Mated To The Ruthless Female Alpha

ELLA Peace was the last thing they ever let me keep. I had learned that all too painfully. “Scrub harder, you stupid wench.” If I got a dollar for every insult they threw at me that morning alone, I would probably be set for the next six months. “Can you blame her?” my step-sister Sarah yawned lazily. “It’s not her fault she’s so retarded.” My step-mother clicked her tongue. “Doesn’t excuse being so useless.” There was a pause. “It would do you well to scold her about this, you know.” “Not now, Selene,” My father adjusted his glasses. The Alpha’s frame was huge against the small chair. “I can’t entertain any distraction at the moment.” I bit back any retort or snarky remark that tried to claw its way out of my mouth. Talking back never helped. It only made things worse. My father’s attention remained on the documents in his hands, willfully oblivious to everything his wife and daughter were doing. Maybe some years ago, I would have been disheartened and broken by his nonchalance toward the bullying. But I had learned to accept things for what they were. The man didn’t care about me. Not since he lost his first wife. I would always just be a stain that wasn’t even meant to exist. My bows remained scrunched, my knees burning against the wooden floor. But I kept scrubbing. The sound of glass hitting the ground made me freeze. The contents of the fruit blend splattered like a stain across the tiles. Sarah had an innocent look in her eyes. “Oops,” she clicked her tongue. “How clumsy of me. Now you have to start over again.” For a while, I couldn’t move. The anger and irritation that had been accumulating for days threatened to boil over. My step-mother snapped her fingers. “Well, don’t just kneel there like some statue. Clean it all up before it reaches the carpet.” I bit hard on my tongue, using every bit of self-control I had left. “Yes, ma’am.” It took me more time than it should have, but I finally managed to get it done. As soon as I was finished, I changed into fresh clothes and hurried out of the house. I went from walking, to speed-walking, and eventually breaking into a run. Enough time had already been wasted. What would Liam think? If I hadn’t been so aware of my surroundings, I would have missed the figure perched under the stairwell. “There you are,” Liam said, not looking the slightest bit pleased. “What took you so long?” Liam was my adoptive brother and the one person who meant the world to me. We had been attached at the hip since we were young. My mother’s death, and then his mother’s as well, had forged our bond. And honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Liam was blood; no arguments. I tried to play it off. “Just had something to attend to. Nothing too crazy.” He didn’t look convinced. “Nothing too crazy, yet you had me waiting almost two hours. Was it Selene again?” “It’s really nothing. I—” “I knew it.” He looked pissed. “Why do they keep treating you that way? It’s bad enough her and that daughter of hers are unbearable as it is. But it doesn’t make sense for them to treat you like you’re some sort of… slave.” I winced. “Hey, hey. We have a match today, hm? Let’s just focus on that.” Liam looked like he wanted to drag it out some more, but he eventually sighed. “That’s if we somehow manage to sneak past the security guards.” “You underestimate me,” I said with a wink, beckoning for him to move. With all my supposed abilities, we still ended up getting caught by the guards and were punished for tardiness. For the better part of classes, I found myself dreaming and anticipating what I would do once it was time to head to the club. As soon as the bell went off, I bolted out of my seat. The speed at which I changed into my training gear would have marveled anyone. When I pushed open the door to Thunder Boxing Club, a wave of peace washed over me. “And then the world was good again,” I sighed happily. “Move.” I nearly jumped as Liam brushed past me. He had the nerve to send me that cheeky grin before jogging to the ring. Sticking my tongue out at his back, I made my way over as well. “Ella!” “You’re finally here!” “Let’s go, Ella!” The smile on my face was so wide my cheeks would soon start to hurt. Being the president of the Boxing Club meant I always had everyone’s attention. Add that to the fact that I excelled in academics too. And effortlessly. Liam’s popularity rivalled mine as well since he was a beast in the ring. You could even argue it was higher. In class, however, he had the brain cell of an onion. “Enough stalling,” he said, clasping his boxing gloves together. “Ready to get your ass kicked?” A girl had a cheeky look in her eyes. “You’re not gonna let him talk s**t like that, are you?” The corner of my lips tugged up. “Like hell I am.” I slid into the ring with practiced ease, clasping my gloves on. Each bounce of my feet gave me steady momentum, filling my senses with balance. As soon as the bell rang, I began circling Liam. He wasn’t idle either, his guard up, eyes locked on me. I threw the first swing, doubling back as he tried to attack. I ducked. He used the opening to level another jab at me. Then another, and another again. “Stay still so I can hit your face, would you?” I blocked another of his punches and went for a low jab. “Fat chance.” We went at it like that, each punch synchronized in a way that left everyone watching in awe. When he swung again, I hooked my leg around his and brought him to the ground before pinning him in a choke hold. He struggled for a few seconds before tapping out. “Let’s go!” “Prez for a reason!” I released him, letting him get to his feet before bowing. He gave me a light punch on the arm, competitive fire blazing in his eyes. “Best two out of three.” To me, Thunder Boxing Club was an escape. I didn’t have to think or dwell on my worries. It was the closest thing to home I ever had. “Bring it on.”