The Alpha and the Mistake novel Chapter 20

"See this isn't so bad," Ryder said, leading me into one of the tables in the cafeteria-style dining room. He only let go of my hand when we sat down with the others. I didn't say anything back. What could I say? He was just so nice and seemed authentic. It all left me so confused. Harry made it seem like I'd lose everything if I stayed, but Ryder was right. He never asked me to stay, not really. It was all so confusing and gave me a headache.

"Hey Brookie," Dean said, waving to me.

Several people from the other tables looked over at ours, and I hunched up. "Hey," I said in a grumble.

"You're really grumpy. Is it that time of the month?" Dean asked.

He did not just ask me that?

Andy groaned, glaring at him. "Dude, seriously. Shut the hell up."

"Typical guy," Kara said, rolling her eyes. "Any time a girl is in a bad mood you guys think it's because of that. Could you be more sexist?"

"I am not," Dean complained. "It was an honest question."

"Maybe I'm like this because I don't like any of you," I told them. The words barely left my mouth before Ryder's lips were on mine. He smirked at me when the kiss was over with an I wasn't kidding look.

Kara aww-ed, smiling at us while Dean made gagging noises."Okay, so that was something I didn't need to see. I might be traumatized." He shuddered for good measure.

"Shut up Dean," Ryder told him, but the smile took any heat out of his words.

"Anyway," Andy said leaning forward with his arms on the table. "I know you like me. Everyone likes me." He nodded, obviously convinced of the truth of his statement.

"It's true, unfortunately," Kara said, rolling her eyes.

"I don't like you," Dean said.

"You don't count." Andy shoved him, making him bump roughly into Beth. She looked irritated at first then laughed lightly giving Dean a little push back towards Andy. Neither of the guys acknowledged her.

"Come on let's get some food before all the good stuff is gone. Need us to get you anything Brookie?"

"Ryder will take care of her," Kara said, standing with the others.

Dean got a sly smile on his face and elbowed Andy in the ribs. "I bet he does." He winked and nudged Andy.

"You're an idiot," Andy said, shaking his head.

"We'll be right back," Ryder told me with a smile, joining the other heading to the food.

As soon as they were more than halfway there Beth sneered at me. "You just think you're so special don't you?"

"No, actually I don't," I replied. Beth rolled her eyes at me. "Beth, I get you don't like me being around, but instead of giving me crap about it, why don't you tell them that you don't want me here."

"Right so I'm the bad guy. I'm not as stupid as you look, Missy! Enjoy it while it lasts because after Ryder has had his fun with you, you'll be back in your place. A stupid, unimportant, waste of space. You deserved to what my brother did to you. You're so pathetic, it would be funny if it weren't so sad."

Beth kept going, but I stopped listening and glared at the tabletop. My hands shook so badly I had to fist them to hide it. She wasn't worth it, just a little person trying to make herself big at the expense of others.

"I guess you're a big of a slut as your mom," Beth said, catching my attention.

I looked up at her. "What did you say?"

"You are a skank, exactly like your Mom."

Something broke inside me and everything I've been hiding away inside me these past years came rushing to the surface. There was nothing I could do to stop it either. I jumped to my feet and slapped her hard. Her eyes widened in shock then she screamed as I climbed up on the table. I tackled her, knocking us both to the ground. "You. Don't. Get. To. Talk. About. My. Mom," I shouted as I punched her, over and over.

"Get off of me, you crazy bitch," she shouted back and kicked me off of her.

I flew through the air, hit a table, bouncing off of it, and crashed to the floor. Pain radiated through my back as I stood. Someone take hold of my arm, but I pushed them away. The pain only fueled my anger. Beth shot me a brief but smug smirk. She wasn't smug when I ran at her again. Eyes wide and mouth open, she looked almost afraid. She should be afraid. I was going to tear off her lips, so I'd never had to see that smirk again.

I grabbed her cheeks, digging my nails into the skin. "Like that? How's that for pathetic? How's that for a waste of space," I yelled over her screaming.

Beth pulled my arms away from her bleeding face and grabbed my hair in one hand, pulling it hard, and the other twisted my arm she still held. She jerked it so hard something popped in my shoulder followed by a fresh wave of pain. Tears swam in my eyes, but I didn't give Beth the pleasure of hearing me cry out.