s i x t e e n
h e a r t b e a t
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Dedicated to jakepatt

"THINK ABOUT IT." Jared spoke out, pressing further into Tia's body, yet she couldn't feel a thing. It felt like all of the air had been pressed from her lungs by a boulder. Tears studded her dark eyes as she tried to gaze at anything other than Jared's triumphant jeer. "He disappeared at the Ball, soon after you were on the trail of something. Why else would he run off?"

Tia gulped, fastening her eyes shut until the tears refused to surface. Nothing made sense anymore. It was like Jared was speaking a foreign language. "He wouldn't do that," she stated, refusing to believe a word that came from the confines of Jared's small mouth. The words were destructive to her ears. "He disappeared, but that doesn't mean he'd do it – it doesn't make sense. He was in the cell when our pack was killed. There was no fucking way it was him."

Tia knew Colton better than she knew herself. It was as though the pair had their heart strings entwined with the each other since the first time they had met. She instantly understood his personality the moment she was introduced to her new pack, and he accepted her for who she was.

"Colton could've hired someone – he could've framed the vampires," Jared persisted, but Tia was having none of it. She bit her lip hard enough for it to draw blood, the copper scent obstructing Jared's overwhelming aftershave.

"Like you did?" Dumbfounded, the beta couldn't reply. "I don't believe it, and you're not killing Connor."

Jared raised an eyebrow. His fingers traced the crook of Tia's angular face, the pastel shade of his skin white against hers. "Sweetheart, there's not much you can do."

"Yes," Eretria gritted her teeth and consequentially folded her fingers into fists. "There is."

Alike the first time Tia had been introduced to Jared, she slammed his head into the wall beside her before he could retaliate. The blow didn't knock the wolf out, but the man staggered to the ground clutching the side of his face. Crimson seeped through the cracks in his fingers as Tia towered over him, her face free from emotion. Her next fist landed itself right on his nose, the sickening crunch of breaking cartilage making the corners of Eretria's mouth twitch up.

"You still want me, arsehole?" The woman sniggered. She wiped the sweat from her brow, waiting impatiently for Jared to make his move so that she could evade his attack. Instead, the Beta persisted at groaning into his hand.

A dark laugh suffocated Jared's lips. "You don't get it, sweetheart. You were mine before you even had a heartbeat."

Tia almost threw up, fury welling up inside of her like two tectonic plates waiting to unleash an earthquake – magnitude nine. Her hands shot quickly to Jared's head, and broke his neck without hesitation. Whether he woke up or not, that was his problem. Tia was too blinded by the red dilapidating her world to care.

The woman swiftly wiped her palms on her leggings, which now sported a hole in the knee from the events she had previously witnessed. Outside the window, the sun shone brightly in the midday haze. The orb blinded Tia as she stared at it, letting the warm light bathe her tanned skin.

The she-wolf wanted to laugh and scream at the same time. How could someone so weak become so powerful? Granted, Tia did have an advantage over Jared. She had an advantage over the other wolves that positioned themselves higher than her in the hierarchy – a fault written deep into the depths of her bone and DNA. A secret she would never tell anyone until it became invaluable.

Tia stood for a moment, clenching her tight hands into fists. Fighting her way out with only her bare hands would prove problematic – and she had to find Connor first.

The thought to desert the man was beginning to override her spiralling thoughts, but Eretria effortlessly shook her head. Connor had protected her, and they were in this fight together. No other werewolf needed to die in the struggle for power.

Tia tentatively stalked up to the door and twisted the handle, which was still fastened shut. Anger began to make the Mexican's body shake, and she couldn't help but release a jagged breath before her gaze fell back on the window. Hurriedly, the bitter taste of blood infiltrating her mouth, Eretria fastened her hand around the latch on the window and yanked it upwards until there was a hole large enough for her to crawl through.

Tia shivered as her skin met the glacial air, freezing at the touch. Winter was rapidly closing in on Autumn, and the leaves were buried under a layer of spiky frost. Eretria scrunched her nose as her hand enclosed around the top ledge of the window, and she pulled her body through the gap. She hung on with her life, gazing down at the ground two stories below her feet. She quickly spotted a route to the ground, and edged across the narrow white ledge before jumping down onto the sill below, and onto the hard-packed earth.

