Serving Ava; Alpha's Defiant Obsession

Ava.

"Ava, the alpha wants to see you. Your husband is waiting." Father announced at the entrance of Marilyn's workshop, refusing to come in.

I watched the reflection of his 'always well presented' self through the full mirror. There had always been a tie and a suit all my life, but there was never a smile for me. Even when I am getting sold off to a mysterious alpha. 

"Darling, come here." Marilyn dropped the lipstick she held and approached him.

Seeing her leave, I sighed and reclined on the couch to enjoy my peace away from them_ their efforts to make me leave their lives so quickly and their rudeness. It's likely they've had enough from me all these years and can't bear to put up with me anymore, especially Celia.

"Ava wouldn't wear the gown. She wants to show up in her rags and filth. We can't have her do that or the suitor will lose interest in her." Marilyn said to father, grabbing his hand in the same way she'd do everytime she desperately needed him to do something and wanted him to listen to her. It was her own little act of seduction, something that worked more like magic on father and just like I'd figure, father stepped into the tiny room.

He took long strides, his 'loyalty' boots stomping the floorboards as he stopped right before me.

"Ava, you only have a minute to be in the palace. You can't keep the alpha waiting."

It sounded more like 'you have no right to make a say on matters involving your own marriage.' But Celia did, she had more than just any right to decide who she'll be with. Even after knowing she had caused the alpha to lose his original mate and deceived the both of them, he still loved her unconditionally. 

I don't want his love, of course. I prefer his anger better. I prefer having him lose all control at the wrong time and unleashing his anger at me, to the dismay of his precious reputation. And recently, it excites me to annoy him knowing he has to control himself from whipping me or smacking my face. These things_this man and all these years_ are what makes me no other but the popular rebel in Oakley Backwoods.

"Beta Marshall, it's ridiculous to marry me off as a princess where I'm not one." I stood up and spun around, the strands of hair that had been formerly trimmed by Marilyn dropping to the ground. I dusted myself to further get rid of stranded ones, caring about everything but courtesy in the moment. 

"I'll go to my suitor in my rags and filth. If he loses his interest to marry me, then I'll happily become a nun for the rest of my life. That way, I can still help you to do a lot of things and you wouldn't have to miss me so much. It'll not be too late to make me a princess that way!" I smirked and raised my brows at his fisted palms and flushed knuckles.

Definitely, if times hadn't changed, we'd be in a tussle, exchanging blows and slaps and bites and I, the wolfless one, would be the one to end up sleeping in the fields of the pack after helping the keeper to cop some money along with the rest of his gangs. 

Father's eyes flickered, as though they had fire ablaze underneath and his ears flushed. His cheeks grew paler faster than the seconds passed by and when it seemed he couldn't take it anymore, he grabbed my hand. I flinched and whimpered when his claws dug into my wrist, the pain driving me bonkers already and I bit my bottom lip, refusing to let out any word of plea or cry. Perhaps, when he reaches his worst and goes extreme, I would have something quite worthy to hold against him_ the guilt of my life. After all, situations like these when he needs me to do something for the family is when he cares the most about me.

"Dad! Dad, look at this!" Celia ran into the room and quickly to him, missing her mother's sweet welcome. 

"Father!" Celia cried, tugging at his suit jacket.

Ever since I knew that man, I never dared to call him that or to touch him in such a way. In fact, I never dared to imagine him as my father. It was just a title that reminded me to have a little respect for him when necessary. 

At the sight of his precious looking so messed up, father flung me to the ground and embraced her immediately, his bloodstained fingers wiping her tears. 

"What happened, darling?" His expression perfectly fitted that of a caring father to a bothered child who he loved so dearly.

Father was really affectionate. Yes, to Celia. Very affectionate that I sometimes imagine he gets possessed by different spirits when facing the both of us. That made a fine difference between us_ Celia and I. Is it the love he had showered upon her when she was given birth, unlike me that he had abandoned to the care of his old nanny immediately after my birth? Or the commitment he had when personally tutoring her while he sent me to the public school? Or the support and comfort he gave her when she lost her wolf and the whipping he gave to me after discovering I had no wolf? Or how she was the princess in distress and I was the filthy maid?

"Father, I'm being blackmailed. Edward mustn't see this... Please, father." Celia fell on her knees and grabbed father's shin, crying profusely. Of course, that was her tool. She was pitiful and needed to be pitied. 

Taking advantage of the distraction, I managed to get up despite the pain on my butts and wrist, and scampered to the bathroom. I ran water over my wound and used the emergency bruise disinfectant stored in my hoodie pocket and wrapped it up with an old handkerchief. I washed my face too, ridding Marilyn's ugly makeover off and tied my hair up in a loose bun.

No makeup. No overdressed hair. No pretentious dress. And no heavy chains hanging here and there. There couldn't be any me more real than this. 

