My Centuria Alpha

Everly

“EVERLY, YOU WILL BE LATE FOR YOUR WEDDING!” my stepmother yelled uncontrollably.

“BIANCA EVERLY JENNINGS!” she continued yelling.

The engine thundered beneath me as I slammed the gas pedal. Grinning, I shot my stepmother a wave, her face flushed with fury. Deciding to tease her further, I slammed the door shut.

“Tell her she can go and fucking get ready. I don’t need her around me,” I ordered at one of the security guards who stood close. His eyebrow raised under his thick Aviator sunglasses.

I floored the gas and sped away, laughter bubbling up as my stepmother’s shouts faded in the rearview mirror. Honestly, she needs a distraction. Sure, she’s family, but she’s a pain, and we’re hardly close.

Gripping the steering wheel, I make a turn and speed up the highway.

Sunlight kissed my ivory skin as I weaved down the endless highway in my latest obsession—a Lamborghini Urus, fresh from my showroom.

Dad gifted me this rare beauty for my wedding. It’s an incredible present, but I already plan to sell it. I appreciate the gesture, truly, but my heart is set on other plans. Just like every car I manage to claim.

Maybe it sounds like I’m chasing money, but that’s the last thing on my mind. As California’s top luxury car dealer, I crave recognition, not riches.

Living in a society where werewolves and humans coexist is hard. Not only because we have to keep our race a secret, but because, as a hybrid, I am judged.

Yes, assume because I’m different. Other wolves see me differently, as they should, while my wolf Ivy ignores them. But for now, the worst is that I broke another rule by marrying a human and someone who isn’t my mate.

Yes, Jonathan London Smith, the owner of the top ten petroleum companies and my college love.

Jonathan and I have been together for the past six years. Reason? I still haven’t found my mate; I don’t even think I have one.

I have passed the age where you get your mate. I’m twenty-eight and have no mate. I have traveled enough to know there is no one out there for me. So Jonathan proposed to me a year ago, and today was our wedding day.

Yet, I was riding my new car on the highway when I should be getting ready in reality.

My eyes drifted towards the dashboard.

I still had three more hours before my wedding, enough time to ride this beauty around the city. Stopping by the red lights, my eyes motioned to the side. The latest Cadillac Escalade Platinum stood next to mine. Slowly, I raised the rim of my Gucci sunglasses, pulling them down slightly.

Isn’t this the car I recently sold?

Amazed to see one of my cars, I smiled. Two weeks ago, I sold a black Cadillac Escalade to a client. His name was anonymous, so I’m still unaware who the buyer was. But knowing it’s in excellent hands was enough. Gripping the steering wheel, I honked and parted ways.

“I can’t believe it! You’re so late!” my stepmother repeated for the fifth time in the last ten minutes.

“I’m not late; everyone else is just early.” That was my motto. One I always said a lot, especially when clients became impatient.

Rolling my eyes in defeat, I waited patiently as the security guard opened the door. Then, getting down from my favorite Rolls Royce, I head inside the grand hotel.

Jonathan and I had decided to have our ceremony and reception in one of the top hotels in California.

The Grand Luna’s Hotel. The name was stupid and not to my taste.

All I knew about the rumors was that Luna’s chain hotels belong to an Alpha. Who? I didn’t know, and I didn’t care. For fuck’s sake, I didn’t even know who the Alpha of our pack was.

Life among humans has changed me. With each passing day, I feel less wolf, more human. Clutching my flowing white dress, I stepped into the foyer, nerves suddenly sparking to life.

I forced a bright smile and rushed ahead. We were an hour behind, but isn’t that a bride’s prerogative?

At last, I reached the ceremony hall, my stepmother fussing over my dress. Across the room, reporters hovered like vultures, hungry for scandal.

“There you are!” the cheerful voice of my best friend Tatiana reached my ears. A bright smile and tearful eyes greeted me.

“Don’t start, Tatiana,” I ordered, growling. Instead, Tatiana rolled her eyes and waved her arms in the air as she finally hugged me.

“I can’t help it,” she said, chuckling as a sob left her lips.

I wanted to say I was fine, but the words stuck. Restlessness prickled at my thoughts. My wolf grew uneasy, but why? What was stirring her up now?

“Everly, are you alright?” my best friend asked, but my mind was somewhere else. My wolf whined in my head. What was wrong?

