk to him more, just the way Arie did, but I didn't know how.

He walked away, while I just sat on the ground, watching his retreating figure diminish as the distance between us increased.

My heart for some unknown reason was fluttering while I stared at him, and I had no clue why.

I stood up, dusted my jeans and picked up the scattered pencils and sketchbook from the ground.

Now that sonofabitch Evan had vanished, I could get back to the pack, safe and sound, without worrying about him and his lackeys.

I trudged along the gravelled path, lost in the thoughts of a certain dark haired boy who had saved me from Evan.

Perhaps, even after Arie left, I had a chance of finding happiness again. Maybe, Aden and I could become friends. My heart certainly thought it was a good idea.

I was walking close to the oak tree by the side of the road, when a hand reached out towards me and pulled me roughly.

My mouth opened to let out a scream, but he clamped his hand over it instantly, making me choke.

I tried to wriggle out of his hold, but in vain. His eyes glinted maliciously as he tightened his hold over my arm. They were surrounding me from all sides, thus covering up all ways of escape.

A whimper escaped my lips as my eyes frantically searched for Aden. But unfortunately, this time, he was nowhere in sight.

"Let go off me, Evan!" I snarled at him, "Let go before I make you regret ever touching me!!"

Instead of listening to me, he just threw his head back and guffawed loudly. "Yeah, what are you gonna do, bitch? Run off to Aden again like the coward you are?"

I grit my teeth and tried to push him away with all my strength, but his arms were like iron, and they held me prisoner, against my will.

Then, he pushed me on to the ground with such force, that I fell backwards and nearly hit my head.

He stood in front of me, his back facing the sun making him look twice as formidable. "No one likes you, Kiara." he sneered when I blanched at his words, "No. One. We ALL hate you. You are just a pathetic loser, who hides behind the stronger ones. You are scared to fight your own battles; scared of taking risks; you are one of those who let others fight for you."

My eyes stung with tears as I listened to him. Every word had been a stab in my heart. But it had a ring of truth to it too.

Was I really a coward? Was I doing the right thing by letting Aden stand up for me?

My thoughts were interrupted when Evan lifted up a baseball bat that he had previously hidden behind the tree. My eyes widened and my whole body seemed to be paralysed in terror. He laughed maniacally, savouring my fear.

"Alpha Jason will be so proud of me," he said, "We've been waiting for this opportunity for so long. You were responsible for your father's death and your sister's kidnap. You are the sole cause of all our misery, but now I will be the one to end it."

I tried in vain to run away, but his lackeys were closing in on me.

"Don't do this!" I pleaded desperately, "Please don't!"

But he just shook his head as he raised the bat. I closed my eyes, instinctively, praying it was just a bad dream. I wanted someone to tell me that when I wake up it would all be over. I wanted someone to help me out of this.

I waited for the blow to come, but never did. I waited for the pain, but that didn't either.

Instead, I heard a crunching sound, followed by a thud and a groan.

Puzzled, I opened my eyes a fraction and then shot up and the sight before me.

Evan was on the ground, clutching a bloody nose, while Aden was beating him to pulp.

"I. FUCKING. TOLD. YOU. TO LEAVE. HER. ALONE, DIDN'T I?" He snarled as he kicked him in the gut.

I winced as I heard the sound of a bone breaking.

Punch after punch.

Kick after kick.

He was relentless, merciless and dangerous. He was so different from the Aden I had known.

A painful groan, brought me back to the present scenario.

"ADEN!" I shrieked, running towards him, "Leave him before he ends up bleeding to death!"

"Stay out of this, Kiara!" He warned me, his eyes not leaving the jerk on the ground, "The fool should have known this, before he even thought of touching you."

Evan's lackeys, watched on terrified as Aden beat their leader mercilessly. They were too frightened to even lift a finger to help him.

"It's okay, Aden." I pleaded desperately, trying to pull him off a soon-to-be dead body, "I'm fine! Let go of him! Let go right now!"

"Like hell I will!" He snapped at me. His eyes were blazing. "And don't give me the crap about you being okay. I know better."

"Aden please..." I tugged at his arm again.

He grudgingly stood up, listening to me, "Alright, I'll leave him."

Evan chose that moment to let out another agonizing moan and by the look on Aden's face, I was sure he was itching to kick him harder. "No! Come on, Aden!" I insisted, trying to pull him away, "He'll be dead if you continue this."

