Fated To The Second Alpha Heir

KATHERINA

"W-what are you doing h-here, Ben?" Blood had drained from mom's face.

I looked at the man who just entered.

"What is happening, mom? What is it?" I had to ask.

I glanced at the boys, especially Aaron, everyone was paying attention to what was happening right that moment. Someone else followed behind and before I could see who it was, I heard...

"Mate!"

I turned to see Baron growl out those words and when I looked at the door again, it was a girl who was almost same age as I was.

Her wolf's eyes flashed as well as soon as she stepped in, her gaze quickly picked Baron from amongst us.

Slowly, they walked to each other.

"Well, well, well... Who would have thought?" This man who mom had called Ben raised a surprised brow as his gaze latched on Baron and this girl moving towards each other.

"Wait, I don't understand a thing going on right now." Dad said, his eyes on mom. "Who is this man, Elizabeth?"

The man's gaze tore away from these mated duo and landed on me. He looked at mom, then at me.

When he faced mom again, he asked. "Is this her?"

Speechlessly confused, I stared at them both. "Do you know me, mister?"

A small frown appeared on his forehead. "You didn't tell her."

"Why are you here, Ben? What are you doing here after so many years?" Mom was stricken with disbelief and some kind of root-deep pain clouded her gaze as her tone went from shock to being accusatory.

"What do you mean what am I doing here? Don't I have the right to come see my family?" This man called Ben retorted, an annoyance growing in his voice.

"Family?!" I could not believe my ears.

"Family?" Dad's expression was plainly showing his confusion.

"Can someone explain something and stop with the drama?!" Aaron impatiently spoke.

Silence ensued, it was deafening as we all waited for either this strange man or mom to talk. Especially mom.

She looked like she was about to cry and would rather be anywhere than where she was right this moment. She blinked her eyes, I could suspect she struggling with tears. She went to take a seat on one of the sofas.

As though on cue, we all followed her. Lucas sat beside her, ready to be supportive. I loved him for that but right now, I needed to know what was happening and why this man was talking about family.

Trenton, Aaron, Zach and me all occupied a long sofa.

Dad took his sit beside mom.

I saw Zach drag Baron away from the strange girl and had him sit with us. Baron gave him an annoyed look but sat with us nonetheless.

On another day, another time and atmosphere, it would have been laugh-worthy. But now, it was not. There were lots of things to discuss, like for instance, why this man would not stop staring at me as though he couldn't believe I exist.

"Katherina." Mom raised her sad eyes to meet mine.

I didn't like the way my heart skipped when she called me in that tone. I almost didn't want to answer her. In fact, I wanted to chase these new people out of the house and let things go back the way they used to be. But that would be considered the irrational, coward's way out, so I responded. "Yes, mom."

"Ben here is your father."

"What?!" My voice mixed with others in the room to exclaim in shock.

"You said your dad is dead." Aaron looked at me.

"That's what she told me." I replied.

"Elizabeth, what's going on? You told me you only have a daughter. No other family." Dad was in disbelief and hugely surprised.

"Katherina is my only family, no matter what is happening or who has decided to come into the picture." Elizabeth replied reassuringly.

"But you just said..."

"I know what I said, David. Ben here is her father and it's up to Katherina to do whatever she wants with that information. As for me, I already have a family I love and adore, I don't need anyone else." Mom's tone was getting firmer by the minute.

"He's your..."

"He's nothing to me!" Mom lashed out on Dad.

"You hear me, David, he's nothing to me! You're my husband, these boys are my sons and Katherina here is my daughter. You guys are the family I have."

David kept shut, studying mom.

"You can't say that, Elize." This man began. "I'm still..."

"One more word from you, Ben, I will have you thrown out. You're nothing to me! You hear that? Read my lips Ben, you do not exist me! You stopped existing the day you..." Mom swallowed the rest of her words.

A tear escaped. "Get out." She ordered in a low yet chilling tone.

"I'm here for you and our daughter. I'm going nowhere." This Ben insisted stubbornly.

Angrily, mom stood on her feet. "I said get your pathetic ass up from that seat and get the hell out of here! Guards!" She screamed when he was proving stubborn.

I was dumbstruck. Speechless. Not knowing what to say.

Two guards came running into the general living room. "Yes, Luna." They bowed.

"Get this man out of this place and don't ever let him in."

Then she swiped at her tears and made to leave. This Ben of a guy tried to hold her back before the guards could get to him.

He received a punch. It was Lucas, he was angry. "Don't ever touch her."

Mom had seen him throw the punch. She got emotional and hugged Lucas who was taller than her. He hugged her back. "Thank you, darling."

"This is not over yet, Elizabeth. I'll do anything to have you back." He yelled as he was being dragged away.

The girl who had come with him gave me a strange look, then stared at Baron briefly before following them out.

I stared at mom, watched Lucas console her as my emotions were in turmoil. I could not help but ask.

"Why did you tell me he was dead?"

