The Young Alpha

The slap came out of nowhere. I flinched and swallowed a whimper as pain radiated through my battered body. One minute I was eating breakfast, the next, my mother screeched at me over a puddle in the storage room she claimed I refused to clean up. I’d been trying to inform them about the leak, but I only received punishment for speaking out of place.

The last time it rained, I placed a bucket to catch the water, but my father tripped over it and beat me. Now my mother screamed I didn’t mop properly and left standing water, ruining the floors of their beautiful home. I’d opened my mouth to explain what happened and received a slap before I could utter a single word. I should have known better; no back talk allowed in this household. Next my mother screeched about me being an ungrateful, petulant child, and how much she had to put up with raising me.

I guess I felt brave today because I tried once again to explain myself and received another slap across my face. There was no use anymore. No hope for anything to get better. I curled in on myself, holding back another whimper, and tried to numb myself. I turn seventeen in two days, and for seventeen years nothing had changed. My brother, Tanner, would always be the golden boy and I would always be the disgrace—the screw up—even though we’re twins. He received all the praise, while I got all the punishment. Nothing had changed and nothing ever would.

Mother continued screeching at me as I stood there silently, but soon enough my father reminded her we had places to be. My family always thought of the social consequences. Even when they flew into a rage, they always made sure to keep any and all marks in places where it could easily be hidden. Especially my father. There was only one reason why I was allowed out on “family outings,” and that was to complete their family image. The dutiful and demure daughter. The shy sibling her outgoing brother could outshine every time.

They sent me back to my room to fix my appearance so I wouldn’t look disheveled. God forbid a hair be out of place when we arrived at the lodge. I meekly obeyed her knowing if anything went wrong while they were trying to make connections in this town, I’d be blamed when we got home. It didn’t matter if I was the cause or not. My role was obvious. I was there to complete the family unit. A show doll they only brought out when needed and hid away when they were done. All I needed to do was sit quietly and look pretty. Not pretty enough to upstage my brother, but enough I didn’t look out of place in a family such as theirs.

Combing through my hair, I checked myself over one last time. Thankfully, the slaps weren’t hard enough to leave much evidence besides a little red. Hopefully by the time the bruise showed, I would be home. The other bruises were covered by my clothes. I debated whether to bring some concealer in case we stayed out long enough for my cheek to show bruising—I would be blamed if I wasn’t presentable at today’s social function—but decided against it. I didn’t have pockets in the modest dress I wore, and I wasn’t allowed to bring a clutch. Maybe I could use my hair to hide the largest part.

I took a deep breath and left my sparse room. My father had a stern look and scrutinized my face as I walked out. He was checking for any evidence from Mother’s discipline. It was plain on his face that he blamed me for my mother’s outburst right before a family outing.

He didn’t like me staring at him too long, so I looked at the floor. He huffed, disgruntled by something I must have done. I shivered as icy fear shot down my spine, but instead of punishing me for whatever bothered him, he strode out of the door. My mother followed with my baby brother in tow, fussing over his hair with his attention glued to the video game in his hands. Tanner shot me a glare, then rolled his eyes but followed after our parents without a word. He always found my antics annoying and time consuming. No doubt I would have to sit and listen to him lecture me about what I did wrong and how it caused us to be late. It didn’t matter we were leaving with plenty of time to socialize before the dinner even began.

Rushing to catch up with everyone, I tried not to jostle too much as I slipped into the car. I was sure I’d receive a lecture on the way, but instead my presence was ignored completely. My mother touched up her makeup as she fussed at my father about the different people they were supposed to rub elbows with. Both of my brothers were immersed in electronics. Tanner was always texting his school friends when he wasn’t flirting with his next conquest. If I so much as looked at a boy, I never heard the end of it, but Tanner didn’t have to worry about that. It wasn’t uncommon for him to bring home a girl whenever my parent’s weren’t home.

The drive to the lodge wasn’t long, but it felt like hours to me. Even with them ignoring me, the air inside the car was heavy and suffocating. But maybe that was because of the shooting pain in my midsection every time we hit a bump or pothole. I almost gasped as the car parked, and I scrambled to get out before I smoothed my dress and trailed after my family. Today was going to be long and boring.

As we neared the main building, my heart beat faster and it felt like something lodged in my throat. There were people conversing just outside and a glimpse inside showed the crowd I was expected to perform for without completely losing it. I slowed enough that my mother turned to glare at me. I gulped. What was more terrifying? My mother’s wrath or the panic-inducing crowd inside? I took a steadying breath and shoved the panic down. I had to get through this.

While I plastered a smile on my face, my parents exchanged pleasantries with the various important people in the large room. I was expected to acknowledge each one who showed interest in me, even if my brothers were in their own little world and couldn’t be bothered. I had a role to play, and if I didn’t play it to perfection, I would definitely receive a beating when I got home. Mother’s discipline this morning would be nothing compared to what I’d receive from my father if his image was even slightly marred today.

The panic kept trying to surface no matter how many times I shoved it away. The noise of the crowd heightened and drowned out the platitudes offered by my parents to anyone with any social standing. The faces of the many people around me blurred together. On the verge of losing it, we finally arrived at our table and took our seats. My act still wasn’t over, but at least I didn’t have to worry about my legs giving out. My hand trembled as I reached for the glass of water in front of me.

