Banished by the Alpha

Asking for a Beating

Cory POV

            “Corinthia, what is going on.” Dad says with an eyebrow raised at me.

            “Nothing, just jumpy after a long boring day I guess.” He’ll see through that lie in a hot minute.

            “Emily, what happened to your sister at the mall? What did you two do?”

            “Um, nothing dad. I made her try on almost every outfit in the store and then she skipped out on shoes by hiding in the bookstore. She said she got lost in some fantasy book.”

            He gave us an unbelieving glare before letting it go for the time being. I guess he decided this was one of those fights that wasn’t worth having unless it escalated. Em and I sighed in unison and relaxed in our chairs. We finished our dinner before heading to the barn. Emily hates barn chores and usually tries to weasel out of them but tonight she seemed eager to get out to the barn. I don’t know why because she never actually does any of the chores. She talks on her phone or takes selfies while I fill feeders and make sure all the animals have water.

            “So, what the heck happened? Like the whole story cuz you’ve been skimping on the details since you dragged me out of the store in a frenzy.”

            “You know why we had to get out of their as fast as possible. He beat dad, nearly to death, and then banished us. He turned us into rogues when he could have just let us live on pack lands like the other Alphas and their families.”

            “I know there’s more to it than that. I could tell something was off with you the whole ride home. You were panicking and pulling me along but something was pulling you back. I could see it when you turned back to look when he asked us to stop.”

            “Fine, I was trying to figure out who was watching me after I hung up with you and he literally ran into me. Opal says he’s our mate and he seemed to think it to but then I bolted because he’s Lucas Raven!”

            “Your MATE! Seriously, HE’S the one you’re mated to!? Not to mention you just turned 18 and find your mate but I’m almost 21 and still can’t find mine cuz we have to live on a farm, secluded from everything.” She trails off on her own mini rant.

            I throw myself into the chores to help get my mind off of what happened at the mall and having found out my mate is the one person I’ve spent the last three years trying to avoid at all costs. After I finish the chores Emily heads back in the house and I decide to head for the orchard. It’s Connors favorite place to train and I could use a good sparing session to release my anxiety and keep my mind busy.

            “Hey sis, what are you doing out here?” He stops to see if I’m a messenger from our parents or if one of the larger animals got loose.

            “I need to work off some stuff. I know I usually hate sparring with you but could we please, just a short session?”

            “Sure Cory, what’s going on? Nervous about graduation or something?”

            “No, not that, but I’d rather not talk about it. I tried talking to Emily since it’s more of a girl matter anyways but she didn’t really help any.” I sigh

            “Ok, warm up, stretch out and be ready in ten to spar. I’m gonna grab a quick drink from the hose.”

            Well this should at least help take the edge off. Plus, with how worked up I am right now, I might actually put up more of a fight than normal. Maybe I could impress my brother a bit while I’m at it. I finish stretching and then do a few air punches and kicks to get my heart rate up before Connor comes back.

            “You ready?” he asks as he walks back towards me.

            “As I’ll ever be to intentionally get my ass kicked by my older brother,” I reply with a little humor.

            “Great! Let’s get started” He always seems to eager for a fight.

            Now I’m trading punches with my brother and for once he stops going easy on me because I’m taking all my aggressions out on him. I’m genuinely starting to feel better until Connor lands a roundhouse to my ribs with a small crack. I get up and go right back at it despite the splitting pain in my side and manage to give him a bloody nose before he boxes my ears and the lights go out.

            “I’m not done with you yet!” I yell at Connor as I come to a second later.

            “You must really be worked up for this much of a beating Cory.”

            “I’ve still got a little left in the tank.” I say as I drag myself to my feet, feeling like I’ve been hit by a Mack truck.

            He lets me land a few more useless punches to his torso before spinning me around and pinning my face in the dirt, making me eat grass. He pulls on the arm he’s using as leverage while pushing my back down with his knee and I feel a loud “pop” as it dislocates. I howl in pain a bit as he lets me up. I’m done with this, now mom has to pop my arm back in place and she’ll know by how banged up I let myself get that I have more going on than Emily and I told dad for sure.

        Just then a car pulls in the driveway and out hops…

      “RICKY!!!!!!” I scream as I run across the yard and hug the best friend that I haven’t seen in three long years with my one good arm. He hugs me back and laughs at the sight of me.

            “I hope your doing better than you look girl! Did you decide to be Connor’s punching bag today?”

            Connor walks up to us and shakes hands with Ricky before inviting him inside. Mom and dad are excited to see him but immediately look at me with confusion as I walk in behind him. Mom walks over and pops my arm back in with no remorse at all. She just gives me a look that reads, ‘you asked for a beating and you got one.’ Dad turns back to Ricky and asks why we have the pleasure of a visit.

            “Alpha Lucas sent me” Ricky announces while looking at me and my face goes pale.