My Irresistible Alpha

Chapter 1

"What the hell is going on?" My voice echoed through the empty living room.

Ash-my boyfriend of five years-was on top of my sister, Taylor. One of his hands was mauling her breast, the other was yanking at her underwear.

They were kissing hungrily, the wet sound of exchanged saliva grating through the room.

I blinked. No, I had to be insane-what I was seeing couldn't be real.

After hearing my voice, they didn't stop right away. If anything, they got bolder, only peeling apart after a satisfied little moan. Taylor calmly pushed Ash away, stood up from beneath him, and smoothed the skirt that had ridden up around her waist.

She frowned, displeased, looking at me like I was the one interrupting.

Rage surged through me like magma. I clenched my fists and fixed my stare on Ash. He got to his feet slowly, shrugged without a shred of guilt, and even had the nerve to curl his lips in a provocative smile.

I picked up a chair beside me and walked toward him, forcing out a few words. "What is this, a prank? Tell me this is a prank."

If he said it wasn't, I swore this chair would "accidentally" slip from my hands.

"Hey, Elena, don't be so dramatic." Taylor rolled her eyes, her voice thick with mockery. "You know everything you have ends up being mine sooner or later. Don't act so shocked like this is your first time."

Ash couldn't help but laugh. He gazed at Taylor with adoration. "God, Taylor, you're my queen. But are you sure your parents won't blame you for this?"

"Of course not." Taylor flicked her silky blonde hair and shot me a disdainful look. "I'll find her another date. Oh, how about that idiot on the corner? I remember he has a thing for Elena's type."

They stood there, mocking me without mercy. I was used to Taylor's words, but Ash-his betrayal cut into me like a blade, ripping my heart apart.

I fought to keep the tears from falling. Staring Ash down, I asked, voice like ice, "Ash. Tell me-when did this start with Taylor? I don't remember you even knowing her."

My hand clutched the back of the chair so hard it shook.

"The day I first drove you home, Taylor said she wanted to meet me. As her sister, you know better than anyone how irresistible she is. I couldn't help it." Ash's voice rang out, and my head went dizzy. Six months into dating, Ash started driving me.

He'd been cheating on me for two years. That bastard.

I didn't need to be heartbroken over this scum. I didn't even need to ask him why, despite the way we'd promised each other to always be honest.

My gaze dropped to his lips, my ears buzzing until every word blurred. I used to think every flaw of his was perfect-even his terrible haircut made my heart race. I wasn't some moral crusader, but I'd hoped for at least a shred of respect. Not this-standing beside the person I despised most, laughing at me together.

What turned him into this?

A wave of nausea rose from my stomach so violently I nearly puked. I didn't know what I should do, but I knew I had to do something.

The next second, I swung the chair and smashed it into Ash's head without hesitation.

Blood spurted from his forehead. He screamed in panic. Taylor shouted in a flurry, "Hurry, we need first aid!"

Footsteps thudded upstairs, then the kitchen door swung open.

Mom shuffled in wearing a robe; Dad had on boxer shorts and a faded old T-shirt. Both squinted, bleary-eyed.

"What happened?" Mom asked, looking around-then her gaze landed on Ash. "Oh my God, Ash, why are you bleeding?"

"Mum! It was that shorty Elena-she went off who-knows-where to fool around with men, came home drunk, and smashed a stool over us the minute she walked in. I only just managed to dodge." Taylor's furious accusation came with a triumphant smile.

My fists tightened. My allowance from my parents was barely half of hers; I had to work part-time to get through school. That's why I was coming home in the middle of the night.

"What? Elena, what on earth are you doing? Why are you always causing trouble?" Mom rushed to blame me without even asking what happened.

Of course. She'd always been like this. Never changed. But tonight, I wasn't going to swallow it.

"I came home," I said, staring straight into Mom's eyes, voice steady, "and walked in on my boyfriend-" I pointed at Ash, my teeth clenched, "with his hand shoved inside Taylor's underwear-"

"Enough! Elena!" Dad's voice cracked like a whip, his glare hard and commanding.

