Addicted to the Hatred Mate

The art of oral pleasure.

I stare dumbly at the words for almost ten seconds straight. May be more but I'm not counting. When I went in search of Alexander and found this book - face down - on his bed, I didn't think. I just grabbed it, desperate to entertain myself with something.

A grin breaks out on my face as I read the words once more. He's definitely not gonna live this down, that's for sure. I inhale smoke from the dying embers of the cigarette dangling from my mouth before tossing it away. It tumbles and disappears over the roof. As it does, all the emotions I've deliberately been keeping at bay, come flooding back.

Get ready for Arthur, Layla.

My right leg bounces sporadically. Soon, my left leg joins in, and they both make tap-tap noises, momentarily distracting me from the situation at hand. I grip my hair and pull, relishing the delicious pain which rips through my skull.

Whether you or anyone likes it or not, it's gonna happen.

I jump up, startling a bird which had been inching toward me. I watch as it takes flight, cawing away. "Sorry, buddy, but I'm not in the mood to make new friends." 

I walk to the edge of the roof - as close as I can get without falling - and glance down. Twilight has just set in. A few guards walk around the premises. Soon, some of them will leave for their night patrol along the territory borders, including Father.

I can't wait.

I've made up my mind to sneak out to the woods and enjoy some alone time. I roll my eyes and let out a soft laugh. Sure, I'm alone right now but still surrounded by pack members dotted around the house. It's either Alexander, Father's beta, Father once again. People are always crowding around, taking orders from Father, or dishing out ideas on how to make the pack stronger.

I'm over it.

You can't get out of this one, Layla.

A tear slides down my cheek and I wipe it away forcefully. I won't do it. I won't please Father, the pack, or anyone else at that. I get to make my own decisions. A certain calm washes over me as I stare at the woods. Ominous as well as inviting. A juxtaposition of sorts. I've always had a love-hate relationship with the woods. Hate, because of all the stories I've heard about rogues who live deep inside it. I need an escape from my present predicament so right now, that hatred is leaning toward love.

I slide down the roof and slip, unnoticed, through my window and into my bedroom. The smell of food wafts into my nostrils the moment I step inside. A covered plate of food is on my bedside table. My stomach growls loudly, reminding me I haven't fed it since breakfast. What a shame all of it will got to waste because even if it smells heavenly, my appetite is doing a no-show.

A knock sounds off on the door, making me tense up. I know what's coming but I can't bring myself to answer. Another knock, this one more persistent, sees me releasing a sigh and walking forward to open it. I take in the person standing at the entrance. "Yes, Alvin." My tone is curt. Clipped.

He looks at me wide eyed. "Y. . your father requests your presence."

I nod and wait for him to leave but he just stares at me like I've grown a second head. "What?"

He shakes his head and his gaze falls to the ground. "I'll just go."

"Oh, you don't have to. Keep standing and staring." My words are coated with a false sweetness that has him staring at me with furrowed brows.

Without another word, he backs away and walks off. My eyes bounce around the room looking for a distraction. Knowing I can't put off the inevitable for long, I square my shoulders, paste a smirk on my face, and walk out of my room. Father is eating when I step into the dining room. From the set of his shoulders, I know whatever he has to tell me isn't going to be to my liking.

"Sit." He says, without looking up.

At first, I want to object, but one look at his curled fist sees me walking to the chair beside his and slumping into it. Hopefully, someone will interrupt us and end this situation for me. Even as the thought flashes, like a neon sign in my head, I know it won't happen for two reasons. No one interrupts the Alpha and lives to see the other day. Secondly, our quarters are cordoned off from the main pack. With a heavy sigh, my eyes make their way back to him.