The Alpha's Bride

Chapter 1 - Returning home

Six years later

Alicia’s POV

I was driving down the deserted windy road trying to stay in control of the car in the rain and all around me were the thick green trees reminding me I was getting closer to home. A deer jumped out in front of me and I slammed on the brakes, forcing the car to skid off the road. Pulling the steering wheel this way and that, I regained control and pulled over to the side of the road. It felt as if my seatbelt was strangling me and I couldn’t get out of the car fast enough! As soon as I had the door open, I slipped out of my seat. My legs gave way underneath me and I slipped to the ground, taking in huge gulps of air. My one hand clutched my chest and a pain shot up my arm, but I knew this wasn’t a heart attack. Six years of therapy taught me the difference between a heart attack and a panic attack.

I had been okay for a long time, but I was driving back home and I was no longer okay!

Six years ago, my father informed me that I was to marry the Alpha’s son, Caspian. I went to bed that night, and I remember clear as day how I begged the moon goddess to save me from the horrific fate my father had planned for me. I couldn’t believe my luck when, before my planned breakfast with the Alpha and Luna, my father called me to his office to tell me I would be going to university instead of having to marry Caspian. Not only wouldn’t I have to marry him, but I would be leaving! Away from the pack that never liked me! Away from the people who were the reason behind my therapy! I was confused at first, but as soon as the rumours started flowing, I breathed a huge sigh of relief. Caspian’s recklessness had caught up with him and he impregnated some poor omega girl.

My father explained that it was a huge shock to our Alpha and Luna, and since the child would be their grandchild, they believed that Caspian should honor his responsibilities. I left the pack a week later and hadn’t been back since that last day I said goodbye to my father and brother. When I heard that the omega and child died in a car accident four years ago, I knew there was no way I could go back home!

Unfortunately, life has a way of forcing destiny on us. I finally had to go back home because my father was very ill. My brother was named Beta the moment Caspian became the Alpha, which meant he didn’t have the time to take care of my father. I had to give up the life I had created for myself to take care of my father, but planned on leaving as soon as he got better. My brother wasn’t convinced that my father would get better, but a girl could hope, couldn’t she?

Composing myself, I slipped in behind the wheel again and drove for a couple of kilometers before pulling off to the side of the road again. Scratching around in my bag, I found my medication and took one of my tablets. If I really had to deal with these people, I would have to do it medicated or my panic attacks may just turn out to be a heart attack and they would be burying me long before my father. As soon as I felt the meds kick in, I pulled back onto the road to drive the last two kilometers.

Pulling into the old parking lot, I wasn’t surprised at seeing the changes. Where Caspian’s cars used to be parked, there were now garages built and I could only guess that his cars were there. Next to these garages, I saw three black SUVs with some kind of logo printed in gold on the sides.

I looked for my father’s parking spot or even just an open one, but there was a reserved parking space for my brother, and the old Alpha and Luna and none for my father, which forced me to drive all the way down to the member’s parking area. There things seemed even worse! Anybody used to be able to park anywhere, but now there were allocated spots and, since I knew my father no longer owned a car, I looked for his spot. There wasn’t one! I ended up parking all the way at the back in one of two guest parking spaces thinking I would have to speak to my brother about this. If I was going to be the one driving my father back and forth from doctor’s appointments, I would need a space that was close to the packhouse.

After the long stretch to get to the main packhouse, I was met by a young girl who wouldn’t stop giggling. Unfortunately, as I was about to make my way up the stairs to the Beta floor, she cleared her throat and turned bright red when she informed me that my father had been moved to the general packhouse.

“At least, that solves my parking problem.” I sighed, saying more to myself than her, and when she tilted her head to one side, I told her not to worry about it, and I followed her down the long hallway to the general packhouse. I should have known that as soon as my father outlived his usefulness these people would dump him somewhere out of sight!

Walking into my father’s room, I was shocked at the state he was in! His shirt was dirty, he smelled as if he hadn’t had a bath in weeks, and he was incredibly pale and thin.