"Dad!" I stared at him in disbelief. "Are you kidding me? Taylor seduced my boyfriend!"

Taylor jumped in immediately, feigning panic. "No, Dad, I didn't know Ash was Elena's boyfriend. She never said a thing. Besides, she's always so cold to her family-who would even know anyone wants to date her."

"Elena, you heard her. Taylor didn't know you had a boyfriend, so." Dad frowned at me.

"So what?" I snapped, cutting him off.

"You failed to win Ash's affection. You can't blame Taylor for that-she's a victim too," he pronounced solemnly.

The last scrap of hope in me was crushed. My chest twisted so hard it hurt to breathe. I just wanted him to be fair-once, just once-but reality slapped me across the face.

I turned to leave, but Mom suddenly grabbed my arm. She sighed, her tone soft. "Elena, sweetheart, I know you're upset, but-we're a unit."

My eyes widened. They'd never treated me like part of this family. A second ago, they were working overtime to prove I wasn't. "What are you trying to say?"

Mom hesitated and looked at Dad. He finally spoke. "They're getting married next month."

I froze, then let out a cold laugh. "Great. Two rotten people, finally together."

"Listen, Elena, don't use that tone. They're in love," Mom said with a frown.

"Oh, please, Mom! The whole town knows what kind of slut Taylor is-" My patience snapped.

"Shut up, Elena! The world doesn't revolve around you. You can't tear her down just because you can't have what she has!" Mom roared.

"Are you serious right now?" The rage in my chest exploded. "She hurt me! She slept with my boyfriend! And you think that's fine?"

They both fell silent.

"You're disgusting," I said coolly. Anger roared through me like fire-I couldn't stay another second.

"Elena, watch your mouth!" Dad barked. "I understand your grievances with your sister, but you will attend this wedding and behave with proper decorum!"

"What?" I could barely believe my ears.

"Elena, you will be your sister's bridesmaid. That's an order! We are your parents-you will do as you're told!" Mom snapped.

"Sorry, Mom, absolutely not!" I shouted. "I've done what you wanted my whole life, but not this time. I'm the one who was hurt, and I won't let you parade me around as a joke!"

"Enough, Elena!" Dad thundered, making me flinch. "You will attend this wedding. That is final!"

"Over my dead body," I ground out, every word like a stone.

Taylor brushed past me and melted into Ash's arms, smug and scornful.

"You will go," Mom said coldly. "You will stand by your sister and smile and support her."

"In your dreams." I glared at them, fury nearly swallowing me whole.

A sharp slap cracked through the living room. My cheek burned hot.

Mom pointed at me, her voice like ice. "Don't you dare shame this family."

"Kill me first!" I yelled, wrenching free of her hand, and stormed out the door.

"Elena, get your ass home right now," my mom's voice shrieked through the speaker. "Today is Taylor's wedding. She needs her sister."

I wanted to hang up. After that night, I hadn't answered a single call from my family. I'd moved in with my friend Maribel instead.

A week had passed. But they hadn't forgotten me. In their eyes, my teenage drama wasn't worth more than the family's reputation. They didn't want to explain my absence in front of heavyweight guests.

But Maribel snatched the phone from my trembling hand, pressed the button, and held it up like she was brandishing a weapon.

She stood in the middle of the bedroom, cheeks flushed, her messy hair framing her face. "Hi, Mrs. Hale, this is Maribel. Elena won't be coming home tonight."

Silence on the other end. Then my father's heavy, unyielding voice cut through: "She must. She's a bridesmaid."

Maribel's brown eyes sparkled. "But sir, my parents just flew back from Switzerland today. They want me and Lina to help them prepare for tomorrow's charity gala. You know what charity galas mean, right? That's right-plenty of rich people."

The line went dead quiet.

Too quiet.

I slowly lifted my gaze to Maribel's face. She didn't even blink.

