Emma's POV
I froze in place as Sophia triumphantly walked towards me with Matt by her side. "I can't believe I'm seeing you here. Why did you cheat on Matt?" she demanded. I stuttered and attempted to defend myself, but Sophia cut me off without hesitation. "Matt has loved you with all his heart for so long, and you went and slept with someone else," she continued, feigning sympathy for Matt while a small grin played on her lips.
"Sophia, what's going on? I thought you were my friend," I asked, my voice trembling. Sophia leaned in closer and whispered in a voice that was just loud enough to hear. "I was never your friend, Emma. Remember the girl who had sex with Matt yesterday?" I felt a knot form in my stomach as I tried to ask, "What do you mean?" Although I had drawn my own conclusion, I didn't dare to verify it.
With a smirk, Sophia suddenly fell to the ground and pointed at me. "Emma, I just wanted Matt to know the truth. Why did you push me?" she accused.
"I..." I started to say, but before I could finish, Matt cut me off. His face was contorted in anger as he spoke. "Emma! How could you do this to me? I thought you were the one for me, and now I find out that you cheated on me!"
Matt rushed over to Sophia and helped her up. She leaned on him, looking victorious. In that moment, I realized that I had been utterly wrong. The girl who had sex with Matt was Sophia. For the entire time, I had thought she was my best friend, but in reality, she had been cheating on me.
I couldn't believe that I had been so foolish for so long and had let them play me like a fool. And now, they were even accusing me of cheating. I couldn't help but step back, shaking my head. "I'm so wrong!" I said, feeling a mixture of anger, betrayal, and shame.
Matt looked at me in a cold way that I had never seen before. "No, Emma. I was wrong. I shouldn't have trusted you in the first place," he said, his voice dripping with cruelty. "Emma, I'm telling you now, I reject you. From now on, I want no connection with you."
When I saw the sad and angry expression on Matt's face, as if he was the victim here, I suddenly felt like laughing. It was so sarcastic. I couldn't help it. "Really, Matt? You're the one who cheated on me with my so-called best friend, and now you're rejecting me?" I said, my voice filled with bitterness.
Sophia chimed in, "Emma, you had your chance with Matt, but you threw it away by cheating on him. You can't blame us for your mistakes."
I felt a surge of anger at her words. "Me? You're the one who cheated on me with my boyfriend! And you had the nerve to act like my friend this whole time? How could you do this to me, Sophia?"
"Save your tears," Sophia sneered. "I only befriended you because of your father. Now that he's gone, who do you think you are? Your wolf is sick and useless, just like you."
I felt tears prick at my eyes as I realized the extent of their betrayal. I had been so blind, so naive, and had let them manipulate me for their own selfish desires. "I can't believe I was so stupid," I whispered, feeling the weight of my mistakes pressing down on me.
Matt and Sophia exchanged a look, and I could tell they were both reveling in my pain. I wanted to scream, to lash out at them for what they had done to me. But I knew that it wouldn't change anything. They had already won, and I was left alone, broken, and betrayed.
People had gathered around us, whispering and gossiping as I tried to shrink away and escape their betrayal and humiliation. But I was cornered and unable to move, feeling like I was drowning in their humiliation. At that moment, the door behind me suddenly clicked open, and I stumbled back, completely caught off guard.
Just when I thought I was desperate, a large hand wrapped around my waist, pulling me into a tight embrace. I gasped in surprise and looked up to see who had come to my rescue. The stranger I spent the night with! His eyes were filled with concern as he held me tightly, shielding me from the rest of the world.
As he steadied me, clad in only a towel that hung low on his waist, he parted his lips and asked, "What's going on here?"
Sophia gave a smirk. "It's none of your business. You don't want to get involved. I suggest you walk back to your room."
"You were so loud and interrupted me. Now it's my business," the stranger retorted. Sophia grew angry for a moment but added, "She cheated on her boyfriend. And now she was rejected by Matt."
My heart sank even deeper upon hearing this. I didn't want to look bad in front of this stranger. His scrutinizing gaze swept over each of us, and he narrowed his eyes upon seeing Matt. "You are Matt, her boyfriend. Oh, no, her ex, right? Why are you here with this girl? As if you knew something was about to happen."
Matt's face twisted with anger. "None of your business. Get out of here," he snapped.
But the stranger didn't budge. "I asked a question, and now I demand an answer," he said in a chilling tone that made everyone nervous.
Sophia's voice was filled with venom as she spoke. "Please, she's just a pathetic loser. She doesn't even have a wolf that's worth anything," she spat out, looking at me with contempt.
I felt a hot flush of anger rise in my cheeks. "That's not true. They had cheated on me! Yesterday I saw you two..."
Matt's face turned red immediately. He was quick to defend himself, "What nonsense are you talking about? You cheated on me, and now you dare to accuse me?" He took a step towards me, attempting to cover my mouth, but before he could, the stranger stepped in and held his hand firmly.
"I won't let you touch her," the stranger said, his voice commanding. "Why are you even afraid? That she would tell the truth?"
Matt struggled against the stranger's grip, but the man was too strong. Sophia stepped forward and tried to pull Matt away, "You have no idea who you're messing with! Matt is our alpha!"
The stranger chuckled, a cold sound that sent shivers down my spine. "Oh, I feel sorry for your pack," he said, his voice laced with contempt.
He released Matt, who stumbled backward while Sophia supported him. "Now, get lost, the two of you."
Matt covered his wrist in pain. "Don't ever let me see you again, or..."
Matt didn't finish his words, meeting the stranger's glare. The crowd dispersed, and the corridor fell into a tense silence as the stranger held his gaze, and for a moment, I could almost see the sparks flying between them. But then, with a final sneer, Sophia dragged Matt out of here, leaving me alone with the stranger.
He turned to me, his eyes softening. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice gentle.
I nodded, feeling a warmth spread through me at his concern. "Thank you," I whispered, not knowing what else to say.
He smiled, a small quirk on his lips that made my heart skip a beat. "What happened to the bold girl from last night?" he asked. "I really missed her."
I felt a blush rise to my cheeks. "I'm sorry," I said. "I didn't mean to cause any trouble."
The stranger shook his head. "You didn't cause trouble. They did." He stepped closer to me, and I felt my heart race as he reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. "You don't deserve to be treated like that," he said softly.
I looked up at him, my heart pounding in my chest. I had never felt so vulnerable, so exposed, but at the same time, so safe. I had barely known him for less than a day, yet he had come to my rescue like a hero.
"Thank you," I said again, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes.
He flashed a kind smile. "It's okay," he reassured me. "Do you want me to walk you back home? Just in case they try to harass you again?"
Suddenly, the phone in his room rang, and he turned back to check it. "Sorry, I have to take this," he said with a slight frown.
I nodded gratefully. "Sure. You've helped me a lot already."
He disappeared inside, and I took the opportunity to make my escape. I was thankful for his intervention, but I didn't want to impose on him any further. After all, it was just a one-night fling.
The thought of facing Matt and Sophia made my stomach churn, but I knew I had to confront them on my own.