Leader humiliated

Jayden’s POV:

Liam’s grip tightened around my arm, his smug expression daring me to react. My wolf growled inside me, pushing to be set free. I fought to keep it contained, but I couldn’t hold it in much longer.

“I said, let go,” I repeated, my voice colder this time.

Liam chuckled, leaning closer until his breath was on my face. “What are you gonna do, freak? Cry?”

Something snapped inside me. My wolf surged forward, and before I could think, my free hand grabbed Liam’s wrist. With a quick, sharp twist, I yanked his arm behind his back. The sound of his pained gasp echoed through the empty locker room.

“What the hell?” Liam shouted, struggling against my grip. “Let me go!”

But I didn’t. My heart pounded in my chest, and I felt my strength pulsing through every muscle. This wasn’t normal strength—this was my wolf. Liam tried to push back, but he couldn’t. I tightened my hold just enough to make him wince.

“Stop it!” he yelled, his voice cracking.

For a moment, I felt a sick satisfaction watching him squirm. He always acted like he owned the school, but now he looked helpless. My breathing was heavy, my body trembling from the effort of holding myself back.

“You think you’re tough?” I said, my voice low and dangerous. “You don’t know anything about me.”

Liam’s face twisted in pain and shock. “How are you this strong?” he muttered, barely audible.

I let go abruptly, and he stumbled forward, crashing onto the floor with a loud thud. He groaned, clutching his arm and glaring up at me. His eyes were wide with disbelief.

“You’re crazy,” he spat, crawling backward to put distance between us.

Just then, his friends walked in, their laughter filling the locker room. They stopped dead in their tracks when they saw Liam on the ground.

“What happened?” one of them asked, his voice laced with amusement.

“Did you trip over your own feet, Liam?” another joked, barely holding back a laugh.

Liam’s face turned red as he scrambled to stand, but his hand was still cradling his arm. “Shut up!” he barked at them, but his voice lacked its usual confidence.

They didn’t listen. The sight of their leader humiliated on the floor was too much for them to ignore. One of them even pointed at him, laughing so hard he had to hold his stomach.

“You should’ve seen your face, man!” one of them said, still chuckling.

Liam shot me a look of pure hatred, but he didn’t say another word. His friends’ laughter seemed to crush whatever fight he had left.

I didn’t stick around to see what would happen next. My hands were still shaking as I grabbed my bag and walked out of the locker room. My wolf was calmer now, but the adrenaline still coursed through my veins.

The walk home felt longer than usual. My mind raced, replaying what had just happened. I shouldn’t have let my anger take over, but I couldn’t help it. Liam had pushed me too far.

When I reached my house, the familiar smell of dinner greeted me, but it did little to soothe my nerves. I opened the door, trying to act normal.

“Jayden, is that you?” Mom’s voice called from the kitchen.

“Yeah,” I replied, keeping my tone neutral.

She appeared in the doorway, wiping her hands on a dish towel. Her eyes scanned my face, searching for any signs of trouble. “How was school today?” she asked, her voice cautious.

“Fine,” I said quickly, avoiding her gaze.

She frowned, not convinced. “You didn’t get into any trouble, did you?”

I shook my head. “No, Mom. Everything’s fine.”

“Jayden,” she said, her tone firm. “You know we moved here for a fresh start. I don’t want any more calls from the school, understand?”

“I get it,” I said, trying to keep my frustration in check.

She sighed, clearly not satisfied with my answer. “Dinner will be ready soon. Go wash up.”

I nodded and headed upstairs to my room. As soon as I shut the door, I let out a long breath. My chest felt tight, and my head was spinning.

The anger I’d been holding in all day finally exploded. I grabbed the nearest object—a book—and threw it across the room. It hit the wall with a loud thud, but it wasn’t enough. I knocked over a chair, sending it crashing to the floor. My desk was next, papers and pens scattering everywhere.

“Why can’t they just leave me alone?” I muttered, my voice shaking with rage.

Outside my door, I heard Mom’s voice. “Jayden? Are you alright?”

I didn’t answer. My fists clenched, and I tried to steady my breathing. I couldn’t let her see me like this.

“Jayden,” she said again, softer this time. “Talk to me.”

“I’m fine, Mom,” I said, my voice muffled.

There was a pause, and then her footsteps retreated down the hall.

I sat on the edge of my bed, my head in my hands. My wolf was restless again, and I could feel its anger bubbling beneath the surface. Liam had humiliated me in front of everyone, and I knew he wouldn’t stop.

I stared at the mess I’d made, my mind already racing with plans for tomorrow. Liam thought he could push me around, but he didn’t know who he was dealing with.

I wouldn’t let him win. Not again.

When I finally lay down that night, my body was exhausted, but my mind wouldn’t stop. Images of Liam’s smirk, his mocking voice, replayed over and over. My wolf growled in agreement, urging me to fight back.

Tomorrow, I thought, gripping the blanket tightly. Tomorrow, he’ll regret everything.

The moonlight spilled through my window, casting shadows on the walls. I closed my eyes, letting the darkness take over.

But even as sleep claimed me, one thought remained clear: this wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.

I will make him see that he can't mess with me.