Alpha Caleb

I

Sophie Turner.

You won't amount to anything in life. Smack
You'll never be good enough. Wham
Why couldn't your mother have had a boy. Crunch

These words whirl around my head only moments after my father shouted them. Although his blows hurt, nothing could be worse than his words. They cut deeply into me as I scurry to my room.

I lay on my unmade bed wishing I could run away, but knowing I wouldn't get far with no money of my own, no car, and no place to stay.

I like to picture it though. The wind on my face as I taste the freedom. No one telling me how terrible I am. I fall asleep to the thought of this and even in my dreams the idea haunts me.

~

The day started out like any other. My mother standing near the stove cooking breakfast, dad reading the newspaper, and me: sitting at the table wishing more than anything to be somewhere else. If only I'd known.

After breakfast I prepare for my two mile walk to school. I don't bother to cover the bruises because my father believes it creates suspicion. Instead I must lie to everyone and tell them I've been training. My father is the delta of the Moon pack and in most packs training for those higher on the higharchy training is much more intense. I hate walking but I know better than to ask once again for a car. My father believes I need to be stronger and faster than humanly possible and it would result in another beating.

At school I don't have many friends. I like to associate with those outside of the popularity ring. To me, friends don't come from social standings rather from those who you enjoy being around.

When I finally reach the school I search for my best friend Lilly. I find her in her usual spot near the fountain talking excitedly to Shay. I walk over to them and they greet me excitedly immediately being to talk about the latest gossip. I nod and act as if I am interested, but in all honestly I'm not really listening. I hear bits and pieces about the newest couple in our little school when Hannah walks up to us. I let out a silent sigh of relief, glad for the distraction.

I glance around and see East Wood's most popular couple making out against the side of the building and shutter. My eyes roam around the crowd of people coming into the school. A glimmer of red makes my eyes flash back but as quickly as I'd seen it, it was gone. I turn back to Lilly hoping she'd have seen it as well but soon realize she is immersed in conversation. My eyes sweep amongst the crowded walkway once more but come up empty. I shrug it off and try to join into the conversation which seems to have switched to which boy on the swim team is the best kisser.

I roll my eyes slightly, "Come on guys we need to get to homeroom, I don't want to be tarty again!"

"Don't be such a goody two shoes Soph, lighten up," Lilly tells me.

If only she knew what would be said when my father learns I'd been late to class.

~

School was as boring as always and as the day began to come to an end I found myself walking home alone. The air is brisk and I pull my jacket closer to me and walk a bit faster. When I finally reach my driveway I see my mother watching through the window. Once she sees me she rushes towards the door beckoning me to come inside quickly.

"What's wrong Mom?" I ask slightly worried.

"You've forgotten already? I even reminded you last night!" She scolds. My eyes widen in realization, the Alpha's party!

"Oh my goodness I completely forgot!'

"Well you best hurry and get ready, I want you to look your finest. There will be Alphas from all over the state there tonight."

It's every mother's dream for their daughter to be mated with a powerful Alpha and this dream certainly hasn't skipped my own mother. Any chance she gets she tries to ship me off with some Alpha.

I trudge up to my room and tear through my closet trying to find an outfit for tonight. After a little digging and lots of rejection I finally find the perfect fit. It's a royal blue dress that comes to my knees and hugs all my curves just right. I curl my hair and do a light version of smoky eyes for my makeup. I pull the dress on and look myself over in the mirror.

Perfect, I tell myself with a smirk.

I walk down the stairs and am greeted by my father holding the keys to his Ford Focus and my mother smoothing out her dress.

"Finally! Let's go we're going to be late!" My mother tells me as she looks up.

My parents walk out the door arm in arm and I take a deep breath before following them out to the car.