Dana POV

　　The girl with black hair let out a sigh. "Come on," she muttered to the red-headed girl, urging her to leave.

　　The red-headed girl let out a mocking laugh. "You act like you're so different from us just because you almost became the Alpha's Luna of the Sunflower Pack. But let's face it, you're not even welcome here because that pack is..." she trailed off, chuckling to herself. "Well, I won't say it, but isn't it amusing? No matter what you do, you'll always be the second choice."

　　I froze in my tracks at her words, feeling a pang of hurt deep within.

　　"The Alpha of this pack saved you," she continued, her tone dripping with disdain. "But let's not forget, the Luna is from the Black River Pack. Who knows what will happen when she returns... And Bathel Harris? Well, he abandoned you because you'll never be his ultimate choice."

　　I listened to her words with a calm smile, acknowledging them without letting them affect me.

　　"But you chose me," I stated firmly, reaching out to touch her chin as I moved even closer, refusing to show any fear.

　　Her eyes widened, their fiery hue matching the color of her red hair.

　　"Dione, let's go," the other girl pleaded, reaching for her hand, but I pulled Dione closer to me, refusing to let her go.

　　She struggled to break free from my grip. "What? Are you hurt that I'm speaking the truth? That's why you lost your damn—" Her words were abruptly cut off as I slapped her across the face, just as Anna had taught me, causing her to tumble to the ground.

　　The other girl's eyes widened in shock as she looked at me, and I could feel a sharp pang of pain in my heart. Every time someone brings up my baby, it's like reopening a wound. It just makes me hate Blaire even more.

　　"You want me to do the things that were done to me!?" I sneered, my voice thick with anger and tears threatening to spill from my eyes. I tried to grab the red-headed girl, intent on slamming her down like what Blaire did to me, but I couldn't bring myself to do it.

　　The other girl didn't even lift a finger to help her friend; she just bolted, leaving Dione to fend for herself. With a surge of fury, I watched as Dione attempted to rise, only to be met with another forceful kick from me, sending her crashing back to the ground. I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins, feeling it with Xia's heart.

　　I knelt beside her, my voice low and intense. "Answer me," I murmured, my hands tightening around her neck. "Do you want me to beat you until you beg for mercy?" A twisted smile played on my lips as I watched her gasp for air, her eyes widening in fear.

　　"I was just joking-" she stammered, her words barely a whisper.

　　"And this," I spat, each word dripping with venom, "is my love language." With each slap, I poured out my rage and anguish, striking her again and again, until my hand stung with the force of my blows.

　　As tears ceased to flow from my eyes, a numbness settled over me, but deep within, I could feel the ache of my wounded heart, throbbing with pain and sorrow.

　　Love no longer holds any significance to me.

　　What mattered most to me were the things I once held dear, all of which have been ripped away because of Blaire.

　　As she cried out, "Please, no... I'm sorry," her tears streaming down her face, I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. I despised the part of myself that took pleasure in seeing someone beg for mercy.

　　With a heavy heart, I stopped, my smile fading, unable to ignore the remorse gnawing at me as I witnessed her desperate plea for forgiveness.

　　I refused to let myself feel remorse.

　　Shaking my head, I spoke with firm resolve. "You don't care. You're not sorry," I stated bluntly. "People feel sorry when they truly regret their actions, when they think about the harm they've caused. But you didn't think about it. You wouldn't have said sorry if I hadn't beaten you up."

　　As the rage surged within me, I felt my control slipping.

　　No one will ever apologize to me because they genuinely believe it's the right thing to do or because they think I deserve it," I muttered, my voice thick with anger and bitterness.

　　Slowly, I released my grip on her, withdrawing my hand. "I'm not going to torture you to death," I continued, my tone laced with contempt. "You're just an immature, jealous bitch who hasn't faced reality yet."

　　As I stood up, leaving her coughing and in tears, a sense of hollow victory washed over me.

　　It makes me smile.

　　"Dana," I heard his voice. Ares' voice. He was there, having stopped in his tracks, his beta Ander trailing behind him before abruptly departing.

　　No one else had noticed me, only him.

　　He just stared, and in that moment, memories flooded back of when I had pleaded with him to believe that I hadn't instigated the fight with Blaire. Yet, despite my innocence, he had made me beg for forgiveness for something I hadn't even done, and it infuriated me, even though I knew he had his reasons.

　　I smiled faintly at him. "Alpha," I whispered. "I'm sorry, but I don't have time for apologies." Attempting to walk past him, he suddenly grabbed my hand, and as I looked at him, my eyes betrayed a mixture of brokenness and icy detachment.

　　"What happened?" he inquired, his voice tinged with concern. "Did she harass you?"

　　I chuckled bitterly. "You can observe for yourself," I retorted, attempting to wrench my hand from his grasp, but he refused to let go, his grip tightening around my wrist.

　　I glanced down at my wrist and noticed the bleeding, a result of the red-headed girl's nails digging into my skin as she attempted to push me away.

　　Pushing Ares back gently, I continued, "These wounds are nothing compared to the pain I've endured, both physical and emotional." There was no humor in my smile as I looked at him, and despite his attempt to speak, I could see a glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes.

　　I knew the look in his eyes all too well- the one he got when he was hurt.

　　I chuckled softly. "Don't be so fragile," I remarked, lightly brushing the side of his cheek with my fingers. "You haven't seen the worst of me yet, Alpha." With one last smile, devoid of warmth, I turned away and walked off, leaving him behind.