The Alpha and the Mistake novel Chapter 2

Dean (Ryder)

School, I can't believe I am going back to school. Again. I hated it the first time around. Frustrated, I ran a hand through my hair. Taking the place of my younger brother, Dean, in this whole peace treaty sucked. It's for the pack, I reminded myself. Also, for Aunt Helena, and everyone else suffering under my uncle's cruel rule. I scowled and walked inside.

"And it gets better," I mumbled when I saw how packed the office was. I nudged past two girls giggling in an annoying high pitch only fifteen-year-olds seem to have. I waited for my turn. The stench of sweat, fruity perfume, and musky cologne made my nose burn. Finally, I had the schedule, though my eyes were burning. It's for the pack. Good alphas sacrificed for their pack. This would be my first.

Outside the office, I breathed again. I looked at the schedule and groaned. English? I hated English. What was the point? I mean really? With another sigh, I waded through the halls, only to stop a second later. The most amazing scent hit me - a musky lavender. It wrapped around me like a warm blanket on a cold day. Instinct kicked in, and I knew what it meant — my mate! Screw English class, screw school, screw everything, I had to find her. I followed the scent like a starving cat you see in the cartoons.

Something happened, and her scent changed to burnt lavender. It ended at a crowd of kids encircling my cousin Mike. Typical, some poor soul stuck at suffering his usual bullying. Mike was a mirror of Uncle Ryan. He often bragged about who and how he humiliated like it was a great accomplishment. Someday I could show him exactly what I thought of his favorite hobby, but now I had to find my mate.

"Of course, it was a mistake. Everything about you is a mistake," Mike said, catching my attention.

"What's going on?" I noticed he's holding a human girl by the back of her neck. Her reddish-brown hair covered her face as she stood limply in his grip. Mike turned to face me with a grin, sending chills down my spine.

"Hey, Dean!" Mike pulled the girl around with him and the world stopped.

This girl my cousin jerked around like a rag doll, was my mate. The pull I felt intensified as our eyes met - hers a green, brown hazel. They held a willful gleam, betraying the passiveness in her posture. I could tell she wasn't one to be beaten easily not that Mike wasn't trying. My eyes drifted to where Mike held her. Skin red, no doubt she'd bruise from how tight he was squeezing her.

Everything turned red, my hands and jaw clenched. God, I wanted to rip into him, tear his hands off of her. I'd promise her he'd never touch her again. My ire went cold, doused by a chilly realization. I couldn't help her, not if I wanted to help Dad, my pack, and the people here. If I stepped in now and claimed her as mine, neither Mike nor Uncle Ryan would ever let me in. I'd lose the chance to get the evidence Dad needed to prove my uncle was dangerous.

Pain stabbed at my chest, squeezing my heart, as I watched Mike smirk that cruel, smug smirk of his. "I'm just making sure little Missy Mistake here doesn't forget her place. This is Dean, Missy; he's a guest of my father. Why don't you say hi?"

The fist around my heart tightened as some of the light drained from her eyes and they dropped to the floor. "Welcome, Sir."

"No. That won't do, get on your knees and say it."

Was he out of his mind? What the hell? She looked at me then to Mike, disgust, and horror in her eyes. My mate shook her head and refused. Pride warmed me, but her defiance only pissed off Mike. He hit her hard in the stomach, knocking her to her knees. I jerked as if it'd been me he hit.

"Don't you dare ever tell me you won't again."

I stepped forward, almost charging him. How dare he treat her like that? I clenched my fist tight, forcing myself to stay in control.

"Now apologize," Mike insisted.

This time, without hesitation, she apologized and sour bile filled my mouth. Mike laughed, pushing her further to the floor. "See Dean, I know how to train humans, eh?" He waved for me to follow, laughing. I didn't want to go but stay with my mate. I hesitated for a moment before following my cousin, hating myself. The only silver lining was that once I finished, I'd take my mate out of here and away from Mike.

"So what's with the pathetic human?" I had no trouble to sounding disgusted.

A nasty sneer crossed my cousin's lips as we walked along the hall. "Missy is the stepdaughter of our beta. He's stupid enough to be crazy for his human mate. Can you believe it? What is worse than a human? If that wasn't bad enough, he not only lets Missy lives with them, but she knows what we are. Dad freaked when he heard about it.

He wanted to take her out, but the beta pulled the whole she's now part of his family thus under his protection crap. Dad can't touch her or he'll lose the beta. I can though and I make sure she knows she's nothing more than a disgrace to the beta, even if he doesn't realize it. She's nothing, but a dirty mistake."

"What a loser." At this point, I didn't know who I hated more — Uncle Ryan or Mike. I wanted to hurt them both, and show them the only mistake here was them. My wolf howled for their blood, but we'd have to wait. I took a deep breath and pretended to listen to Mike. I'd have to call Dad later. If Mike tried to hurt my mate again, I didn't know what I would do. "See ya, man. I got to get to class."