Beyond Fear

The crisp noise of the slap lingered in the atmosphere.

For a moment, Diva stood still at the same spot trying to process what just happened, her cheek till flushed and her heart raced so fast that she could hear it loud in her ears. She could taste blood where her tongue had touched the inside of her mouth. The two guards by the mansion entrance shifted as if prepared to charge at them, their hands already fidgeting to punish Elsie for daring to touch her.

But Diva raised a hand abruptly, halting them before they could move.

"Stop," she stated decisively, her tone slicing through the charged courtyard atmosphere. "I will take care of this on my own."

The guards hesitated, sharing hesitant looks, yet complied. They remained at their position, observing attentively while obeying her instruction.

Diva redirected her complete focus to Elsie, sensing a powerful feeling awaken within her—a strength she was unaware she possessed. It raced through her bloodstream like flames, consuming the shame, the pain, the fear. The wolf within her, quiet for an long period, was stirring.

Elsie grinned, believing she remained in control. "What is it, little omega?" "Are you going to weep for Alpha Derek to rescue you?"

Diva acted before Elsie had a chance to blink.

In one quick move, she rushed and seized Elsie’s wrist. Diva's strong hold caused Elsie's eyes to widen in surprise. Diva tightened her grip just enough to make the taller woman wince and attempt to pull away—but she couldn’t escape.

"You can't touch me and go for free," Diva stated, her tone firm, echoing a fierceness beyond mere anger. "And you definitely don’t have the right to determine where and whom I fit."

The courtyard fell completely quiet. Even the breeze appeared to be calm.

Elsie's face changed immediately as her nostrils widening in annoyance and another emotion sparkled in her green eyes—fear. For she could sense it too: the energy emanating from Diva, fierce and unrestrained, no longer obscured by doubts.

With a sudden pull, Diva let her go.

Elsie stood up immediately and took a few steps back with a look of disbelief all over her face.

"Mark my word Diva, you will regret ever laying your finger on me," she spat through gritted teeth, trying to regain her dignity. However, her voice trembled, revealing her true feelings-Fear.

Diva slightly angled her head, composed and relaxed. "If there's anything I will ever regret," she said icily, "it's not acting out earlier."

The words impacted more fiercely than any hit.

Behind Elsie, her two friends shifted restlessly, trading anxious looks. Their smirks vanished, replaced by confusion and rising fear. Their leader—resilient, experienced Elsie—was pulling back. And Diva? She stood upright, unwavering.

Elsie exposed her teeth, panting heavily. "You think you have strength, right?" "Just consider yourself lucky today".

Diva remained unaffected. "It had nothing to do with luck," she responded calmly. "Perhaps you need to reconsider next time before targeting someone who is stronger than you."

One of the girl standing with Elise pulled her arm. "Come on, Elsie," she murmured. "She is not worth your time."

"You’re correct, I have better things to do than stand her to fight with a nobody" Elsie retorted, glaring at Diva one last time.

With an annoyed snarl, Elsie turned, her foot scraping on the stone. Without saying anything else, she marched away toward the distant side of the estate grounds. The two other girls hurried after her, keeping their heads down and speaking softly.

One after another, they vanished beyond the stone arches, engulfed by the gardens and darkness.

Diva remained still.

She remained in that same position, panting heavily, allowing the adrenaline flow down to every part of her body.

Her hands continued to shake but this time was no longer from fear. It was strength. Unrefined, fresh, yet uniquely hers.

The guards continued to stir at her; and she could also sense their gaze on her back. She was waiting for one of them to walk up to her, but they remained still. They appeared equally shocked as Elsie had been. Maybe even more.

Diva cleaned the edge of her mouth where a droplet of her blood had begun to dry. Her fingertips grazed her skin, and she recognized something significant—this was the first time in her life she was not feeling weak and defeated.

A quiet voice within her murmured, At last, you stood up for yourself.

For the first time since coming to the Blackfang mansion, she was not handled as if she were fragile. She confronted a pack member—and triumphed.

The courtyard surrounding her appeared to inhale and exhale alongside her, the refreshing air embracing her skin, both calming and energizing simultaneously.

She could feel the guards' eyes still on her from afar, but they said nothing. They didn’t step forward. They didn’t dare.

She thought about Caleb, the Beta who had trained her tirelessly even when she wanted to give up. His voice echoed in her mind—“You are stronger than you think, Diva. Never you let anyone talk down on you or make you feel less of yourself. If they confront you try to confront them back.”

A small smile appeared on her face.

Maybe Caleb had seen this potential in her all along.

Maybe... maybe she wasn’t just some broken, weak omega after all.

She could hear her wolf stir inside her chest, a soft growl of happiness, one she has not experienced for a long time.

Diva stayed rooted to the spot, refusing to turn back toward the mansion just yet. She needed a moment to let it sink in.

The taste of victory was strange and bittersweet on her tongue. But it was victory all the same.

Somewhere beyond the courtyard, hidden among the shadows and high balconies, unseen eyes watched her. But Diva didn’t know that yet.

Right now, all she knew was that she stood her ground, was able to defend herself and for the first time in her entire life, she felt like she belonged somewhere.

Even if that place was a battlefield.