The Alpha I Hate: Orion Nightshade

"Smile, Aurora," my best friend, Chloe whispered into my ears, squeezing my hand to calm me down. But it felt as if she was squeezing my heart instead. I was trying so hard to hold in my tears as they were threatening to escape my eyes.

I knew this day was coming; I had been preparing for it, but it seemed too soon. The scene in front of me is the most hurtful thing that I have ever witnessed.

The man I was secretly in love with had found his mate, and she wasn't just anyone. She was my sister. My twin sister, Elara. And of all days, he chose our birthday to announce Elara as his mate, in front of the whole freaking pack. Our birthday, but she was the only one being celebrated while I sat here in the crowd, looking almost invisible.

As if announcing her as his mate and future Luna wasn't enough, my breath caught in my throat as I watched them share the most intense kiss ever. The pack members cheered and clapped for them.

I should be used to this. This isn't my first time seeing them kiss or make out, but every time, the pain is fresh. Ever since our family moved to the Ravenclaw pack five years ago, I have had the biggest crush on Alpha Orion Nightshade.

I prayed to the moon goddess day and night that Orion would be my mate. I tried so hard to get his attention, but he never noticed me. Instead, he went after my twin sister. With her stunning smile and revealing dresses, she easily captures everyone's attention. Meanwhile, I was stuck behind my thick glasses, struggling just to get a look from him or from anyone, at least. I felt invisible, watching from the sidelines as she effortlessly stole the spotlight.

"If someone sees you like this, they are going to think you don't wish well for your twin and the Alpha, they'll take it as a bad sign," Chloe whispered to me again.

She makes it sound so easy. The Alpha in question is her older brother. Chloe has been my best friend since we moved to their pack. "It hurts like hell," I muttered, taking off my glasses to clean off the tears that were threatening to escape.

"It's just a crush, Aurora, I'm sure you'll be over it in no time." I have had a crush on Orion for five years since the day I set my eyes on him; the crush developed into one-sided, unrequited love.

"Come, let's go congratulate them." Without waiting for me to answer, she dragged me by the hand until we were standing beside the couple, my parents and every important member of the pack.

Orion's eyes were glued to Elara, a look of pure adoration on his face. His hand cradled her waist like she was made of glass, there was a softness in his gaze, the kind you see when someone is lost in love.

I stood there, feeling every inch of my heartache, watching as he treated her like she was the most precious thing in his world. It was the way he looked at her, as if no one else existed, as if she was all he could see.

Chloe had blended in perfectly with the crowd, smiling and laughing. She belonged there. Me? I was on the outside, always the outsider. My parents didn't even notice I was gone. They never did. I needed an escape.

I walked out of the party and into the mansion, clutching my chest, feeling a sharp pain in my chest. What used to be jealousy had turned into something far worse, like a knife twisting in my heart with every step I took. My vision blurred, but I forced myself forward, desperate for air, for space, anything to ease the crushing weight that was suffocating me.

I reached the pack house, my breath ragged as I leaned against the doorframe.

Just as I managed to steady my breathing, I heard a voice behind me.

"Aurora, are you okay?"

It was my twin. Of course, she found me, even here. I wasn't sure if I was relieved or if it made the pain worse.

I forced a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. I just needed some water."

She looked at me weirdly, "You know you didn't have to come in here to get water." That was true. How do I tell her that I ran away because I couldn't endure the pain of watching her and Orion together, loving themselves? The thought of it made me feel like I was a witch.

"You are happy for me right?" She asked and I suddenly felt guilty. She is my twin; for goodness sake, I should be happy for her and not run away from our party.

More like her party because she was the only celebrant. They brought in one cake with only her name on it. Everyone I love was only looking at her, giving her all the attention. Chloe was the only one who wished me a happy birthday. To others, I was an invisible mutt, always have been, and probably always will be.

"Of course, I'm happy for you. You finally found your mate."

"I know, right? Who would have thought that Alpha Orion of the Ravenclaw Pack would end up being my second chance mate." She was sounding too ecstatic. Elara's mate died when she was sixteen. According to her, she felt something snap in her heart, and she knew he was dead. She never got to meet him. I never found my mate, and my parents think that there's something wrong with me.

I could only imagine the feeling; Orion was five years older than us, and today was our twentieth birthday. He was the most powerful Alpha in North America and he was feared by many. Let's not talk about how he looks like a god. Being his mate was something every female wolf dreamed of.

I adjusted my glasses. "I'm really happy for you sis." I was truly happy for her but I was hurting.

When I saw Orion for the very first time, I instantly developed feelings for him. The first person I told about it was Elara and she told me to take my eyes off him because I wasn't his type and he was way above our league. I was surprised when, two years ago, on our eighteenth birthday, they declared they were in love.

"Come, let's get you something to drink."

"I don't drink and you know that," I protested.

"Nonsense. There is always a first time for everything." An Omega approached us with a wine tray. Elara gave me a glass of wine, and I took a sip. It didn't taste as bad as I imagined. I took another sip and another until I finished the content in my glass. She took my empty glass and shoved another one in my hand, I downed the content in one gulp. My head was starting to feel light but I didn't mind. Anything to numb and forget the pain in my heart.

A maid called on her attention, whispering something in her ears and she handed me the other glass. "Please, can you give this drink to Orion in his room? I want to get something outside, I'll be right back." She walked out with the maid.

I shook my head as my vision suddenly became blurry. I dropped my empty glass on an empty table, holding the filled glass tightly as I climbed the stairs. I adjusted my glasses to see better, but it didn't help; I felt different.

I knocked on Orion's door, my hand shaking so badly I could barely keep it steady. When the door swung open, I found myself face to face with him, his eyes a little unfocused, like he'd had too much to drink. My body trembled as he grabbed my waist, pulling me inside the room with a firm grip. My heart pounded so hard I could feel it in my throat, I had never been this close to him before. The room was dim and I could barely make out his handsome face.

He took the glass from me, drinking the entire content and flinging the glass away as it shattered on the floor. "I fucking missed you," he slurred, before crashing his lips against mine, the kiss blowing my senses apart. Every thought, every sound, vanished as his lips devoured mine, leaving nothing but the wild heat between us.

"Orion."

"You are fucking perfect." His hand fondled my body as he took off my clothes. I tried to stop him but my body felt too weak.

Everything felt so wrong and I felt trapped.