SCARLETT

For the past twenty one years of my life, I'd always wanted a mate and now that I've found him, I couldn't be happier.

"What's that stupid smile doing on your face?" My stepdad came out from the kitchen, holding an ice pack to his nose. That guy had really done a good one on his nose. It was bleeding when we left but stopped shortly after and now was swollen, the bridge of the nose was red and bruised.

I quickly pokered my face and straightened up. "How's your nose?"

"That stupid boy! I'll deal with him but that will be later. I'm not here for him anyways." He paced the small space of the living room he'd brought me to stay with him.

I know I'm old enough to get my own place but there were things in life that was bigger than me. A lot of reasons and secrets that had me tied to him. Also, he provided well enough for us both especially after the disappearance of my mother ten years ago.

I kept mute and watched him pace angrily still.

"They all look like one big happy family." He vented. "How could she forget me so fast?! Just because he's an Alpha and has the fucking money!" He swore.

"All those boys. Elizabeth thinks they will protect her from me." He scoffed.

I didn't say anything, just kept observing him as he went on and about, wearing the carpet out with his hard pacing. Suddenly he stopped and turned to me, my heart skipped a beat. "And you, do not get any ideas."

"On what?" I asked, wondering how and what I had done wrong to be strung along with that family he was obviously angry at.

"On that mate bond you have with that boy." He warned.

"But he's my mate. I'm going to have to find him someday." Why was he about to do this to me?

He ate the carpet in long strides, reaching where I was sitting and lowered his head to be on level with mine.

He gaze into my eyes, making my chest pounding within and nerves knotted. "You will not see that boy anymore, you hear me?!"

"He's my mate." I argued, trying to make my voice came out strong and not as weak as it was sounding.

"I don't care. If I see you with him, I'll deal with you." His wicked green eyes pierced into my own hazel-colored orbs.

I gulped. "This is unfair. Please, I beg you. Don't do this to me. I can't afford to miss my mate."

"Why? Because he's an Alpha prince with daddy's big, fat checkbook?"

"N-no." He was scaring me but if I couldn't talk now, I would miss my mate. "I don't care about his wealth. The bond is really important to me."

The words were barely out of my mouth when his hand swiped hard across my face.

He raised himself and began to unbuckle his belt. "What did you say?"

I held my stinging cheek, tears already filled my eyes and running down my face. "No, please. I beg you."

"Will you reject him?" He slid the belt off his pants, his eyes red and mean.

I scrambled away from the small sofa and made to escape from his presence but he easily caught and pushed me back to the sofa.

The sound of the belt hitting my skin had me screaming my lungs out. "No, please!"

"Will you reject him?!" He hit me again.

I didn't want to reply him. I knew it would break me to reject the mate bond I had with that guy. I didn't even know his name.

"Answer me!" He hit me again.

I curled up on the floor, bawling my eyes out. As an Omega wolf, I had no strength and no power. Omegas were usually the last in the werewolf community. We were usually overlooked, disrespected, bullied and insulted by many. Mine was the worst because of my history.

I never thought I would be blessed by the Moon Goddess with a mate and now that I was, he wanted me to reject the bond. "No, please, I can't. Please don't make me." I pleaded amidst the belt slapping viciously against my flesh.

I coughed and my chest heaved. I couldn't breathe due to the much cry. "I..." I was wheezing. "I..."

I held my chest, trying to talk but could only make gestures.

He got the sign immediately. "Fuck!" He stopped hitting me and ran into my room to get me my inhaler. He joined me on the floor and cradled me in his arms. "Here, take. So sorry baby. Here, suck it in."

He pressed the pump into my mouth twice. I felt relieved but extremely weak. I lay in his laps, hiccuping and shuddering.

"Stop making me hit you." His tone had gone gentle. "You know your health condition." He tucked strands of hair that had strayed to my face behind my ear.

"P-please, d-don't m-make m-me." I hiccuped, more tears falling.

"No, I don't want you mingling with them. Hm. Am I not enough for you?" He turned my tear-streaked face so I was looking into his eyes.

"B-but..."

He placed an index over my mouth. "Shh. Don't stress yourself. Be calm and relax." His hand travelled over to my butt and squeezed, I said nothing, turning my face away from his.

"Does your chest still hurt?" He inquired.

I shook my head. "No."

"Good girl, come on up. Raise yourself to a sitting position." He helped me sit up.

Then he caressed my cheek. "You do know you're beautiful, right?"

I nodded because I was expected to agree. "Yes." But my lashes were lowered.

He propped my chin with two of his fingers so I could look into his eyes. "I like to admire you, is that so wrong?"

"No." I shook my head, agreeing because I was expected to.

"Look at me." He urged gently.

Fearfully, I met his gaze. He smiled. "I want you to reject that mate bond and I promise to get you anything you want."

So saying, he lowered his face and kissed me on the mouth.

"See you at home, baby." He pecked my cheek and left me standing in the hallway of the college he'd just registered me.

I watched him leave and I began to feel alone. It was still early and classes were yet to start.

