Page 144 of Bitter Truths

“Or I’ll finish what I started today.” A cold smile forms. “And trust me, this was me being gentle.”

Around us, the spa has erupted into chaos. Staff members shouting, guests screaming, someone calling security. I get off her, reaching for my robe.

“I can’t wait to see what happens to you, Bianca.” The words come out icy and mean. She tries to lift her head, a horrible smile trying to form despite everything. “Your happily ever after will be happy for someone, but it won’t be you.”

She pauses, struggling to focus.

“And I’ll be laughing, you feral little cunt.”

Then security arrives, multiple hands grabbing me, pulling me away from her. I don’t resist. I’ve made my point.

Mom returns to find my arms and face scratched. But unlike Whitney, I’m still standing.

“Bianca! What happened?”

“We need to leave.” I look at Whitney being tended to by staff. “Now.”

The drive home passes in tense silence. Mom keeps glancing at the marks on my arms, the blood under my fingernails.

“Honey...” She’s looking at me like she doesn’t know who I am. “What did Whitney say to you?”

“Enough.”

I stare out the window, my mind already working through the implications. Whitney knows we fucked… and now I’ve kicked the hornet’s nest.

She’s going to hurt them.

Fuck.

I let my anger get the best of me.

My mom sighs. “I can’t say she doesn’t deserve it for what she did to you back then…” Her voice carries a mix of worry and reluctant understanding. “But this path you’re on... you scare me sometimes.”

“I’m sorry.” I touch her hand. “I had a nice time with you today. She was doing her best to get under my skin, and it worked.”

The last thing I need is my mom thinking I’ve totally lost it and trying to push me into therapy or something.

This seems to ease her mind somewhat, although she’s quiet the rest of the way home, lost in thought.

I need to check on the alphas. Today.

I need to make sure she’s not hurting them.

At this point, she’ll never let them out of her dungeon again.

A memory surfaces... the tunnels beneath the Montgomery estate. Whitney and I used to sneak through them as kids until her father caught us and went ballistic.

I know every inch of that house. Every hidden passage. Every blind spot.

I’m done being a victim. Done letting them pull the strings while we dance.

They’re going to be furious with me.

Too fucking bad.

27

TRISTAN