Deceiving the Alpha

I tried to crawl my way out of their hold, as pathetic as I may look, but I was dragged back by my feet.

“You think this is over?” Alicia taunted, she and her friends hovered over me, one of her friends, holding her phone camera at my face, taking photos of me.

“And what were you doing at the shop? Meddling again, aren’t you?” Alicia said. “Shopping for the banquet like you are the one planning it?”

“I am just trying to help,” I replied.

“Help?” She laughed. “You are acting like you are the one getting married, not me. This is my engagement, not yours.”

“You do not have to act this way, Alicia. I am here for Conner.”

Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Yeah, right. We both know you’re here to make yourself the center of attention. Look at you, trying to play the devoted mother while you scheme behind everyone’s back.”

I felt my fists clench. “You do not know anything about me. I care about my son’s happiness.”

“Oh please.” She stepped closer, while I tried to sit up. “You are just a lonely woman who can’t accept that your time has passed. Conner has me now, and I will not let you ruin this for him.”

“Stop it! You are being unreasonable!” I protested.

“You think this is a game?” Alicia’s eyes blazed with fury. “I’m the future of this pack, and you’re just a nuisance. Time to show you your place.”

She grabbed the collar of my blouse, hurled me up, and shoved me hard against the wall of the shop. “You need a reality check.” Her friends laughed, while they filmed me.

I pushed back, but she was strong, her grip had torn the sleeve of my blouse. “You’re crossing the line, Carol. You think this is about love? This is about power. You’re trying to take my place, and I will not allow it.”

“You’re being irrational,” I argued. “I just want what’s best for him.”

“Best for him? Is that why you’re here, buying things for a celebration you were not invited to plan? You think he needs you here? You’re just embarrassing yourself.”

“I am his mother,” I snapped. “I have a right to be here.”

Alicia leaned in. “You do not get to decide that anymore. You’re not in charge. You are just a meddler who can’t let go.”

With that, she pushed me again, and I stumbled to the floor. “Alicia, stop!” I struggled to get up, but before I could, Alicia yanked my blouse, ripping it apart, and exposing my underwear.

I cried, feeling the fabric tear again and my skin burned with embarrassment. “Smile, Carol!” one of them shouted as they filmed and laughed in the background.

“You’re too close to him, too attached,” she sneered. “It’s inappropriate. What are you, his wife? You think he needs you? You’re just a burden, why don’t you just go end yourself.”

“This is absurd. I care for him. I’m his mother. It’s my job.”

“Oh, ten let me remind you that you’re job is done.” She turned to her friends. “Hold her.”

They moved quickly, grabbing my arms and holding me in place. “What are you doing?” I yelled.

She lunged at me, fists flying, connecting with my side and causing me to gasp in shock. Each hit felt like a blow to my dignity as much as my body. Her friends tightened their grip, laughing as they watched.

“Alicia, stop!” I cried out, but she didn’t. She pushed me down, and I stumbled to the floor.

“Look at you,” she uttered satisfyingly. “You think you can come back here and be his mother while I’m the one who will be his wife? You’re pathetic. We don’t need you here.”

I gritted my teeth, trying to regain my footing, but she kicked me in the side, and I fell again. “This is a warning, Carol. Stay away from Conner. You’re nothing to him now. He has me.”

“You’re making a mistake,” I gasped. But Alicia only laughed, taking pleasure in my humiliation.

“Get her up,” she commanded her friends. They yanked me to my feet and began dragging me out.

“Let’s get you out of here. It’s time for everyone to see how pathetic you are.”