To Hate an Alpha

Layla has always felt like an outsider especially, in her own home. As the Alpha’s youngest daughter, she’s spent years being overshadowed by her siblings and struggling to find her place in the pack. When her fated mate turns out to be August, the brooding, secretive son of a rogue Alpha, her life begins to change.

August is battling a rare illness that could take his life and came into their pack for a cure and a better chance at life. As the Rogue King's son, he's lived in his father's shadow all his life. He was desperate for a cure to forge his own identity, one that wasn’t defined by being the Rogue King’s son.

As Layla fights against her old crush turned bully, she realizes she’s not just an ordinary wolf, but a true Darkwood child after all. But secrets from her past and challenges in the present try to tear her away from August. Can Layla and August find their way back to each other before it’s too late?

SAMPLE CHAPTER
Some wolves had their life-changing encounter the moment they turned eighteen but as for me, Layla Darkwood, I turned twenty a few hours ago and I still hadn't had a life-changing experience yet. 
It wasn't like I yearned for one so deeply but the one I yearned for kept turning out not to be my mate each year. 

I'd been in love with Braddy Shawn for years, and each day, I looked out the window, hoping that one day the Moon goddess would make him my mate. Each night, I ended up disappointed but still, with a heart still filled with hope that someday it would happen.

"You never stop daydreaming about Baldy Braddy, do you?" 
A voice called my attention and pulled me out of my train of thought. I turned to the door and saw Liam, my twin brother, leaning against the doorframe with two wrapped birthday presents in his hands. 

"LIAM!" I half yelled with excitement as I sprang out of my seat and walked up to Him in a hurry.
Before I hugged him, I said, "He's not bald and you know it. He has a head full of hair," 

I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. He hugged me back. I've missed him so much. He'd left the pack before we turned eighteen and this was his first time coming back home. 

"I hear he wears a wig," 
I hit his shoulder as I untangled my arms from around his neck and glared at him. 
"Lies from the pit of hell," He curled his lips. He didn't believe me or he was just plainly enjoying teasing me. 

"Happy birthday, crazy," He kissed my forehead. 
"Happy birthday to you too, brother," 
We both smiled. 

Pointing an accusing finger at him, I said. "You missed our last two birthdays," 
"I was too busy. I sent my present anyways but this year, I'm here to deliver them myself," 

I clicked my tongue as I snatched both gifts out of his hands. I got two presents from him as usual. Since we turned fourteen, he'd always given me two presents. When I asked him why, he shrugged and ignored me. He probably had his reasons. 

"Did you miss me?" He suddenly asked as he walked into our formerly shared apartment in the house. 
"No!" I snapped. He laughed. 

We lived with my parents but they made sure we had a part of the house to ourselves. We might not join them for breakfast or dinner if we wanted. It was our personal space and that gave us the privacy we wanted. Well, that was until Liam left the pack and I had the entire space to myself. 

Hurriedly, I unwrapped the presents he'd given me and brought them out. One was a mug with my face on it. 
"So tacky," 
"Like Baldy Braddy," he responded and I frowned deeply. 

"Don't disrespect your future brother-in-law like that," I teased.
He nodded. "Delusion. Does he even know you're so in love with him?" he simply said. 

I was so close to stabbing him. When I brought out the second gift, it was a necklace that looked so delicate and beautiful. It had a charm on it that captured my heart.  

That was how Liam's gifts were each year. One tacky, and the one brilliant. 

"This looks amazing," 
I commented with a wide grin on my face. 
"I should be on my way now, Layla," 

My face dropped as I stared at him in utter disbelief. Disappointment clouded my senses. I thought he would stay for dinner.
"So soon," 
"I'm sorry. I have to leave before sunset," 

"That's so bad but I'm glad I'm getting rid of you so soon," 
I said.
"Well, one more gift for you sister, Alpha Ryker, and his son, August are on their way," 

What! 

I turned to glare at Liam. "Why didn't you say anything sooner?" I yelled. 
"See ya," 
He waved and walked out of the room. I glared at his back.

I placed both gifts on my dressing table angrily and folded my hands against my chest as I paced the room. 

I was not a big fan of Alpha Ryker but heavens knows just how much I hate his son, August. The thoughts of him arriving in the pack crawled underneath my skin and drove me to the brink of madness. I hated him with passion. He'd always managed to get on my nerves and make me want to kill him each time I saw him. My hatred for him ran deep.

It would save his head if he avoided me.

A slight knock on my door made me lift my head again. 
"Dinner's ready, Birthday Queen," my mom announced. She'd promised to make me dinner to celebrate my birthday after which I would join some of my friends in a restaurant to celebrate it. 
"Thanks, Mom," 

I joined her in the dining area and as the plates were being set by the kitchen assistants, my mom and I waited for my dad. 

"So, I don't want you to get mad or get crazy out of the blue," my mom stated. 
"I'm already mad. What is it?" 

The thoughts of August had spoiled my mood and ruined my evening so whatever it was couldn't possibly beat that. 

"Alpha Ryker and August will be joining us for this dinner. They're in the pack for an important meeting and we couldn't possibly let them eat alone,"
I smiled brightly. What a nice opportunity! 
"That's not a big deal, Mom," I shrugged. 

I turned to one of the Kitchen assistants. 
"Which ones are the guest plates?" I asked her. 
She pointed to the plates at the end of the table. 

I turned to my mom. "Where will August sit?" 
She hesitated while giving me her infamous side look. "I'm sure he'll sit at that side. Why do you ask?" 

"Do we have any laxatives or poisons lying around the house?''I paused to think for a minute. "Wolfsbane would do," 
"LAYLA!" My mom cautioned. 

"If he decided to dine with an enemy. He should be ready for the consequences," 
I spat. 
"You would do no such thing. Do you hear me?" 

"I've gone deaf, mama," 
As my mom tried to say something else, the main entrance door was thrown open and something new hit me. 

It was the most delicious scent ever. My heart leaped with joy at the thought of Braddy walking in and finally having my prayers answered. The thoughts of August were long gone from my mind.

I turned around to see my dad walk in with Alpha Ryker. I knew it wasn't them, the scent wasn't coming from the two of them.

Someone else walked in after them and he paused as though he could also sense what I sensed. He looked up at me and slowly removed his dark shades. He looked utterly familiar and it took my brain ten seconds to figure out who he was. 

Fuck! Hell no!

It was August and he was my fucking mate.

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