He glared at Evan one last time and then allowed me to drag him back to the pack house, "I would have continued that gladly." He muttered while I shook my head.

"How did you know, I was in trouble?" I asked him, "I thought you left."

"I did," He replied, "But then something within me, told me to go back and check on you. And I... I was right."

My heart did a flip flop when he said that, "Yeah, you were." I agreeing with him, "I would probably be a a corpse if you hadn't come."

He flinched, but said nothing, and we walked back in silence.

He tried to wipe the blood of his lip with his sleeve when he thought I wasn't looking.

But I was.

"You're hurt!" I cried, turning his face towards me and examining it. "It's bleeding, Aden!"

He shrugged, looking away, "It doesn't hurt that bad. And Evan's worse any way."

"But that doesn't change the facts. Alpha Jason is going to be livid." I said, biting my lip in worry.

"I'll handle it," he reassured me, "I'll tell him, it isn't your fault."

"But it's not yours either." I protested, "You can't take all the blame."

He sighed in exasperation."Kiara, quit worrying about me. It's nothing I can't take care of. I've handled worse, trust me. Besides, you know what Evan said isn't true, right? Dad is just—just awful. He's using you as his scapegoat to cover his own inadequacies."

I blinked.

"He's—he's threatened by you." He went on, with a side glance at his surroundings. "I shouldn't be telling you this, but—"

"But what?"

"You're a white wolf, Kiara. And with all the special training you received from you father as a child, he's afraid you'll be better than him. Than me. That one day—"

"ADEN!"

An ice cold voice cut into the conversation. Hands crossed over his chest, Alpha Jason stood at the doorway.

"Aden, I thought I'd find you with her." He eyed his blood stained shirt and disheveled look with fury,turning his disapproving glare at me next. His lips curled into an ugly scowl. "We need to talk."

Uh-oh.

My eyes darted between the two of them. "It's not Aden's fault, Alpha," I said, standing up for him, "Evan was bullying me."

"Did I ask you, Kiara?" He asked me, giving me a cold look, making me regret my spurt of bravery immediately.

"Go back to the pack house." He ordered me, "I need to talk to my son. Alone." He added, when I hesitated.

I bit my lip, nodding wordlessly. Looking at Aden one last time, I saw him staring back with at me with an imperceptible look on his face.

I flashed him a tiny smile as I hurried away.

I wanted to stay; stand up for him the way he stood up for me. But unfortunately, I didn't have a say in the matter. All I could hope was Alpha Jason won't command him to avoid me.

Four hours had passed since I had last seen him and I was getting more and more restless with each passing minute. The clock chimed eleven and yet I couldn't sleep a wink. My mind was focused on Aden and his father.

I had heard raised voices and arguments, shouts and glass breaking for three hours and I had been worried about Aden ever since.

Finally, unable to take it anymore, I decided to talk to him. I slipped into my slippers and snuck out of the room cautiously. Peering to see if anyone was watching me, I hurried towards Aden's room.

I knocked at the door, praying he wasn't asleep. This was the only time I would be able to talk to him, uninterrupted. Any other time of the day, I would surely be caught by Alpha Jason and sent back to my room.

"Enter, Kiara." a voice said.

I pushed open the door and peered into the darkness. He was sitting on the bed, staring into space.

"Hi," I greeted softly as I sat next to him.

"Hey," he replied still avoiding my gaze.

"You okay?" I inquire cautiously, placing my hand on his.

His breathing hitched when I touched him, and for a moment I wondered if I had done something wrong. On a closer look, there were a cut along the back of his hand. The skin was still raw and red as the wound was still sealing itself back together.

And that wasn't all. There were bruises peppered over his shoulder before they disappeared underneath his shirt.

What the hell had Jason done to him?

"Aden–" I started.

"I'm fine," he lied.

I sighed. It didn't take a genius to see he was lying. "You don't have to hide the truth, Aden." I said, leaning closer. "Did he abuse you? Shit—"

"I said I'm fine, didn't I?" he snapped, a bit harsher this time, and I flinched at his tone. "And I don't want anyone—just, don't touch me."

I retracted my hand. Don't push him, I reminded myself. After all, it's always been a bit awkward between us. Ariana was always the buffer between us. Now with her gone, and Aden so vulnerable...

"You need to tell me if Alpha Jason did anything to you. Did he beat you up for just talking to me? Has he ordered you stay away?"