LOVE WITH THE WRONG ALPHA

Alexis's perspective.

Sometimes life gives you many reasons to let go of everything, to ease all the tension and suffering you experience. Yet, somehow, you still cling to one thing, the only thing that keeps you going through all that sorrow. And that happened to me too.

I too cling to one thing that keeps me moving forward. A partner.

A partner who one day will surely love me and end all my suffering with their extraordinary love.

A partner who will love me so deeply that they won't mind my worst flaws. I am a lantern, a werewolf who cannot transform into a wolf.

I cannot turn into a wolf, and I live as if I have been demoted within the pack. Every day, the members of my pack keep their distance from me.

My family hates me and will do anything to get rid of me.

Why not? My condition is nothing to be proud of, at least, that's what they always tell me.

I still remember that terrible day as if it happened yesterday.

Flashback

"Can you imagine? Beta's daughter didn't turn into a wolf?"

"Oh my god! That's great news! I wonder what that arrogant Beta will do now," muttered the pack members with contempt.

"You weirdo! Why didn't you turn into a wolf?" And suddenly, a hard slap landed on my face, causing me to stagger and fall to the ground.

"Father? Please, I'm your daughter..." I hadn't even finished my sentence when a powerful kick hit my stomach, followed by the terrible sound of breaking bones echoing through the air.

It was extremely painful, but the hatred in his eyes was far more painful to me.

"How could I have a daughter like this? If I had known you would end up like this, I would have killed you the moment you were born!" he shouted, before kicking me repeatedly once more.

"Dad, please believe me..." I tried to speak before coughing up blood.

When he finally stopped, I looked up and saw my sister.

A glimmer of hope appeared inside me. I thought, maybe this time, she would help me.

"Okay..." she said as she approached.

I thought she would help me stand up. However, all she did was stare at me. I continued to look at her hopefully, until she finally spat at me.

"Who are you, little sister? You are also a Beta princess, but what kind of princess are you? A princess who can't turn into a wolf?" she sneered.

"This is ridiculous! Look at yourself! You're just a little omega! I'm so ashamed of you! Don't ever call me sister again, you filthy, disgusting creature!" She kicked me before walking away, as if I were just a speck of dirt that wasn't worth her attention.

My throat felt too dry to make a sound. I turned to my mother, my last remaining hope. I was sure she would help me. I was sure she would defend me.

But my heart felt pierced when I saw the look of disappointment in her eyes.

I caught a glimpse of sympathy behind her cold stare. But I was never sure if it was real or just my imagination, because she immediately turned her face away and never looked at me again.

"You're a disqualified girl! Get out of this group and never come back! I hope you die!" my father roared.

Father grabbed my neck, lifted my body, and threw me to the ground. "Please..." I whispered, tears welling up in my eyes. But he immediately stopped me by pressing down on my neck, as if he really intended to break it.

The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth, making me almost vomit. My vision began to blur.

Then I heard his voice.

"Fuck you!"

The roar was so loud that it silenced everyone. A strong figure pushed through the crowd and stopped beside me before pushing my father away.

"What do you think you're doing?" he snapped, his eyes burning with anger.

Even though my tears blurred my vision, I knew who he was.

Brandon. Alpha's son.

"He's staying," he said in a frozen tone. Those were the last two words I heard before everything went dark.

End of flashback

I shook my head, forcing myself out of the memory. I looked at Brandon standing in front of me before blinking. What was he doing with that slice of smoked meat?

"Come on, Brandon. You're terrible at cooking. Let me do it, okay?" I laughed at his pitiful attempt to cook for the two of us.

"Whatever, you. Just hurry up and finish it. I don't want us to be late for school," he said mockingly as he left the kitchen.

You might be surprised to see Brandon, the heir to Alpha, in our kitchen.

I admit that Brandon didn't come here for me. In fact, years ago, he was the one who defended me in front of everyone and protected me from being kicked out of the group. Now, instead of being a handsome prince like in a fairy tale, he's my sister's boyfriend.

Guess what? My older sister knew that I was in love with him and, like any other cruel girl, she decided to destroy my romantic dreams.

Even though I am an omega who cannot turn into a wolf, my older sister managed to transform and become the pride of our parents.

Because she was a Beta's granddaughter, Brandon was naturally attracted to her. Their relationship was approved by all members of the group. They were the golden couple, as they were called.

