Page 5 of Caged Between the Beta & Alpha
“I’m not even arguing!” I exclaimed, trying to keep my voice calm. “I’m just saying you can’t blame Aunty for my decision or anything. This is all me.”
“Well, it doesn’t really look good. So, you chose a position where you are going to prance around amongst men. Befitting.” That stung.
“Dad… it’s training. I am not going to go put on a strip show for them, and even if I did want to become a stripper, you really shouldn’t be putting me down like that.”
“Wow, see that, Kim? Your daughter wants to be a hooker or stripper or whatever.”
“Dad! I…”
I shook my head. I couldn’t believe he was so backward. I stood up, placing my knife and fork down slowly, not wanting him to lash out at me for being loud.
“I worked my ass off to become something, to be accepted to such a position… Dad, it’s no small feat. Head Warrior means I am one of the strongest fighters of this pack. I worked day and night to prove that I’m good at something. Aren’t you at least a little proud of me?” I asked, glancing at Mom only for her to look away. That hurt, even when my mates abandoned me, I wished that I at least had my mom’s arms to cry in, but I didn’t…
“Proud? What’s there to be proud of? You’re just another Angela, another disappointment.” He stood up, slamming his fork onto the table and stormed out of the room.
“Haru…” Mom said, rushing from the room. I stared at the table, swallowing hard.
A disappointment… a failure… unwanted… useless…
I took a deep breath, smiling faintly. It was okay. I was used to it all.
The following day, I went for a run before showering and getting ready in black flared pants and a black high-neck top, and applying my signature dramatic eyeliner with some mauve lipstick.
Opening my window, I climbed out, not wanting another run-in with my parents. Making my way to the packhouse with the memory drive of some training regime and ideas I had, I headed towards the Alpha’s office. I slowed down when a familiar scent hit my nose. Roasted walnuts and honey. A scent that enveloped my entire body and made every nerve stand on edge.
Goddess, please don’t be around.
With each step closer to the office, my heart was fluttering with nerves. The last memory I had of Liam tugged painfully at my chest, and it was pretty difficult to breathe. Raising my hand, I knocked on the door lightly before I opened it and stepped inside, stopping dead in my tracks when my gaze fell on the man in the leather chair. His legs were crossed at the ankles as they stretched out in front of him, his elbow resting on the armrest. He was flicking through a file when his eyes snapped upwards, piercing into mine.
He was so much more handsome than I remembered him. He was dressed in a fitted black tee that did nothing to hide his bulging arms. Goddess, he was even bigger than before. A tattoo covered his upper left arm, peeking out from his sleeve. His hair was styled in a quiff with a short back and sides, and a scar went down his right eye. How did he get hurt?
But the thing that was most different about him was the coldness in those cerulean eyes. Gone was the warmth that one would have associated with Liam years ago. He cast one glance over me, sending another gutting stab of pain through me. Unwanted, but I didn’t care. I would live for me, mates or not.
When it was clear he wasn’t going to speak, I stepped up to the desk.
“I’m sorry, I thought Alpha El would be here. I have some training regimes I put together,” I said as his eyes were back on his file.
“Why were you looking for him? As your Alpha, shouldn’t you be running it past me?” he asked coldly. My Alpha?
“I…” He cocked a brow, leaning back.
“Don’t tell me you took this position without even knowing who the Alpha is... nice.” His sarcasm irked me, but I said nothing. No one had told me. Surely Kia and Aunt Angela knew…
“Sorry, I guess I’m a bit behind on the latest news. Congratulations on becoming Alpha. I will pray that you can be half the alpha your dad was,” I said, trying to hide the sarcasm in my voice and displaying a fake smile. His eyes flashed a deep magnetic blue, and I felt his anger rising.
“You will remember whom you’re talking to,” he said icily. “Besides, I don’t have time for some stupid training plans. Discuss them with the Beta.” My heart skipped a beat at the resentment in his voice when he said Beta.
“Okay… sorry for wasting your precious time, Alpha Liam.” I didn’t care that my voice sounded bitter.
I didn’t wait for a reply. I turned and left the office before he could even reply, and slammed the door shut behind me. I stormed down the hall, feeling my irritation growing.Great, now I have to face Damon…
Although he hadn’t been as bad as Liam, he didn’t really make an effort with me either. On my birthday and on Christmas, he would send a message, and when I got injured pretty badly last year, he had sent a small message, but that was it.
That night, not only had I lost my mates before I even got them, I had also lost two of my best friends. I wish I hadn’t gone to the ball; if I didn’t nothing would have changed between us.
I was so lost in thought that I didn’t realise where I was going when the sound of a woman’s breathless giggle made me stop in my tracks. I looked ahead to see a gorgeous woman. I vaguely recognised her. She was leaning against the wall, her hand on a man’s chest as he leaned over her slightly, speaking quietly; a man whose scent of spiced cinnamon and fresh rain hit me like a storm, and with it, the gutting feeling of pain twisted in my stomach.
His head snapped towards me, and I stared into the deep, powdery blue eyes of Damon. He quickly moved away from the woman, and that stung. Why would you do that unless your intentions weren’t innocent?