Tia couched to break her fall, and grunted as the bone in her ankle cracked. She dusted off her leggings, scouring the empty pack ground before her with squinted eyes. The back door caught Tia's attention, and she hurried towards it, making sure that she merged her body with the wall as much as possible as she slipped back into the building.

The fleeting thought of leaving the Alpha behind was blissful, yet Tia knew better. She didn't have Colton, so she would have Connor instead. She had always been independent, but being a lone wolf wasn't in her nature.

Grey blinded Tia as she stepped into the unfamiliar corridor, feet thudding loudly against the ground. The woman held the door as it closed, glad that no one was in the vicinity to see her. She hugged the wall as she rounded the next corner, using her enhanced sense of smell as her eyes – the lingering stench of wet wolf pelt was pungent, but the woven aroma of stagnant water was even stronger. Flashbacks of the prison cell Colton and herself had first met Jared in scraped into the woman's mind – she knew where she had to go, if she could get there.

Tia took the next corner on the right, following the darkness. She regretted her decision as soon as she caught a glimpse at what lay beyond her. As expected, Tia recognised the door at the end of the hall, which was swung open on its hinges to reveal a set of stairs leading down into gloom. Stood to attention like two soldiers were a pair of werewolves snickering to each other as they guarded the sanctioned ground. It was a sign – albeit a positive one that Connor was where Tia had expected – that she would have to kill, which was something she would rather avoid.

The first male was slim, with narrow hips and long blonde hair tied up messily at the back of his head. Blue eyes flickered to Tia, studying the girl in a fresh pair of leggings and tight red crop top.

"Hey, you took a wrong turn," The man mumbled, leaning back against the wall, unaware of the danger he was in. "You're not allowed down here."

Eretria shrugged, seductively biting her lip as she neared the pair. Her brown orbs hovered over their figures, noting the knife in each of their belts. She needed at least one of the blades to go back and finish Jared off, and it made her life a lot easier if she wasn't bleeding.

"Wait," the male repeated prying himself from the plaster with an agitated face. He began to withdraw his knife in suspicion. "Who are you?"

Tia waited until she was mere meters away before flicking her hair behind her shoulder, and pulling up her leggings to feel battle-ready. "I want to speak to Connor," her Mexican accent ordered.

"Sorry. You can't see him," The male stated, the steel of his blade glimmering against the lights running above Tia's head.

"Too bad," the she-wolf sighed. "You could've made this a lot easier."

The man's face furrowed in confusion, but Tia didn't notice as her fist made contact with the target. His jaw cracked out of place, shifting his features to the side in a grotesque motion. Tia didn't pause before she kicked the knife from the man's hand, ducking to pick it up off the tarnished floor.

Within seconds, the other werewolf was on top of her. He wrapped his arms around Tia's waist, and threw her against the nearest wall. The woman's body left a dent in the plaster as her head smashed against the inanimate object. Eretria's bones creaked like the wind rushing through branches as she groaned, and picked herself up off the floor with the weapon still clutched firmly between her whitened fingers.

The slender werewolf sprinted forwards, only for Tia to couch down and grab onto his legs. He fell onto the floor heavily, causing the floorboards to wail at the impact. In a swift motion, Tia used her knife and stabbed it into the werewolf's chest before turning on his comrade.

Clearly shocked, the dark-haired male rolled his hands into fists. His face no longer looked human – his eyes had been scraped away into pits of ebony, and his teeth had elongated into razor-sharp fangs. He swiped forwards, only for Tia to step back as quickly as she could.

But as the monster neared her, Tia felt her throat gulp in fear. His next fist made contact with her chest, expelling excess air from her lungs. He grabbed her around the neck, his forearm pressing against her windpipe and threatening to flatten it.

"Get. Off," Tia grunted, looking for an escape route. The clock was ticking, and she was running out of time. If she didn't escape, Connor would be executed, and her airway would be crushed until it resembled a flattened straw.

Tick. Tock.

Eretria suddenly stopped struggling, and used all her power to elbow the man in the abdomen. He didn't let go immediately, but Tia was able to slip out of his arms as his grip slackened. She spun around, and kicked the man in the groin before he could touch her once more.

