HIS HATED MATE

CHAPTER 1

I didn't feel much as I stared at my father's body as it burned. There were tears loud wailing sobs coming from my stepmother and half-brother and the rest of the pack but I couldn't bring myself to shed tears like they did. I just felt numb and my legs ached from standing too much.

"Be strong" A firm hand rested on my shoulders and I looked over to see Michael, the eldest son of my father's beta. We have been friends since childhood, people hoped for more and perhaps he hoped for more but it couldn't be. He would take his father's place and become my beta. Yes. I was to become the next alpha now that my father has passed away and I suppose the heaviness I feel in my chest is as a result of the weight of the responsibility and not because I was sad my father had passed away.

I would miss him. Miss the fact that he handled things and I didn't need to bother about them. Miss the stability he brought.... his presence not so much. It wasn't like he wasn't a good father but...I just didn't get to experience the loving warmth from my father. We had never developed the unique bond parents shared with their children. He was cold and stern, never smiled, and only ever spoke to me to instruct me. My mother's death had changed him, so I heard but I didn't believe it. I didn't think he could be anything but cold to anyone.

I even tried to imagine hiking being loving and I almost snickered. He was too serious to do anything.

"Let's move inside" Michael's father's voice rang out over the loud sobs and we all moved away. I received pats and comforting smiles and I nodded each time or tried to return the smile at least. Michael held my hand as we walked inside and I let him. We walked past his father whose eyes were immediately drawn to where our hands were connected. Annoyance flashed briefly in his eyes but he said nothing and looked away. We continued into the house where a small crowd of people still gathered. They wouldn't be leaving anytime soon and I didn't want to interact with them anymore than I should.

"Let's go inside the family room," I said to Michael in a small voice and we made our way past the people and into the small room. My stepmother, Ines was already sitting with her son Gaius and they held each other. Her sobbing had stopped but she kept rocking herself. Michael's father came in shortly and he sat on the empty seat.

The seat at the head was empty. It would have been occupied by my father if he was still alive. I could imagine his stern face as he sat there and spoke to us like we were children.

"It is unfortunate what has befallen us but we must move on. We cannot allow our grief and sadness to come in the way of what must be done. The alpha ceremony will be held in a week and Lileas will become the next alpha" Our attention shifted to Ines when she gasped at the news. How was she surprised? We all knew it would come to this once Father was dead.

"Is there a problem Ines" Michael's father asked in a snappy tone. He wasn't fond of Ines and only respected her because she stayed at her father's side. He didn't even refer to her with a title. What's worse was that he didn't bother to hide his distaste for her.

"A female is going to be our alpha?" She looked around like she was in disbelief and waiting for someone to support her. Her eyes rested on me briefly but she looked away instantly.

"Do you have a problem with that? Female alphas are not a new development" Uncle asked.

"I know...but it's only in cases where the alpha has no son" I wasn't offended by what she was insinuating. It was clear she wanted Gauis to be the next alpha. I didn't mind. I didn't want the responsibility at all. None of it.

"Lileas is the daughter of the luna. She is the only one fit to be alpha" his tone was dismissive and Ines became silent. I looked at her and she was sporting a frown, unhappy with his choice of words.

"Get ready for the ceremony in a week. I'm stepping outside. I'll be with the guests" he said and walked out quickly.

"I'll speak to my father for a bit. Come to me if you need anything" Michael said and he pressed his lips against the side of my forehead and then he was gone. Ines's sobs started as soon as were alone again.

"I can't bear this loss. I loved him so much. It's hard for me" I stared blankly, unsure of what I should do. We weren't close but we weren't enemies. Do I comfort her? She must have really loved gather but I wonder why she wasted all that time and love on him. She was going and beautiful but chose to spend all that time with someone who didn't love her. Who only kept her because of his needs and made her live in the shadow of the only woman he ever loved...my mother. Up until his death, I had never seen him being gentle or openly loving Ines.

And yet she stayed. I shuddered internally at the thought of living that kind of life. I couldn't stomach it. I believe I'll marry out of political reasons, to strengthen the bond of the pack with another and I could do that. It'll be purely business, and I would never love said male which was far better than loving someone who didn't love you back.

"It's okay Ines. You don't have to cry so much. Nothing has changed"

"No. You don't get it. He hates me. Now your father is dead, he will finally get the opportunity to get rid of me. I have nowhere to go"

"I already told you that nothing will change. This is still your home"

"Thank you Lileas. You are so kind"

"I'll be in my room now" I smiled at her. I was done with being outside and I just wanted to enjoy the recluse of my room. I closed the door as soon as I arrived and slumped backward on the bed. Alpha. A few letter words with so much meaning and a hefty responsibility. I couldn't be alpha. I didn't know or want anything to do with it. I could not order executions as swiftly as Father did neither could I make wise arguments or decisions. I was okay with hiding in the corner while another took charge but that couldn't happen. My door opened and I sat up. Michael entered the room, his brows pinched together and his lips drawn into a thin line.

"What's wrong?" I asked him as he sat beside me.

"My father and his worries. He seems to have aged a lot since your father passed...and he's gotten much worse. So careful and he nags even more. I don't know"

"Did he say anything to you?" He shrugged his shoulders.

"Nothing much. He wants me to stay away from you"

"And be enemies?"

"No. He wants me to not...he says we cannot be together" he finally said, his shoulders slumping forward like he was defeated.

"You know he is right. We cannot be together"

"Why? Why can't I love you openly or make you mine" again with Michael thinking about just himself. I didn't want to be his.

"I don't care about being beta"

"Neither do I care about being an alpha but it is our responsibility and we must do it whether we want to or not" he grabbed my hands.

"What if we run away from here? Far away to where nobody can find us. Where no one knows we are alpha or beta"

"I cannot run away from my responsibilities Michael. We cannot abandon our pack and if it comes easily to you then maybe your brother is best suited to be my beta" It was rare that the position was given to a younger one when the oldest in line was still alive and well.

"If the responsibility is taken from me, then can we be together" I shook my head. That was all he wanted and thought about. I wish I could be plain with how I really felt but I didn't want to hurt him. I couldn't do that to Michael.

"It's impossible Michael. For all we know, my father has arranged a groom for me. You have to forget your feelings for me"

"That's impossible Lileas. It's like you're asking me to end myself. I want you but if I can't have you then I can't be around you. I can't stand it" he stood up and rushed out of the room. I stared at the door after he banged it shut. It was sad. I'll need to speak to his father immediately. His younger brother would have to take over from him. And his preparation needs to start before the day of the ceremony. I laid back on my bed, trying so hard not to think about anything. My worries wouldn't change a thing.

I just have to brace myself and deal with whatever comes my way. It wasn't the end of the world for me.

Perhaps, it was only the beginning.