Hatred

Raine saw her father’s eyes flash wolf. That could only mean one thing. He was angry. And the anger was all her fault. She had rotten luck as he found her sprawled on the floor like a coward. Her stepmother, Shania, stepped through the small crowd that had gathered and sneered at her.

“And why exactly are you cowering on the floor?” She hissed. The woman had no love for her step daughter. Not even a tiny bit.

Just before Raine could think of an answer to give, her brother, Atticus, ran to her side.

“Raine!” He bent down and gathered her in his arms. He was the only one who ever cared for her in the entire household.

“What’s going on?” He asked, looking pointedly at her. She closed her eyes and let the deep baritone of his voice wash over her and give her some comfort.

“Tyrion? What’s this?” Atticus asked again, looking up at his dear friend. The three of them have always been inseparable.

“Raine is acting up. Again.” It was Bellona who answered. Raine’s head snapped up at once to glare at her sister, knowing she was about to turn the event to make it look like Raine was at fault.

“And what exactly is she rolling all over the floor for?” Shania asked. The wrath in her eyes seeped through her words and pierced Raine like a venom.

“Mother. Look around. Don’t you think there’s something wrong with this scene? Something that is not Raine’s fault?” Atticus asked.

“Whatever do you mean, my dear?” Shania asked again, playing coy.

While the conversation carried around her like she wasn’t there, Raine chanced a glance at her father, and just as expected, he looked he wanted nothing more than to kill her. That murderous intention seemed to be the only affection he ever had towards his youngest daughter.

“I believe no one has answered my question yet! What the hell is going on?” The Alpha demanded.

Everyone cowered at the iciness of his voice. Raine could feel his anger seeping through every wolf in the room through their pack link. She could feel the maddening anger that swirled all over their alpha.

Everyone could feel it, too. Before she could speak, Bellona beat her to it. Again.

“Tyrion came on to me.”

“What?” Tyrion squealed. “Bellona, what are you doing?”

“What the hell, man?” Atticus demanded and charged towards him.

“Enough.” Tiki ordered. Everyone quieted at the sound of his voice.

“Bellona, do you care to explain?” He stared at her with a little impatience. Bellona took a deep death and schooled her features, looking abashed and remorseful. Raine could only imagine the lies she was about to spew, but what came out of her mouth was one she never expected.

“Tyrion thinks he is in love with me. He thinks I’m his true mate. I tried to tell him that it wasn’t so. I would have felt it if he was my true mate, but there’s just nothing there between us.” Her voice broke, and she began to cry. Shania ran to her daughter’s side and lovingly stroked her hair, trying to calm her down. She whispered sweet nothings to her and cooed over her. Raine resisted the urge to roll her eyes at them.

“He said... He said he only wanted to be with Raine because of their history. He said no one in the pack or even outside the pack would want her because she’s not complete. He just wanted to do something good for her. But then he realized I was his true mate, and he didn’t want to go through with it anymore.”

“No, no.. that’s not..” Raine tried to refute her words but Shania caught her off with a look. Tyrion looked like he couldn’t believe his eyes and his ears. He looked at Bellona like he couldn’t recognize her.

“Do you see it Atticus?” Shania asked. “You were going to say that Bellona betrayed her sister, but obviously, it was your friend who came on to her. Who knows if he forced himself on her?” She demanded. “Did he force himself on you, darling?” She asked Bellona calmly. Bellona shook her head and continued to sob.

“He seduced me. I didn’t mean for it to happen. I swear. But he’s beta. He’s dominant. My submissive wolf didn’t stand a chance against him.”

“You asshole!” Atticus growled at Tyrion and tackled him to the ground. He bared his fangs and went straight for the throat. Tyrion jabbed him in the ribs and pushed him off while rolling over to get on his feet. They went at each other again until their faces were dripping with blood.

“Enforcers!” Tiki bellowed. Two men rushed to his side at once and he motioned his head towards the fighting men. The enforcers went closer and pulled them away from each other. Atticus snarled, struggling to escape the hold on him.

“Raine,” Tiki addressed her. She stood on shaky legs and faced him.

“Do you always have to bring disgrace to my entire household?”

“No, father.” Raine answered. She lowered her gaze to hide the tears in her eyes. She was the disgrace. The black sheep. She was a total loser. All her life, all she ever wanted was to get some sort of recognition from her father and his mate, but nothing she did ever pleased them.

She was the Alpha’s daughter, and yet she wasn’t a wolf. It was the biggest insult her father had ever received in his entire existence, and he hated her for it.

“How many times do I have to drill it into you that you are not to be seen or heard? You go wherever I direct, and you do whatever I command. Do I have to teach you obedience again?” He growled.

“No, father.” Teaching her obedience would require his fists and legs. Raine has always been at that abusive end. While he gave everything he could to Bellona, he locked her up and treated her worse than he would treat a servant. Raine's emotions were all over the place at the moment, and eating her father’s fist would only send her spiraling to a place she would never escape.

“Father,” Atticus tried to interfere, but the alpha held up a hand to halt him.

“I’ve let this go on long enough. If you are trying to get out of an engagement with Tyrion with such flimsy acts and excuses, then I suggest you think again.”

“I love Tyrion, father, I’m not trying to get out of the engagement!” Raine shouted.

“Then what is your problem?”

“He just cheated on me! With my sister. You can’t possibly think he’s good enough for your daughter if he can’t commit!” Her chest heaved as she struggled to catch her breath willing her father to show her some love for once.

“Don’t delude yourself, Raine. My beta and his son, Tyrion, are the only ones willing to put up with a wolf such as yourself. I’m trying to secure a future for you by pushing this engagement. No one else will have you.” Her father insinuated. Raine couldn’t believe her ears. He was lying.

“That’s not true, father. Tyrion loves me. Tell him, Tyrion. This relationship happened because of our love and not because of our fathers. Tell him!” She screamed at Tyrion.

Tyrion shrugged out of the enforcer’s hold and shook his head.

“I’m sorry, Raine. Alpha is right. Alpha is correct that a blood tie must be established between our two families. Since I am my father's youngest child, and the only unmated one, it's my responsibility. I’m sorry.” He apologized.

Raine felt the last of her restraints snap. She stalked towards him with anger swirling inside her. Atticus rushed to her side and stopped her.

“Don’t give him the satisfaction of seeing how much he’s hurt you. Rein it in.” He pleaded.

“I don’t know what goes on in that empty head of yours, Raine, but the betrothal ceremony will still go on as scheduled. Tonight.”

“Father, that’s not a good idea.” Atticus objected.

“This is my word, and my word is law. Do you dare to disobey your alpha?”

“No, Alpha.” Tyrion answered. All eyes turned to Raine, waiting to hear her answer. She shook her head repeatedly, as if trying to shake off the things happening in front of her.

“The words, Raine.” Tiki growled.

“No, Alpha.” She squeaked, but it was loud enough for all to hear.

“Good. Make the arrangements.” Alpha Tiki announced and turned to walk away.

“I will never forgive you for this, father.” Raine deadpanned. Tiki turned back towards her and his eyes flashed wolf once more. Raine knew what was to come and so she steeled herself for it. She would never let anyone walk all over again.

A growl rumbled from Tiki’s chest and he went straight for her. He raised his hand and Raine closed her eyes, waiting for the strike. It never came. A collective gasp filled the entire sitting room.

Slowly, she raised her head and gazed through hooded lids to find that Atticus, her brother, had his father’s wrist in his hand, with an angry glower on his face.

“How dare you?” A voice boomed from the doorway.