However, I still couldn't get rid of my infatuation with Brandon. Secretly, I still dreamed of him as my hero. At least until I found my true soulmate.

"Yes, the hero who already has his beloved," a mocking voice echoed in my head.

"Shut up. Let me live in my fantasy a little longer, okay?" I replied to the voice. Over the past few months, I had completely immersed myself in fantasy. Sometimes I even wondered if I had lost my mind.

"I think breakfast is ready," Brandon said as he returned to the kitchen. He had just come out of my sister's room with a strange look of satisfaction on his face. I knew what had happened between them.

"Here you go," I replied, swallowing my jealousy and placing the food in front of him.

"Uhmm... this is really good. You don't know how much I love your cooking. When it comes to food, I can't control myself," he said, groaning after a few bites.

His groans made my cheeks flush. I wanted so badly to make him groan like that with his arms wrapped around me as we hugged, in the midst of our growing love.

"Hello? Are you daydreaming?" he said, waving his hand in front of my face. "I want to know if you need a ride to school. It's already eight in the morning, and with your slowness, I don't think you'll be on time." His words made me smile slightly.

"No, he's teasing you," my conscience interrupted again.

"No need. Mark will pick me up. He said he wants to talk about my position," I replied.

"Mark? What does he want from you now?" Brandon asked irritably.

"Didn't I just say? It's about my position in the group," I replied, shoveling pancakes into my mouth.

Mark, the son of the council chairman, was the person who had made me most uncomfortable with discussions about my position over the past two years.

Every time I asked why they paid so much attention to me, they just said it was because I was a rare case, an omega who couldn't change. They wanted to make sure I was treated well. I knew they meant to protect me, but did that really help?

"Mark is suspicious. Didn't he come here last week? Why does he keep coming?" Brandon asked, trying to sound indifferent, though I could still sense his anger.

"I don't know. He's just following the chairman's orders. Maybe he has no choice," I replied.

"So now you're defending him?" Brandon stood up, his face tense.

"Hey, since when did I defend him? I'm just stating the facts," I said, but my sentence was cut off when he walked away with an angry look on his face.

That's strange.

I don't know if it's just my imagination, but since last year Brandon seems overly protective of me. Or maybe that's just my own hope. He's an Alpha, of course he protects his pack and his people.

I shrugged and started clearing the dishes.

***

The weekly meeting with the council is actually a good idea, but I never tell them the truth.

How could I tell them that the people who were supposed to love me hated me because I couldn't change? How could I admit that my own family was the source of my suffering?

I couldn't take that risk. If they found out, I would be kicked out of the pack, and my only hope of gaining my parents' love would be completely gone.

I was intimidated, but I chose to endure. Fortunately, even though I didn't change, I still had some werewolf abilities.

One of them was healing.

Without this ability, the council would have known that since I was fourteen, I had been abused by my family, and that my father had almost killed me because he considered me a disgrace.

Even though Brandon defended me that day, he was still just Alpha's son. Life in the pack after that incident was never really easy.

Fortunately, the next day the council summoned my parents. If they hadn't, I'm sure I would have died. It was the only day my mother ever spoke softly to me, and it was also the last.

I sighed and smiled slightly, trying to push away those bitter memories.

A car horn blared loudly. Mark had arrived. I took a deep breath before leaving the house.

"Hey," I said.

"Hey, princess," he replied, making me smile.

Mark was the second person I liked. He was always calm, polite, and handsome. After Brandon, he was the only man who treated me like a normal person.

I smiled at his messy blond hair and unconsciously fixed it. My eyes widened when I realized what I had done.

"Oh my god, I'm sorry. I just..." I said nervously.

"It's okay," he said with a laugh. "Let's go to school. You can tell me about your week." His serious tone made me look down, because I knew I was going to lie again.

I told her lies about the school hall, about Brandon helping me. I hid the fact that I had almost been beaten up and locked up by jealous girls, including my own sister.

"Is that true?" Mark looked at me as if he knew.

"Yes," I replied briefly.

"Today is your birthday, isn't it? What do you want?" he asked.

I was silent. Of course today was my birthday. The day my life was destroyed four years ago.

"Tell the chairman thank you for me, but..." I stopped when Mark suddenly slammed on the brakes.

"I didn't do it on my father's orders," he said softly. "I just wanted to make sure you didn't feel alone today."

His face was so close. His smile was warm.

