The Alpha's Broken Daughter

CHAPTER 1

I hate my hair, and I hate my eye color, and I hate everything about me. I stare at my reflection like if I look long enough something will change, and it doesn’t, and it never does, and I don’t know why I thought tonight would be any different.

Why am I even doing this?

Even if I do find my mate tonight, he’ll probably take one look at me and reject me on the spot, and honestly that would just be perfect, wouldn’t it? Public humiliation, right in front of everyone, and my Alpha father standing there watching it happen.

He’d love that. He already wants me gone, and he’s just waiting for the moment he can marry me off so I stop being his problem, and then he can finally hand everything over to my older brother.

I don’t even know why he hasn’t done it already. Nothing he does ever makes sense to anyone but himself.

My stomach twists and I grip the edge of the vanity, and I lean in closer to the mirror, and all I can see are flaws.

What if my mate is a loser? What if he’s worse than that? What if he’s just another version of my father?

“Summer.”

My mother’s voice cuts through my thoughts, soft and warm, and she knocks lightly before opening the door.

“Yeah,” I call back, and she steps inside, and then she stops.

She just stands there for a second, her hand covering her mouth, and I know she’s looking at me.

“You look so beautiful.”

She says it like she means it, and I almost believe her, but I shake my head and reach for my makeup again.

“No, I don’t.”

I try to fix it, whatever it is, and I start adding more, and she crosses the room quickly and grabs my hands before I can.

“You don’t need any more.” She says softly, and she lowers my hands gently. “You look gorgeous. Believe me.”

I swallow, and I don’t argue, but I don’t agree either.

“Do I really have to go to this?”

“It’s a right of passage.” She says, like that makes it better. “Everyone goes when they turn eighteen, and your brother will be there.”

“Yeah.” I mutter. “Only because he still hasn’t found his mate.”

Ryker is twenty-two and he’s been going to these stupid balls for years and every time he comes home alone. Lucky him.

My mother glances at the clock and I follow her gaze and I feel something sink in my chest. For once, I don’t want time to move forward. I want it to stop.

But it doesn’t and it never does. Before I can say anything else she’s already guiding me out of the room and into the hallway.

The heels are torture and I barely make it down the first set of stairs without stumbling, and there are still two more flights to go.

By the time we reach the bottom, my feet are already aching, and I want to take them off, but I don’t.

My father is standing there, dressed perfectly like always, adjusting Ryker’s tie like it actually matters.

“You look absolutely handsome.” He says, stepping back to admire him. “No girl will be able to keep their hands off you tonight.”

Ryker gives a small shrug. “I don’t know about that. I haven’t had much luck so far.”

My mother clears her throat, and both of them turn. My father looks at me, and his expression drops instantly.

“Really?” He says as his voice was already irritated. “That’s what you’re wearing?”

I freeze for half a second. “What’s wrong with it?”

“White has never been your color.” He snaps. “I’ve told you that before. Why do you do this? Are you trying to embarrass me?”

“After tonight, everyone is going to know you’re my daughter.” He continues, pinching the bridge of his nose. “And I’m the one who has to hear about how you showed up looking like that. I don’t know what the hell I’m going to do with you.”

“What are you talking about?” Ryker cuts in. “She looks beautiful.”

“She looks like a tramp.”

“How can you say that?” My mother snaps. “She looks gorgeous. Any man would be lucky to have her.”

My father ignores her and steps closer to me.

“What’s with the hair?” He asks, flicking the loose strands around my face. “Why do you have these hanging down?”

I push his hand away. “It’s a look. It shapes my face.”

“Well, I hate it.” He says flatly. “Pin it up.”

“No.”

The word comes out before I can stop it and everything goes still. He turns his head slowly and before I can react his hand connects with my face.

The sound is sharp and the sting follows instantly.

“Dad!” Ryker shouts.

“Everett!” My mother yells.

“Don’t ever say no to me again.” He growls.

My cheek burns and I feel it spreading, but I don’t touch it. I don’t give him that. I lift my head slowly, and I meet his eyes, and I just stare at him.

I don’t say anything. I don’t move. I just stare.

“I can’t believe you just did that.” My mother says, her voice shaking.

He turns on her with a low growl and she flinches, but I reach out and grab her arm gently, and I shake my head.

“Would it hurt you to encourage her?” She asks. “Just once?”

“What’s the point?” He snaps. “She’s never going to find a mate and even if she does, he’ll reject her the second he sees her. No one is going to want to take her home.”

“Dad.” Ryker says, his voice tight. “Why can’t you just say one nice thing?”

“How the hell do you know it won’t kill me?” He mutters turning back to the mirror.

I look at him. Really look at him and all I can see is someone who cares more about how he looks than anything else.

I’ve always known what he is. I’ve just learned to survive it. A knock interrupts the moment, and he goes to answer it, and the driver is waiting outside.

I grab my clutch and Ryker places a steady hand against my back, and he guides me outside.

The night air hits my skin, and it feels cold and sharp, and I breathe it in like it might steady me.

My parents follow behind us, and my father is already back to praising Ryker, like nothing happened.

“This is your year.” He says. “I can feel it.”

I glance at him and he scowls at me again. My mother elbows him and he looks away.

“Good luck, Summer.” He says with a scoff. “You’re going to need it.”

I’ve stopped trying to understand why he hates me. But I remember the moment I stopped questioning it.

The girls. The ones he dragged through the house. The ones he locked away. The ones no one talked about. I remember everything.

Just as Ryker and I reach the car my father steps forward again.

“Make sure you say hello to Alpha James tonight.” He says casually. “He’s very excited to see you.”

Everything inside me locks up and I stop moving. I know he sees it and I know he enjoys it.

My mother’s face goes pales and Ryker grabs my arm quickly and pulls me forward, guiding me into the limousine.

I can’t think and I can’t breathe. Alpha James. Why is he going to be there? He never comes. Not once. Not ever.

Unless Dad set this up. The nausea hits hard and I press my hand to my stomach, trying to hold it together.

Ryker is talking to me and trying to calm me down but I can’t hear him properly.

I know what Alpha James is like. I’ve known for years. Since I was thirteen. Since the first time he touched me.

I squeeze my eyes shut, and my chest tightens painfully. Ryker will try to protect me. I know he will. But if Alpha James is there…

Who’s going to stop him? Who’s going to help me? Or am I going to be on my own? Because I know exactly what he’s capable of. And I know exactly what he wants.

And I won’t let him take that from me. I won’t. Even if I have to fight him. Even if I have to run. Even if no one helps me at all.