The Alpha’s Undoing

CHAPTER 02

AYLA

Standing in front of the institution hours later, waiting for the driver my father said would be here any minute from now and it's been hours of waiting and yet nothing. When Madam Red declared that I could go home, that my family wanted me back, instead of being happy because I have waited for this day so long, imagined it and yet I couldn’t muster any flight of joy.

I felt nothing, and I knew I was supposed to feel something yet I couldn’t muster any emotions. As a car finally pulled up to where I stood, my attention was on Madam Red as she made her way down the entrance steps, a charming smile on her face.

“You must be Mr. Grayson’s driver.” She stretched out her hand for a handshake, her red lips widening in a smile that terrifies me.

“Yes ma’am, Mr. Grayson sent me to fetch his daughter, we will be leaving once we have your permission.” The driver turned in my direction, acknowledging me with a nod.

“Of course! Of course… Ayla, don’t be a stranger, you can visit anytime.”

We both know that would never happen but I force a smile, letting her believe I would come back if I have the chance or miss the terrible hell hole. On the ride home, I was lost in thoughts. A part of me still believes all this was a dream, a too good to be true dream I would wake up from at any moment now. Where would I be when I wake up? Down the dreadful basement, hoping I wouldn’t lose my mind or in the dining hall.

“What a nice lady, and she’s really pretty too.” The driver remarked, adjusting the rear view mirror to look back at Madam Red’s departing figure.

I shook my head, looks can be deceiving so I didn’t bother correcting him at all. My thoughts drift back to meeting my parents, what would their reaction be? What would mine be? What should I say? So many years had gone by, saying their names, thinking of them seemed like I was talking or imagining a stranger.

“You can go ahead and take a nap if you want to, it’s a long journey home.”

I didn’t think I would fall asleep, my mind was too troubled but the moment I rested my head back against the seat, I was fast asleep within minutes. I woke up several hours later with no idea how far we’ve gone, except that the car was still moving. I opened my mouth to ask the driver but shut it immediately, recalling Madam Red’s lesson, you are never allowed to speak unless spoken to back at the institution.

“We are here…” He announced a short while later as the car drove through an entrance gate.

I have been to the pack border once when I was younger, we were traveling to another pack but looking at it now, everything has changed. More advanced and definitely more determined. Suddenly, my tears begin to get teary, the wave of sadness that washed over me became so alarming that I had to push back the emotions before it turned into a full blown sob.

Once the car pulled up in front of the house, I slowly climbed out, expecting everyone to rush out and welcome me. The happy atmosphere that usually surrounds the house felt empty, so I disregarded it. I have been living in a cold institution for years so it’s normal for everything not to feel the same, I reasoned with myself as I stepped into the house.

My steps flattered when I recognized the person standing in front of me in the living room. My father regarded me carefully, his expression unreadable but guarded. My siblings were sitting at either end of the couch and for some reason, they weren’t looking at me. I definitely didn’t imagine the coldness I felt when entering, in fact the atmosphere felt sad…almost as sad as the institution.

I cleared my throat, twisting my fingers nervously while I waited for someone to say something but when several minutes passed without words being uttered, I decided to break the ice. “I’m home.” I stated the obvious, because what the hell am I supposed to say?

Did you miss me? Why did you turn your back on me? Why didn’t you at least write to me? Why aren’t you guys more welcoming? Can you please hug me? Okay, maybe I do have a lot to say but have no idea how to say them. I haven’t spoken in a long time, we were allowed only a few words at the institution, that was how strict Madam Red was.

“Ayla, you’re welcome.” Father finally spoke, briefly looking over at my siblings. “You have been well?”

What do you think? I wanted to ask but decided not to. “Where is mother? Can I see her?” I pleaded, not sure if they would let me.

They looked confused by my request but father finally nodded and motioned for me to follow him. We arrived at my parents bedroom and what I saw there made tears run down my face, laying there helpless was my mother. She looked half dead and if it wasn’t for the faint heartbeat I was hearing from her, she could be easily assumed to be dead.