"I... I..." I stammered.

"This is for you," he said, handing me a box decorated with a ribbon.

As I remained silent, Mark kissed my cheek.

"Open it when you're alone. No matter what happens, I will always protect you. That's my promise," he said.

I looked at the box, then smiled slightly when I realized we had arrived at school.

"I'm going in," I muttered as I got out of the car.

I smiled faintly. It was the first gift, and perhaps the only one I would receive on my birthday.

Alexis's point of view.

As soon as I got out of the car, I hurried into school with my head down, as usual.

"Hey, look, Omega's here."

"Wow! Look how red her cheeks are."

"I don't know what she's done."

"Haha... Maybe she's trying to steal someone's partner to improve her position in the group."

"What a slut!"

"She looks like a tomato."

"I think Brittany wants to have fun with her today."

"She doesn't want to. She's busy with Brandon in that empty classroom."

I heard some whispers around me, but the last one caught my attention.

And it hurt. I don't know why, but ever since Brandon defended me in front of the whole gang, it's as if my feelings for him have resurfaced.

Every time I think of him with another woman, all I feel is heartache and betrayal, even though I know it's a silly thought. What I hate the most is him being with Brittany.

Brittany, my sister, wasn't any better. That day, a year ago, on Brandon's birthday, when he asked me out, she was angry, it was clear in her eyes.

And because she liked to meddle in my life, she decided to start getting close to Brandon. Even after finding out that I had a crush on Brandon. Yes, that's how her evil mind worked. Her goal was to leave me completely without any hope of happiness.

However, I think it's wrong to think of Brandon that way. I have a partner out there who might be waiting for me, and here I am, falling in love with another wolf.

At the end of class, after spending the day sitting in the farthest corner of the room, I left in a daze, anxiously waiting for the school day to end. It was like a daily routine for me.

Going to school, spending the whole day hoping the day would end soon, and enduring bullying from anyone who wanted to have fun.

After eight hours of waiting, the bell signaling the end of the school day finally rang, and I was so happy.

It was already 3 p.m. And to make that day special, I had already decided on the place.

I have spent my last three birthdays locked up in my room, but not this one. This birthday will be special.

This is my 18th birthday, a special age for all wolves.

The moment to find my mate. My mate, the person who should love and care for me, regardless of my flaws.

This is also the reason I want to stay alive. I want to live because I know that when I meet my mate, everything will change. My life will be filled with happiness, love, and attention.

After arriving home, I went straight to my room to prepare myself to meet my mate.

I wasn't sure if I would meet my mate that day. After all, when you're an adult, you can meet your mate anytime. However, the chances of meeting your mate today are the highest.

I wore an elegant champagne-colored dress and let my long, light brown hair flow freely, completing the look with my favorite earrings and nude sandals.

Seeing the gift from Mark, I was tempted to open it, but knowing that the gift might have some side effects, as Mark had warned, I decided not to check it at that moment.

Checking my reflection in the mirror one last time, I left the room to enter the forest, where I planned to spend my birthday.

Only one hour left until my 18th birthday. Smiling with excitement growing inside me, I ran down the stairs, bumping into a few men who stared at me with astonished looks.

"Wow."

"I can't believe it. Such a beautiful Omega."

"Alexis? Is that Alexis?" I heard Brandon's breathless voice as I left the house.

I would talk to him later. Right now, all I wanted was to go to the place where I wanted to spend my birthday.

After crossing the lake and entering the cave on the other side of the mountain, I ran towards that place. My secret place. No one knew about it because it was hidden by rocks and bushes.

Sitting on the edge of the lake, I stared at the medal my grandmother had given me. The medal had blue and green crystals with a hint of yellow. No one knew the medal was with me, and my grandmother had asked me to keep it a secret, even from our family. She gave me this antique when she took her last breath, six years ago. I sneaked into the hospital to see her, and there she gave me the necklace.

It was already 6:55 p.m., and I was very excited. I felt as if joy had taken over me. What would he be like? Questions swirled around in my mind like a whirlwind.

To be honest, I didn't care what he looked like. I knew I would give him all the love he needed. And I would cherish his feelings for me and never betray him.

When the clock struck 7:01 p.m., I immediately closed my eyes to try to smell the pleasant scents around me.

After what felt like a very long time, even though it was only ten minutes, I suddenly opened my eyes and felt nothing.

