BRINGING THE ALPHA TO HIS KNEES

"What if you don't?" Diego slowly said, his eyebrows crinkled in great surprise and disbelief. I could hear the growl of his wolf. His eyes, albeit normal to Camela, gave sparks of fire.

The room trembled with his aura.

I stood there, stubbornness gnawing at my heart. I didn't want to do this, but the disrespect had gotten too much. I'd end up a lone, sad hag if I didn't take drastic action. I didn't want to be like my mother!

The next moment, Diego's anger was hidden by his wolf, who didn't want to me to get hurt. He said in a calm but not imploring voice, "Ariana, don't make me angry."

The indelible fear for Diego came creeping back into my throat. Mental flashes of the times he punished me returned. I was the greatest lickspittle in the Blood-Rain Pack, pushed around by people I could send to the ICU if I shifted form.

My wolf, albeit ranked an Omega, was of the toughest breeds, Lycans. But I buried her within my meek body, causing a constant grumble inside my head.

Agresh, on so many occasions, wanted to pull out, to grind her teeth into the neck of my oppressors. But I chained her down, choosing to walk around like a smiley idiot.

All because I tried to please a man who didn't love me and who had a dirty secret.

Before now, I didn't want to lose him. But with my mom buried never to live again, what was there to care for anymore? I'd leave the Blood-Rain and find a life for myself. Enough of all this!

Camela's eyes were fixed on me, her puny face oozing revenge "Diego, I don't need her stupid apology." Her eyes were blazing, her jawbones tightening. "No one hits me and goes scot-free."

'Let me out!' Agresh suddenly cried in my head, almost knocking me out. I ground my teeth, fighting to regain control again.

Diego seemed to have caught the scent of this, so he pierced his eyes into me in warning. He'd have no option but to do whatever request Camela gave, his eyes said.

But I was too choked up with anger and betrayal to care.

The Alpha finally gave in. With a snap of his fingers, two bodyguards burst into the room and held me down.

I didn't care about what they did, I was only focused on keeping Agresh in. You might get hurt, I warned it. Just let me deal with this.

Camela walked up to me in gaily steps, raised her left hand and smacked me directly in the eye. The gash of pain was more than I'd expected. I squirmed and moved my face away. I direly needed to use my hands.

'Let. Me. Out!'

I raised my face again only to be attacked by Camela. She scratched my skin, tore at my hair, pulled at my eyelids and punched me severally.

Blood flowed from the corners of my mouth and from the cuts on my face.

But she wasn't done yet.

From her purse she fished out a pepper spray bottle. My eyes went wide. Diego took a step but stopped.

One puff of the liquid onto my bloody face and I went crazy. I pulled my arms from the guards' iron grip, easily destabilizing them. I staggered for a while and collapsed to the floor. I didn't scream. If I did, Agresh's appearance would end the first note.

Camela fled back to Diego's side. He didn't hold her. His eyes were on me, prepared.

I sobbed silently for a long time, my body trembling.

"Ariana, apologize to her and I'll pretend none of this happened," Diego said.

I stopped moving. From the small slit of my tormented eyes, I saw my fingernails begining to shoot out. I tucked it in.

Diego's voice took up heat, "Ariana, as long as you are obedient, I can give you everything you want, including marriage. Have you really thought it through?"

"Oh wow, that's so wonderful, I thank thee for thy generosity," I mumbled.

"What was that?"

I forced myself to my feet. My face was red, both from internal and external blood. I couldn't open my eyes. When I spoke, blood gushed out.

"The moon goddess bears me witness, I reject you and will never get married to you. To me, you are dead, Alpha Diego."

I saw his face go pale in disbelief. His eyelids fluttered, convincing himself something must have crashed into the building from the sky.

He couldn't wrap it around his head that I was rejecting him, of all people! It was unheard of.

He sneered, convincing himself I was being stupid. "What? You do not want to fulfill your mother's dying wish? It's what you've always wanted, Ariana. Let me hear you answer that."

His words reeked of contempt. Agresh was overwhelmed.

Camela thought I was having the moment. She came again, "Great Alpha, I did say she was lying to you. If her mother was really dying, how could she have such an attitude? Don't be fooled by this nonsense."

Diego chuckled and dialed his Gamma. To make sure I could hear clearly, he turned on the speaker.

"Rodre, I asked you to contact Grand Bonds this morning. Cancel it."

Grand Bonds was known for planning exclusive events for the royals, grand dinners and weddings.

"And cancel Mrs. Kane's surgery."

"Ariana's mom?" Rodre asked.

"Yes."

All these while, his eyes were on me, convinced that his threats were eating into me.

I just stared at him, deadpan.

Rodre hesitated for a moment, his voice cracking. "Alpha Diego, Mrs Kane died three days ago, on the night of your wedding!”