I grabbed my phone and called Zayn to pick me up with the rest of our rebel gangs: a bunch of low ranked nonentities passionate to only do crazy things and indirectly rob prideful werewolves of their bright days. After finishing my business, I walked out to find Celia relating the unfortunate event that took place to make her cry to father and Marilyn. Gratefully, they barely noticed me so I slipped out of the workshop, uninterested in listening to her story. 

'Gist for you!'

'Will be there in two seconds. I love you!' Zayn's messages read and I tucked my phone away, walking to a corner of the Close and the less busy part, at the front of the bar dad mostly visited to celebrate. 

"Oh, Zahra! Have you seen the nude video of Beta Marshall's popular daughter spreading around?" I happened to overhear a couple of girls discussing not far away. I cringed my brows and instinctively tried to cover my face with my hands. 

Nude video of Beta Marshall's popular daughter spreading around?! Celia did not do shit to avenge herself on me, did she? Hell no... what a day, of all days to not have a face cap!

If there's anything that could go more wrong!

"Babe!" 

I turned to see one of Zayn's old trucks pulling over with him waving at me from the side's window and I rushed over, hopping into the back seat hurriedly. 

"Hello, sweetheart." Jared leaned in to kiss my cheeks, his accustomed way of greeting the other gender. 

"Hi, Jared. Where are the others?" I asked, resting my back into the seat and doing my seatbelt. 

"Tristan is on shift; Blue is busy with his mom's engagement party and Raphael has a deal about freaking Eleanor's mother out. But we've prepared a farewell gift for the Marshal family, did you see it?" Zayn grinned at me, sending a wink through the rear mirror and I narrowed my brows in confusion.

A farewell gift? What is that supposed to mean?

"Haven't you always been so unaware of everything? How can you not know what everyone is talking about?!" Jared nagged me, reminding me of the same reason why I'd rather date Zayn who's less hot than date him.

It was easy to get deceived by his looks and his sweet way of greeting to think that he was the right one but when he finds something wrong about you before you did, you just knew you had to think twice about your choice. 

"Well, I'm fine without knowing what everyone is talking about. I have a boyfriend who will always have my back." I hissed at him, feigning anger. I took the hint to take out my phone and use the internet only to find the biggest surprise.

Of course! It was ... the nude video of Beta Marshall's popular daughter! 

I gasped and looked up, "Did you do it, Zayn?" 

It really was hilarious! How did the precious naive fiance of the alpha get to publish just her nakedness and become a famous artist already while I was still struggling to be known after five years?!

"Hm. I figured she deserved more than that!" Zayn laughed and I nodded. 

I agree. I totally do agree. 

The drive to the alpha's place was not a long one. It was just the next street and it would barely take me five minutes to walk there but that wasn't the matter. It was the little violent putsch we planned to carry out to discourage whoever had picked an interest in me. It was Zayn's whole idea and just like a loving girlfriend, I supported. Well, it isn't real. Zayn and I never really dated but a lot of people liked to think we are together so we became much more used to the idea.

"You have come, Nakayla!" Edward stopped parading the courtyard and turned to look at me.

He quickly ran his eyes over me, my outfit especially and a smirk formed on his lips, the former bothered look dissipated by the one filled with mockery. 

"You're getting married, Nakayla. I suggest you should dress more responsibly some days." He skimped me yet again and I pretended to roll my eyes.

It is really hard for him to not call me by my third name, isn't it? To everyone but me, Edward was a hunk and a big sweetheart that deserved the finest of things and best of ladies. He was no other than an asshole to me.

"I'll take your advice if it's necessary for me. How about you, alpha? Your girlfriend has become so much popular in the last few hours." I teased with a sneer and his lips twitched downwards.

He glared at me ferociously, his spectacular brown eyes sparkling with red speckles. Edward Sykes has remained the hottest wolf in the pack, all thanks to the magic his eyes held. He had big brown eyes that always seemed to do more than just shine brightly or sparkle, they gave an impression to have fire burning inside them. It was really intense and hot. 

"I know you are behind that, Nakayla. I have asked my people to not carry on any investigation." He eyed me and turned around to sit on his throne but he stopped right before it. "You have to think of how you're going to repay me now for not making Gene beat you up and throw you out in the streets."

I just knew he is not simply nice. He has a wolf in him; a creature that seeks violence to solve any situation. A creature that is arrogant and his character is no better but how do I tell him I didn't do it so he doesn't have to blackmail me? This alpha, this pack, these people... we are all good as corrupted and indecent. The low-ranked form groups to gang up and rebel against the high-ranked and the high-ranked likewise seek ways to exploit the low ranked. 

I waited patiently to hear what price I had to pay. If Edward was really going to help me cover up for Zayn's actions, it wouldn't be for free.

"Marry the alpha of YellBloodOwl."