Aimee stood in the shadows, her heart pounding in her chest, as she watched Janet saunter into the dining hall with Kasia. After listening to Janet introduce Kasia to Miraya, Aimee frowned. So, it was true. This was the woman Ethan had been seen with.
Aimee frowned, as Kasia was beautiful, so it didn't surprise her that she captured the Alpha King's attention. A bitter taste filled Aimee's mouth as she realized her chance to be the Alpha Queen was fading away.
"Damn her," Aimee muttered under her breath, clenching her fists at her sides. She couldn't stand by and watch this unfold any longer.
'No. We just need to put her in her place,' Aimee's wolf, Lial, said within her.
Determination fueled her actions as she waited for the opportune moment to confront Kasia, away from the prying eyes of their peers. When Kasia excused herself from the table and headed towards the restroom, Aimee followed close behind, careful not to draw attention to herself.
The restroom door creaked open, revealing Kasia standing before the mirror, splashing water on her face. Aimee took a deep breath, steeling herself for the confrontation that was about to take place. Kasia turned to face her and said, "Hello?"
"How lucky I am to meet Alpha Ethan's new play toy," Aimee said coldly, her voice dripping with disdain as she stepped into the dimly lit room.
Kasia's eyes narrowed, her jaw tightening. Janet had warned her that this would happen. "I think you have me confused with someone else," Kasia replied, her voice laced with venom. "I am no one's plaything."
"Really?" Aimee sneered, her eyes filled with malice, as she closed the distance between them. "Then what are you to him? Just another notch on his bedpost? Trust me, once he's bored with you, he'll dump you like all the others."
Kasia raised an eyebrow at Aimee's words. Was this woman serious? She had no idea that she couldn't care less about Ethan, but Kasia couldn't deny that this woman annoyed her. Kasia quickly dismissed the insult with a flick of her wrist and said, "Step out of my way."
Aimee refused to budge; her face contorted into an ugly snarl. "I'm not done talking. I know what you're up to. You're not going to get away with it."
Just then, a familiar voice echoed in Kasia's mind- the one that had been taunting her before. 'Don't back down,' it urged.
'I don't have time for this,' Kasia responded.
'She's not going to let you leave until you show your teeth,' the voice advised. 'So give her what she's asking for.'
"And what is that? What do you believe I'm doing?" Kasia asked with her hand on her hip.
"You think you can walk right in and act like you're this innocent little princess so you can become Alpha Queen? No one will accept you," Aimee said.
"Oh, I see what this is about. You're a scorned lover," Kasia retorted, chuckling. "Do you know how pathetic you look right now? No wonder Ethan wants nothing to do with you."
"Pathetic?" Aimee's voice raised an octave, her fury reaching its peak. "I'll show you pathetic!"
In a split second, Aimee lunged toward Kasia, her fist aimed directly at her face. 'Duck!" The voice in Kasia's head warned her just in time, and she ducked, evading the punch. As she moved, she launched an uppercut, connecting her fist with Aimee's chin.
The impact sent Aimee reeling backward, crashing into the bathroom door with a loud thud. Blood began to trickle from her mouth as she bit her tongue from the impact, mixing with the shock and pain painted across her face.
Kasia stepped forward, her heart racing but her adrenaline pumping wildly. She could feel the power coursing through her veins like never before. She lunged again, dodging another attempt from Aimee, and delivered a powerful blow to her midsection that doubled her over.
'Don't let up!' the voice urged as Aimee lunged at her again. A surge of anger rushed through Kasia's body, clouding her judgment. Kasia swiftly kicked Aimee in the chest, sending her into a tiled wall. Aimee gasped in pain but had no time to register as Kasia snatched her forward by her hair, throwing her onto the floor.
"You thought you were just going to roll up on me, huh? Now look at you!" Kasia hissed at her as she pulled her up by her hair, punching her in the face.
'That's it! Dog walk her ass!' The voice cackled as she cheered for Kasia. Kasia took out all her frustration on Aimee, not pulling any of her punches. The voice continued to laugh, but Kasia began to wonder: How was she able to do this? How did she have the strength to do this?
When that thought occurred, it seemed the strength that Kasia had faded. Aimee elbowed Kasia, sending her into the sink, the edge catching her hip. Kasia grunted, trying not to throw up.
'It would be best for you to run now,' the voice told her, but Aimee had already turned on her. Her eyes were wolf-like, and she was snarling. Aimee lunged at Kasia, and Kasia braced for impact. The door to the restroom swung open, and Janet caught Aimee in mid-lunge, slamming her down into the ground.
"That's enough, Aimee, or would you like everyone to know that the new pack member bested you?" Janet was scolded, her tone sharp and cutting.
Aimee, her face flushed with anger and defeat, shrugged off Janet's hand on her shoulder. She stood, her back straight and her posture defiant, glaring at Kasia with fire in her eyes. "This is not over," she growled, before storming out of the restroom.
Kasia remained leaning against the sink, holding her side. She had a look of satisfaction on her face as she watched Aimee leave. "You might want to put some makeup on, Aimee," she taunted, a sly smile playing on her lips.
"What are you doing? I told you not to get into any confrontations," Janet scolded Kasia as she approached her, her voice tinged with worry and frustration. She looked her over, checking for wounds. "If you bleed, the perfume won't be effective."
"Good thing that I am not bleeding," Kasia responded.
"Kasia, I am serious," Janet scolded her.
"She attacked me. Was I supposed to let her beat on me?" Kasia responded calmly, although her eyes still burned with adrenaline from the fight.
"How did you even do that? How were you able to do that?" Janet asked incredulously.
Kasia hesitated for a moment before responding confidently. "I told you I could handle myself. Now, let's finish our breakfast." Kasia turned and left the restroom, leaving behind a stunned Janet, who was struggling to process what had just happened.