Betrayal

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Lyla awoke to the birds chirping and the sun warming her face. A slight breeze blew through the open window ruffling the curtain, bringing in the smells of the honeysuckles along the fence and the fresh mowed grass. Inhaling deeply, she pushed back the covers and stretched, smiling at the way the sun danced around her room, bouncing off the small little crystals she had hanging off the ceiling and walls.

Mornings are refreshing and lead you into a new day with unexpected happenings and hopefully good memories. Lyla usually woke up early so she could go through her morning routine in a cheery mood with no interruptions.

After doing her workout then showering and getting dressed she made her way to the kitchen to eat quickly and quietly before her 'family' descended and swooped in to belittle her making her feel ashamed and she eventually storms off leaving in a huff wondering why they are so loving to one another but they treated her like she's less than gum off the bottom of their shoes.

The only civil member is her older brother Adam who has tried time and time again to stand up for her, but the remaining family ignores his outbursts and continue their insults and Lyla bashing.

Taking all of the family hate she could that morning she stormed out of the house with her school bag in hand, almost running down the road in an attempt to separate herself from the monsters that are unfortunately her family.

She heard footsteps behind her and knew without looking Adam was hot on her heels. "Why do you let them continue to get under your skin?" He caught up with her and reached out to touch her shoulder. Turning her to face him she tried wiping her tears away before he saw them. "You are a beautiful, talented young woman that has all the boys in school drooling after her and the girls envious. You are so much better than our supposed family yet you always let them break you."

Laying her head on his chest she whispered, "I just want them to love me and accept me like Karin. I know she is the baby of us three but what's so wrong with me that I can't be loved?" She asked through sniffles.

"Darling, you are worthy of love, just not from conceited individuals that don't know greatness and talent mixed in with humor and wit when it's been living within their house for seventeen years. My bad, eighteen years." Adam, her rock and only true real friend or family, wiped her tears and kissed her forehead.

"My birthday isn't technically until ten pm tonight, not that anyone will acknowledge it this year either." Frowning she stood tall and squared her shoulders making a promise to herself not to let their disregard for her birthdays year after year make this day any less special for her. This is her senior year in high school with just two months until graduation and leaving this shitty hellhole and her hateful family.

Looking up at her older brother, the one and only person she will miss, she wondered why he never left after he graduated. She was out of here as soon as graduation was over.

"I will walk you to school on your eighteenth birthday so I can show off my exceptional sister, " Adam flashed his signature smile. Taking her hand he half dragged her down the block. She suddenly stopped as the school came into view. Living only three blocks away was a good thing most days but today, well today her nerves were getting the best of her. Her palms started sweating and her stomach was in knots.

Adam having felt her change in demeanor blocked her view and made her look up at him. "Don't worry about it Lyla. If it's meant to happen it will, today is just like any other day. Don't let the fates dictate how you should feel or react."

Smiling up at her older brother Lyla embraced him in big hug, "What would I ever do without you?"

"You won't ever have to find out. I will always be around to keep you out of trouble, " he laughed as they were once again enroute to the front doors of the school.

~~~~~~~

Most of the day went along as usual, chatting in classes and pretending to pay attention. Eating lunch outside at the usual area then trudging back inside to listen to boring lectures from teachers that don't really care but just need the job to support their own families.

As Lyla was heading to her last and least favorite class the feeling of being watched creeped up her neck and made her pause and turn, scanning the halls. Nothing peculiar or out of place caught her eye so she proceeded down the hall. Just as she was turning the corner her wrist was grabbed and she was pulled into a nearby empty room rather forcefully.

The room was dark and smelled musty. Letting her eyes adjust to the darkness she stepped back hitting the door. With her back against her only escape route she took a deep breath as the individual who had not spoken took a step toward her. Her senses on high alert a mouthwatering, intoxicating aroma drifted around her and had her on edge. Looking up to the face in front of her the word 'mate' sprang forth in her head as lips crushed themselves against hers. Sparks and fire spread throughout her entire being as she deepened the kiss. Needing some air she pulled back in awe. Tracing the face of the guy in front of her she smiled.

"You are so beautiful and caring. I'm so lucky to have a mate such as yourself," pecking her lips again he stepped back and she finally saw his whole face. Gasping in shock, she covered her mouth with her hand. "Tyler.. we are mates? But how? I thought you were my sister's mate."

"Why would you think that, my love. I have known you were my mate since last summer when I saw you and Adam swimming at the lake. It was torture trying to keep my wolf from claiming you on the spot. This whole year I have watched you and fell in love. You are my sole reason to live."

"But.. Karin said she heard you talking a few months ago... she heard you say on the morning of your mates eighteenth birthday you would be banging the door down to claim her. She heard you say our family's name and said SHE was your.. your your mate." Lyla barely got out the last few words.

Placing his hands on each side of her head trapping her between his body and the door he leaned down nuzzling her neck and whispered, "I never actually said a name, " pausing to trail kisses along her jawline, "I only mentioned telling your father I would not leave without taking my mate with me," pausing again he was now at her shoulder. "She just assumed she was the one I was referring to. Next to you she doesn't even register on my radar. You're the only girl I have looked at or wanted since that day at the lake."

She felt his teeth against her skin as he licked the spot meant for marking. Shivering she placed her hands on his shoulders. "Are you sure you want me as a mate?" She timidly asked.

"One hundred percent sure, my little sweet morsel." His smile made her weak. Nodding yes and moving her hair she tilted her head giving Tyler better access to place his mark showing all werewolves she was his and his alone.