The white double doors creaked as my assistant peeked outside.

My head snapped up. I didn’t have time to waste on stupid feelings. I was about to get married, for Christ’s sake, even if it wasn’t with my mate. I was the happiest of women.

My father approached me while reprimanding me. Kissing him on the cheek, I patted his arm.

“It’s time; let’s not make the guest wait,” I smiled brightly.

But my smile was gone once I reached the front. The bouquet of white roses dropped to the white marble floor as a single tear slid down my face. Gasps became numb as my eyes stayed glued on my fiancé.

“WHAT’S THE MEANING OF THIS, JONATHAN?” my father yelled as a small vein popped on his wrinkled forehead. I could see he was controlling his wolf.

Eyes glued to the front, I started feeling nauseated. Were my eyes deceiving me?

Standing before me was my so-called friend Maxime with an enormous belly and a pregnancy test that said Jonathan was the father. My hands moved to my mouth. My stomach made flips as the cups of scotch I had earlier threatened to escape.

“Everly,” my fiancé whispered, but I raised my hand.

Laughter slipped from my lips. Jonathan looked taken aback by my reaction. Lifting my head, I stared at him.

A guilty look crossed his pale face. That was the confirmation I needed.

Hiccupping a sob, I turned and ran out of the hall. My mouth was covered, and I was embarrassed.

I left the place.

My heart was shredded into pieces. This indescribable pain squeezed on my chest.

I heard my stepmother’s and best friend’s voices as I choked up and burst into tears. How could he betray me like that?

I dashed for the elevator, jabbing the button with shaking hands.

I needed to escape, to shift, to disappear. When the doors slid open, I stumbled inside, tripping over my dress and crashing to my knees. Pain flared, but I barely noticed.

All I wanted was to outrun this heartbreak, this nightmare, this lie.

Huddled in the corner, I tore at my dress, rage burning through me. If he hadn’t been human, I might have ended him right there. Instead, I let my fury simmer.

Reaching the lobby, I stood up, and with my head bowed, I ran out of the elevator. Accidentally, I bumped into someone.

“I’m sorry,” my voice cracked as I apologized. Then, not caring who the person was, I continued running to my car. Thankfully, my guards were still there.

Kicking off my shoes, I bolted down the entrance steps. Curious eyes followed me, of course, everyone wanted a glimpse of the jilted bride who’d just been betrayed.

“OPEN THE DOOR!” I ordered angrily.

I could feel my wolf wanting to shift. The farther I was right now, the better it would be. All I needed was to be far and calm down.

I heard the security guards give out orders. One of them opened the doors. Taking a step, a hand reached for my arm. Pissed, I turned around.

Please don’t tell me it was Jonathan.

My blurry eyes turned to look at the person. A mountain of a man with a worried look stared down at me.

An intoxicating aura caught me off guard. Making me yank my arm from his touch, I backed away.

Tears still slid down my snotty face. Using the back of my hand, I cleaned my face. I would bet my eyes looked like a raccoon. All smudgy and awful.

The man didn’t utter a word. He just stared down at me. His eyes searched for something that I couldn’t understand. What was this stranger even thinking?

“Fuck off,” I ordered and got into the car. Trying to close the door, the man put his enormous yet manicured hand over the door frame.

“What the hell!” I angrily spat.

Not budging, I became annoyed and did what no one would expect. I pulled out my 9mm Winchester Magnum handgun. The cold silver handle felt familiar in my hand. Pointing it to his forehead, the man’s eyes widened.

Low growls reached my ears. Peering behind him, several security guards surrounded him. Their anger was evident on their faces.

My eyes focused back on the man in front of me.

“Now close the fucking door, or I will be sure to fuck your brain.” Then, raising both hands in surrender, he backed away slowly and steadily.

Lowering my gun, he slammed the door. His glare didn’t go unnoticed. Did he really get angry? No one asked him to stop me.

Finally, giving the order to leave, we zoomed into the traffic. My car and three other black SUVs followed behind.

“Where, Ma’am?” my head of security asked. His eyebrows furrowed in worry.

“Let’s head to my house in Santa Barbara,” I whispered, leaning my head on my knees. Then, hugging them tightly, I let a sob out. How could he have done that to me? Didn’t he say he only loved me?

Sinking into despair, I let my tears flow, knowing I’d hate the reflection that awaited me later.