Page 56 of Awakening the Beast
Then, slowly, she turns her face back toward me, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth, but she starts laughing again, that same hollow, insane laugh.
“You couldn’t possibly believe he’d change for you,” she spits, her eyes gleaming with hatred. “You dumb bitch. Arlo Hayes doesn’t change for anyone.”
I lose it.
Without a second thought, I lunge forward, grabbing Savannah's face in a vice grip, my fingers digging into her cheeks, forcing her mouth open. Her startled breath is short-lived as I jam the barrel of my gun between her lips, shoving it inside until it hits the back of her throat. She gags, her wide eyes locking onto mine in panic and confusion, but I don't stop. I lean in closer, our faces inches apart, and hiss through clenched teeth.
“Do you know what? I don't think we need you. How about I make you eat fucking bullets instead?"
Her eyes bulge, her breath ragged as I push the gun deeper, her throat convulsing around the cold metal. The power thrumming through me is intoxicating, and for a brief second, I seriously consider pulling the trigger right here, right now and be done with it.
“She’s claiming she’s pregnant, Wren.” Dom’s voice slices through the moment.
I freeze, the words hitting me like ice water, but I don’t release her. I keep my grip tight, my gun still lodged in her mouth, her wet, bloodshot eyes staring back at me, pleading. I can feel the weight of Dominic’s words settling over me, but I shove it away. Remembering all that she’s said and done, I push the gun further, making her gag violently, her body convulsing.
The door creaks open behind me, and before I can process it, I hear Arlo's deep, menacing voice.
“Wren…”
It’s low, commanding, edged with warning. I grind my teeth, resisting the urge to snap, my hand trembling as I contemplateending this pathetic excuse of a human in front of me. My heart pounds in my ears, drowning out the rational side of me, but Arlo’s presence pulls me back just enough.
With a sharp yank, I withdraw the gun from her mouth, watching as she gasps for air, saliva, and blood pooling at the corners of her lips. I release her face, shoving her back roughly. She slumps in the chair, panting, eyes still wide with terror, and I can feel my entire body vibrating with the need for violence. For her murder.
“Your days are numbered, Savannah,” I snarl. “And it will be my honor to be the one to end it all for you.”
I turn on my heels, fully intending to walk out of this shithole, but Savannah, in all her stupidity, just can't resist running her mouth one last time.
“Yeah, yeah, if you were going to hurt me, you would’ve done it by now, you fucking pussy. You ain't an Elite, and you’ll never be one.”
My blood runs cold, and before I can even think, I whirl back around, my movements fast. My finger pulls the trigger without hesitation, and the room erupts with the sound of two gunshots. Both bullets hit their mark—her knees. Savannah’s scream pierces the air, ringing off the walls as she throws her head back in agony, writhing in the chair. The pain rips through her, contorting her face, and I watch her squirm, the power surging back into my veins.
“Wren!” Arlo’s voice booms through the room, deep and furious. His anger is clear, but I don’t care. Not right now. Not when I’ve made her feel even a fraction of the pain she’s caused.
I stand there for a second longer, breathing heavily through clenched teeth, watching her as she thrashes in her chair, blood pooling under her as she sobs, her tough act shattered.
Satisfied, I turn around again, not sparing her another glance. As I stride past Arlo, who’s standing there enraged, I warn him angrily, my eyes flashing with fury.
“Don’t ever tell me what to do in front of these people again.”
I don’t wait for his response, I’m seething inside, rage coiling tighter around my chest with every step I take. I feel his eyes boring into my back, but I don’t stop. As I reach the door, I shout to the men standing guard.
“Fucking test her!”
I march down the corridor, the clicking of my heels echoing off the cold walls as I shove my gun into my bag, my mind a tangled mess. I hear Arlo catching up with me, his heavy footsteps growing louder and when he’s close enough, his hand clamps down on my arm. I immediately yank it free with more force than necessary and keep walking.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” he asks sharply, but I don’t turn around.
My emotions are spiraling, boiling over, and I can’t think straight. Did he really fuck Savannah? How would she knowabout certain things if there wasn’t some truth to her words? Each question chips away at my self-control.
When I finally step outside, the cool night breeze hits my heated skin and I make my way toward Arlo’s car, heading for the passenger side. I stop by the door, my head hanging low as I try to steady myself, try to make sense of the chaos swirling inside me.
He follows, his presence overwhelming, suffocating. I can feel him looming behind me, like he’s waiting for something—anything—to break the silence between us.
“Wren…” he says, almost hesitant, but I don’t let him finish.
“I just want to go home, Arlo.” I cut him off, barely above a whisper, but it’s enough to make him stop pushing me.
For a second, he doesn’t say anything, and as soon as the car doors lift, I slide into the passenger seat, not sparing him a glance.