“What happened? Why is she like this?” I cried, rushing to her bedside to hold her hand in mine. “Mom? It’s me Ayla, I’m back.”

At the mention of my name, her eyes flew open, they remained unfocused for a few more seconds before recognition finally settled between them. She reached for me but her body failed her, we both started crying as I put myself in her arms. All emotions I have been withholding came surging out of me in full force.

We remained in that position, just holding each other until she cried herself to sleep and my Father pulled me out of the room. I turned an accusatory eyes on him, anger stirring up inside me. “How could you not tell me about her condition? How could you have kept this from me! She’s my mother too, you know! Do you have any idea how much I missed her!” I growled, my body quivering slightly with anger.

“You know that’s not possible Ayla, you were in exile.” He pointed out, his voice calm and controlled, far too calm for me.

“Not possible? So why now? Why is it suddenly important for me to be here?”

“Ayla, please calm down.” Asher, my immediate older brother said, making use of his voice for the first time.

“Don’t tell me what to do! Please don’t. I know I was in exile, I knew how things work when one is in exile but how could you people totally abandon me? Is that how much you didn’t want me? When Madam told me you were coming to get me, I should have been happy but you know what I felt? Nothing! But being here now, with y’all after seeing the state our mother is, all I feel is anger.”

“You have every right to be angry Ayla, I know you think we don’t care about you but that isn’t true. Sending you away is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, especially seeing the state your mother is in. She missed you so much that she went into depression which caused her sickness. How could you think we don’t care about you?” Father yelled back, his voice thick with emotions that had my own anger melting.

“I felt so alone in that place, I missed you guys so much.” I cried, running into his arms.

I wept into his embrace, wept for all those years I spent missing them but when he pulled me out of his embrace, keeping me at arm's length, I took a step back, realizing I was still cursed and even if I’m back at home with them, that hasn’t changed.

“Excuse me, I need to make use of the bathroom.” Asher was kind enough to point me in that direction and I went into the bathroom, splashing some cool water on my face.

“Okay, this reunion between you two is nice and all but you have to tell her.” I heard my older sister Kya say, her voice low like she didn’t want anyone outside the room to hear.

“Kya is right, we don’t have much time, we have to tell her…now.” Asher added.

“Tell me what?”

They turned around at the sound of my voice, the fearful look on their faces increased my own nervousness as I wondered if they were taking me to the institution that same day. I stepped deeper into the room, tears clouding my vision. I hated how emotional I was getting within the short amount of time I was here. Back at the institution, emotions were frowned upon, it made you appear weak which makes you an easy target not only to Madam Red but the bullies as well.

“I know you just got back Ayla and we will not be telling you this if it’s not important or a life and death situation. Your mother's health is failing truly but there’s something else we are hoping to talk to you about. There have been multiple attacks of rogues to the point where it’s becoming a normal occurrence. The councils are worried and you know the relationship we share with the Alpha, our ancestors have been friends for a long time now so…you need to marry Alpha Kael.” He declared and there was a huge pause in the room.

Marry Alpha Kael?

The same Alpha whose cruelty is whispered among everyone in the institution and the fact that Madam Red happens to be his biggest fan? A shiver passed through me, maybe I didn’t hear him well because what does everything he said have to do with me? I fail to see it.

“I beg your pardon?”

This time it was Asher who spoke. “Father wants you to marry Alpha Kael and that is final! If you cared about the family at all, about our mother…” I cut in.

“Don’t bring mother into this!” I cried, not believing he would go there. “Is this why you brought me back home? To marry me off to an inhuman man that would eventually kill me when he grows bored of me?” Tears rolled down my face, to think…I thought they cared about me.

“I’m sorry Ayla but there’s nothing we can do about this, you have been betrothed to Alpha Kael before you went into exile and now he’s ready to mate with his mate, to grow in power through the bond he shares with his mate, to stop the rogues from taking over the pack. Our family reputation is hanging in the balance, please do this for your mother.”

And just like that, I felt my protest melting away. Maybe Alpha Kael isn’t the way people say he is, perhaps the things people say about him are rumours… right?