I’d barely taken a sip before my mother’s glare dragged me out of my chair. Someone very important must have arrived when I wasn’t paying attention. Sure enough, a couple about the same age as my parents shook hands with them.

“It’s a pleasure to see you, Mr. Barrett, Mrs. Barrett, I would like to introduce my wife and family.” My father flashed a smile as he showed off his perfect little family by tugging my mother against his side. “My wife, Nora, and my two sons, Tanner and Will, along with my daughter, Crista.” He pointed to me almost as an afterthought.

The couple in question turned to each of us and nodded their heads, each with a brilliant smile. “The pleasure is all ours, Mr. Pickett. I was looking forward to meeting your family since you had nothing but praise for them. Although you didn’t mention a daughter.” Mr. Barrett glanced in my direction briefly with an unreadable expression. Clenching my hands together behind my back, I prayed he wouldn’t linger any further. I didn’t need any extra attention especially from someone important. I could tell that by the way my parent’s fawned over them.

His gaze on me burned with scrutiny, and I silently held my breath, hoping he would ignore me like everyone did. Once they found me boring, most people turned to more interesting things, such as my outgoing brother. Finally his focus shifted as my father opened his mouth to respond.

Mr. Barrett cut him off, redirecting the conversation. “I’ll have to introduce my daughter at a later time as she seems to have disappeared.” He chuckled before motioning to a young man next to his wife. “This is my son, Alex.”

My eyes darted over to catch a glimpse of this Alex. He was taller than Tanner and definitely broader in his shoulders. He wore a white dress shirt with black slacks, and his sandy blond hair was smoothed back in a tidy fashion. The air about him was fierce and intimidating, however what startled me most were his eyes. His fierce blue eyes were locked on mine and never left, even when my father tried to direct his attention to my brother. I thought his father’s scrutinizing stare was uncomfortable, this stare bore into my soul and pricked at places that sent cold shivers down my spine. Even when I stepped back and hid behind my mother, his eyes followed me intently, though I caught a slight pucker between his brows as if he was displeased by my actions.

Unfortunately for me, the Barretts proceeded to sit at our table, and the entire time that boy’s eyes never left. His stare made me squirm in my seat. I tried to avoid his captivating gaze, but his piercing blue eyes took every chance to lock with mine, holding on as if his life depended on it. But every time I ducked away, a grimace flashed across his face.

Ten minutes into the dinner and I couldn’t take it anymore. I felt like the entire room completely fixated on me, and things were not going how my parents had planned. It didn’t matter that the Barretts saw fit to sit with us instead of anyone else in this banquet hall. It didn’t matter, because they were too focused on me and that would mean punishment later. The one thing I wasn’t supposed to do was outshine my perfect brother and here I drew all the attention. I glanced at my mother and father, but found them engaged with the Barretts to the point where they didn’t notice me at all, which was unusual. My mother usually sent side glares my way, but Mr. Barrett was superb at holding the conversation. However, no matter what Tanner did, the boy named Alex never acknowledged him.

A lull in the conversation gave me the perfect opportunity to excuse myself to use the restroom. My parents were too focused on their important conversation to pay any attention. This was my chance to get away from the piercing gaze of the Barrett’s son, and I took it. Exiting the banquet hall, I headed for the bathrooms. I told myself I should check my cheek in the mirror but hesitated right outside. An exit sign caught my attention. I stared blankly at it as something inside snapped.

Out of nowhere a crazy idea struck me. Why stay here? Why put up with this? What if I didn’t get caught? What if I just kept going? They were already preoccupied and wouldn’t miss me for half an hour at least, maybe longer if I didn’t make a scene. Something inside pushed me forward. My legs moved on their own as I exited the building completely and kept walking. I passed the parking lot, then one, two, three blocks. The further I went, the more desperate I became.

Laboring to breathe, I winced as the shooting pain returned, now that the adrenaline had worn off. If I could just get far enough away and hide in some abandoned building, it would be good enough for me.

Slowing my pace, I looked at my surroundings for a decent building to duck into. That’s when I realized I’d headed straight for downtown by accident. I was on an empty street, thankfully, but the only way to go was toward people or back the way I’d come. As I tried to work out what I could do, a police siren spooked me, and I ducked into a dead end alley with only one dumpster.

I berated myself that I had no other plan than just leaving. What if they were looking for me already? They didn’t notice me unless I made a mistake or they needed to use me for their benefit. I doubted they even bothered listening to me when I excused myself to use the restroom. Still, I couldn’t be caught this soon. If they caught me, I would be beaten severely. I wouldn’t survive another beating so soon. I was still healing from the one the other night.

When the siren faded, I let out a breath and proceeded back onto the street. I had no other choice than to keep going. I hoped I could find a decent place to hide, even for a couple of hours. But my hopes were dashed as I rounded a corner and saw a group of women in scrubs heading toward me. I froze on the spot, wincing at the sudden stop shooting pain through my lungs.

The women glanced my way, and a particularly disgruntled looking redhead eyed me with suspicion. “What’s a young thing like you doing out and about by herself?” She drawled accusingly.

The sneer on her face made my heart rate spike. I cringed away as she stepped forward, confident she caught me up to no good. I tried to step back, but rammed into something behind me. Another lightning bolt of pain shot through and I squeezed my eyes shut as a hand landed on my shoulder.

“She’s with me,” an unfamiliar voice growled out.