ALAINA What the hell? Gulping hard, I pulled closer to the laptop to see the digit and it stared right back at me. One zero. Then two zeros. Then three. Then- My eyes were heavy from being widened for too long and I tried to yell Lorraine's name, but the term, ‘cat got your tongue?’ had never been truer for me. Everything I wanted to say, or could say turned into dust in my headspace, and dollar notes might as well be ingrained in my pupils. “Pig…sty?” I called out absentmindedly though I was already off my channel. Was this…some kind of scheme? Was I going to get kidnapped soon? Trafficked!? I propped to my feet and yanked off the apron, spinning out of the room and in the direction of Lorraine's. She might have answers! That was a lot of money. TOO MUCH MONEY. Mr Anonymous had done it again and what the hell had I done to deserve eight fucking thousand bucks from someone who knew nothing about me? As much as I wanted to enjoy the moment, the terror had started to
The chill air surrounded me as I stepped into the lobby, my eyes scanned the area for Logan or Esmeralda. I'd left this division in his care a while ago, and because he'd already rejected Esmeralda, I didn't see a reason why their working together could be a problem.Until yesterday when I was informed that she was carrying his child! What madness was that? The receptionist leapt to her feet at the sight of me and her smile started to falter at the edges.“G-Good day, Alpha Alex-xander,” She stuttered, staring like she'd seen a ghost. Usually, the entirety of the staff was informed whenever I planned to visit.I'd never once made an impromptu appearance like this one, and if a secretary could react this way, I wonder what expressions I'd be reading off Logan. With a curt nod, I stepped into the elevator and found my way up to Logan's office.The hallway was quiet, unusually quiet for a manufacturing branch and one could almost hear a pin drop. I flicked my eyes to either side of the
ALAINA*TWELVE HOURS EARLIER*I looked like a completely homeless bum sitting before my computer with my feet endlessly tapping the edge of the table as I scanned through the website.My thumb was in my mouth and I'd nearly chewed off the entirety of my fingernail. The frustration was enough to turn my hair into spikes and I might just disappear into thin air at any moment.The realization glared at me in the eyes. I NEEDED TO FIND A JOB! “Why did you have to say that!?” I groaned, grabbing my face and patting little slaps to my lips since no one would do it for me.I ran my fingers through my hair as I remembered my conversation with the Pack's radio. It was nearly time for the Pack's monthly moonlight meeting, a feast for the elderlies, and undoubtedly, I'd be a trending topic!Ugh! That vain old woman. I was quite sure the moon goddess didn't want her quite yet, that was why she still roamed the corners of…. like a vengeful ghost!But that wasn't the point, was it?! I was the one
ALAINA“Do you…want to find out?”First I thought I was hearing things, but it dawned on me that it wasn't a figment of my imagination when I spun around only to find the bane of my existence leaning against the door frame with a sardonic smirk blessing his amused expression. My mouth fell open and gradually his scent filled the entire room. “A-Alph..”I hadn't heard the door make any sound and one question, what was he doing here? I staggered back as the shock shot through me and somehow landed back on the chair, slamming my ass against it and boy did it hurt?Alpha Alexander seemed to be enjoying every single second of watching me turn into water. Jeez! What had I done? He trudged in, tucking his arms in his pockets. There was no form of lividness in his demeanor and I didn't know what scared me more. The fact that he might have heard every derogatory remark directed at him, or that he'd managed to infiltrate the only company that I thought I'd never see him in. I braced the sides
ALEXANDER“What did you just say to me?” The next question that slipped right out of her mouth and made me realize that I'd indeed slipped up. Alaina jerked away from me, her thick brows furrowing in disgust. I could tell that she was mad at me, but I couldn't help it. I couldn't help how I felt around her, the kind of feelings that built up inside of me when she was near.I said nothing, still leaning against the table as she spoke. I could smell her. Her sweet scent had filled the room and I had several thoughts running around in my head. Now that Logan was out of the picture, they were not bound by fate in the first place.Her wolf had no ties to him, which might give me a chance but first, I needed to straighten my reputation. This gorgeous woman didn't like me very much. “Are you…hitting on me?” She asked though her eyes were locked on mine and she blinked repeatedly as though that was the most preposterous thing her eyes have ever spoken. Alaina laughed. “You're not only a bul
