Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Ana

It wasn't easy lying to my dad, who was the alpha of all alphas. Brett Dex Donovan had a strong intuition and remarkable hearing and sensing abilities. Courtney and Dylan tried their best to convince him, but my father still refused to believe why I had returned. He knew I was proud of going to college and having some independence before pack business took over.

"I don't believe you Ana." He inquired with a questioning voice. Even though he didn't use his alpha voice, I could tell I was pushing his patience.

"Tell me why you came back. You love school, being independent—it makes little sense. If you don't answer me, I will use my Alpha voice."

His tone changed from angry to concerned in an instant, and I couldn’t take it anymore; I collapsed on the floor, screaming in agony and crying uncontrollably. In a flash, he scooped me up in his arms and brought me to the sofa, holding me as I continued to sob.

“Honey, what happened? Didn't Courtney and Dylan take care of you?”

I struggle to speak through my sobs as I explain that this has nothing to do with my Beta and Gamma. It's all because of me - or Alex  - but I can't defy my father any longer. He'll find out eventually. I try to regain my composure, though the pain of losing someone I love and feeling betrayed is like a blade slicing into me.

My dad is running his fingers through my hair and whispering comforting words in my ear. Finally, I summon up the courage to tell him: “I think I've found my mate, Dad.”

Crying has weakened my voice and plastered my hair to my face with tears.

“That's great news, dear. Who is he?”

When I don’t respond, he gets worried.

“Ana, what did he do? I need to know now.” His voice was loud enough for the entire room to hear it. His body shifted from relaxed to tense, and his alpha power was growing stronger than his rage escalated. ”Speak up! I want to know so I can make it right.” Spittle flew from his lips like a rabid wolf. He began pacing around the room, and Dylan and Courtney shrank away in submission. - it was clear that his alpha energy was more powerful than I had initially thought. As an alpha myself, I could challenge him further without consequence, but I also knew that I would be in deep trouble if I didn't tell him soon. All I wanted was to protect Alex from any harm.

He calms down and I tell him about my intuition pushing me to Dylan and Star, and how the wolf immediately liked and accepted him. I also explain our connection, ending with the fact that he's human.

"But Ana," my dad cuts in, "a lot of wolves have human mates. It can be alright if it's properly managed. Even if you're an Alpha's daughter, your mate can learn to lead the pack."

I sigh.

"That would be great if it was the only issue..." I'm not sure how to explain Alex's terrible behavior before Courtney chimes in again: "Wait—he cheated on her. Why would she still want a cheating mate?"

"HE WHAT?!"

I know I can't reason with my dad when he's angry. It takes only a few seconds before he transforms into his huge black wolf, and his gold eyes tell me that Scar is in control. When someone changes in rage into their animal form, the instinctive senses of the beast take over, leaving me to choose between fighting or running. Before I even have time to consider my options, my father jumps out of the window and runs off into the forest. Dylan eventually carries me to my bedroom and places me on my bed. Courtney sits next to me while Dylan talks to someone. All I remember after that is being cocooned in darkness until morning when I open my eyes. A familiar scent fills the room,—my ex-boyfriend Max—standing beside me, looking at me with both pity and concern; yet there was something else in his eyes—hope, perhaps?

Max embraced me, and I took a deep breath of his scent. It was comforting inhaling the smell of my loved one in a time of distress. Star purred contentedly, always having had a fondness for Max.

"Show me the man who has the nerve to treat you like that, Ana," Max said.

Though I wanted no more drama, Dylan was determined to exact revenge on my behalf. He pulled out his phone and searched for him on I*******m before I could protest.

"No, Dylan don’t do it!"

He replied, "The fool deserves anything coming his way. Ana, I was there; I saw everything. He's an asshole who deserves to be punished."

“Please, I just want to forget. “ My sentence hung incomplete when Dylan showed me an I*******m post where Alex had been tagged. The caption reads, “Say congrats to the newly engaged couple,” and there is a photo of Alex and Shauna.

My throat is parched, my heart surging, and I feel disconnected from reality. My head is spinning and my body aches with loss. With one look at my father that has return, though, I am made aware that this matter is far worse than I expected. His eyes are a solid gold, evidence that his wolf is fighting for dominance over him again.

And then he says the words that will haunt me forever:

“A goddamn Sullivan! Your mate is a Sullivan! He's not human!!” he bellows loud enough for all members of the pack to hear his authoritative voice calling for justice. The darkness takes hold of me once more, and this time I pray it never releases me again.