As Derick left for the office, I couldn't help but feel grateful for his kindness towards me. But my thoughts were soon interrupted as I heard a loud noise coming from the living room. I quickly rushed to see what was happening and found Lucas and Jessica arguing with each other. Before I could ask what was going on, Lucas turned to me and sneered, "Oh, look who decided to join the party. The rejected mate herself."
Jessica chuckled and added, "You really think you can just waltz in here and become part of our pack? You're delusional."
I clenched my fists and tried to remain calm. "I didn't come here to start a fight. I just want to coexist peacefully with everyone."
Lucas scoffed. "You think we'll just accept you with open arms? You're not even a part of our pack. You're just a nobody."
Jessica nodded in agreement. "You don't belong here, Sophia. You're just trying to use Derick to get ahead in life."
I felt my anger boiling inside of me. How dare they talk to me like that? "I'm not using anyone, and I don't need your approval to exist. You can hate me all you want, but I won't let your words get to me."
Lucas stepped closer and raised his hand as if he was going to strike me. "You're nothing but a weak little wolf. How do you even think you can survive in a pack full of skillful wolves?"
I didn't flinch. "I may not be a strong wolf, but I am just as strong as any of you. And I won't let anyone bring me down."
Jessica rolled her eyes. "You're not strong, you're just a nuisance. And we'll make sure you regret ever stepping foot in this pack."
As Jessica and Lucas charged towards me, I quickly shifted into my wolf form, ready to defend myself. My fur bristled and my teeth bared as they closed in on me.
"You think you can just come in here and take over?" Lucas growled, his eyes flashing with anger.
"I'm not here to take over anything," I growled back, circling around them. "Derick invited me to join the pack."
"That's not true! You seduce him," Jessica sneered, lunging forward with her teeth bared.
I dodged her attack, leaping out of the way just in time. But as I landed, Lucas caught me off guard with a swipe of his paw, knocking me off balance.
I stumbled, but quickly regained my footing and launched myself at him. Our bodies collided in midair, and we tumbled to the ground, rolling and clawing at each other.
Jessica pounced on me from behind, sinking her teeth into my flank. I yelped in pain, but quickly turned and snapped at her, forcing her to release her grip.
"You're not welcome here!" Lucas snarled, standing over me with his teeth bared.
I glared up at him, blood trickling from my wounds. "I don't need your welcome. I have Derick's."
With a fierce growl, I lunged at him, ready to fight until my last breath. I felt a sharp pain in my side as Lucas' claws dug into my flesh. I roared in pain and pushed him away from me, my own claws extending as I prepared to defend myself. Jessica circled around me, her lips curled into a cruel smile.
"You don't belong here, Sophia," she taunted. "You're weak and pathetic, just like your parents. That's why they got killed easily!"
I snarled at her, feeling a surge of anger and adrenaline coursing through my veins. I lunged forward, aiming for Jessica's throat, but Lucas tackled me from the side and I went down hard on the ground.
They both descended on me, clawing and biting at my fur, but I refused to give up. I fought back with everything I had, my own claws and teeth finding purchase on their flesh.
Blood soaked my fur and the ground beneath me as the three of us continued to fight. I knew I was outnumbered and outmatched, but I refused to back down. I was a wolf, and wolves never gave up.
Eventually, Derick and the rest of the pack arrived on the scene, pulling Lucas and Jessica off of me. Derick helped me to my feet, concern etched on his face as he examined my wounds.
"Are you okay?" he asked, and I nodded, wincing at the pain in my side. "We need to get you to the pack doctor, now."
I leaned on Derick's shoulder as he guided me towards the pack infirmary, my mind racing with questions and anger. Why did Lucas and Jessica hate me so much? What had I ever done to them?
As I lay on the doctor's table, being stitched up and treated for my injuries, Derick sat beside me, his hand resting on my fur.
"I won't let anyone hurt you again," he said softly, and I nodded, feeling a sense of safety and belonging that I had never felt before.
But as I looked around the pack infirmary, at the other wolves who glared at me with suspicion and disgust, I knew that things were far from over. I had a long road ahead of me if I wanted to earn their respect and prove that I deserved to be a part of this pack.
**********************
Miranda sat on the edge of her bed and stared blankly at the broken pieces of glass on the floor. She sighed heavily, realizing she had lost control of her emotions yet again. As she was lost in thought, a knock on her door interrupted her.
"It's open," she called out, not bothering to move from her position. One of her followers entered the room, but Miranda could tell she was hesitant to speak. "What is it?" Miranda asked, her voice laced with impatience.
The follower hesitated for a moment before finally speaking up. "Someone's here to see you," she said softly, avoiding eye contact with Miranda.
"Who is it?" Miranda asked, raising an eyebrow.
"It's Theresa Almond, your mother," the follower replied quickly before scurrying out of the room, leaving Miranda to process the information.
Miranda quickly fixed her hair and makeup, making sure she looked presentable. She then walked out of her room and headed towards the living room where her mother was waiting. As she walked, she could feel her nerves rising. She hadn't seen her stepmother in years, and she wasn't sure what to expect.
When she entered the living room, she found her stepmother sitting on the couch, sipping tea. Theresa looked up as Miranda entered and gave her a cold smile. "Hello, dear," she said in a saccharine tone.
Miranda took a deep breath and tried to compose herself. "Mother, to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"
Theresa put down her tea cup and crossed her legs. "I came to check on my daughter, of course. It's been far too long since we've seen each other. And I must say, I'm disappointed in the state of your home. There's no symbol of black roses? Really, Miranda."
Miranda gritted her teeth, trying to control her anger. "Yes, mother, I had a bit of a mishap about it. But that's not why you're really here, is it?"
Theresa raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, let's not pretend that you're just here for a friendly visit. What do you want, mother?"
Theresa sighed and put a hand to her forehead. "Miranda, can't we just have a civil conversation? You always were so dramatic."
Miranda rolled her eyes. "Fine. What do you want, mother?"
Theresa smile and said, "I'm to make your dream come true, but do you have any wolf capture yet?"