Mated to the Alpha I Killed

~ Vanika ~

"We warned you never to make any more friends, Vanika, because of your curse, but you refused to listen," my father's sharp scolding hit my ears.

But my little heart still continued to shiver and it wasn't even because of the words he had spoken. It was because of the words I believed were yet to come.

From the tone of his voice and the outaraged look on his face, I suspected the worst had already happened.

"I'm sorry, dad," I apologized, but I couldn't wait to ask what was bothering me. "Is Maria okay?" I forced the shaky question out of my mouth.

"Maria has disappeared just like the others. This has happened again and it's all your fault. It's because you refused to listen." The answer I dreaded dropped from my father's lips and my heart shattered instantly.

Maria was my new found friend and I truly thought the curse would not affect her since she was a girl, unlike the others who were boys.

"And more of the blame goes to you, Maya," Father shifted his attention to my little sister. "If you had stopped her instead of joining her to create more problems, we wouldn't be in this mess today."

"It's not her fault dad," I jumped to Maya's defense. She was just nine, and even though I was only a year older than her, she was still my little sister who I feel the need to protect, but my father would not hear it.

"Of course it's not her fault. It is entirely your fault, Vanika, but she had a duty of keeping you from making such mistakes. For failing to do the right thing, both of you will be punished," he declared.

I shifted my gaze to my mother, hoping she will say or do something, but she simply looked away, an action that told me we were on our own this time.

Whatever punishment Dad had for us would not be easy, but I deserved it because I broke the rules. I only wish Maya wouldn't have to suffer it with me.

Chapter 1

~ Vanika ~

Eleven years later

I clutched the pitifully thin scrap of glittery fabric, staring at it in absolute horror. "What on earth is this you just gave me?"

"It’s a dress, Nika. A dress," Janet sighed. She didn’t even bother looking at me, entirely focused on painting her reflection in our hostel’s full-length mirror.

Tonight was the junior class party, a student-run milestone to celebrate our upcoming transition into senior year.

It wasn't mandatory, which was exactly why my grand plan for the evening involved locked doors, oversized sweatpants, and deep sleep. I couldn't care less if the rest of the class called me a killjoy later.

But Janet, and my sister, Maya, refused to let me bow out.

Maya was usually my sanctuary, the last person to drag me into social settings. But because this was a milestone class event and not some random frat rager, she had dug her heels in.

"I can't wear this," I said flatly, tossing the flimsy thing onto my unmade bunk. I had never worn anything so revealing in my life, and I wasn't about to start tonight.

Out of the corner of my eye, I watched Janet stiffen. Her face twisted in a sneer, staring at the bed as if my touch had defiled the fabric. This was our entire dynamic in a nutshell. She loathed me because she convinced herself I was playing the saint, acting like I was superior just because I preferred to dress a certain way.

Dropping her makeup brush onto the vanity with a sharp clack, Janet whirled around and marched toward me. She snatched the dress off the mattress and shoved it violently against my chest.

"Yes, you can, and you will," she hissed, her expression dripping with disappointment. "Are you seriously backing out now, Nika? I can't believe you."

"I'm not backing out," I shot back, holding the fabric defensively between us. "I'll just wear my regular clothes."

"Absolutely not. There is no way you're walking next to me in those baggy rags you call an outfit." Pure disgust washed over her features.

"Why are you getting so worked up about this anyway?" I snapped, a spark of real annoyance finally flaring up. I was used to her snide remarks about my wardrobe, but this sudden obsession with dressing me up was bizarre. "I’m not even going with you. I’m waiting for Maya."

According to the plan Maya and I had agreed on, I was supposed to wait in the room until she finished up her errands so we could go together.

Instead of answering, Janet spun on her heel, stormed over to her bunk, and ripped her phone off the charger. She marched right back into my face, scrolling furiously until she found what she wanted, then slammed the glowing screen inches from my eyes.

"Read," she commanded.

I strained my eyes to focus on the text message. 'Please Janet, take Nika with you when you go. I'll meet you both there. Also, make sure she looks—'

Before I could finish the sentence, Janet yanked the phone back.

"Make sure she looks what?" I demanded, my brow furrowing.

"Looks good and presentable," Janet supplied smoothly.

I stared at her, suspicion tightening in my gut. "Maya sent that?"

"Ugh! Now you're doubting your own sister? Gosh, Nika, we are already late. I gave Maya my word, otherwise, I would have left your overanalyzing self behind twenty minutes ago. Go. Get. Dressed."

Before I could object, Jane grabbed my shoulders, shoved me into our bathroom, and clicked the door shut behind me.

"Let me know if you need help with the zipper! Hurry up, Nika!" her voice echoed through the wood.

A heavy, defeated breath slipped past my lips. Standing in the small bathroom, I looked down at the dark, shimmering fabric, then slowly began unbuttoning my oversized grey shirt and stepping out of my loose blue jeans.

