My Alpha, My Home

The Graduation

    Of course, he doesn’t want me.  I’m unworthy of anyone, especially the soon to be alpha, the infamous Kade Roberts.  Thoughts were running through Amber’s head like wildfire while she stood under the stream of hot water in the shower, letting the tears roll down her cheeks.  She understood why he wouldn’t want her but that didn’t mean that the rejection didn’t hurt. 

    Amber thought back to her quiet exit from the bonfire.  While Amber was looking for her dad, she ended up finding her step-brother Tyler.  Or rather, Tyler found her.  She thought about the look on Tyler’s face when he approached her.  It was a look torn between pity and annoyance. 

    Tyler had approached her and said “I just spoke to Kade Roberts.  He told me to take you home.  Let’s go.”  The car ride had been so quiet that Amber’s embarrassment had only grown. 

    Pulling herself from her memory, Amber repeated her mantra that had allowed her to survive this long in her house, You are strong, you are smart, you can get through this.  She wiped away her tears and regulated her breathing before stepping out of the shower and reaching for her big fluffy towel to dry off.  Amber could get through this humiliation.  She only had to keep telling herself that.

One Year Later

    Amber was sitting on her bed tying her last shoe while listening to the twins argue through her door about what they should wear on the last day of school.  She heard something about dresses vs skirts and wedges vs stilettos.  While the twins still had one year left in high school, Amber was graduating in her Junior year, one year ahead of schedule.  She had pushed herself incredibly hard.  Amber knew that if she graduated early, that she would be able to leave for college early as well and that was exactly what she needed, to get away from her family and pack if only for a little while.  The twins gave her hell throughout their Junior year, making fun of her for focusing on school instead of social activities.  Amber thought about all of the days and nights that she doubted herself because of them.  She didn’t have any friends because of her academic focus, except for her friend Stacy who was also graduating.  Stacy, however, was graduating as a Senior.  Their dream of leaving their small town and going away to college together was about to come true in just a few short weeks.  Amber never told her mate, Kade, about her going off to college.  Why would she after all?  Kade hadn’t spoken to Amber since the night of the bonfire when he first met her.  Amber had only seen her mate at a distance a handful of times over the last year and each time Kade looked at her, he would just scowl and look away.

    Finally ready for the last day of high school, Amber stood up and looked in the cheap full-length mirror she had leaning up against her bedroom wall.  She was proud of herself for losing the five pounds that the twins had been teasing her about.  Amber would look fantastic tonight in her graduation dress, a simple black fitted dress that would show off her best attributes; her double D breasts and curvy hips.

    Seeing a text message from Stacy that she was waiting outside for her, Amber grabbed her backpack from her bedroom floor and made her way down the steps and out the door.

    Thankfully, the last day of school, a half-day, came and went quickly without any drama.  Following the plan that Amber and Stacy had laid out for themselves earlier that day, they made their way to their local mom and pop burger joint next door to the high school to grab a quick milkshake for the road.  Standing in the semi-crowded ordering line, Amber noticed the face that starred in her dreams sitting at a table about forty feet away waiting for his order.  Quickly averting her eyes from her mate, Amber found that Stacy was already paying for her milkshake.

    “Next,” the cashier called.  Amber had seen the bleach-blond girl working the register before.  She had graduated from Amber’s high school a few years ago and was known as one of the pack w****s.  Her name tag on her deep green apron announced that her name was Tiffany in swirling font with a heart drawn over the “i”. 

    Fitting, Amber mused to herself before approaching the counter to order her chocolate chip milkshake. 

    Amber had her debit card in her hand waiting for the total when Tiffany spoke.

    “Oh, don’t worry about it doll, your brother already paid for your milkshake.”  Tiffany pushed her body slightly over the counter to look to her left and wave while winking.  Her long thick false eyelashes screamed bimbo. 

    Tyler must be hanging out with Kade, Amber thought to herself.  Her step-brother spent a lot of time with Kade since he was chosen to be the new beta once Kade took his position of alpha.  Amber was surprised that Tyler would do something so nice for her though.  It must be because I’m graduating today that he did something nice.

    Amber looked over in the direction Tiffany was waving.  Tyler wasn’t anywhere to be seen.  Instead, she saw the face of her mate scrunched up like he was pissed off having been caught doing something nice for her.

    Amber’s face dropped.  Of course, Kade would tell Tiffany that I was his sister when he paid for my order.  He would never want anyone in the pack to know that plain little Amber was his fated mate, especially Tiffany the pack w***e.

    “Stacy, can you grab my milkshake when it’s ready?  I have to go outside, I need some air,” Amber asked her best friend. 

    Stacy gave Amber a look of sorrow and nodded her head that she would collect her order.

    Willing her feet to move one step at a time, Amber made her way out of the restaurant and walked around the corner until she knew she was out of sight from the other patrons.  She bent over, putting her hands on her knees, and dropping her head trying to calm her breathing before she hyperventilated.  Amber was tired of being unwanted.  She knew that the only reason Kade pre-paid for her order was because he felt obligated as her mate to do something nice for her.  His inner wolf must have compelled him to try to care for her.