ALAINA I absolutely hate him and I didn't want anything to do with him, ever! What? Money? Did I look like some starved wench who could just do his bidding all because they were in some kind of financial pit? It stung that he would even think that way of me. I worked in the packhouse, so what? That was in the past! I wasn't the same person as those times but he just wouldn't see it that way. I had a thousand emotions running up my head as I glanced out through the window of the vehicle and the landscape blurred by. I might not be able to get a job, and I didn't care at all. If it meant I could stay away from Alpha Alexander, then the pack and their gossip might as well go to hell. It was barely ten minutes with him and my heart was still pounding like I'd just run a marathon and collapsed in the middle of another. And that particular scene haunted me. Why did he have to hold my hand that way? Why did he have to touch me and make me feel all those sensations that I'd been trying
ALAINA“Fifty thousand viewers!” I chimed, unable to keep it to myself any longer! “That's just mind-blowing! Thank you for fifty thousand! Thank you so much!”I furiously tapped my feet as I glanced at the heart section and it continued to flood in without bounds. That was thousands of dollars right there! Who would be grinning in this situation?It was all happening so fast that I felt like I could tear up. All these comments! All these people, they were here to listen to me. Here, I wasn't just an invisible Omega with a tragic fate that destroyed ‘everything she touched' like they always said. I didn't know how it was my fault I was born on a moonless night or that my mother had died immediately after I was birthed, but right now, nome of that mattered! I wasn't cleaning the Alpha's shoes or kissing anyone's ass!I wasn't walking on eggshells around a maddening mother in law or spending late night in bikinis waiting for a drunk husband to lie with me! All those eras have passed.T
ALEXANDERThe rattling sound of a knock hit my door and my head shot in the direction as I adjusted my tie and grabbed my jacket from the hanger next to me. A groan threatened to rip out of me. “Breakfast is served, Dear Alpha.”Dear Alpha? I grimaced, almost tasting the disgust on my tongue. I recognized that voice immediately. It was that of the puppet from LunaHive that our families had brainwashed to come here and seduce me. How woefully she was failing at it. I wondered what she was hoping to achieve on this ‘tour’ of hers, as I planned not to change my mind.“I'll pass.”I heard a soft giggle. “The Luna had said that'll be your response. I'm not permitted to leave until you say yes,” She said boisterously again. Well, LunaHive was known for being bossy, especially her father. There was no doubt that a tinge of control would drop into her DNA too.“Then I hope you like the view, Anya” I responded tersely, moving swiftly across the room to grab my suitcase, then I opened the d
I took a deep breath, my fingers interlocked with Lorraine's as I walked out. It felt as though with every step I took, my heart beat even faster. As we approached the grand staircase, I saw a well-dressed Damon patiently waiting for me, and my heart began to race. The anticipation of the ball weighed heavily on me, and a sense of unease gnawed at my insides. Damon bowed respectfully the moment we got to where he stood. "Luna," he murmured. "The Alpha instructed me to lead you to the banquet hall, where the ball will take place." “I don't know, Damon. Are you the one to come pick me up? Shouldn't you be with Alexander? You are his best man for today, remember?” I asked, managing a smile, even though there was not a reason to. “Yes,” he mouthed. “The best man of the groom is meant to bring his wife to the ball.” I replied with a nervous "Okay," and slipped my hand into the waiting crook of his elbow. Then I allowed him to guide me down the stairs. His firm, comforting presence wa
ALAINA In the large pack's living room, I gazed at Lorraine who made a gesture with her hand. On second thought, I turned to look at the man I am in love with - my husband-to-be, Alexander as he was on his feet, walking towards the door of a room not so far from the spot. After a few days since Alexander popped the question, he believed in his heart that it would make some sense to see his mother - the old Luna who lives in his pack. Ever since then, I have thought about nothing but being accepted, or rejected. “Nothing is happening, girl,” Lorraine called out to me, who woke up from my thoughts. “You are too good to be rejected, or don't you know?” “I don't know, Lorraine—” I mouthed. “I was an Omega Wolf the last time I checked. Why won't I be rejected? I want to know why. That the man I love accepted me does not mean the other members of his pack and family will not reject me.” Just then, a door opened. I jumped to my feet, and so did Lorraine. What should I say?
