The Alpha's Regret

Chapter 2

Kayla’s POV

“You need to get married to that Alpha or find a way to fork out the money we need for your father's surgery, the choice is all yours.” Nuella said, sitting on the sofa in my living room.

I smiled fondly. Almost sarcastically.

“So what do you want me to do? Get married to someone else when I already have someone I love? Why don't you force your sweet little Tania to do that for you?” I retorted, my voice calm.

“It seems you don't want this the easy way.” She raised her voice slightly. “You have two days to decide, otherwise…”

“Otherwise what?” I spat.

“Otherwise I’ll end the treatment as we do not have enough money to continue it. Unless you can come up with how to get the money. If time runs out and you can't, I want you to know this is all your fault. I am his wife and I can decide not to waste my money on a dying man.” She said, her voice filled with indignation. I could feel the blood drain from my face.

“What?! He’s your husband, my father!” How could one person be so cruel?

“Oh don't give me that bullshit. If you want to save your father’s life, get married to the Alpha. Till then, think about the consequences of your actions.”

“You're evil.” I gritted my teeth.

“Aren't we all?” She laughed, getting up from the sofa. My expression turned sour as she turned and exited without uttering another word.

I knew Nuella meant everything she said. If I didn’t marry who she wanted, she would stop my father’s treatment. I cursed her and her stupid daughter. Mom, why did you have to die? Why did you leave me to suffer all this? I plopped down on the bed.

I took out my phone as I thought of how I could raise the money. My mind drifted to Tristian. He was from a wealthy background after all. Can he help me? I dialed his number, my fingers trembling slightly. Hmm, no answer. That's weird. Tristian usually picks up on the first ring, unless he's busy. And he always tells me when he's busy. I dialed it again.

Suddenly, I heard his ringtone from outside my bedroom. My heart skipped. What was he doing in my house? We didn't have any plans today…. Did he have a surprise for me or?

I got up and left my room, trying to locate the source of the sound. Tania and Nuella didn't have such ringtones, and I didn't know who else did. I stopped in front of Tania's bedroom, which seemed to be where the sound was coming from. Something isn't right.

Tania had a lot of friends. Maybe one of them has Tristian's ringtone. But I'd have seen them come into the house…

I was doubting the tone when I heard Tania’s voice from inside the room. I placed my ear on the door. Her voice came out muffled, but I could still make out the words.

“It’s a call from my sister, aren't you going to answer it? What if it’s something urgent?” She said.

“Ughhh, who cares about her? Can't I just have this moment without her ruining it?” I heard…. Tristian's voice? I had to be mistaken.

“Come on, don't be like that. She speaks so highly of you.” Tania said, mockery evident in her tone.

“I don't care about her. I wish I found out she wasn't my real mate sooner. It was you all along Tania. I honestly can't get enough of you. Now, let's finish what we started.” That was definitely Tristian's voice. Adrenaline pumped into my veins. My breathing became faster, as my brain struggled to process what I just heard. I could hear my heart shatter, slowly at first, then quickly, as if it needed to be put out of its misery.

“You’re so naughty.”

I'd heard enough.

I felt like I had been struck by a thunderbolt. My head kept on buzzing and whatever thought I had of handling the situation evaporated.

Tristian, who had frequently declared his love for me, was cheating on me with Tania? Tristian, who frequently spoke of how I'd be the most beautiful mate his pack had ever seen? Tristian, who promised...How long has this been going on? How long has he been deceiving me?

I closed my eyes tightly as the loud and lustful echoes of passion intensified from inside the room. I took a step back, and ran to my room. I fell on my knees, as my legs gave way to the wave of emotions pouring over me. I sobbed violently, events of the last 10 years fresh in my head. Alas, I was able to stop the tears trickling down from my cheeks. I sat on my bedroom floor, numb with pain. I needed a drink. f**k I needed ten drinks.

I grabbed my purse, my keys and dashed out of the house. I got into my car and silently drove to a bar, around 15 minutes from my house. It was late evening, and the customers were trickling in slowly. There was soft music playing, with the bartenders slowly arranging glasses and drinks for the customers. The bar wasn't quite filled yet, and I liked it. I walked inside.

I sat on one of the chairs, closest to the bartender's desk. The dim lights of the bar seemed to mirror my mood, casting a somber atmosphere. “Vodka, please. Your strongest one.” I said to the female bartender as she came in front of me.

She returned soon after with the bottle and tiny cups on a tray. I gulped it down in one full swig. Maybe this would help me forget about him.

“Why me?”

I chugged down another shot.

God, maybe I already had ten shots. My eyes burned from the sting as it seared down my throat. But it was helping. My brain started to feel hazy from the alcohol.

“One more shot.” I turned to the bartender. She stared at me, her forehead creased with concern. “Didn't you hear me?” I almost yelled. She flinched, but poured another shot.

I kept drinking. Drinking. Drinking. Everything became a blur. I steered round and swept my eyes over the bar. It was a little full now, and the earlier soft music was now rock music blaring through the speakers. Everyone was dancing, some chattering, others just observing and making small talk. I probably looked like a complete wreck.

“Tristian you bastard!” I broke down again, sobbing uncontrollably.

He was probably with Tania now, whispering sweet nothings as he f***s her. The image formed in my head as quickly as it dissipated.

Lost in my thoughts, I had barely noticed a young man sitting down next to me. I couldn't see properly, but he had a black button down shirt with the first two buttons undone, black trousers and roughly tousled hair. His facial features were defined and sharp, and his eyes looked like they could pierce through rock. He reminded me of a guy I lost in my highschool, Noah.

I must've been hallucinating, because for a moment, this young man morphed into Noah. I groaned. I've had way too much to drink. I chugged down another shot regardless. “You know, women go through a lot. I mean, we give our all, go out of our way to please you men and what do we get in return? Yeah. A lying cheating conniver!” I found myself saying to the young man.

I half expected him to question what I said, but he just stared at me, a little intrigued even. I rambled on, not really caring if he listened or not. He listened throughout, not giving me a judging look or showing off any sign of boredom or disturbance. I must've gone where I shouldn't have because he touched my palm, cutting my words off.

“You’re going to be okay.” He said pulling me in for a hug. I looked up at his face and was met with beautiful green eyes looking right back. They sunk deep into my soul.

“Thank…”

“It’s okay, you don’t have to say anything. It's not the first time I've seen men lose someone as precious as you. Where are you headed?” His fingers traced circles on my lower back, soothing my raging nerves.

“Home,” I muttered. He could tell I was drunk, or so I thought. Regardless, he didn't look like he was going to hurt me.

Amidst the chaos of the bar, the young man, whom I now knew as Drako, recognized my vulnerability and took it upon himself to protect me.

He gently persuaded me to stop taking more shots, concerned for my well-being. “Did you drive here?” He asked.

“Yeah, my car's outside.” I was so drunk. I flashed my keys in front of him and rested my head on the counter. Realizing I was in no condition to drive, Drako insisted on accompanying me to a motel. At least I'd be safe there.

“No, you don’t have to worry.” I slowly declined.

“I want to worry, I can’t watch you go alone in this state and I won’t forgive myself if anything happens to you because of this.” He said, his voice resigned.

“You're very nice.” I muttered.

“It’s all in a day's work. It’s the right thing to do so I would put everything aside over and over again

to help someone.”

I smiled softly.

“Thank you.” I said before he lifted me up in his arms.