Mika
I could hardly believe what I was hearing; Alpha Max, the same guy who had watched in silence as his brothers and his girlfriend, Alexa, relentlessly teased and tormented me, now wanted to walk me home.
Considering the history I had with him and his friends, it felt surreal to be in this position. A mix of disbelief and apprehension washed over me. I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to his sudden interest in my safety than just a simple act of kindness.
What if his brothers were lying in wait, ready to ambush me on my way home? The thought sent a shiver down my spine, intensifying my unease as I weighed the danger against the oddity of his request.
"Thank you, Alpha Max, but I assure you, I can make it home alone without any trouble," I replied, sounding more confident than I felt. The Alphas had plenty on their plates, and I didn’t want to impose on their time just for a walk.
Malcolm, standing with an earnest look on his face, shook his head. "Don't worry about it, Mika; it's already quite late, and it's not safe for you to walk home alone," he insisted, his tone firm yet kind.
Max and Malcolm exchanged glances before they nodded in agreement, clearly determined to accompany me. I took a deep breath, feeling a mix of gratitude and unease. As we stepped into the cool night air, I whispered a silent prayer to the Moon Goddess, hoping she would protect me on this journey home.
I was taken aback that Mark and Mathew didn’t tease Max and Malcolm for their chivalry, wanting to walk me home. Usually, the two of them found any opportunity for playful ribbing, but tonight, they seemed unusually subdued.
I brushed aside the thought, focusing instead on the quiet rhythm of our footsteps echoing on the pavement. The evening air was cool, wrapping around us like a gentle cloak as we walked through the dimly lit street.
As we approached my house, a sudden and unwelcome sight met my eyes. My father stumbled into view on the porch, his movements unsteady and erratic, a clear sign of his drunken state.
He swayed slightly, trying to navigate the steps leading to our entrance, his hands gripping the railing for support. A wave of embarrassment washed over me, intensifying when I realized the Alphas were here to witness this unfortunate scene.
The tension in the air shifted, and I could feel my cheeks flush with humiliation, wishing desperately for the ground to swallow me whole as I watched my father struggle to climb the stairs. The moment felt heavy with the weight of their judgment, and I silently hoped they would overlook this side of my life.
As we approached my house, my father caught sight of us, and his face darkened with anger. “You good-for-nothing daughter!” he bellowed, his voice cutting through the cool evening air like a knife. “What are you doing out so late? You’re supposed to be home with my dinner already prepared!”
His words were laced with venom, and his eyes glinted with resentment. “I suppose you were too busy whoring around with those two men to care about your responsibilities,” he accused, his tone dripping with disdain. The bite in his voice echoed in my ears, filling me with shame and defiance as I stood there, vulnerable in the face of his fury.
Feeling the moment's weight, I lowered my head, my heart heavy with gratitude and apprehension. As I turned to the Alpha, I sincerely thanked them, appreciating their presence and support on this journey home. With a deep breath, I strode toward my father, the distance narrowing between us with each hesitant step.
But as soon as I reached him, everything changed. Without warning, he unleashed a decisive blow to my face, the sting of his palm shocking and sharp. I stumbled backward, the force of the strike sending me crashing to the ground.
Pain radiated from my cheek, a burning sensation that demanded my attention. Cradling my face in my hand, I tried to soothe the throbbing ache, but the sting of betrayal cut more profound than the physical pain.
With my heart pounding, I braced myself for the inevitable blow. My father loomed over me, his hand clenched into a fist, and I squeezed my eyes shut, the anticipation of pain coursing through me. I waited in that heavy silence, my breath shallow, expecting the sting of his anger to hit me. But instead, a tense stillness enveloped the room, and when I finally dared to open my eyes, a shocking sight met my gaze.
Alpha Max and Malcolm stepped forward with unwavering determination, their strong figures forming a protective barrier between my father and me. They gripped my father’s arms, holding him back with a force that seemed to contain the fury bubbling inside him.
Alpha Max’s voice rang out, firm yet authoritative, “You will not harm Mika again. You will be banished from this pack if we discover you have.” His words held so much power, a powerful declaration that resonated through the night's air.
Malcolm extended a solid hand to help me up from the cold, hard ground, his grip reassuring as I regained my footing. I glanced over and caught a glimpse of my father's face, his expression frozen in shock as his eyes darted between
Alpha Max and Malcolm have silent communication. "Forgive me, Alphas," he stammered, his voice trembling slightly, "I didn’t recognize you; the darkness made it impossible to see clearly."
The Alpha carefully assessed my condition, ensuring I was unharmed. Satisfied that I was all right, they turned and strode away, leaving me with the palpable tension of the moment still lingering between my father and me.
As soon as the Alphas disappeared from view, my father’s hand shot out, gripping my arm with a force that made me cringe. His eyes burned with anger, sending a chill down my spine.
"How dare you betray me by telling the Alpha about what happens in our home," he spat, his voice low and seething. "You are my daughter, and it is my right to discipline you as I see fit, not anyone else's!"
The weight of his words hung heavily in the air, a stark reminder of the power dynamics that defined our lives. I could feel the tension crackling between us, and for a moment, the world outside faded away, leaving only the storm brewing within our small, dimly lit house.
A week I had slipped by since that fateful day, which had stirred unease among the Alphas. They had warned my father, their voices laced with concern, but their caution only seemed to ignite a fire within him. In his eyes, I had become a source of shame, a reminder of something I could not fully understand.
Each day that followed felt like a relentless cycle of dread. My father’s punishments grew harsher, sharp, and unforgiving. He was meticulous, ensuring the bruises he left were hidden beneath layers of fabric, concealed from the prying eyes of the world. I endured the pain in silence, carrying the weight of his fury deep within me, aware that my suffering was invisible yet unyielding.
With the Alpha quadruplet's birthday rapidly approaching in just a week, I was engulfed in the whirlwind of party preparations. Although it was a hectic endeavor, I secretly welcomed the distraction, as it allowed me to steer clear of Alpha Max and Malcolm.
My heart raced with anxiety at the thought of them learning that my father had disregarded their stern warning. This act had not only put me in a precarious position but had seemingly intensified my troubles. Each time I encountered them, I hid away to avoid them asking me any uncomfortable questions that would lead me into even more trouble.