The other werewolf had already pulled the knife out as Tia reached down to take the blade. As he used the wall to help him stand upright, Tia grabbed the werewolf's bicep and thrusted it against the wall until his fingers loosened around the prized possession. With adrenaline blocking out her humanity, the Mexican reached into the man's chest and pulled out his heart. The organ beat between her fingers, warm blood dripping in a finite stream down to her elbow.

Still clutching the heart, Tia scooped up the knife and faced her second opponent. They were just as animalistic as each other in their appearances. It was a side Eretria tried to keep buried, but it constantly blustered to resurface.

"Who are you?" The man repeated the question from earlier as the major organ fell from Tia's limp fingers like a stone plummeting through water.

Tia smirked, wiping her fingers against her face to create a bloody smear. Without her typical ruby lipstick, it made the woman appear more sinister than ever.

She fiddled with the knife in her grip. "I'm Eretria Santiago-Lunati, mother fucker," she hissed, flinging the knife in her grasp. It landed to the right of the werewolf's chest, but Tia smiled at herself. Her knife skills weren't perfected, but she had spent the best part of her life with a knife within reach.

The man gurgled and dropped to his knees. Eretria walked over, no longer needing to hurry, and pulled the knife from his chest before taking his head in her hands. She could feel it; his life beating between her fingers. And with a quick snap, she took it all away.

"Connor!" Eretria shouted as she shook her head from side to side, trying to clear away the wolf that was prying through the seams of her brain. She fastened the knife in her belt and descended the stairs without hesitation. Once she reached the bottom, Tia gasped as Connor's bloodied figure caught her eye.

Being in the cellar was a horrifying nightmare Tia didn't want to relive, but Connor's condition petrified her more than she had been in her entire life. Both of his eyes had been transformed into purple bruises, the cobalt of his irises obstructed from the woman's sight. His once slender and perfectly sculpted nose was knocked to the side, clearly broken, and cuts adorned his harsh features. He should've healed, but his injuries were too plentiful.

"Connor," Tia whispered, unlocking the cell with shaking hands. It felt like she had taken an overdose – she was no longer in control of her actions. Everything was disjointed, like a puzzle missing a half of its pieces. "Hey."

The Alpha attempted to smile. "Look who came back."

Despite the situation, Tia rolled her eyes. Connor thought that he was lucky he got to see the beautiful mocha pigment again. "Don't make me regret my decision."

Eretria helped Connor to his feet, inhaling his blood-stained scent in deep breaths as she struggled to support his weight. Her bones still ached, and Tia was sure that she was bleeding somewhere on her body, but she didn't have time to find out where.

As they mounted the stairs, Connor dared to ask, "Jared?"

Tia shook her head. "I snapped his neck."

"That won't kill him."

Eretria tensed her jaw in frustration, but couldn't bring herself to get angry at the man. He was all she had – until they found Colton. "Why do you think I have a knife, arsehole?"

"Sorry, Eretria," Connor partially slurred. "I just happen to have just been heavily sedated after almost dying, ok?"

Tia scrunched her nose, clicking the door shut behind them as they made it onto the first floor of the pack house. She didn't have a plan, but anything they fell along the lines of 'escape' satisfied her. "Sarcasm doesn't suit you," She murmured, Connor's shoulder pressed heavily against her frame.

Connor didn't reply. In fact, he didn't really do anything. His body was heavy; limbs stiff; eyes half open.

Eretria exhaled through her nostrils as she struggled along the second corridor. The metal door shone in the morning light like a beacon, and just like a moth, she was drawn to it. Grunting in exertion, the woman finally managed to drag the man outside into the glowing daylight.

"What's the plan, then?" Connor enquired, eyeing his surroundings with little hope. "Please tell me you have a plan."

The brunette bit her lip. "If it makes you feel slightly better, then yes. I have a plan."

Unlike the civil war raging within the pack house, the outside was alive. Winter birds chirped in the trees, their song unbroken. Wind snaked through the grounds freely, and battered the freshly healed cuts on Tia's face as she scoured the surroundings. Winter didn't have a particular smell, but Tia knew that from her recent experiences, she would always associate the season with the stench of wet blood.

Tia dragged Connor around the side of the building, and revelled at the sight of a vehicle. Its door was swung open, with a man waiting outside in a rugged leather jacket.

