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CHAPTER 2

MIA POV.

I wake up groggy the next morning, but I don’t want to get up. As I lie in bed, the memories of last night's devastating discovery flood my mind. I caught him with someone else! My heart ached painfully of his betrayal. “How could Tony do this to me?” I asked myself aloud and I huffed angrily and wipe away a tear that threatened to fall. But that's not the only pain I was feeling. My body aches all over, a strange and unsettling sensation that I've never experienced before. I try to move, but my muscles protest, feeling heavy and sore. Was this always going to feel like this after a shift? I wondered before my thoughts went back to Tony. I wipe away another tear, this time a little more angrily.

My brain is at war as I struggle to come to terms with what happened, and even worse… my mind wanders back to my childhood. Growing up in a distant city, I was always different. Born without a sense of smell, I was an immediate outcast in my own family and my pack. They saw me as broken, as less than what a wolf should be. Even the other omegas thought they were better than me and I was constantly reminded that I didn't measure up.

I refused to let them get under my skin and instead threw myself into my studies. When the chance came, I enrolled in university in another city to study psychology and to get away from my family and pack. I still wasn’t sure who was happier with my decision… them or me but I was happy to get away and do my own thing. I want to help others, to make a difference in their lives. I wanted to prove to myself and my family that even though I had a slight disadvantage that I was still capable of living a normal life.

But now, as I lie here, feeling lost and alone, I wonder if I've made a mistake. Have I been running from my problems instead of facing them? I wondered as more tears threatened to fall from my eyes. The pain of my shift, the pain of my heartbreak, it all was starting to overwhelm me.

I angrily wipe away the tears that fell and steeled my thoughts. I have already come so far. I couldn’t possibly give up now. Tony was just another reason that I can use to my advantage to stay away from relationships and to put my focus back into my studies. With that in mind, I force myself to get out of bed to face the day. At least I had something to look forward too and just the thought gave me nervous butterflies in my stomach.

I stretch my aching joints, trying to shake off the lingering sadness and fatigue as a new feeling of determination fills me up. My mind is preoccupied with the task ahead as I got ready, going over the conversation that I had with the teacher last night and I felt a sense of pride that I was tasked with this project and one of this magnitude. My heart raced as my excitement grew but there was also a feeling of fear. I was going to have to interview Dominic Romano, the notorious mafia kingpin who rules over our university and the city's criminal underworld. I breathed out a nervous breath. Even though I have never seen him, I have heard a lot of unsavory tales about him.

There are rumors about his involvement in human trafficking of women and his ruthless grip on power. The werewolf court had even imprisoned him for his crimes.

I decide on a white blouse and black trousers. I add a black blazer to give myself a more professional look. I brush out my curls and twist it into a neat bun. I apply minimal makeup before slipping on my black heels.

As I finish getting ready, I take a moment to collect my thoughts and steady my nerves. I remind myself that this is a chance to prove myself, to show my professor and myself that I'm capable of handling a challenging assignment. I grab my bag and head out the door.

I take a taxi to my destination. The werewolf prison was just outside the city and it was just far enough to get my nerves to start unraveling again. What was Dominic Romano like? I wondered. Will he be intimidating, charming, or a mix of both? Will he refuse to have the interview with me? Chase me away? I take a deep breath, calming my nerves by reminding myself that this was my opportunity to learn and understand how the criminal minds work. This is what I was studying for, wasn’t it?

In the distance, a building comes to view and it gets bigger as we approach it until the driver stops in front of it. I step out the car and onto the prison grounds, suddenly feeling like I was about to enter the wolf’s den. The prison loomed in front of me in tall walls and barbed wire, reminding me of the danger that waited inside. I take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves as I approach the entrance.

As I approach the entrance gate, the guard eyes me warily. He must have been watching me since I stepped out of the taxi. He stood with folded arms as he looked down on me, no doubt trying to intimidate. "Can I help you?" He growls in a deep voice. I square my shoulders and straighten my back in confidence that I was currently trying to hold onto under the stern guard’s gaze.

"I'm here to see Dominic Romano. I have an appointment." I said and I felt proud of myself that my voice came on strong and sure.

The guard raises an eyebrow. "You're the one doing the interview, huh? The one from the university?” He said with an incredulous tone and I immediately felt annoyed. “Yes, is there a problem with that?” I asked and I saw a flash of shock on the guard’s face before a smirk pulled at his lips. “Not at all, girly. I just hope you have more luck than the others.” He says before turning to open the gates for me. “Others.” I asked in surprise and the guard laughed and nodded. You’re the first from the university though.” He says before motioning for me to follow him as a other guard comes to take his place at the gate. So, others have already tried to interview him. I thought to myself and felt stupid for thinking that I was going to be the first. This only made my nervous and had my mind racing with the what ifs. What if he refuses to talk? What if he tries to intimidate me? What if...

“Good luck to you. He's not exactly... cooperative." The guard says. I only nod at him and enter the room of the door he held open for me. It looked like a typical interview room one would expect in a prison. A single metal table that was bolted to the floor with a lock to chain the prisoners’ hands to it. There were two metal chairs on either side of it and I took a seat on the chair that stood facing the door that I just entered through. The room only had one door and a small window to show the light from outside. In the distance I could hear growls and snarls echoing in the distance and the smell of wet dog was everywhere. Clanging gates and rattling chains could be heard every now and then between the growls and snarls as I waited. I try to keep my mind busy by setting my interview papers ready.

I mentally wondered what he looked like. I envisioned a man in his late fifties, thinning grey hair and big nose perhaps? A paunchy stomach from his luxurious life, straining against his prison suit? Maybe he had a scruffy grey beard from his time in prison with a sour scowl etched on his face? I smiled at myself with the image I created in my head and it wasn’t until someone cleared their throat, did I realize that I was not alone anymore.

The man standing at the door to the room was the exact opposite. This man emanated virility and power whilst holding a commanding presence as he stood at least six feet tall. His dark hair was thick and combed back from his face, his eyes were dark and piercing but there was a shine of interest as he looked down at me. He had full lips that suited his chiseled features and his lips were currently pulled in a smirk as he gave me an up and down look over. This man seemed to be in his prime, who man who looks like he excels in dangerous situations and gives his all to emerge victorious.

Could this really be Dominic Romano standing before her? It had to be as he had on his prison attire. I stare at him as he moves with grace and long strides. Our eyes meet and my mouth goes dry, as if all the moisture has been sucked out of it including the ability to breathe. My heart starts to race as I am momentarily mesmerized by the intensity of his stare and something familiar seemed to click in my brain. This was the same man that was in the picture at Tony’s house last night! The realization shocked me as I fought to control my facial expression so to not give away that something was amiss.

How did Tony know Dominic? What was their connection with each other? My mind whirled with questions as we continued to stare at each other.

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