“Who has been looking after him?!” I glared at the girl and she turned bright red saying she had been trying, but since she was just an omega, she wasn’t strong enough to bathe him. I asked her when last my brother had come to see my father and her red face told me more than her words ever would. At that moment, the past no longer mattered. He was my father and my mother would never have approved of him being treated this way, but what did I expect? Our pack was never a close-knit family like some of the other packs in our region. They were more of an each-to-their-own kind of pack.

“So, you’ve finally come home?” My brother’s voice interrupted my thoughts as I was trying to figure out what was where in my father’s room. The young omega girl had disappeared with my things, mumbling something about coming back later to show me where my room was.

“Why didn’t you call me sooner?!” I was furious, but I knew what my limits were. I was no longer the daughter of the Beta. I was now the sister of the Beta, which basically meant … I was unranked. An omega, just like the young girl.

“I did … You weren’t answering my calls. Anyway, I don’t have time to argue with you. Alpha wants to see you.” My brother was never really the patient kind. I should have known when he called the first time that it was serious.

“I will come see him as soon as I’ve helped dad clean up.” I dismissed my brother, but he didn’t move.

“No, you will come and see him now. He is your Alpha and has given you instructions …” He was about to give me the same speech he gave me when we last spoke on the phone, when I interrupted him.

“No, I will help dad first. Surely, seeing me isn’t that important to an Alpha’s agenda, now is it?!” I stood looking at my brother, determined not to jump at the first chance to see the damn Alpha! But I had underestimated my brother’s sense of entitlement as he closed the gap between us and grabbed me by the arm.

“I said NOW!” He growled and dragged me out of my father’s room, not letting go as I nearly tripped on the way. I wasn’t surprised when he basically pushed me into the Alpha office, and this time my one foot got stuck on the other and I fell right into the arms of our dear leader …

“Caspian.” I was entirely out of breath, and wasn’t thinking as I looked into his eyes.

“Is that how you greet your Alpha after not seeing me for so long?” Caspian didn’t let go of me as he smiled.

“I’m sorry,” I pulled from his grip and took a step back, quickly lowering my eyes. “Hello, Alpha. My brother said you wanted to see me.” A huff from behind me let me know that my i***t brother was still standing there, probably enjoying my utter embarrassment, just like he had done all through my childhood.

“Hello dear Alicia. Yes, all new members are supposed to report to me upon arrival. Did you think yourself too important to do so?” What the hell did he mean "new member"?! But I didn't ask, as I could feel him walking around me and I suddenly wished I had a spoon! His damn eyes would look really delicious in some witch's brew!

“I’m sorry, Alpha. A young Omega girl met me in the foyer when I arrived, and she took me to my father first. I didn’t realize things had changed so much since I left.” I couldn’t for the life of me think why I would throw a poor innocent young girl under the bus, but at this point it was her or me! I hated that I had to submit to this bastard like this, but I had no other choice. If I wanted to take care of my father, I had to jump through every damn hoop Caspian and my brother put in my way!

“I didn’t see you at my wife’s funeral.” WHAT?! My mind went blank! “Did you see her there?” He must have been talking to my brother, but I didn’t dare look up and when my brother confirmed that I wasn’t there … “Why didn’t you attend the funeral of my wife and son?” Oh, for goodness’s sake! This was four damn years ago! Why was he so intent on bringing up all my sins the moment I arrived? My mind was spinning.

“I …” I hesitated. I made up some excuse about exams back then! I wasn’t going to come back and be forced to marry him! “I informed my father that I was in the middle of exams.” I started to explain, but immediately felt his anger around me.

“It was your damn LUNA! I’m sure if you explained it to your professors, they would have let you go! But it’s over now.” He sighed and came to a halt in front of me again. “As you said before, things have changed around here. I would suggest you find out what it is as soon as possible. I would hate for you to get into any trouble.” I felt his index finger underneath my chin and as I looked into his eyes a shiver ran down my spine. He held my gaze for a moment, then finally excused me and I rushed out of his office feeling yet another pain shoot through my arm.