"Who's that?" Tia murmured, pointing her tanned finger in the direction of the man.

"Theo," Connor whined.

Tia narrowed her eyes. "Yeah, and who the fuck is Theo?"

"He's one of the leaders of the vampire clans." Connor stated simply. "He's come to watch me die."

"Actually, it might be more than that. As much as I'm sure he'd love to watch you die." The Alpha's face became a mask of discombobulation at Tia's dialogue, but she didn't have time to explain the alliance. It wouldn't take long for the pack to realise Connor's had disappeared. "Don't worry," She continued. "Wait here."

Slowly, Tia unwound herself from Connor, a sudden warmth evaporating from her body. It was like the sun had vanished, and all that she was left with was a fiery darkness in her heart. Fumbling for her knife, Tia gulped down the last bit of her fear before walking over as confidently as she could whilst the vampire stood in broad daylight. How? She didn't know, but she didn't want answers. She wanted to live.

"Hey," Tia called as she neared, making sure that enough of her cleavage was showing. The man didn't look unimpressed as he diverted his attention from the front doors of the pack house. He had slicked-back black hair, with enough grease to oil a fish. His clothes were thrown together, with a cross medallion hanging below his sculpted chest. "Come to the execution, I take it?"

Eretria winked as she reached the far end of the vehicle. It was a smooth black, to match the vampire's daring hair colour, with wide wheels and a streamlined body. The Mercedes was still purring with life: Tia could feel the vibrations of the engine as she brushed her hand along the metal frame.

"And you are?" The vampire smiled down on her. "I mean, you clearly didn't come dressed the part."

Tia had forgotten about the blood suffocating her face. She was close enough now to touch him – and she did. Hating the skin contact, Tia bit at her gums as she ran her fingers along the vampire lord's forearm. "God," she uttered, wishing she was wearing make-up. "Why do people keep asking me that today?"

The next second was over in the blink of an eye. Eretria thrust her knife into the male's chest, and drew it down through his body with all her strength until his guts spilt on the floor. All the lord could do was gurgle before his innards dissolved into a pile of fine ash.

Tia turned on her heel, pouncing across the bonnet of the car and wrenching the driver from his seat before sliding in behind the wheel. She wasn't an experienced driver, but she knew the basics. At that moment, it didn't matter if the car was written off by the time Tia and Connor had escaped. Tia pushed the car into first gear, and accelerated as she released the clutch. Gravel spun out behind the vehicle, scattering the ash that once resembled a man into the wind.

The car bounded across the grass, mowing through a pile of rose bushes which no longer had flowers. The car engine groaned against the woman's foot as she went faster, only braking once she was beside Connor.

"Get in!" Tia yelled as she reached to throw open the passenger door. Connor hobbled over at a laboured pace, and hauled himself beside the other Alpha. Tia didn't give time for the door to slam shut as she pulled away, hurling across the grass before making it back to the road after a full loop of the house. As expected, the screaming engine has caused a disturbance, and grey faces peered out of the transparent windows as Eretria slammed her foot down on the accelerator.

"You just ruined my lawn," Connor whispered, his head drooping onto the side of his seat.

"Connor, I couldn't give two fucks about your lawn," The Mexican retorted as the speed dial hit sixty. "We've got much bigger problems than flattened flowers."

Tia caught a glimpse of Jared limping out of the front door of the pack house in her rear-view mirror. She would come back to kill him one day. There was evil in his heart – an evil that had to be expelled.

Connor's eyes slipped shut. "So what now?" He murmured, deep tone muffled by his torn suit. Even broken and bloodied, Tia still found him strangely beautiful – a diamond in the rough.

Tia kept her eyes on the road ahead, the shadows of the trees above swallowing the world whole. Perhaps the ebony would swallow her, too.

"Try not to die, I guess."

END OF PART ONE

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anyone who gets the chris and kem reference in that chapter I will love you forever c;

hope you all enjoyed! part one is finally over, and it's all going to get a lot darker from here. be ready to meet new characters, ten times the amount of action, and finally find out who killed tia's pack.

who do you think killed tia's pack?

and do you prefer tia with jared or connor? (don't worry jared fans, he's not going anywhere ;) )

thank you for reading this far! it means so much to me! lots of love,

lotte xx