Beneath the Alpha’s Lies

Low murmurs and confused glances flew back and forth as Tyler, our beta charged toward me. My gaze shifted, to the cloud of golden hair following hot on his heels with a smug smile. Great. I rose slowly, saying a prayer under my breath. Even though that had never helped me. Tyler stopped a foot away, not bothering to hide his disgust the minute I felt the zap of the bond. “I've dragged this long enough.” He said thickly, his eyes flicked to my dear step sister and for the first time since I'd known him, uncertainty passed his face. Layla shot him an impatient look and that look vanished instantly. He straightened, clearing his throat. “The moon goddess had clearly made a mistake. Or maybe a cruel joke.” His gaze hardened. “Making the daughter of a traitor my mate.” His bitter laughter grated on me raw as my fingers dug into my palm until warm liquid dripped slowly down my knuckles. “I'll make the choice easy for you.” he announced despite the low gasps and barely concealed snickers. “I, Tyler Rein, reject you Amelia Scott.” I'd expected it. Ever since the discovery was made, my life in the pack had become more unbearable than usual. But the pain that slammed into me was greater than I had imagined. It felt like molten lava was being injected into my veins. Everything burned and yet, I forced my head to remain fixed on my shoes, willing away the tears that were starting to form. My knees wobbled threatening to give out but I forced them steady. “You've got nothing to say?” Layla taunted, slipping her arm into Tyler's. I stayed quiet, silently counting. One. Two. Three- I could smell it on him,the unease, his heavy footsteps shifting at my usual silence. He'd just severed the bond. I should be hysterical. Pleading. Begging. And yet… Layla scoffed, “Always think you're better than everyone.” She murmured, her displeasure evident in her tone. “Come on, Tyler, let's go.” Their footsteps receded. My feet stayed planted to the ground, afraid that if I moved, I'd fall straight to the ground. Slowly, the crowd slid back to its usual routine like nothing happened. I don't know how long I stood there, feet aching, and soon enough, the pain slowly turned cold, like a reminder that this was nothing compared to what I had seen. A firm hand clasped down my shoulder, shaking me sharply. “Amelia,” the voice called softly. When I didn't reply, my best friend, Rina spun me around and pulled me into a hug. “I'm so sorry,” she whispered. Something in my chest cracked, then shattered. I pulled back stiffly. “I'm fine.” Her eyes softened as they scanned my face, then her fingers brushed my wet cheek. I hadn't realized that they had fallen. She gave me a small smile. “Let's get out of here.” My mind wandered as we left the pack hall, the stares intensifying with every corner we turned and the minute I got back home, I collapsed. Rina was at my side in an instant, her arms wrapping around me firmly so my body didn't meet the ground. “It's okay,” she murmured, stroking my hair. “It's going to be okay.” Tears didn't break through again. The sharp pain in my chest was still there but other than that, I felt… nothing. After a long while of silence, I pulled away, staring blankly. “I think I need time alone.” The protest in her eyes was unmistakable but eventually she sighed, straightening. “I'll check on you before the bonfire.” I stayed silent. Even when the slam of the front door echoed around the house. Even when the beam of sunlight filtering through my curtains dulled into evening. Minutes bled into hours and soon enough, darkness followed it. I stayed curled up in my bed, pillow to my chest, wondering what my life would have looked like if my mom was still here. What would she think of her beloved mate? Speculations didn’t give me peace of mind. Finally, I crawled off my bed, pushing the windows open. I barely had time to enjoy the night breeze before my door tore open. I stiffened reflexively. His gaze scanned my room in that same disdainful look he always gave me. When his eyes finally settled on my face, they hardened. “I'm headed to the gates to pick up the Alpha of the Raven claw pack-“ My father announced. He probably said something else after those words but the ringing in my ear was too loud to catch it. The breeze suddenly felt hot as my mind crawled back to the place I prayed at night not to go. The lake. The way the moon shone eerily across the water surface. And him. Pain panged. I watched. Hidden as he stood over my mother's body, staring at her without any emotions as she bled to death. The world narrowed. “Amelia.” My father's sharp voice jerked me back into my room. First I was numb. Then rage slowly curled up my spine and before I could stop myself, “Why?” I gritted. My voice was so low it was barely a whisper. “What?” He asked. I turned sharply, eyes stinging. “Why would you let that man into your pack after what he did?!” My father’s cold eyes held shock before shuttering the reaction down. “Do not bring your wild accusations to the bonfire. He is-” “He killed your mate!” I snapped, closing the distance. His shoulders stiffened. Maybe if I was close enough, I could see the reason for his cowardice. I couldn’t. “And yet, you want to open your gates to the enemy.” I screamed, not minding how hard his face got with each word. I was at my limit. “You’re nothing but a coward-” The force from the slap was so hard, my head snapped to the side. It should have hurt. It didn’t. Slowly, I raised my head to meet the gaze I spent my entire life being unable to. “I wish I was dead.” I spat. He seethed, grabbing my cheek. His fingers dug into my skin until it ached. “You think I don't want that?” He whispered. “You think I like looking at your face and seeing Gianna?” My breath caught. This was the first time since my mother's death that he said her name. His jaw ticked. “The only reason you're alive is because I allow it.” He shoved me harshly to the ground, releasing a sharp breath. Without another word, he turned and stalked from the room. The door slammed and silence followed. Then I heard it. Flapping of wings, then a consistent tap on my window. I forced my aching limbs up, peering to see. A black raven stared right back at me, perched on the windowsill. It crowed suddenly, the sharp sound cutting through the silence. I flinched. I don't know how long I let it watch me. Seconds? Minutes? However long it was, eventually it flew away. The unease in my chest didn't have the time to settle when the doors downstairs swung open. Then the chatter followed. My stomach tightened painfully. They were here. The Alpha of the Ravenclaw pack. The man responsible for my mother's death.