Terrifying Enemy

My reflection stared back, eyes wide and filled with terror. The girl in the mirror looked ready to shatter, and I felt that same fragility within me.

"I'd rather die than return here, back by this devil's side," I choked out, my voice breaking.

Memories flooded back; nights of torment, my dignity, my freedom. The loss of my pack family at the hands of the Alpha.

Each thought was a dagger, twisting deeper into my soul.

My legs trembled, and I sank to the floor, clutching my knees to my chest. Rocking back and forth, I fought to keep the sobs from escaping.

"It's been almost a year," I gently whispered to myself.

Seeing as we are in the year 2012, It's been almost a year since Albrecht had coveted me for reasons I never fully understood, insisting I was meant to be his by forcefully bringing me to Berlin.

I had become his prisoner, his plaything, stripped of all hope and humanity. How can I go through all of it again?

I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, smearing more mascara across my face.

Now I'd actually been... reborn...

Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to stand, to face the girl in the mirror once more. Her eyes were hardening, a flicker of determination breaking through the fear.

"Since I've been given a chance to live again, I won't mess it up," I vowed.

"This time, I will be ready. I know what the future holds. I have to prevent it, to change the course of my destiny."

My fingers tightened around the edge of the sink, the cold metal grounding me.

But how? How am I going to change my fate?

Alpha Albrecht was a force of nature, crushing me would be easier than crushing an ant. So, I needed a plan.

"There must be a way," I finally said, the resolve in my voice growing stronger.

I took a deep breath, returning to my bed as I forced the fear of that man out of me. There must be a way to change the future.

I closed my eyes, allowing myself a moment of calm. Suddenly, the sound of footsteps approaching the door made my heart jump out of my chest.

I dared not to look, hoping it wouldn't be the Alpha again.

"Oh my goodness! Catriona..." A sudden exclamation from the entrance made me stiff.

Turning slowly, I saw a face I would never forget. It was Greta Arnold, my childhood friend.

The same girl who had betrayed me to Alpha Albrecht in the future and had me killed...

"Catriona, what happened to you?!" Greta rushed over and held my hand. She looked at the bruises and hickeys on my body in astonishment.

I lowered my eyes, looking at my hand clenched in pain from Greta's tight grip. This time, I didn't miss Greta's clumsily hidden feelings of jealousy.

It has been obvious but I didn't pay attention to it in my previous life.

"Catriona, are you alright? Are you fine? You are scaring me!" Greta fretted anxiously.

She saw that my gaze was strange and wondered if I was traumatized.

I maintained my composure and drew my hands back. I shook my head and replied, "I'm fine."

In the future, the reason why I'd been tormented nonstop by Alpha Albrecht was because of Greta as well.

She played a major role in my suffering in the life that awaited me beyond.

I had many fights with Alpha Albrecht and didn't dare tell anyone other than Greta, my most trusted friend.

Who would have known that she was using it to backstab me to her advantage...

Greta actually had feelings for Alpha Albrecht despite having her fiancè from the neighboring pack.

On the surface, Greta was helping me, but she was actually using my dumbness to get closer to Alpha Albrecht.

But every time I defied Albrecht, his punishments grew harsher. And every time, Greta was there to console me, her eyes glinting with a satisfaction I hadn't recognized back then.

"Catriona, are you listening to me?" Greta's voice jolted me out of my thoughts. I looked into her eyes, seeing the same manipulative glint I had missed before.

"Yes, I'm fine," I repeated, more firmly this time.

Greta's concern seemed genuine, but I know better now. Staring at her, I couldn't help but smile wryly.

"How can you be fine when you look like this?!" She gestured her hands to my face. "Catriona, don't worry, I'll help you!" Greta said, putting on a look of kindness.

'Oh, sure.' I sneered in my heart.

Greta from the future had also been like this, generously offering to help me escape from the Alpha's grasp.

This intensified my conflict with Alpha Albrecht. From that point onwards, the Alpha's temperament became cranky and unpredictable.

His possessiveness towards me became intolerable. Facing Alpha Albrecht of the Shadow's Pack head-on, was like courting death.

Why was I so foolishly stubborn before? I even listened to Greta and obeyed all her words, hurting myself again and again.

This time around, I would start acting according to my heart. No more Greta using my head.

I need to know why Alpha Albrecht slaughtered my family and claimed I belonged to him.

With this second chance, I need to get my revenge on everyone who has caused me pain including Greta.

"Catriona!" Greta called out, tapping my shoulder. "You seem lost in thoughts again, is everything alright with you?"

"I'm... I'm good," I stuttered, avoiding her gaze.

"Don't worry," Greta said, squeezing my hand. "I'll find a solution to this. We can figure out a way to get you away from that devil."

Her words were laced with false sincerity. I could see it now.

"Why do you care so much, Greta?" I suddenly asked, tilting my head. "You have your own life, your future with your fiancè."

Greta's eyes flickered in shock before she masked it with a smile.

"Because you're my best friend, Catriona. I can't just stand by and watch you suffer."

I saw through her now. She wanted me gone, wanted me to fail, so she could have Albrecht all to herself.

"Oh, thank you, Greta," I said softly, pulling my hand away.

Just then, the door opened, and Alpha Albrecht's men walked in with Dr. Langdon.

"Ms. Catriona, the Alpha has ordered for you to be discharged," Dr. Langdon said.

Greta immediately squeezed my hand, her eyes wide with concern.

"You don't have to go with them. We can find a way out of this. I'll help you," she whispered urgently in my ear.

"It's okay, Greta," I said calmly, pulling my hand away for the second time. "I'll go with them."

"What!" Her eyes widened in shock.

"Are you sure? You know you would be tortured by him again... You don't have to do this. Or let me come with you?" She insisted.

I shook my head, a determined look in my eyes. "I can handle myself."

Greta stared at me, clearly taken aback. This was not the Catriona she knew.

She had always seen me as someone who followed her lead and relied on her. But now, I was showing strength and independence that confused her.

As I stood up, Greta's grip on my arm tightened. "Catriona, please, don't go..."

I gently pulled away. "I'll be fine, Greta. You don't have to worry about me."

Alpha Albrecht's men led me out of the hospital, and I could feel Greta's bewildered gaze on my back.