    After what felt like an hour, Stacy exited the restaurant carrying two milkshakes.  Handing one to Amber, they walked in silence to Stacy’s car that was waiting for them in the high school’s parking lot.  Stacy didn’t speak until they were locked in her car with the AC blasting in their faces.

    “Do you want to talk about it?”  Stacy questioned.  She knew better than to ask Amber if she was ok because Stacy could feel the pain and inner turmoil swirling inside of Amber.

    “Not right now,” Amber replied in a somber monotone voice.  “I don’t want to cry before graduation and we both know that I will if we talk about that asshole right now.”

    Stacy didn’t say another word until they reached Amber’s house.  Parking curbside behind Tyler’s four door black truck, the girls got out of Stacy’s sedan before collecting Stacy’s graduation dress and makeup supplies.  They had planned on getting ready together at Amber’s house. 

    “Ok,” Stacy said, grabbing Amber’s attention once they had made their way inside the house and closed Amber’s bedroom door.  “That’s it.  We are going to be f*****g hot as hell tonight like the sexy young women that we are.  You better get ready to be hit on because you damn right will be with how drop-dead gorgeous you are when you actually spiff yourself up.”

    Stacy started posing outrageously drawing laughs from Amber.

    Finally, Stacy thought to herself.  Amber doesn’t deserve this bullshit and I’m not going to let her feel like an unwanted reject.  This s**t ends tonight if I have to skin someone alive. 

    Stacy had been subjected to watching her best friend be emotionally torn down for years by her step-mother, step-sisters, and at least half of the school thanks to her skank step-sisters talking so badly about her to the student body.  She had enough of watching her childhood friend slowly close herself off from everyone and wouldn’t allow it anymore.  Now that they were about to leave for college in a few weeks, Stacy would be able to help Amber increase her self-esteem and come to the realization that she was the kick-ass gorgeous woman that Stacy knew Amber to be.

    Three hours later, after much goofing off, hair curlers, makeup, and shimming into their dresses, Stacy and Amber were ready to take on graduation night.  Amber looked in the mirror; she knew that she looked gorgeous with her smoky makeup dressing up her deep blue eyes, her natural blond hair falling in soft curls down to the middle of her back, and her simple form fitting black dress hugging her in all the right places.  Stacy herself looked amazing as well in a 1950s style deep royal blue dress, complete with a matching pin-up hairstyle and a thin strand of pearls around her neck.  Judging themselves to be ready, they donned their four inch heels, grabbed their cap and gowns, and made their way down the stairs.

    Lauren and Brenda were sitting in the family room when Stacy and Amber hit the last stair.  The twins had three friends over and looked to be deep in gossip like usual.

    “Wow, trying hard much?” Brenda laughed causing the other girls to giggle as well.

    “Seriously,” Lauren chimed in.  “I mean, it’s cute that you’re playing dress up and trying to look like us but you never will fatty.”

    “They’re called curves, something that you would know nothing about stick-figure,” Amber scoffed, feeling emboldened.  She knew she looked damn good and wouldn’t let the twins ruin this for her.

    Just then Briana walked into the room.

    Oh, great.  Amber thought to herself, turning her head away and rolling her eyes.

    “You really do look like you’re trying too hard sweetie,” Briana sneered with a fake smile.  “But, I get it.  I mean, your own mate doesn’t want you so I understand why you would try to make yourself look good, try to tempt him into accepting you.”

    Amber couldn’t take it.  Not today.  Briana would not ruin this.  Amber was leaving town soon, she knew she wouldn’t have to put up with this bullshit much longer and so she decided to finally give Briana a piece of her mind.

    “You know what,” Amber exclaimed in a strong voice.  “You are nothing but an ugly dumb b***h inside and out.  It’s no wonder that your children’s father left and has nothing to do with you.  I don’t know how my dad has been able to put up with you and your horrible daughters for this long.  I have stabbed, strangled, and drown you so many times in my dreams that it must be illegal at this point.  You are worthless, you are not worth my time, you are not worth the amount of oxygen that it takes to keep you alive, and I will dance on your f*****g grave when you finally keel over.  It will be one of the happiest days of my life and you better believe that I am going to laugh at your w***e daughters’ tears for even they don’t deserve to have you as a horrible excuse for a mother.”

    With that, Amber strode gracefully in her heels towards Briana who actually flinched and cast her eyes downward.  Briana was acting as if an alpha was talking to her. 

    “If you ever try to talk down to me again, it will be the biggest regret of your life.  Do you understand me?”  Amber didn’t consider this to be a threat, it was a promise.  She felt powerful.  Amber didn’t know where the sudden surge of empowerment came from but it felt good.  While she was only seventeen, maybe she was finally becoming a woman in her own right.  She didn’t feel like a small helpless child any longer.