It seemed that my partner was not in this group, at least not at that moment.

I sighed in despair. I had been so impatient to meet my partner tonight. Since there was no sign of him, I finally ate the food I had prepared for him.

Celebrating my own birthday.

After finishing my meal, I packed my things and got up to go home.

"Maybe I can't smell it because I'm just a lantern," I muttered softly.

"Who are you going to smell this far from civilization? You're hiding in a place no one has ever been to, and you expect to smell your mate here?" My conscience commented, making me roll my eyes at myself. This time, she was right.

Leaving the cave and crossing the lake, I began to leave the deep forest. At that moment, I caught a whiff of something. A pleasant aroma, like chocolate mixed with wood and cinnamon.

I was happy that my mate was at the group's house, which meant he was part of them, so I immediately ran into the house.

The scent was coming from somewhere inside.

Looking up, I squinted my eyes, trying to distinguish the scent and letting my feet follow my senses.

As I left the room, I opened my eyes and furrowed my brow when I realized whose room it was.

Brandon?

Could my partner be Brandon? Or maybe one of Brandon's friends?

"Or maybe you're just stupid." My conscience chimed in again, even though I knew she was just as eager as I was to find out the truth.

Rolling my eyes and ignoring it as usual, I pushed open the door to find my partner, but what my eyes saw not only shocked me, but left me paralyzed for a few seconds.

There I saw him having sex with another woman.

"My mate!"

I don't know what hurts me more. The fact that my mate had sex with my sister right in front of me, or the fact that he probably knew I was his mate for a year.

As far as I remember, he was 18 last year, which means he knew I was his mate, but he still decided to ignore that bond and pursue my sister.

Thinking about it, all his possessive, protective, and attentive behavior towards me suddenly made sense. It was as if all the pieces of the puzzle had finally fallen into place.

I thought it was just guilt.

And now he's rejecting me? Why? Because I'm an omega, or because of my sister? I couldn't help but shudder at the thought.

I was the most hated wolf in the pack. No one likes me because I'm a lantern. And now, without a mate, rejected by a potential alpha, I'm sure everyone will hate me more than ever.

And I know my father will kill me. Even the council leader wouldn't mind if my pack said I was killed in a vicious attack because I'm a female wolf without a mate.

They always call me weak, and maybe they're right.

"Can you stop feeling sorry for yourself and get it over with? I'm also grieving the loss of my partner. With your sad attitude like this, what should I do? Mourn my own loss or comfort you?" My conscience screamed. However, for the first time, I didn't feel disturbed, I actually felt comforted.

My conscience was right. Now is not the time to mourn and hate myself for what I don't have. It's time to take action.

As if they sensed me from inside the room, the door opened, and did I mention that I was leaning against the door? Yes, that's right. And sadly, it made my situation worse by almost falling flat on the floor, if not for the door handle I grabbed at the last second.

"What are you doing here, bitch?" my sister asked.

But this time I wouldn't take her insults. That was the last straw with that group. The place was full of them all, and most importantly, their dirty alpha.

I don't know if it was a response to the heartache of feeling rejected, or because I felt betrayed on a deep level, but I was hit by a surge of energy throughout my body. A rage I had never felt before.

"I didn't come here to talk to you, bitch. So get out of my way, because if I have to get rid of you myself, it's going to hurt." I responded to my sister for the first time, and the shock was evident.

Well, even I was impressed with what I had just said.

My moment of happiness was interrupted when I saw her hand about to slap me. But before she could reach me, I kicked her in the stomach. And I have to say, from the way his face contorted, it must have been very painful.

Add to that how much pain she was in after having such hot sex with Brandon, and she must have been in terrible shape. It reminded me of Brandon.

Then my eyes met my partner's, looking at me with an apologetic gaze. I wanted to smash his face, but I chose not to because I didn't want to dirty my hands.

It was clear from his expression that he understood I knew he was my partner and had been cheating for some time.

"How could you?" I asked the question that had been stuck in my throat since I saw him having sex with my sister.

"Alexis, you..." Brittany started again. But I had no patience for her chatter at that moment.

"Shut up!" I yelled back, cutting him off as his eyes filled with horror.

I turned my gaze back to Brandon. His eyes were as big as soccer balls. Maybe because this was the first time he had seen me respond to him like that. Did he really think I would take this betrayal calmly?

