Chapter 9: No One Dares to Touch Ariel

I slammed the door behind me, my fingers trembling as I leaned against it. My heart was still racing from the interview. I had done everything I could, had pushed myself harder than I ever thought possible, and now I just prayed, I pray that they contact me, I pray someone among them would see my worth.

And then just when I thought I could breathe. I saw Ethan. The man I had once trusted, once loved, he was standing like a predator at my doorway.

“what the fuck is he doing here,” I muttered under my breath, my stomach twisting.

But it wasn’t just him. he had the nerve to bring the betrayer with him.

Lily. My so-called best friend. My sister-in-heart, the one I thought I could trust but I was just another fool.

The sight I saw was unbearable and irritating. Lily’s hand was sliding over Ethan’s body, shameless and confident. She touched him like she owned him. And Ethan… he was smiling, that goddamn lustful, triumphant smile, he didn't act like the Ethan who was begging me 2 days ago.

“Honey,” Ethan called, and my blood boiled for some reason.

“we’re outside. You know we Just finished, not too long ago.”

I squeeze my face in disgust. "What the heck, talking about sex publicly!" I muttered under my breath.

Lily laughed, the sound was like knives scraping my chest, sharp, cruel, they twist in every direction.

I know it's over between me and them but the sight was unbearable.

I didn’t want to look, didn’t want to see this betrayal any longer, but my feet were frozen. I moved toward my door, trying to shove my trembling hands into the lock, wanting to shut them out, and scream.

I did just that I screamed at them.

“Get the hell off my property!” I said anger visible in my voice.

Ethan’s grin didn’t falter. His hand waved casually, like I was a fly buzzing too close to him.

“What house? Oh, you mean this one?.

Ariel..” he said my name slowly then laughed, his voice smooth, taunting and venomous. “sorry to inform your poor little self, but This estate is now mine.

I bought it. And I don't want you in my property.

You should, look for somewhere else to go.”

I blinked. I knew I must be dreaming.

“You are sick in the head, Ethan,” I spat, shaking with anger. “What gives you the right to tell me to leave a house I have lived in?”

Lily stepped closer, her smirk wide, her eyes glinting like knives. “Ah, you think we’re lying? Then enter, Ariel. Let’s see if you won’t get arrested.”

I felt my throat tighten. My hands shook as I grabbed my phone, desperate, with trembling hands, I searched for the he only link to a lifeline. my landlord's number.

I dialed his number, praying he’d answer. Once. Twice. But nothing, he was not taking my calls.

Fear wrapped around me like a steel chain. I tried a third time. Still, no answer.

Before I could even react, Lily’s tall frame blocked me. She snatched the phone from my hand, holding it high above my reach.

“He won’t answer,” she said, her voice sugary, cruel. “Not now. Not ever. Even if you call him a thousand times, Ariel he won’t answer.”

I lunged for the phone, but I was small, weak compared to her. She laughed at my struggle. A sound that would haunt me. “Poor thing,” she taunted, eyes gleaming. “No mother’s love, no man to care for you and now you are also homeless.” she busy out laughing.

I felt tears rising, hot and bitter, but I swallowed them. I wouldn’t let them see me break. Not now. That was exactly what they wanted.

meanwhile, Ethan stood there, silent, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. Then, finally, he spoke. And the words hit me harder than any punch could.

“Look, I told you. You’ll regret leaving me. You should have accepted me. I could have protected you. Your friendship would still be alive.” look at what you've done to yourself but it's not too late if you apologies now, I will accept you.

I couldn’t believe my ears. What a nerve!" I said loud enough for them to hear.

My body shook with rage. “I will rather have no friends than one who’s nothing but a backstabbing, cheap fracking slut!”

Lily’s eyes flared. She swung at me. But I was fast, I grabbed her wrist smiling. I thought I stopped her from slapping me, but she wasn’t done. Her other hand struck my face hard.

My face was red and it burn across my cheek.

I rise my hand to defend myself And then. the sound of the landlord’s voice boomed from behind.

“Get out!, Now!”

Before I could protest, men stormed inside my room. My belongings, everything I owned, were thrown like cabbage into the yard.

I wanted to cry. I really wanted to beg. But I stayed silent.

No tears. No words. Not for them. Not for Ethan, not for Lily, not for anyone who had once called themselves my family.

Lily and Ethan laughed, their voices mingling with the chaos outside.

They turned to leave after achieving there goal but they didn't forget to remind the landlord, “Make sure no beggar steps foot in this property,” the landlord nodded, like a goat.

Ethan completed it with "Oh Especially her."

And with that they left.

Beggar?. Me, Ariel. They called me a beggar.

I sank to the ground, my hands clutching the remnants of what I thought was a safe home.

Damian POV:

I was standing in my office sipping coffee. When the guard I had assigned to watch over Ariel rushed in. His face was tense, taut with urgency. In his hand was a tablet.

Without thinking, I snatched the tablet from his hands. My wolf screamed at me, primal and raw. Something was wrong. Very wrong.

The video started. And my blood turned to ice.

Ethan. And one ugly, defiant little girl. They were harassing Ariel. I saw how they humiliated and beat her. I couldn’t comprehend why and how Ethan knew her and why he dared touch her.

But understanding didn’t matter now. Rage did. Absolute, unfiltered, white-hot fury that coursed through every vein, every nerve, every inch of my muscle.

My wolf circled my mind, sharp teeth bared, snarling a single word over and over. MATE.

The guard didn’t wait for instructions. He knew. He understood. He needed no direction. He knew what to do, just as I did.

Nobody lays a hand on what belongs to the King of Blackthorne. Nobody. Not Ethan. Not little things. Not anyone.

The guard left silently. I didn’t even notice him go. All I could see, all I could focus on, was Ariel, my mate, my fire, my everything. My wolf growled.

I gritted my teeth, forcing the growl down, I tried my best to suppress the need to kill down. I am in my office I can't scare everyone with my true form.

But this wasn’t just about anger. It was primal. It was instinct. She is mine. And anyone who dared lay a finger on her, would burn.