When Mom finally spoke again, her tone was buttery soft, like toast slathered in butter. "Oh. Well. You've got a point. We can't let Elena miss out on meeting rich men. She's useless-she needs to snag one to secure her future."

Dad cleared his throat and agreed, "If she's helping the Mayfields, that's fine. But she'll still come to the reception, right?"

"She'll try," Maribel said sweetly. Her thumb hovered over the end-call button. "Unless, of course, a billionaire proposes to Elena on the spot and whisks her away on a surprise honeymoon."

"Absolutely not," Mom snapped. "So, we'll see her at the chapel."

Click.

Maribel tossed my phone onto the bed. I lunged at her instantly. "Maribel, you're fucking insane! If my parents find out you lied, they'll kill me."

"Relax." She flashed a sly smile. "As long as you don't show up to that bitch's wedding, we win."

A shaky laugh slipped out of me. "You're scary sometimes."

She plopped down cross-legged beside me, her perfume warm and sweet in the air. "Scary but effective. Now quit looking like somebody ran over your cat. You're staying here. We're salvaging the last scraps of your dignity."

"I can't-" I started to protest automatically. I didn't believe there was anything we could do.

"You can. You will. I know just the place." She grinned, finalizing the matter.

The club pulsed with heavy bass. Red and gold lights strobed over the crowd as it swayed like liquid.

I sat at a corner table, stirring the untouched drink in front of me, misery written all over me, while Maribel swayed to the music.

"Come on, Elena! Loosen up!" she shouted over the beat. "You need this."

But my body felt heavy. Something was off. I turned, eyes scanning-until I saw him.

God. I had never seen a man so devastatingly handsome. His features were sharp and perfect, like a marble statue carved by some divine hand. He leaned against the bar, tall and broad-shouldered, his chest straining against a fitted black T-shirt. When he lifted his drink, the muscles in his arms flexed, and I imagined those big hands on my skin, sending shivers through me.

He noticed me. And when his eyes locked with mine, I felt like my soul had been seized in his grasp.

The music vanished. The air disappeared from my lungs. A prickle ran up my neck, static sparking down my spine-like I belonged to him.

It was insane. Why would I even think that? Ash, my boyfriend, had never once made me feel like I was his.

I couldn't look away. Worse, I couldn't breathe.

"Elena!"

Maribel's voice pierced the haze. She grabbed my arm, shaking me. "Hello? Earth to Elena. What the hell was that?"

I tore my gaze away, but I still felt his stare burning against my skin.

"Who is that?" Maribel whispered, following my eyes. Then her lips curled into a wicked grin. "Oh my God. He's hot. And the way you two just eye-fucked? I'm shocked this place isn't already on fire."

"I-I wasn't-"

"You were. I know that look. You need to go talk to him." She smirked, winking.

"No way," I said with a nervous laugh. "Absolutely not."

"Absolutely yes." Before I could stop her, she shoved me forward.

I stumbled right into a wall of muscle.

Strong, warm hands steadied me at the waist. I looked up-and froze, my lips just inches from his. His head dipped, eyes dark and burning.

"Mine," he murmured, voice low and rough.

My breath hitched, heat flooding my cheeks. "Yours?"

"That's right." His thumb brushed over my lips, slow and deliberate. "You belong to me."

My heart pounded. My voice shook. "We just met. Why would you say that? I don't even know your name."

"Dax," he said, his gaze softening for only a second. "You wouldn't understand."

"Try me." I snapped, kicking back against his arrogance. I was done with cocky men.

"It's. complicated."

"Make it simple!" I demanded, fists clenched at my sides.

He exhaled hard, leaning back with a growl. "You're human."

Was he some kind of sexy lunatic? That face could claim to be a clown, and women would still drop their panties.

"Oh my God, genius. You figured out I'm human," I laughed. "So what now-you gonna bite me like some wild beast?"

His irises flared red. He leaned in, teeth grazing my neck. "Do you want me to bite you, baby?" he rasped.