"For a year now, you've known that I'm your partner, right? But you went after my sister and slept with her even though you knew I was here?" I yelled.

"Wow, you're talking like you want him to have sex with you!" My conscience screamed, making me roll my eyes.

"Is he your partner?" My sister asked in horror, questioning Brandon with disbelief.

"Alexis, I can explain. Calm down. This isn't what I want, but I'm the future alpha of this pack and I need a strong Luna, not..."

"Not a lantern like me who can't even turn into a wolf and is just a weakling. Right? So, that's what this is all about." I added.

"Listen, this doesn't mean I'm rejecting you or kicking you out of the group. You can still stay with us, and I'll treat you as my partner. I'll fulfill all my responsibilities, but you have to understand that, as the alpha, I need a strong luna." Brandon said, as I stared at him with wide eyes.

Is he really the man I fell in love with all those years ago?

How could he think in such a twisted way? So he needed a strong luna for his pack and his mate, and that must be my sister. Then what would I be?

Just a friend for sex? A baby-making machine, a wish-granting machine?

"Wow, you're really a demanding male, Brandon," I commented, unable to believe this was the same man I had fallen in love with. The man I'd loved for years and wanted to marry.

It's true that knowing what someone really thinks can turn you from love to hate.

"He's insulting both of us, and you're just going to stand there and take it? If it were me, I'd kill him right now." My conscience said, making me sigh again.

As if that were possible. Could I really kill someone who was still alive? Especially an alpha?

Mocking my thoughts, I looked at Brittany with a smug smile on my face and then at Brandon, who seemed to be waiting for my answer with a weak smile.

He expected me to humble myself, just as he accepted every violation from the group and this humiliating proposal simply because I was a Lantern.

"All right, I'm on your side." My conscience decided.

"You know, your offer is tempting..." I began, making Brandon smile even wider while Brittany's smile grew even more smug.

"However, the fact that you expect your partner to accept everyone's intimidation, as well as become your baby-making machine, is enough to disgust me. Guess what? I may be a Lantern, but I'm not a slut like my sister. Even though I'm not a beta, I still have my dignity." I shouted, staring at Brandon.

His face paled and his smile faded instantly. Brittany was also shocked by my words, but that wasn't the most important part yet.

"I..." I continued in a firm voice. "I, Alexis, daughter of the moon goddess, reject Brandon Sterling as my lawful partner because I cannot live with someone who wants nothing but my body, someone who wants nothing from me except my body. I declare my soul free, and I reject the bond of partnership with the alpha of the Black Mist group, and with this, I reject my position as the luna of the Black Mist group and as Brandon Sterling's partner."

I took a breath before continuing. "I, Alexis, also reject my bond with the Black Mist group from this day forward, and will live my life as a free soul until I decide otherwise." In the end, my eyes widened as I felt excruciating pain throughout my body as the group bond began to break, but the shock in Brandon's eyes acted like a painkiller, easing my suffering.

I'm sure, even in his worst dreams, Brandon never imagined he'd be rejected like this.

Then he clenched his jaw and fists, clearly feeling the pain of the broken bond.

I also suffer, the pain of seeing all my fantasies about finding a partner shattered. However, the pain of rejecting the bond with my partner and my group is nothing compared to the pain I have endured all this time. Today, I not only reject that bond, but also all those relationships.

Today, I promise myself not to let others influence me in the future.

I went up to my room, packed my things, and put Mark's gift in my pocket before heading downstairs.

Most of the group members were in the corridor, perhaps having heard and sensed my rejection of the group and Brandon through their mental connection.

I turned to my family, including my tearful mother, my father staring at me with a hostile expression, and my sister looking defiant.

I smiled before saying, "I am not a disgrace to our pack or family. You are all a disgrace to the werewolf species. You can't even appreciate the pack's only lantern, while out there they are treated like children of the moon goddess. You are a disgrace to humanity, and the worst of all is your alpha, who, even though he knew I was his mate a year ago, still had sex with another female wolf. The sacred bond created by the moon goddess was meant to help us find true love, but our alpha doesn't think that way. An alpha who can't even accept his mate, how will he know how to lead this pack?" I scoffed before leaving the house.

Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably as all the pain began to pour out of me.

"Shh... don't cry. I'm still here." My conscience said, and I couldn't help but laugh at her fake attempt to comfort me.

Now we'll see how I can survive in the real world alone.