    The room was silent.  It was as if everyone was holding their breath for what might happen next.  The sound of a slow clap filled the room.  Amber turned her head towards the stairs where Stacy was waiting for her.  Only, it wasn’t Stacy that was clapping, it was Tyler.  He had a stunned look on his face as he tipped his head in Amber’s direction and said one word, “Bravo.”

    Not knowing what else to say, Amber turned around and walked out the front door while Stacy followed behind.  Climbing into Stacy’s car, the girls were silent as they made their way toward their high school where the graduation was being held in the gym.

    “Oh.  My.  God,” Stacy squealed after a few minutes.  “Like holy s**t, I never thought I would hear you talk like that to Briana.  That was amazing!”  Stacy was laughing so hard that Amber couldn’t help but join in.

    Reaching the high school gym several minutes late, the girls climbed out of Stacy’s car and checked in with their old English teacher, Mrs. Bray, before making their way to the makeshift backstage where they were to line up for the graduation walk.

    After several rehearsal refreshers, the graduating class lined up for the real walk.   Amber could hear the crowd filled with family and friends of the graduates in the gym stands.  She wondered if anyone would be there to cheer her on.  Her dad was supposed to be on pack border patrol tonight and she hadn’t heard whether or not he was able to attend her graduation.   Walking down the aisles to take her assigned seat, Amber searched the stands but couldn’t find her father’s face in the large crowd. The entire gym was filled; there wasn’t an empty seat to be found.

    What felt like hours later, Amber finally heard her name called and made her way to the stage to collect her diploma.  She heard her name being yelled and cheers.  Looking at the stands again, Amber found her father and, surprisingly, Tyler, cheering for her.  Her father looked so proud.  Feeling more eyes on her, Amber searched the other side of the crowd on the opposite side of the gym and saw none other than Kade Roberts clapping for her.  For once, he wasn’t scowling but he wasn’t smiling either.  Amber couldn’t read her mate’s expression and gave up trying to figure it out, instead focusing on not tripping on the metal stairs as she made her way over to the school’s principal.

    Thankfully, the ceremony did not last much longer and soon all of the parents were making their way from the stands down to the gym floor to find and congratulate their graduates.   Amber met her father and Tyler who both gave her hugs and congratulated her.  Neither of them brought up the “conversation” that Amber had with Briana a few hours prior.  Perhaps Amber’s dad hadn’t heard about it yet.  Whatever the case, Amber was happy that she didn’t have to discuss the situation.

    The mouthwatering scent of sexy maple hit Amber’s nose and her eyes briefly slid closed for a moment while she shivered.  She opened her eyes a moment before his voice hit her ears like music.

    “Congratulations Amber,” Kade said, his voice coming from behind her. 

    Amber swore that she could feel Kade’s body heat radiating deep into her bones, warming her from the inside out.  Her body tingled at him being so close.  Amber turned around breathless. 

    “Thank you,” she said quietly with a small sincere smile on her lips.

    Amber looked up into the face of her mate.  Amber quickly took in his chiseled features before their blue eyes briefly met. 

    Kade looked at Amber like he was trying to solve a 2,000 piece puzzle.  His eyes traveled down her body, taking in what was underneath the black unzipped graduation gown she was wearing.  He scowled.  Kade never wanted to come to Amber’s graduation.   He didn’t want to be anywhere near his mate.  His wolf had talked him into going to support her, however.  For Amber wasn’t only Kade’s mate; she and her wolf also belonged to Kade’s wolf who gave Kade a verbal flogging for saying he wasn’t going to attend Amber’s ceremony.

    Kade tipped his head in Amber’s direction, acknowledging that she spoke before turning around and walking away toward the gym’s exit.

    Still feeling bold and empowered, Amber jogged to catch up to Kade before grabbing his elbow to stop him from walking away.

    Kade yanked his arm out of Amber’s grasp before she even realized it. 

    “Don’t ever touch me,” he growled viciously.  Kade’s blue eyes turned black as he looked down at his arm in disgust where Amber had touched him.

    Amber wasn’t about to give in like the child she used to be though and hang her head down at his rejection.

    “Thanks for coming and acknowledging my existence finally.  That was more than I expected, especially since you scowled at me earlier today at the restaurant.  Oh, and thank you by the way for buying me my milkshake.  The cashier, Tiffany, said it was really sweet of you to pre-pay the order for your little sister.  I know you’re ashamed of me but you really didn’t have to tell the pack mattress that I’m your sister.”  With that, Amber strode away not allowing Kade the time to respond and walked back to her dad who had a curious look on his face.

    “Let’s go,” Amber smiled at her dad.  “I’m ready to wrap up today with some food.”

    Carl hesitated for a moment, giving a glance over Amber’s head before looking back down at his daughter with a smile.

    “Alright, let’s go eat,” he said, putting his arm around Amber and leading her out the gym in the direction opposite of Kade.