Zara is sprawled, legs over the other, gazing at the ceiling, looking at anywhere but me. I stand still, holding onto the material of my brief. Awkwardly cherishing the moment, her legs look so divine under the morning sun seeping through the drapes.
"You stole my first kiss." She pronounces menacingly. I shrug my shoulders, which isn't the right thing to do because she dabs the edge of the comforter in the corner of her moist eyes.
"I'm so sorry. It's not a big deal anyways." Isn't kissing like the number one trending thing? Girls throw themselves at you, and when you do the same, it's a crime? I bend down in search of my suit, slipping my legs in hurriedly when I do.
"You're such a monster." She covers her face, wailing so loud that I cover my ears with both my hands.
"Listen, you imbecile. It's just a kiss, so get over it." My wolf howls unapprovingly. He scratches his snot and glares. I could picture him clearly; if we were ever in a fight, he'd come at me until he did me good for disturbing his mate. That's how smooched he is. The bastard.
"I have to go meet with my Beta and Gamma. I have a council meeting to take care of." I bang the door so hard the wall shakes on my way out. I don't know why I did it but I wanted to show her how serious I was about everything. My dad pulling that string was a step taken too far. And Allen, God, he is in so much trouble.
"Where are they?" I snap at a frail-looking Omega whose teeth are smacked together, gnawing at what seems to be a rise in the hallways. They never use the kitchen, no matter what. Goddam them for trying to make life miserable. I'd love it if I didn't have to face any of them every day. Omegas in training, the wanna-be Elites, are monitored and kept in the Pack House until they are nurtured. They might be enrolled in the Park Warriors program, but that's it.
"I don't know--" he scrambles away, dragging his shoelace on the tiled floor.
"You know, you shouldn't be hard on the kid." Jack peeks from the corner of the hallway, steadying his nearly-sliding cap.
"Have you been eavesdropping?" I question them. Roy makes it less obvious by standing a few meters away from my wing, where I have just been with Zara.
"No—" Jack begins. I raise a hand, shushing him off. I never joke around with my Beta and Gamma, I'm a disciplinarian. I like to believe I impose authority.
Jack is the easiest of the two to control; he is loyal and doesn't question my actions; as for Roy, he is as strong-headed as a lion.
I rub my palm over my face repeatedly, and fatigue seeps in. A lot has happened in a day. Discovering a mate, and the unforgivable action of my father.
I say to the timid Josh, "Check in with the council. Make sure my dad's story adds up." He could be bluffing for all I know. Father likes to think he is above the radar, claiming everything as his. I can't let them win, no matter what. This is a battle and I must win. Having a weak mate doesn't limit it.
"What do we do next?" I say to Roy. He looks astonished, leaning against the wall of the hallways, with a smug grin. I clench my teeth together, seemingly keeping my emotions in check. One more reaction from him, and I will have him tackled to the ground. Beta or not.
"You can reject her. That way, you risk the chance of having a weak mate and keeping your throne."
Rejecting Zara is out of the question. Not only will it prove to my dad how vulnerable I am but I hate the idea of having what's mine taken away. My wolf howls in agreement.
"No. We will fight them, and win."
I mean every word of it. I'm going to be an Alpha, with or without having an Omega as a mate.