Chapter 1

• Mia’s POV
• I stood in the principal's office, my hands quivering at my sides as I tried to hold back tears. The room was claustrophobic, and every charge weighed down on me like a ton of bricks.
• "I didn't do it, sir," I said quietly, my voice barely audible. "I swear."
• Principal Sharma's eyes furrowed as he sat back in his chair, inspecting every aspect of me. "Mia, you were found with a stone near the smashed glass. Do you expect me to believe this was an accident?
• "They made me do it," I responded, my voice cracking. "I didn't want to, but they—"
• "Enough!" he said, his voice booming off the walls. "This is not the first time you've engaged in such activity. First, there was the false bombing, and now this! You must grasp the gravity of your deeds."
• "I didn't—" I began, but the door sprang open, and Alpha Diego stepped in, controlling the entire room.
• "Principal Sharma," he replied, his voice calm and authoritative, "I believe you're making a grave mistake."
• As he stood up from his chair, the principal's eyes widened in surprise. "Alpha Diego, I didn't realize you were here. "This girl is—"
• "My stepdaughter," Alpha Diego interrupted, his eyes sparkling as he looked at me. "And I guarantee you, as an Omega, she is incapable of accomplishing these things on her own. "She was forced by someone—perhaps an Alpha."
• The principal blinked, visibly taken aback. "Stepdaughter? "I—I was not aware..."
• Alpha Diego's stare intensified as he moved closer to the desk. "Did you bother to review the CCTV footage before accusing her?" Or did you simply accept the word of whoever reported this?
• "I—um, no, we haven't reviewed the footage yet," the principal mumbled, obviously taken off guard. "But she was caught with the stone in her hand, and her previous record—"
• "Her prior record," Alpha Diego interrupted, his voice as steel, "was likewise falsified. I know about the video that she was threatened with. "She has been bullied, and you have done nothing to stop it."
• "I didn't—" the principal began to explain, but Alpha Diego raised her hand.
• "Enough. I'm withdrawing her from this school, effective immediately. "She does not deserve this treatment." He looked at me, his eyes softening slightly. "You'll be safe with me now, Mia."
• The principal was uncomfortable, his gaze darting between us. "Alpha Diego, I had no idea she was your—" "Stepdaughter," Alpha Diego corrected. "Whether she is my biological daughter or not is irrelevant. "I will not let her be treated like this."
• Principal Sharma swallowed hard and nodded swiftly. "Yes, of course. I will analyze the footage straight away, and—"
• "Do that," Alpha Diego replied curtly. "And you'll understand what I'm talking about. But it doesn't matter any more. She is leaving with me, and she will not return."
• I felt a sigh of relief sweep over me as Alpha Diego placed a protective hand on my shoulder. I looked up at him, my eyes still full of tears.
• "Thank you," I muttered.
• He nodded, and his countenance softened. "Let's get you out of here, Mia."
• As we went to leave, the principal said, "Alpha Diego, I'll make sure those responsible are punished." "I promise."
• Alpha Diego hesitated and looked back at him. "See what you do. One other thing: take better care of your students. Nobody should have to go through what she did."
• With that, we departed the office. The hallway was unusually silent as we proceeded toward the exit, and I could feel the students' glances, muttering behind their hands.
• "Mia," Alpha Diego murmured gently as we approached his car. "I'm sorry you had to go through this."
• I shrugged, attempting to keep the tears from spilling. "It's not your fault."
• "No, but it's now my responsibility to make sure you're safe," he added, his voice firm. "And I will."
• I glanced at him for the first time. His jaw was fixed, and his eyes, while ferocious, were full of concern. He wasn't simply stating these things; he meant them."Do you really think your pack will accept me?"
• He beamed a soft smile as he opened the car door for me. “I know they will be. You have my protection as well as that from my pack. "‘You’re not alone anymore, Mia"
• When I got into the vehicle, I looked back at the school one more time. Having felt as though I were in a prison, that place was only a memory as we drove away, triggering a strange feeling in my chest.
• Hope.
• There’s a chance that this signifies the beginning of a new chapter. It’s possible, just possible, that I might actually have a true family and a sense of belonging.
• I believe that Alpha Diego detected my anxiety. He checked on me through the rearview mirror while flashing a sweet meaningful smile. "Mia, I understand this is a considerable change for you," he kicked off, his voice warmly supportive. Just wanted you to know that you have company now. Now, thanks to your family and a home, you will be able to say, "You’ll have a family now, a home."
• I nodded at a slow pace, attempting to understand what he said. Tossing everything aside and embarking on the unfamiliar felt just as strange.
• "You also need to hear," he went on, his mood turning more serious, "you have four stepbrothers."
• I was taken aback. "four?"
• He replied with a quiet chuckle and said, 'Yes.' "They are all over your age, and I’m sure they’ll feel just as surprised to connect with you as you are with them."
• “Will they... like me?” My fingers were twisting nervously in my lap as I asked warily.
• Alpha Diego’s smile faded slightly, and he sighed. “It might take some time for everyone to adjust, Mia. They’ve been through a lot, and this is a big change for them too. But they’re good boys, and once they get to know you, I’m sure they’ll come to care for you. It’s just... well, they’re very protective of the family.”
• I nodded, though his words didn’t fully ease my anxiety.