Ruin Me, Alpha

Hate That Burns Like Desire

I dragged myself to the training grounds at dawn, the mandatory Omega session hanging over me like a noose. After that humiliating dinner last night, where Devon had toyed with me like a cat with a mouse, I barely slept. His smirk, his scent, his audacious “request” to f**k me again—it all boiled in my veins. That monster thought he could own me. I'd show him otherwise, even if it meant playing along in this farce of a training.

The field was packed with Omegas, all shuffling into lines under the watchful eyes of Devon's Gamma, a burly guy named Harlan with a scar across his cheek. He stood on a makeshift platform, arms crossed, barking orders like he owned us.

“Listen up!” Harlan shouted, his voice gravelly. “Under Alpha Devon's new rules, loyalty to the Alpha is non-negotiable. You'll train harder, fight smarter, and report any disloyal whispers directly to me. No more slacking, breaches mean demotion or worse. We're Ironcrest now, unified. Praise the merger or get out.”

Murmurs rippled through the crowd. I clenched my fists, scanning the faces. Some nodded eagerly, traitors already sucking up to the new regime.

“Unified my ass,” I muttered under my breath, lining up with the others.

Harlan jumped down, pacing the rows. “First drill: combat basics. Pair up. Show me what Ironfang's got, and we'll blend it with Silvercrest edge. Remember, Alpha Devon's watching—impress him, rise up.”

Whispers started as we paired off. The girl next to me, a mousy Omega named Tessa, leaned in. “Heard Alpha Devon killed three rivals last week. Just snapped their necks in a challenge. No hesitation. Ruthless, but damn, it keeps the pack safe.”

Another voice chimed in from behind. “Yeah, and those rogues? He hunts them personally. Whispers say he's got a list of enemies—wipes them clean.”

I gritted my teeth, pairing with a random Omega who looked as thrilled as a kid in candy. “He's a murderer,” I hissed to no one in particular. “Framed my father, killed my brother. Ruthless is just code for monster.”

Tessa shot me a look. “Shh, Irene. The merger's good. Better rations, real training. Alpha Devon's turning us into warriors, not servants.”

I spun on her, eyes blazing. “He's invading our pack, planting his spies, and you praise him? What about loyalty to Alpha Theo? Or does a charming smile wipe that away?”

Tessa stepped back, but another Omega, Lena from the kitchens, jumped in. “Hey, ease up. The merger means power for us Omegas. Alpha Devon's fair—gave me extra shifts with pay. He's cool about it, listens when we talk. Not like before.”

I laughed bitterly, voice rising. “He frames innocents, strips families, and you call him fair? Wake up! He's charming you into chains. I'd rather die than bow to that bastard.”

The field went quiet. Heads turned. Harlan's eyes locked on me from across the way. “Problem here?”

Lena shrugged. “Just Irene venting. She's... upset about the changes.”

“Upset?” I snapped at her. “Try furious. This merger's a takeover, and Devon's the thief in charge. Praising him makes you complicit.”

Tessa frowned. “Irene, stop. You'll get us all in trouble.”

“Good,” I shot back. “Maybe trouble wakes you up.”

Harlan marched over. “Harvey, right? Mouth off again, and you're running laps till sunset. Focus on the drill.”

I glared but bit my tongue, throwing a punch at my partner to start the spar. Whispers continued—more about Devon's “ruthless” feats. “Heard he executed a beta for betrayal, no trial.” “Yeah, but he's charming in meetings, makes you feel seen.” It fueled my rage. Every punch I landed imagined Devon's face.

Mid-drill, a shadow moved from the corner of the field. There he was—Alpha Devon, leaning against a tree, arms crossed, watching with that cool, assessing gaze. His dark hair caught the morning light, gray eyes scanning the group. He looked effortless, like he owned the dawn itself. Bastard.

Our eyes met. He motioned me over with a subtle flick of his head. Harlan noticed and nodded me off. “Go. Alpha wants you.”

I stalked over, heart pounding with hate. “What now? Come to gloat?”

He pushed off the tree, smirking faintly. “Feisty as ever, Irene. Heard your little outburst. Stirring trouble already?”

“Trouble?” I crossed my arms. “Just truth. Your 'loyalty' rules are bullshit. Forcing praise for a merger no one wanted.”

He chuckled softly, voice low and smooth. “The pack's adapting. You should too. It's for the best—stronger together.”

“Best for you,” I spat. “You killed rivals, framed my father. Ruthless killer hiding behind charm.”

His eyes sparkled with amusement. “Ruthless? Maybe. But effective. Keeps threats at bay. You could learn from it.”

“Learn? From you?” I stepped closer, voice venomous. “I'd rather rot. You're a monster, Devon. All that cool exterior? It's a mask for the black heart underneath.”

He tilted his head, charm undimmed. “Monster or not, you're here. Following orders. That's a start.”

“Only to watch you fall,” I hissed. “I hate you. Every breath you take steals from my family.”

He paused, lips tilted in amusement. And slowly, his eyes traveled from my down to my legs, my exposed thigh. I wore a black leather jacket over a baby blue blouse and a upper-thigh length skirt. I loved short things. Skimpy outfit. And, Devon was checking me out...

Tension crackled between us. His gaze drove all the way up then, dropped to my lips, then back up. “Hate's a strong word. But it looks good on you.”

I turned to leave, done with his games. “Screw you.”