He said we would be in Stone Shadow pack for a long while and I suspected it had something to do with that woman and girl we had gone to see.

She looked like we would be age mates. I wasn't sure.

Lost and confused on where to start my journey in this gigantic building that radiated wealth and all who went here, I walked slowly, trying to find someone who looked nice enough to talk to.

"Hi." Someone approached me.

It was a very pretty girl who looked confident and sure of herself.

"Hi." I greeted back, quietly envying her classy mini dress and boot heels.

Those pair looked expensive.

"You're new." It didn't come out as a question but an observation. She eyed me from the crown of my head of long auburn hair to my sandaled feet. It made me aware of myself and what I was wearing.

I looked like a plain Jane compared to her.

"Yes, I am." I replied.

"And not rich." She continued her observation.

I swatted embarrassment and decided to use this opportunity to ask her for directions. "Please where's the lecture class for second year students?"

"Were you not given a guide by the school management? Mrs. Ficklehorn provides that for new or transferred students. And if you're in year two then you're both new and transferred."

Well, at least she was smart.

"I wasn't given any guide and I wasn't attended to by a woman. It was a young guy."

"Oh, that doofus. Hm, such a shame." She made to walk away.

"Directions, please." I reminded her.

"You..."

"Enisa."

Another student just walked in through the entrance, waving at her. She grinned then waved back. She turned to me. "Sorry, I've got to go."

I watched helplessly as she abandoned me there to go meet her friend.

I heaved a sigh. "I'd better go find my way."

I started to walk the opposite direction of this Enisa girl. Then I heard the shouts and screams as soon as I turned a corner.

Startled and curious, I ran back to know what the commotion was all about.

It was them.

I was almost pushed out of the way by the unbelievable crowd of student that rushed past me. It was like I was watching some cheesy high school movie where the bad boys of the school were admired and revered like some divine beings.

The empty hallway now had many college 'immature' students crowding them.

"Hey Trenton." A girl with the hair the color of Raven waved, all big smiles.

She dressed like a goth.

But the Trenton guy didn't even acknowledge her.

"Lucas." A girl with blond curls was grinning from ear to ear.

Lucas, the one who had thrown that punch, winked. The girl giggled, some other girls let out a wistful sigh.

I noticed girls touch the sleeve of one of them and someone said. "Black looks good on you, Zach."

"Anything looks good on me, sweet pea." His response was cocky and confident.

"Hi, Aaron." Another girl on a white crop top and high waist denim waved.

"Hi." He merely replied, not giving the girl a second look. That was when I saw her. The way he held her, there was something possessive yet protective about it.

He looked so much like him but I knew it wasn't him because my wolf - Aliya - was quiet and calm.

Without meaning to, my eyes searched the crowd for him but he was not with them.

I kept my gaze steady on the girl. Ben's daughter. My supposed step-sister.

She looked very beautiful and was expensively dressed, as were the boys.

She raised her eyes and caught me looking at her. Feeling uncomfortable, I averted my gaze but it unconsciously roamed back to her face.

I studied her. She was tall, though not as tall as the guy who I needed no one to tell me was a twin to my mate.

My mate.

All four pairs of eyes rounded on me as well. But that was not what made my heart race.

It was the person who was now standing beside my supposed stepsister.

Aliya growled in my head. "Mate! Scarlett, mate!" She was doing a happy, prancing in my head.

"No, Aliya." I communicated right back through the telepathic connection every werewolf was born with.

Aliya whimpered when I turned on my heels and continued on my lone journey.

"Wait." He called.

I heard him walk faster, trying to reach me. He caught up with me.

I made the mistake of looking into his sterling grey eyes. God! They were so beautiful.

I averted my gaze, nervously toying with the bracelet that was no longer adorning my wrist.

Even after so many years, I still missed my bracelet.

"What is your name?" He asked.

I didn't respond, only kept staring at the polished floor of the hallway as though it was some beautiful work of art.

He lifted my chin to meet his eyes, that casual touch sparked something within. Scared and uncertain, I moved away.

"Stay away from me." I couldn't even bring my tone to be firm and serious.

"Why?" Perplexity expressed itself on his very attractive face. "You felt the bond. You even came close to me."

"I felt n-nothing." Damn my stepfather and his manipulations.

I heard footsteps.

The rest of his siblings and the girl were watching, even the crowd had followed us here.

"You can't say that. You definitely felt something." He was getting more confused.

It only hurt me more. "Just let me be, please."

I made to leave but he held my wrist. "Can I know your name at least?"

"Why do you want to know the name of someone so... insignificant?" That voice belonged to Enisa, the richly dressed girl who had brutally observed me this morning.

"Shut up and mind your own business!" One of boys shunned her. It was the one called Zach.

She didn't look happy but she went silent.

"Your name, please?" He asked again.

I searched his face and only found sincerity and openness that made a significant dent within my chest.

But a certain threat sounded in my head.

Frustrated and angry, I wrenched my hand from his. "I reject you as my mate!"