Forbidden Mate, Bound by Fate

Chapter 2

SYDNEY

I trembled as Alpha Gray's fingers tightened around my neck. His eyes blazed with anger, and I could feel his hot breath on my skin.

I could see the intense fury burning in his eyes as he stared straight at me. I knew I had made a grave mistake by challenging him, and now he was ready to punish me without mercy in front of the entire pack.

"Please," I whispered, my voice shaking. "Let me go, Alpha."

Alpha Gray's grip loosened slightly, but his eyes never left mine. "Apologize," he growled, commanding me. "You'll apologize for your nasty behavior, Sydney."

I closed my eyes and nodded wildly. The gravity of my mistake sank in, making me realize that I had lost my grip on control and challenged Alpha Gray in a moment of sheer recklessness.

"I'm sorry, Alpha," I stammered.

Alpha Gray's face twisted in disgust, but he finally released me. I stumbled backward, holding my neck and gasping for air.

As I turned to flee, I caught sight of Alexis watching us from across the room. Her eyes gleamed with triumph, and I knew she was enjoying every moment of my humiliation.

Even my parents seemed pleased with what was happening. Their faces were filled with satisfaction as they watched Alpha Gray humiliate me. I saw no pity or concern in their eyes as I stood there helplessly.

What else could I possibly expect from my parents?

They were always quick to judge me, eager to disown me and reject me as their own at every little mistake I made. The reason was simple: I was never their favorite child. In their eyes, Alexis was the perfect daughter, the one who brought them honor and fame. They showered her with love, attention, and praise, while I was left in the shadows, constantly reminded that I was somehow less worthy of their love and acceptance.

I made my way back to my table. I couldn't believe that I had made such a stupid mistake when I stood up in front of Alpha Gray.

As I sat down, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was in grave danger. Alpha Gray's anger was still simmering, and I knew he wouldn't hesitate to punish me if I crossed him again.

The music echoed through the crowded room, the beat vibrating beneath my feet. I stood at the edge of the dance floor, holding a glass of champagne as I watched the partygoers laugh and spin to the music.

My father's words still stung, but I was determined to put them behind me and enjoy the night. After all, this was a celebration—my sister Alexis's engagement party. I should be happy for her.

Once again, my eyes landed on Alpha Gray. He was standing beside Alexis, snaking his arm around my sister's waist while they both smiled together. My heart twisted with a mix of anger and hurt, but I couldn't understand why.

Was it because I now knew Alexis was engaged to the alpha, and that meant she'd rise to even greater power?

No, that wasn't it because I was never jealous of her.

I'd grown used to her always getting what she wanted, but the way Alpha Gray looked at my sister cut deep, ripping my heart apart with each glance.

I raised my glass to my lips, taking a long sip of the bubbly champagne. It was sweet and tangy, and it went down easily—too easily.

As the music pulsed through the crowded room, I felt my inhibitions slipping away. I was tired of being judged, tired of being treated like an outcast by my own family and pack. So I let go, allowing the rhythm to consume me. I danced with wild abandon, laughing and spinning to the music, no longer caring about the critical eyes that watched me.

For one fleeting moment, I forgot about the pain and the shame. I forgot about my parents' disappointment and the pack's disdain. All I wanted was to lose myself in the music and the noise, to drown my sorrows in the alcohol that flowed freely, and to forget the painful memories that haunted me.

The room was a blur of color and sound, and I felt free, unencumbered by my worries and fears.

But as the night wore on, I began to feel a little fuzzy. The music seemed louder, the lights brighter, and my feet felt like they were floating above the floor.

I stumbled off the dance floor, searching for a place to sit down. Instead, I found myself face-to-face with a waiter holding out a tray of champagne glasses.

"Another drink, Miss?" he asked, smiling in front of me.

I smiled at him and nodded while taking another glass from the tray. I raised it to my lips and took a long sip.

And that's when everything started to spin.

I stumbled backward, feeling like I was going to fall. But then, a strong arm caught me, holding me upright.

I looked up and saw Alpha Gray's face inches from mine. His eyes were narrowed, and his jaw was clenched.

"What are you doing, Sydney?" he growled.

I stumbled away from Alpha Gray's grasp because I was determined to ignore him for the rest of the night. I made my way through the crowded room, searching for a place to escape.

I spotted a table in the corner, partially hidden by a large potted plant. I made a beeline for it, hoping to blend in and avoid any more confrontations with Gray.

As I sat down, I let out a sigh of relief. I was finally alone, or at least as alone as I could be in a crowded room.

But my solitude was short-lived because I heard a voice behind me, a voice that sent shivers down my spine.

"Well, well, well. Look who's hiding here," my sister Alexis sneered, slipping into the chair across from me.

I raised an eyebrow, trying to appear nonchalant in front of her so she wouldn't disturb me again if she saw me uninterested in talking to her.

"I'm just taking a break from the party," I said, trying to sound casual.

Alexis snorted. "A break from the party? Or a break from your embarrassment?" she asked, her eyes glinting with malice.

I felt a surge of anger, but I bit my tongue. I wasn't going to let Alexis get to me.

But my bullying sister just wouldn't stop. She continued to torment me, hurling hurtful insults and mocking me with words that cut deep into my heart.

"You're such a disappointment, Sydney. You always have been. And now, you're drunk, stumbling around the party like a fool,” Alexis said while looking directly into my eyes.

I felt a stinging sensation at the corners of my eyes as tears threatened to spill. But I bit back the emotion, refusing to let them fall.

I'd never let Alexis see me shed a tear. That would be giving her too much pleasure. I took a deep breath and steadied myself, determined to keep my composure.

I stood up, my chair scraping against the floor.

"I'm out of here," I said.

I turned to walk away from my evil sister, but then Alexis delivered a final, biting remark that froze me in my tracks.

"You'll never be good enough, Sydney. You'll never be worthy of our family's name.”

My anger boiled over, my heart seething with rage as I shot my sister a withering glare.

"How dare you speak to me like that, Alexis?" I angrily shouted at her.

“Why am I not telling the truth, Sydney?” Alexis mocked me while there was an evil smile on her lips.

"We share the same blood, sister. Don't forget that." I smiled sweetly, meeting her gaze head-on. "If you think you're cruel, I can be far worse. Stop spewing nonsense that's driving me insane because I'm telling you, I can't be nice to you anymore, and you might regret that for the rest of your lives!”

Alexis's jaw dropped, her eyes widening in shock because I don't usually speak this way whenever she bullies me. She raised her hand, ready to slap me, but I shot her a deadly glare.

"Go ahead, Alexis," I dared her. "The moment your hand touches my face again, you'll regret it.”