LOUISA.

"You have got to be kidding me!" Dominic snarls as I stand at the entrance, frozen in terrified shock.

This is a nightmare.

I knew that whoever my mate would be wouldn't be happy about it but I didn't think it would be Dominic, the Alpha.

"How in the goddess's name does this make sense?!" he continues. "You can't even shift into your wolf? How are you my mate?!"

"I am so- sorry," I stuttered, head bowed to avoid his gaze. "I didn't- I am-"

"Enough! Goddess, you are pathetic. What was the goddess thinking? Pairing me up with you?" he mutters as he runs his hands through his hair.

I stay silent, unable to answer.

Honestly, I am wondering the same too. Why would I be paired with Dominic? The man hates me with a passion.

"Why are you still here?" he snaps at me.

"I am sorry!" I exclaim as I quickly look up, only to see the look of pure unadulterated loathing on his face. "You… you called for me… I don't-"

"Ugh," he groans as he walks towards me pushing me out of the way and heading out the door. "Weak and disgusting."

I stare at his back until he vanishes before I let out a sigh of breath.

"What now?" I mutter to myself.

Dominic Valor, Alpha of the Obsidian pack has always hated my guts. Ever since I came to live with his family.

My parents had died in battle, defending the pack from an enemy attack and the previous Alpha had taken me in as a means to honour them.

Dominic never liked that.

He didn't see the reason for doing that as it was every wolf's duty to defend the pack and if they died doing so, even more honourable.

The fact that I was the weakest person in the pack and who still didn't have a wolf didn't help matters.

He resents me.

Resented the fact that I was weak and yet still had a good life.

Something he made sure to destroy once his father passed away.

From living a sheltered but comfortable life to one filled with misery and insults.

From a protected orphan to an overworked slave.

Everyone's dumping ground.

A waste of space.

And now…

Now, I am mated to him?

Where is the logic in that?

What am I going to do now?

"He is going to kill me."

I stand there, still at the entrance of his office, unsure of what to do.

If he comes back and finds that I left without his orders, there will be hell to pay.

If he comes back and finds me here, still being pathetic and useless when there is a whole lot of work to do in the pack, there will still be hell to pay.

There is no good choice here.

I stand there for a few minutes, debating and running through different scenarios in my head before deciding to leave.

It's not like my staying would make any difference.

He will still find a way to make himself miserable.

And besides, finishing the rest of the chores will keep my mind off the devastating knowledge that Alpha Dominic is my mate.

And also, to prepare myself.

After all, he is going to reject me.

Right?

†

It is dark when I hear the front door opening.

Past two and I am still awake, waiting for Dominic to arrive.

I can't go to bed until he does.

Alpha's orders.

I hurry to the front door, fear in my veins but with no little choice, and come to a sudden halt.

He is drunk.

Alpha Dominic is drunk.

I have never, in all the years I have lived with him, ever seen him get drunk.

At the back of my mind, alarm bells go off, telling me to turn around, leave and damn whatever the consequences will be.

But I don't.

"Al- Alpha?" I call out quietly, standing a little distance from him. "Are you okay?"

I watch as he searches through the dark for my voice, head turning almost sluggishly before he sees me.

"Ah… if it isn't my mate. My weak, pathetic, wolfless mate."

He stalks toward me, an odd glint in his eyes that makes me take several steps back before turning to flee.

I don't get very far.

His hand snakes around my wrist drawing me to him before slamming against a wall. He leans his body onto mine, sweaty and stinking of alcohol.

"Where are you going, mate?" he slurs at me. "Aren't you happy to see me?"

The alarm bells grow louder in my head, so loud I can barely hear my own breath.

"Alpha? Alpha, please… you are hurting me," I plead, wincing as his hands tighten on my wrist.

"I am hurting you? I. Am. Hurting. YOU?!" he roars into my face. "What about me? Do you know how hurt and disappointed I am right now? Typical of a spoiled brat like you, only thinking about yourself."

"No… please," I beg as I fight back the tears caused by his tight grip on my hands.

My tears would only enrage him more.

And that is something that can't happen.

Not now.

"You must be elated now, aren't you?" he continues into my ear, his weight suffocating me. "You have the Alpha as your mate. You must think your life is settled right?"

"No… Dominic-"

THWACK!!

It takes me a few seconds to realise what has just happened.

My face is stinging with the slap he had landed on me.

"Dominic?" he spits. "How bold you have gotten. Very well, since you are so excited to be my mate, let's go finalise it," he says before taking me by the arm and pulling me towards his room.

No.

"No," I beg, trying to get out of his hands. The tears fall freely now, terror about what is about to happen filling my already strung out veins. "Please, I am sorry."

"Oh, I don't know about that, but I promise you, before the sun comes up, you will be," he says before throwing me onto his bed.