Heat from his lips seared my skin. A soft moan escaped me, pain forgotten-my parents, Ash, all of it vanished. Was I really about to have a one-night stand? My parents would lose their minds. They'd always wanted me to trade my virginity for a better future.

I gripped his thick arm tightly. "Why not?" I moaned.

His eyes blazed crimson. I could feel them stripping me bare. I swallowed hard. His big hands seized my arms, scooping me up effortlessly.

"My suite," he growled, as the crowd parted like the Red Sea.

He ran faster than any athlete I'd ever seen, but all I could think about was the way his hands would mark me.

The second we reached his luxury suite, he slammed me onto the bed without hesitation. His mouth crashed against mine with feral hunger, his scorching tongue dominating mine, devouring every inch of me. Still unsatisfied, he shredded my clothes with his teeth until I was completely bare-

His red eyes roamed over me: lips, throat, breasts-down to my core.

"Sunshine, you're beautiful. I bet you're soaking wet already," he rasped.

My eyes widened, heart racing. "Want a taste?" I teased.

"Spread your legs," he commanded.

I sucked in a shaky breath, then opened myself to him. His growl rumbled deep-

"Good girl." A dangerous smile flickered before he dove between my thighs, tongue hot and greedy as he licked and swallowed every drop.

"Oh God!" My head fell back, body arching closer to him, unable to stop.

That night, he was inhumanly strong. Again and again, we drowned in endless passion and need. When I was nearly delirious, his sharp teeth sank into my neck once more as he growled, raw and possessive: "Mine."

And in that moment, I felt something I'd never known before-satisfaction, wholeness, like he truly had claimed my soul.

Elena's POV

"What's that on your neck?" Taylor's sharp voice froze me mid-motion. I had been in the kitchen pouring coffee, trying to shake off the lingering haze of last night's hangover, but her words cut through the morning quiet like a blade.

I thought with Taylor married, I'd finally have peace in this house. Besides, I couldn't keep living at Belle's place forever-I hadn't officially graduated yet, and I still needed Dad's financial support to finish school.

I glanced at her, my fingers brushing instinctively over the mark on my neck. "It's nothing," I said dismissively.

Taylor stepped closer, eyes narrowing. "Don't lie. I saw something. Is that. an initial?"

I turned back to the coffeemaker, forcing my voice steady. "It's none of your business."

"Oh, yeah?" Taylor shot back, hands on her hips. "You'd rather screw around with men than show up at my wedding? That's how you treat family?"

My eyes narrowed. How could she be so cruel? When my boyfriend's dick had been inside her, she still had the gall to blame me for skipping her wedding?

"What do you want, Taylor?" I said coldly. I knew she wouldn't walk away.

"I already know the answer." She shrugged.

"A hickey," I shot back. They always mocked me, always said no one wanted me. But just picturing her face when she realized the man I'd slept with was drop-dead gorgeous-I wasn't going to hide it. I'd prove them wrong. Except, God, all I knew was his name. Dax.

Taylor suddenly burst out laughing, like I was some pathetic joke. I couldn't stand being alone with her for more than five minutes, or I'd lose control and throw my latte in her perfect face.

Then she grabbed my collar. With a ripping sound, my shirt tore open.

"What the hell is wrong with you!?" I shouted.

Taylor held onto my collar, her eyes glued to the mark on my neck.

"Oh my God," she whispered, voice dripping with mockery. "Did some beast bite you, and now you're pretending you actually got laid? What is this, Vampire Diaries?"

I shoved her back, but she sneered and leaned in again.

"Let me get a closer look. Did you give yourself that mark with a straw? Jesus, Elena, are you faking it all? Still a virgin, but bragging about hooking up with men? You're pathetic."

"I don't owe you an explanation." I rolled my eyes. She always had to be dramatic.

She folded her arms and blocked my way. "Then tell me his name. Who is he? What does he do?"

