Her secret mate

Family breakfast

Without wasting a second, I started getting ready.

From experience, I know that her threats are not vain. She has done it before and she will do it again. There have been multiple occasions when I was not on time and she had me dragged out of the room with no care in what state of dress or undress I was in.

So now I know that it was better to be on time, even if I looked like trash. It was better to get mocked for my looks than to suffer through the embarrassment of sitting at the breakfast table with only my bra and underwear on.

The moment I stepped in front of the mirror I knew that there was very little I could do in those five minutes.

Falling asleep with my hair still wet was a very big mistake. My hair looked like something out of a horror film. At any second, I expected a crow to flay out of it. Taming it was not really a possibility, not when I had only two minutes left before I had to go or someone would break the door. And if that happens, no one will fix it until I leave, so that means the tiny amount of freedom I had would be ripped away.

Taking a few deep breaths, I walked back to the room and searched through my bag. After a few minutes of digging around, I found a hair tie. Quickly, I pulled that mess in a tight bun,

Okay, my hair is done, now clothes... the only other clothing that I brought was black jeans and a hoody. I planned to wear some of my old clothes, but as all of them are gone I have no other choice.

Great.

Quickly, I pulled it all on only to realize that I had forgotten to bring a bra and my other one was ripped apart on the bathroom floor...

Very smart move Valery, very smart.

Okay, there is no way of fixing this right now, I will just have to suffer through this and find a way to slip away after breakfast.

Putting on my best fighting face, I straightened my back and, with all the pride I had in me, I stepped out of the room.

Just as I did that, I saw one of my father's men walk in my direction. He looked a bit disappointed when he saw me step out of the room. I guess he was expecting me to be late, so he could put his paws on me. Thought luck, asshole.

I thought to myself, but I pushed a fake smile on my face.

"Hi, I won't be needing an escort, I know where the dining room is."

"Sorry, miss, the Luna insisted that I help you get there safely."

The smile fell from my face and I just walked past him.

"Fine, then let's get going before she throws a tantrum."

I heard a little sound of disapproval coming from him. I guess he doesn't like me disrespecting his Luna. I guess the pack dynamic has not changed over the years... not that it could, I guess. The complete love and adoration towards your pack leaders is deeply rooted in our genes that it is almost impossible to ignore. A leader may disrespect the pack and its people to the point of insanity and they would still love them. I know that my parents never did anything to earn this love, but here it still is.

Feeling disgusted by the whole concept, I shook my head as we approached the dining room. I need to clear my head and be prepared for battle.

Taking a few deep breaths, I cleared my mind and pulled up my mental wards. There will be no punches pulled from the moment I step into the room and I won't let them have the pleasure of seeing me react.

The man that was sent to drag me here opened the doors for me and I stepped into the sleek white dining room. To no surprise, there were not only parents here but also a few of their guests. The house was rarely empty or with just my family in it. There was always someone who wanted to impress my father or someone my father wanted to impress.

Today we had Colin as expected and a woman next to him. She was looking at him softly as she said something to him that made him smile.

Was that his mate?

A slight tug of jealousy sparked in my chest.

I ignored that miss placed emotion and forced my thoughts away from him, because I could already feel my fathers disproving gaze on me.

"Alisha, I don't think you had the pleasure of me meeting my daughter Valery yet."

My father told the woman who was talking to Colin and she turned her light hazel eyes to look at me. She gave me the most sincere smile that I had ever seen. She tried to rise to her feet, but when she stumbled a little at the last moment Colin reached out to steady her.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Valery."

She said with a shy blush on her cheeks, clearly embarrassed by her little stumble.

Without me even knowing it, I started to smile also.

"The pleasure is all mine, Alisha. Please sit down, enjoy your breakfast."

She bowed her head a little in respect and Colin helped her to sit down. He did it with such care and gentleness, I had never thought an alpha was able to act in such a way.

I was taken back by what I saw that I let myself forget where I was.

"Well, aren't you dressed... casually Valery."

The disgust in my mother's voice was so strong that it almost felt like a slap across the cheek.

"Sorry, mother. I did not pack enough clothes when I left the campus."

"Well, that is so irresponsible... you should always think ahead and plan... so carless."

I had to close my eyes for a second before I did something as stupid as slap my mother right in front of everyone.

When I opened my eyes again, I saw a satisfied smile on my mother's face and I knew that it was the reaction she was hoping for.

Shit, I lost... again.