Before I could step away, his hand shot out, grabbing my waist and pulling me back against him. Hard. His body pressed to mine, heat searing through my clothes. “Not so fast,” he murmured, breath warm on my ear.

“Let go!” I struggled, but his grip was iron.

He leaned in, lips brushing mine in a playful almost-kiss, teasing. I froze, hatred warring with the unwanted spark. He pulled back just enough, smirking. “See? Hate and heat mix well.”

I shoved him off, cheeks burning. “Touch me again, and I'll claw your eyes out.”

He laughed, low and charming. “Promises, Irene. Back to training. Impress me.”

I stormed back to the field, fists shaking. The Omegas stared, whispers flying. “What was that?” Lena asked.

“Nothing,” I snapped, throwing myself into the drill. His smirk haunted me. Cool, charming devil.

Later that day, back at Brielle's, I paced the room, still fuming. The door opened, and Gideon slipped in, face tense.

“Irene,” he said, shutting it quick. “We need to talk.”

“About?” I stopped, arms crossed.

He glanced around. “Devon's inquiring about former Alpha family members. Digging deep—whereabouts, loyalties. He's got his betas asking questions.”

My stomach dropped. “Me? Or... all of us?”

“You specifically,” Gideon said grimly. “After your outburst? He's watching. Heightens the risk for our plans.”

Fear spiked, mixing with the hate. “That bastard. Thinks he can hunt us down.”

Gideon nodded. “Stay low. But if he calls you in again...”

“I'll handle it,” I bit out. “Gather more intel. We take him down before he finds anything.”

He squeezed my shoulder. “Careful. He's ruthless—rumors say he kills without blinking.”

“I know,” I muttered. “Felt it today.”

Gideon left, and I sank onto the couch, heart racing. Devon's pull, his inquiries, it all terrified me. But hate burned brighter. I'd end him, no matter the cost.

Brielle came in from the kitchen. “You okay? Look like you saw a ghost.”

“Worse,” I said. “Devon. Pulled me aside at training.”

Her eyes widened. “What happened?”

“Verbal spar. Then he... grabbed me. Tried to kiss me, smirking like it's a game.”

She gasped. “Irene! That's—”

“Humiliating,” I cut in. “Makes me hate him more. And now Gideon's saying Devon's asking about Alpha Theo's family. Me.”

Brielle paled. “Goddess. What if he knows you're plotting?”

“He doesn't,” I said firmly. “But we accelerate. Spread doubts among Omegas. Remind them of the real Devon.”

She nodded. “I heard more whispers today. He executed a rogue pack single-handedly last month. No mercy.”

“See?” I stood. “Monster. We expose him.”

As night fell, I lay awake, replaying the waist-pull, the near-kiss. His charm disgusted me.

The next morning, a note arrived: “Penthouse Invitation. Time: Noon. Purpose: To discuss training feedback—Alpha Devon.”

I crumpled it. “Bastard.”

But I went, hatred fueling every step. He opened the door himself, shirt unbuttoned at the top, pants held by a belt, flashback of that night crawling in but his rolex watch from that night is replaced by a bracelet that made him even more attractive, looking infuriatingly handsome.

“Irene,” he greeted, charm oozing. “Punctual. Come in.”

“What now?” I demanded, stepping past.

He closed the door. “I forgot to tell you. You are to report on the Omega training every noon.”

I turned to him, frowning. “I refuse.”

“You can't refuse, Irene. My pack, my rules.”

I rolled my eyes.

“And about your performance at the training today,” he proceeded. “Poor.”

“Truth hurts?” I shot back.

He smiled coolly. “Truth is, you're valuable. Channel that fire for the pack.”

“Your pack,” I corrected. “Not mine.”

He stepped closer. “Ours. Accept it.”

“Never,” I hissed.

Tension built again. He reached out, but I slapped his hand away. “Don't.”

He closed the space between us, hands in his pocket as he says, “You can't keep running away from this.”

I smiled, a teasing one. “Yes, I can't because one of these days, I'll kill you myself.”

“I love the sound of that.” He breathed. “Why don't you try now? I'd love to see your attempt.”

“Your death would come when you least expect.”

“Like when?” He teased, leaning forward, warm breath fanning my face, “When I'm deep inside you? Cos I surely will be one day.”

“I'll rather stab my eyes with my claws than allow you touch me again.”

He reached out, successfully this time, grabbing my chin gently and tilting my face up. “I love it when you challenge me.”

I swallowed, his face dangerously close, catching every of his perfect features in HD. Especially his intoxicating, glassy grey eyes.

“You won't have what you want. You already had my life by destroying it.”

“Wrong. I still have your life. And, it'd only be a matter of time before I have this—” He plants his lips on mine, drawing me closer but I fought harder this time, managing to shove him away.

“I hate you.” I spat.

“You can't get rid of me.” He drawled. “That was established on that night. Friday 11:35pm, the moment I slid inside you.”

“You actually remember the exact time? Sick bastard.” I spat.

“I remember every single detail of you, princess. I document everything about you. You would be surprised how much things I know about you. I know about you more than your father ever did.”

“Shut up. Keep his name out of your mouth, you monster.”

“I also know that you were not in a good relationship with him.”

I fumed.

“And all these fuss about getting revenge for him is to nurse your bruised ego from that night—”

The slap echoed in the room, silence falling thereafter.