I stormed through the door frame, not caring to close the door behind as I allowed my legs to guide me to the nearest washroom. My temples boomed to the sound of my beating heart, drowning out my chaotic thoughts. Sweat pearled down my neck and back, ice cold against the warmth of my skin. I leaned above the sink, feeling as though I was about to vomit. The fuck was that!? What was I thinking? How could I let my guard down like and give in to such a sin!? Father's going to kill me if he finds out... and yet, despite my logical thoughts, the wolf seemed to be in a state of pure glee, enthralled by that kiss. It wanted more... it craved the Omega, wished to relish in her scent and claim her.
A sense of ease and comfort washed over me as I allowed myself to give in to the wolf's desire for a split second. Lust, envy and longing settled into my mind as I began to crave for her touch and affection, envy the sensation of her skin against mine-
...
No. No, no, NO! Glass shattered onto the floor as my fist connected with the mirrorReleasing a sigh I didn't realize I was holding, sweat dropped from my drenched head with an arrhythmic tick. Warm liquid seeped between my fingers, blood oozing from my bruised fist. I pulled back, absentmindedly staring at the fresh cuts that marred my skin. Hatred and anger boiled in my veins.
What am I doing...?
Opening the cabinet, I grabbed some antiseptic wipes and a bandage, then proceeded to clean my wounds. Werewolves may have the capability to heal quicker than humans, but a fresh cut such as this would take, at most, a few hours to heal. As I washed the blood from the sink, a knock came from the door.
''Jace? Everything alright in there?'' Cade's muffled voice spoke through the wooden door, spiking back my anger.
Fucking glorified babysitter... "What do you want, Cade?
- Alpha requested to see you. Said it was urgent.''
Great... Just what I needed. ''Give me a minute.'' I hastily shoved the pieces of glass near the garbage can then proceeded to open the door to be greeted by Cade's 6'6 frame. The Beta eyes scanned over my body, spotting the bandages covering my hand.
''What-
- Alert the maids, a mirror shattered in the upstairs washroom.'' I walked past him and headed towards the end of the hall where the door to my father's office resided. I stood before the oak door, resenting what was awaiting me on the other side. No words of comfort or praise had come out of that room since... My chest tightened as searing memories bubbled back to the surface of my mind.
I shoved them down. Dammit, pull yourself together Jace. You're not a child anymore... You're the Alpha's son. Dam time you act like it.
I opened the door.
The pungent smell of cigarettes and beer wafted over me like the plague. My throat burnt, irritated from the smoke, urging my lungs to cough out the impurities. Other than smoke, I was greeted by a silky tapisserie and golden decor from front to back; candles, frames, a fireplace and of course, my father's precious coffee machine resting on his marble wood tabletop just by the windowed wall of the room. It's a miracle how everything remained so clean after decades of smoking, but my father took pride in order and perfection; not a speck of dust or stain of any kind was permitted in this room.
As I stepped forward, blind by the cascade of light which poured from the massive window behind my father's desk, my attention was pulled to the right side of the room where the flames of a small fire crackled in the belly of the bricked chimney. Hanging above the chimney, golden frame shining brightly in the sunlight, my mother's painted image smiled gently, hands delicately intertwined over her lap while she stared into the sunset. What I'd give to have her smile towards me one more time...
''Jace.'' Father's hoarse voice snapped me right back into reality; I schooled my face into an unphased glare as I walked forward, reaching the Alpha's work desk. If I weren't so tense, maybe I could've allowed myself to indulge into the idea that this very room would one day be mine. I fell back into the distant past, recalling the young boy who'd spend hours by his father's side, dreaming of the day he too would become Alpha. Funny how time changes things...
I cleared my throat, pulling myself back into the present one more time as I looked at my father's forest gaze. ''Yes, Sir?
- The girl. What do you plan on doing with her?'' A puff of smoke bloomed from his mouth and nostrils, swirling wildly before disappearing into the air.
The question caught me slightly off guard, but I was quick to respond. ''She will remain here, for now.'' My throat tightened, leaving me unable to speak any further. My father cocked an impatient brow, lips crisped into a displeased scowl, urging me to explain myself. ''I thought perhaps I can find a substitute to replace her, someone more suitable to rule---
- Have I not taught you well...? Have I not taught you to be better?" His words sneered out of his mouth, striking me down like a dagger to the heart. I don't know how I didn't register it sooner, but there was no doubt in my mind now. He was drinking again.
Anger took the better of me, forcing the words onto my tongue. "You're drunk again, aren't you? Fucking- DAMMIT father! We've talked about this-
- DON'T FUCKING INTERRUPT ME!" His hand slammed violently against the desk, shaking the entire rroo, it pierced into my soul. Icy claws gripped at my bowels and tightened my throat.
"All these years I've prepared you for greatness and yet this is how you repay me... Mated to the Omega, daughter of a traitor and a witch.'' His mumbled words nearly died amidst his bearded lips, the strong smell of alcohol assaulting my nose. He turned to my mother's picture frame, desperation coloring every syllable as he wailed in a drunken stupor; ''What have I done to deserve this mess of a son!? Why... Why did you leave me... with such a pathetic legacy to bear...'' His arm swung to his lips as he chugged down a few gulps of booze, unphased as the liquid spilled from his lips and onto his shirt. ''You know what, son? Why don't you marry the whore's daughter... I'm sure you'll enjoy having another bitch at your side! You seem to enjoy those pretty little things a lot more than your own duties...
- Father...'' My jaws began to tighten as his rambles continued into an onslaught of insults. ''Stop...
''Stop? Why, am I making you mad?'' He rose from his chair, hatred burning in his pupils. ''Or is it perhaps, you care about her? I know what the mate bond does... don't think I haven't noticed your hesitation on the matter, do you take me for a fool!?"
He slumped back into his chair, moving his arm to take another chug of beer, not realizing the bottle was empty. He grunted, chucking the bottle into the wall, disregarding the liquid as it spilled down the paint.
"So I will ask you one more time, boy. How will you fix this?
- I DON'T KNOW!'' The words ripped my throat apart, rooting me to the spot. I flinched, forcing down my anger as my wolf's claws scratched beneath my skin, begging to rip itself out and tear the room apart. I stared into his eyes, the urge to challenge him on the spot wrestling at the back of my mind into a turmoil of rage. His words danced through my thoughts, jabbing at my sanity. I wanted more than to prove him wrong. I wanted show just how powerful I was, prove I wasn't the weakling he said I am, but even I knew better than to challenge my father head on. I can't let my anger get the better of me or he wins.
But as my eyes crossed his, iris stained a piercing red, I felt all my confidence melt away. His teeth began to sharpen into canines, nails turned into claws and fur pierced through the walls of his skin.
His voice turned into a guttural growl. "You're no son of mine." A bowl ripped from his throat before he stood up and turned to the window, snarling frantically in his wake.
"Get out of my sight..."
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