ALEXANDER I hopped in the car after several thoughts, making up my mind on what to do this time around. There was no way I would lose a good, better and at the same time best woman because of this—nonsense! I heaved a sigh and started the engine, driving out of the compound the very next moment. Into the streets of the city, I went. Although my car did not look like it had issues, I believe it did and this was none other reason than the fact that it was slow. Slower than ever. “Don't fuck me up!” I yelled, stopping my drive and heaving a sigh - catching my breath and starting all over after muttering a prayer that the moment and uncalled meeting with Alaina would go perfectly well. What if she doesn't want me any longer? What if this was the end of everything for us both? I wondered with a grimace planted on my countenance, realizing also that I had caught up with the estate that has her house built in it. Soon enough, I was at her gate. How do I get in? I wondered
ALEXANDERIt stuck to my brain. Alaina's face was red with humiliation as she turned and ran into the packhouse, disappearing from view. “Is this all you've finally become?” I snarled at my mother. Is this it?”The camera flashes were enough to blind one. It was that level of crazy! This would hit headlines and news houses in seconds.“No!” She tried to reach for me and held my hand. “You don't understand! This…is insane! That woman has bewitched you!”“Luna…” Damon called out to her. “I think it's best you go in for now. This isn't the best time to be out here, if you know what I'm saying…”“No, I don't know what you're saying!” She snapped at him. “My son is trying to gamble his life and the destiny of the entire pack away and all you are about is all I say? If this happens, it affects you too! Your sister is perfect for him. Why wouldn't he just see that?”“Take her in,” I ordered Damon. I knew what to do. I might as well fuck everything up for everyone. I didn't give a damn.Not
ALAINA“Alaina?” A voice echoed from behind us, and the familiar tone of that voice sent dread all the way to my stomach. I could feel my heart thrumming in my chest as my eyes drifted from Alexander.The Luna? I turned around slowly, and saw her standing there with obvious disapproval on her face, and scorn as she stared at me. “You're a streamer?" she spat, as if the word itself was dirty.Of course it was. To her the word was just as filthy as I was. Even the way she looked at me made me feel so small. Her hatred for me gleamed in those eyes of hers as her gaze shot from Alexander to me. “Answer me. Is everything I just heard true?”I nodded, feeling a defensive flush rise to my cheeks, “But I can explain. It's not—”“It’s not what,” she cut me off, her voice rising in indignation. "I don't care what it is, but just the fact that you're parading yourself online, and flaunting yourself for who-knows-how-many strangers to see! It's shameful. You should be ashamed of yourself, Alaina
ALAINA“Alaina?”My name had never fallen so heavily from a person's mouth and I looked up at Alexander. What the hell was he doing? There were eyes everywhere, people waiting for me to take a wrong step and my identity wound into the internet as it was all they were here for in the first place.My heart was thumping in my chest and I didn't know what to do. My hands wouldn't stop trembling and my knees buckled like they were made of jelly.I tried to free myself from his grasp but Alexander didn't have any intention to let go and I also didn't want to admit— ever— that I was Queen Of Dawn. Not to him, not this way! Not right now.Not like this. If I as much as uttered a word, my cover would be completely blown! Right now I wasn't so sure what he knew so I had to play it safe, but how? The veil was enough protection for my face, not to mention I had a mask on too.“Alaina?” He crouched a little like he wanted to peek through but I turned my face away immediately, letting out an angry
Alexander I felt a sudden jolt of restlessness overtake me as I sat there, shrinking into my seat with boredom as well as disinterest as I watched the women parade around me, and flashing flirty smiles that did nothing but irk me. I wished they would just stop already. I adjusted in my seat, trying to keep my calm and get through today as it was expected of me but even that was becoming more and more difficult by the moment. I didn't want to be here. Neither did I have any interest in any of these women here, and normally that wouldn't matter. But it did. It did. I couldn't stop the restlessness inside of me, I couldn't stop wanting to get out of this hall, and escape all these women that were nothing like her. It was upsetting. Alaina was the only thing on my mind, the only woman that had occupied all the seats in my thoughts, and I didn't have space for anyone else. I couldn’t stop thinking about her or seeing her everywhere I looked, and it was such a torment. I tried not
ALAINAI stood before the sea of cameras, a voice shouted. "Is she really Queen Of Dawn? She's a fake!”The words cut through me like a knife, making my heart skip a beat. I battled nerves, trying to shove off the feeling of being a fake. I forced a smile and waved, trying to appear confident, but my hands trembled slightly.The crowd erupted in a chorus of cheers and chants, their voices echoing off the walls. "We love you, Queen Of Dawn!" "You're our true queen!" "Queen Of Dawn, Queen Of Dawn!" “I hope the Alpha picks you!”The adoration was overwhelming, making my eyes prick with tears. I felt like I was living a lie, but the crowd's enthusiasm was infectious.But amidst the adoration, a reporter pushed forward, microphone in hand. "Queen Of Dawn, can I get a word with you?" she asked, her voice piercing above the din.The guard protecting me stepped forward, trying to block the reporter. "I'm afraid that's not possible," he growled, his eyes flashing with warning.But I inte
ALEXANDERI was no different from a statue in my own home, dressed like a mannequin by the roadside for an activity that my entire body rejected. It wasn't funny at all.The front of the mirror had been my home for longer than I can remember. It felt like the kind of hell I could taste on my tongue and it wouldn't discontinue.Even right now, I was standing before a mirror. This morning the ball was colder than usual, a stark contrast to what I would be feeling if I cared a bit about whatever the hell was going on here.Rather, I was tired of it. Way exhausted that a thousand sighs had slipped out of my mouth in just minutes. I stood in front of the mirror, my personal stylist adjusting my navy blue suit. IIt was a classic, well-fitted outfit with a subtle sheen that should have made me feel confident. Should. It did the exact opposite of that. The cufflinks, silver and detailed, were the finishing touch. Yet, I found myself distracted, barely noticing the stylist’s careful moveme