"I." I faltered. I only knew his name. "Dax. His name's Dax. Can I go now?" I glared at her.

"So you really spread your legs like a slut." Taylor's grin was vicious. I knew that look-she was about to use this to humiliate me.

Blood pounded hot and dangerous in the side of my head.

"This is hilarious," I scoffed. "Did you forget where I found you? Acting like a whore with my boyfriend?"

Taylor's face flushed scarlet. Her fists clenched at her sides, knuckles taut with veins.

"And you think you can lecture me? Please. Take a good look in the mirror before you try, sweetheart."

Her mouth twitched, but I didn't stop. My tone sharpened, dripping with acid as I lifted my hand and pretended to inspect my nails.

"Why are you even here, Taylor? The night after your wedding, hanging around Dad and Mom's living room? Shouldn't you be busy playing perfect wife? Or has the marriage already started to crack?"

Taylor snorted, arms folded. "Whatever. I'm telling Dad."

My gaze darkened. I lowered my voice, every word laced with threat. "If you dare, I'll tell them about the gardener. You know, the one who mysteriously shows up in your room after work."

Her smug smile vanished. Panic flickered across her eyes, then sharpened into a deadly glare.

"You wouldn't."

"Try me," I said, stepping closer, voice low and dangerous.

The slap came out of nowhere.

My head whipped to the side, a sting flaring across my cheek. Blood pooled in my mouth where my teeth had cut my lip. For a moment, all I could hear was the thunder of my own heartbeat.

"You ungrateful little brat!" Taylor's voice cracked-not with rage, but with fake sobs. She staggered back, clutching her face as if I had hit her.

"Dad!" she screamed louder. "Mom! She-she attacked me! She's out of control!"

Her shrieks echoed through the house. Heavy footsteps thundered down the stairs.

"Elena!" My father's voice boomed like thunder. Moments later, he stood in the doorway, face red, eyes wild. Mom followed in her robe, lips pressed into a thin line.

Taylor dove into Dad's arms, trembling like a wounded bird.

"She hit me, Daddy. Just because I told her I was going to tell you. she." Her voice broke, then she burst into tears. "She lied to you. She didn't go to a charity gala-she's been sleeping with vagrants on the street."

Mom's gaze fixed on me, unreadable. Dad's face twisted in fury, ready to explode.

"Is that true?" he barked, jabbing a finger at me.

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. My throat felt shredded, like glass lodged inside.

Taylor lifted her head, lips trembling. "I didn't want to say anything. but I saw the bruises on her neck. She's letting some man use her like an animal."

"Dad, that's not true." My voice shook. My hands trembled harder, so I pressed them flat against my thighs.

"Isn't it?" she asked softly, with fake pity. "You admitted it yourself-his name's Dax. Do you know any rich man named that, Daddy?"

"You venomous snake!" I spat. "And you dare talk about morals? How long did you screw around with Ash before you married him?"

The words slipped out before I could stop them. The room went deathly silent.

Taylor's fake tears dried instantly. Her face hardened, then she buried herself back in Dad's chest.

Mom gasped. "See? I told you this would happen. She's shameless. No self-respect. I warned you."

"Enough!" Dad roared. His glare seared into me. "You think after what you've done, you still have the right to talk back?"

"What did I do?" My voice cracked, hoarse and raw. "You don't even know the truth! You only ever believe her-because she's your perfect little daughter, isn't she?"

Dad's face darkened. "Shut your filthy mouth!"

"I won't!" I screamed. "You want to call me a whore? Fine. But at least I didn't ruin my own sister's life for fun."

Silence fell over the kitchen, broken only by the ticking clock on the wall.

Then Dad stepped forward, eyes blazing. "If you're going to sell yourself, at least do it for money. Find a rich man. Not some homeless bastard off the street."

My heart plummeted.

"We're done," he said coldly. "You're no daughter of mine. Get out of my house."

My breath caught, chest caving under the weight. "Dad."

"Get out!"