I had no idea why Maya would send a text like that to Janet of all people. But Maya was my sister. If she was begging Janet to look after me, I had to trust her.

'It's just for tonight, Nika,' I chanted to myself like a mantra. 'Just get through tonight.'

Wriggling into the dress was surprisingly easy. It was a black sequin piece that instantly clung to my skin like a second layer of paint, mapping out every curve I usually spent my life hiding under heavy denim. To my immense relief, it had long sleeves, but the neckline plunged dangerously low, leaving my chest entirely too exposed. The hemline cut off a few inches above my knees, another detail that made my skin crawl with discomfort.

There was no mirror in the bathroom to see what I looked like. Taking a deep, stabilizing breath to steady my racing heart, I summoned every ounce of courage I had and stepped out into the bedroom.

The moment Janet looked up, her jaw literally dropped.

Even with my tense, awkward posture and the heavy scowl distorting my face, the transformation was undeniable. Beneath the baggy clothes was a body people noticed, and Janet looked utterly stunned to see it.

"You look gorgeous, Nika," Janet purred, gliding over to stand right beside me as I finally faced the vanity mirror, my face twisted in a deep frown. "Why hide all this perfection from the rest of us, huh?"

"I'm not comfortable," I muttered defensively, my fingers immediately flying to the neckline to pinch the fabric together, trying desperately to cover my skin. "I'm just not used to this."

"Nonsense!" Janet snapped, slapping my hands away from my chest. "Stop ruining the line of my dress." She frowned, grabbing a large powder brush from the counter. "You look flawless. You just need a quick touch of makeup and we are out the door. Sit down."

Reluctantly, I dropped into the chair, flinching slightly as she swept the powder across my skin.

Thirty minutes later, the cab sped away, leaving Janet and me standing beneath the harsh, bleeding glare of a neon sign. The glowing letters mounted on the two-story building read: CASS DREAM.

Two massive, imposing bouncers stood guard at the single entrance, their thick arms crossed over broad chests, their stony expressions staring blankly into the night. The street was dead silent.

"Is this the venue?" I asked, turning to Jane as a cold wave of unease crept up my spine. "I thought the class party was—"

"This isn't the venue," Janet cut me off smoothly, her thumbs flying across her phone screen as she typed a rapid message. "I just need to pick something up from someone inside. Come on."

She grabbed my wrist, pulling me toward the doors before abruptly veering into a shadowed, recessed corner right next to the entrance.

"Wait for me right here. I'll be out in a second," She instructed, then walked straight up to the guards. She exchanged a few hushed words with the bouncer on the left, and they silently stepped aside to let her slip through the doors.

The heavy entrance clicked shut, leaving me completely alone in the dark.

Turning away from the building, I stared out into the empty, unlit street, my mind drifting anxiously back to Maya. What could possibly be keeping her so occupied that she had to coordinate this bizarre hand-off with Janet?

"Hey beautiful. Are you waiting for someone?" A deep, smooth voice suddenly brushed against my ear, making me gasp.

I whirled around to find a strange man approaching me. He had a harmless, polite smile plastered on his face, but his eyes were too sharp.

"Uhm... yes," I stammered, keeping my response as short as possible. I shrank back against the concrete wall, deeply uncomfortable with the slow, predatory way his gaze swept over my tight dress.

"Is your friend inside?" he asked, tilting his head toward the door.

I gave a tight nod, praying he would take the hint and walk away.

"You should wait inside then," he suggested, gesturing with his chin.

"No, thank you. I'll just wait out here," I insisted, my voice hardening as I shook my head.

The man’s smile didn't waver, but his tone took on a chillingly urgent edge. "I wouldn't press the issue if this area wasn't so dangerous, sweetheart. It would be an absolute tragedy if a beauty like you got snatched up and sold into the trafficking rings down by the docks. It’s much safer inside. You can just stand right by the inner door so you don't miss your friend."

I bit the inside of my lip, his words echoing the dark warnings that constantly flooded the local news about defenseless women disappearing from isolated streets.

I glanced one last time at the pitch-black, deserted road, a sudden wave of panic dictating my choice. It was better to be safe than sorry.

"Okay," I whispered, stepping away from the wall. "Thank you."

I followed him toward the massive entrance, reminding myself that as long as Janet was somewhere inside, I would be fine. As we approached, the stone-faced bouncers silently stepped back, opening the doors without a single question.

But the exact moment I crossed the threshold my eyes widened in sheer shock as the layout of the interior hit me. It was different from anything I could have ever imagined.

Yet, I wasn't the only one who was hit by shock.

High above the chaotic floor, draped in the heavy shadows of the exclusive VIP lounge, a pair of piercing silver eyes snapped wide open when I stepped in.