Ruined by the Alpha

ELARA'S POV

The vibration of my phone against the duvet felt like an electric shock. I scrambled for it, my breath hitching in my throat, half-expecting—half-hoping—to see a name that started with an S.

It wasn't him. It was just a group chat notification from a pack cousin I hadn’t spoken to in months.

I let the phone slip from my fingers and stared at the ceiling. A week. It had been seven days since I woke up in Silas Vane’s bed, smelling like his expensive soap and feeling like a stranger in my own skin.

I had spent those seven days trapped in a cycle of self-loathing. Every time I closed my eyes, I felt the phantom pressure of his hands on my hips, and the shame would wash over me, hot and suffocating.

How could I have done it? He was my father-in-law. The Alpha’s father.

But then, the shame would settle, and a different kind of fire would take its place.

A craving.

I’d find myself staring at his contact name, my thumb hovering over the dial button until my hand shook. He hadn't reached out. Not a text, not a call. To him, I was probably just a mess he had to clean up—literally and figuratively.

"Elara? You coming down?"

Jax’s voice from the hallway made me flinch. I scrubbed the dried salt water from my cheeks and forced myself out of bed and headed for the bathroom.

Within minutes, I was done bathing, dressed in another dress and walking down the stairs to the dining room.

Almost immediately, caught Jax. He was sitting at the head of the table, his eyes glued to his phone screen. He didn't look up when I pulled out my chair. He just tapped away, a small, private smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

I looked at his hands—the hands that used to hold me—and felt a wave of nausea. Who was he smiling at? I knew the answer. It sat in my stomach like lead.

I couldn't bring myself to confront him about his cheating habit when I technically cheated too. We were both the villians.

I tried to pick up a fork, but my fingers felt numb. I couldn't share a bed with him anymore, and even sharing a table felt like a betrayal of my own dignity.

"Your father called to say he’s hosting a family dinner party tonight at the main estate," Jax said, finally pocketing his phone.

“We'll be going over by evening, I've got some business to handle at the border. Get ready I'd pick you up”

"Fine," I whispered. I didn't ask what 'business.' I didn't want to hear the lie.

We ate in silence afterwards, and I cleared the plate afterwards. And almost felt a weight lifting off my chest when he walked out.

It was hard pretending to be okay…hard not showing the guilt I felt…the pain of his betrayal…or the fact I was starting to fall out of love with him.

Before I could blink, evening came knocking and so did Jax.

Grabbing my purse, I walked out to meet him and got into the car, offering him a greeting before we drove off again.

The drive to my father's pack was unsurprisingly quiet. It wasn't anything new, we hardly spoke to ourselves these days unless it was VIP.

Soon, we pulled up to the familiar wooden gates of my childhood home. I didn't wait for Jax to come around and open my door. Before the engine died, I was practically out of the car and rushing to into my dad's embrace.

My father was waiting on the porch, his arms open like it always was and I practically collapsed into him like a baby.

"You're thin, Elara," he murmured, pulling back to look at me, his brow furrowed with worry. "Is everything alright at home?"

"Just tired, Dad," I lied, forcing a smile that didn't reach my eyes, staring at Jax as he made his way toward us.

“Where's Rosa" I asked, realizing my stepmom was no where to be found. Usually, she'd be clinging to my dad and would be whining about how I loved my dad more than I ever loved her.

“She went out to shop for dress as usual" Father muttered, almost rolling his eyes and I nearly laughed.

“Greetings Theron" I heard Jax voice behind me and immediately got up heading inside.

I heard my dad reply to him warmly, faintly, as I walked in. Just then, my eyes caught the last person I wanted to see.

Mia

She was in the kitchen, humming a song as she plated appetizers. She looked up and beamed at me, her eyes bright and innocent.

"Lara! You're here!" she chirped, coming over to hug me.

I froze. Her scent—floral and sweet—filled my nose, and all I could think about was those pictures.

I wanted to scream. I wanted to grab her by her shoulders and ask her how she could do it. But I just stood there, a hollow shell, letting her embrace me while my heart broke into a thousand more pieces.

We were known as the best if sisters, ever since dad remarried. The same way Rosa had helped my dad heal, Mia had helped me too and I couldn't bring myself to destroy that bond.

“It's nice having you around. Come help me serve this at the dinning room” She smiled.

Instinctively, I returned the smile as I grabbed some of the plates, trying to act chill.

Dad and Jax were at the table and I joined them, while Mia, excused herself to get ready for the dinner.

"I'm surprised dad isn't here yet," Jax said, glancing at the clock. "He usually values these monthly check-ins," he added. I swallowed hard, the main mention of his name was doing me shitty.

“He sent a message an hour ago saying something unforeseen required his attention." My dad replied, sighing.

My heart did a painful gallop.

Unforeseen.

Was he avoiding me?

Was the thought of sitting across a table from me too much for him to handle?

The guilt started to fester. I had ruined the only stable thing in my life. I had crossed a line, and now the silence from his end felt like a judgment. It's crazy how I miss his constant naggy down my throat.

"I'll be back in a minute" I muttered, getting on my feet and walking off before questions rained on me.

I stood by a marble pillar, as I pulled my phone outta my pocket.

I was done waiting for him to call, if he felt so awkward, I should clear up the misunderstanding.

I dialed his number before I could talk myself out of it. He picked up on the first ring, but he didn't say hello.

"Silas?" I whispered. "I... I just wanted to apologize for the other night. I was drunk, and I shouldn't have put you in that position. I'm so sorry if I made things…"

"Don't," he interrupted.

His voice wasn't warm. It was harsh, like grinding stones. There was an edge to it that made me go pale.

"Do not apologize for something we both knew was coming, Elara. And do not try to make it small."

The ice in his tone was terrifying. I trembled, clutching the phone to my ear.

“Elara? You're okay?" Jax’s voice rang from downstairs and immediately I ended the call, trying to steady my racing heart.

My grip on the marble pillar tightened as my bare fingers traced the cold stone as if it were the only thing keeping me upright.

Suddenly, the doors opened, and the room fell silent in waves as Silas Vane entered.

He was wearing an all-white suit, the fabric was crisp, expensive, and draped over his broad shoulders in a way that commanded the very air around him. His dark hair was slicked back, revealing the sharp, predatory lines of his face. Gold rings caught the light on his fingers, and his heavy watch glinted with every calculated movement. He looked like a god among men—dangerous, rich, and terrifyingly calm.

Beside him walked his mate, my mother-in-law, Elena. She looked radiant in emerald silk, her arm looped through his.

A sharp, poisonous jealousy flared in my gut. I hated how her hand rested on the sleeve. I wanted to tear them apart.