Chapter 4

[SYLVIE’s Point-of-View]

“Overtime again, Sylvie?”

“You are working too hard. Are you sure you are getting enough sleep?”

“You stayed in the office until nine last night, Sylvie. Don’t be too hard on yourself.”

I nodded and smiled at my co-workers as I distributed copies of last week’s report to them. My wolf sensed that they were concerned, and I was happy that they appreciated my efforts a lot since I worked my *ss in this company to give Oliver the comfortable and worry-free life I wanted for him. Living in this elite community for a single mother like me was harsh, and the school tuition fees, rent, and bills were heavy if I didn’t work hard and do overtime.

Don’t get me wrong. The compensation at Alpha Ray Howard’s company was amazing, and the corporation had lots of benefits for their workers. It’s just hard for me to carry all the responsibilities alone. Especially since Oliver was growing into a fine man, and I always wanted him to study at one of the best pack universities.

As a mother, I would do everything to see a smile on Oliver’s face.

“Want to go and chill later, Sylvie? I found a nice bar not too far from here. Maybe we can hang out with the others?” asked one of the newly hired, a young handsome guy who was a heartthrob to the young she-wolves in our department.

“No, I don’t think so. I still have tons to do later.” I smiled awkwardly and then arranged the papers on my desk. “Maybe you should ask the girls at the other table. They would love to join you.”

He looked a little frustrated when I walked past him. But before I reached the door, it opened before me and a tall, handsome guy with dark hair and electric blue eyes gazed at my face and my heart started to go frantic.

Alpha Ray smiled and I let out a sigh, still feeling nervous. I jolted when he gently touched my shoulder and turned me around to go back to my table. He didn’t leave my side. “A-Alpha Ray—”

“Everyone! I have good news to announce!” Alpha Ray’s deep voice filled the whole office and all the eyes were focused on him. I blushed because he was still holding my shoulder as he spoke, “Based on last week’s report, our company made a huge advance in the sales and other services rendered to our loyal clients and the new ones. The satisfaction rate was high, and that is because of the strategies and brilliant suggestions made by none other than “Miss Sylvie Hall.”

Everyone clapped and cheered as their attention went to me. I saw wide smiles on their faces, and I was happy that even though the workload was stressful most of the time, my co-workers appreciated my effort.

“Hey, I am not done yet.” Alpha Ray looked down on me. His sky-blue eyes softened, and he squeezed my shoulder gently, looking so pleased. Everyone was silent as we all waited for another announcement. “I am giving the team one hundred thousand dollars as a reward for all the hard work and the new record you set for the company.”

All their eyes widened, including mine, as my jaw almost dropped at the incredible generosity of our Alpha. I never expected it. I looked at him, and he smiled as widely as he patted me on the shoulder and whispered, "Congratulations, Sylvie, because you have been the best employee of the month for ten consecutive months.”

My heart was filled with gratitude. I didn’t know how I would thank Alpha Ray for being the best boss for all of us. “Thank you, Alpha Ray. I just did my best for the company. You are taking care of us so well, and it’s the least I could do.”

“You do your best in everything, Sylvie. I saw how you worked hard, and you deserve all the good things that the company is giving you. Oliver has an amazing mom.”

I smiled. My heart was already swimming with his flatteries, and my wolf was just happy when he was so near me. “I am truly honored to work here with these amazing people.” I looked around as I watched everyone jump and cheer like they had won the lottery, and it was the happiest workplace I had ever been in. All because of Alpha Ray’s generosity.

“You are always the best at winning people’s hearts,” I chuckled to him.

He raised his eyebrows at me and tilted his head slightly, amused by what I said. “Well, I am just doing what is best for everyone. Motivation is key to success, Sylvie.

I shook my head slightly, smiling. “Yeah. They are all excited about it.”

“Before I forget, I am planning a party at my house at the weekend. You should be there with Oliver, Sylvie.” His eyes were locked on mine as he leaned closer so that his lips were just inches away from my ear, “I invited some of the prospective clients and they want to meet you in person after the amazing achievement you did for the company.”

My eyes widened, “I-I don’t think I am prepared for this!” I whispered back to him and his lips pulled in a smile at the scared reaction on my face.

“I am not worried because I know you can handle it, Sylvie.” His voice was hoarse, and it tickled my skin, making my heart more frantic. “I am lucky to have you working with me.”

Nervous, I bit my lower lip and then sighed and answered with an awkward smile, “I will be there with Oliver.”

“Good,” he answered with a serious face as he gazed down at me. His intense gaze made me want to run away from him and just throw myself outside the window. What’s happening with my heart?! Why was I so nervous and awkward with him!?

From across the room, I saw Mandy Wallace glaring at me from the corner of her eyes. She was Alpha Ray’s assistant and the prettiest face in our department. It was only a split second before I caught her hostile gaze while she sipped on her cup and walked out of the office.

I had a bad feeling about her.

*****

I was going to the bathroom when I heard two people talking in the smoking area. I was not the kind of person who eavesdropped on people talking, but I recognized Mandy’s hateful voice while she called someone on the phone.

My inner wolf told me I had to stay and know what they were saying, and so I did. I usually didn’t listen to my wolf when it gave me the curiosity to study the room and place around me, wanting to know who wished me well or not. My wolf was too protective of me, and I understood because of the traumas that happened to me in the past.

From the other side of the hallway came Carter Wood, Alpha Ray’s Beta. His black hair was brushed up, and he was wearing eyeglasses. I saw him approach Mandy as he lit a cigarette and blew the smoke into the open window. Mandy rolled her eyes at him and pressed something on her phone to end the call.

“What now, Carter? Why are you here?” Mandy asked, looking uncomfortable in the presence of the Beta around her.

“Did you see how close he is to his favorite employee?”

Mandy grimaced, “She is getting on my nerves. I know she is just showing off to get Alpha Ray’s attention.”

I pressed my back flat against the wall as I held my breath. My heart slowed and the power of my presence weakened, a spy tactic I learned when I used to train in my former pack’s camp.

“I have a feeling that Alpha Ray is ready to find a new mate, Mandy. Are you just going to stand here and mope while that woman steals him from you?”

I frowned and couldn’t believe what I heard. Was it me they were talking about? And what did they mean by stealing the Alpha? I wasn’t doing anything that would make Alpha Ray interested in me other than doing my job for the company!

I didn’t like what was going on in Mandy’s head. Alpha Ray was a kind man who appreciated my effort as his employee and nothing more!

“I have been with Ray through his best and worst times, Carter! I will not let any woman steal him from me! I am the best fit here as his Luna, and no one else!” Mandy hissed at Carter, who had a stoic look on his face. No. He didn’t care about Mandy. He was just taunting her so she would go against me!

And I couldn’t understand why he was doing this.

I returned to the office after they both left the smoking area. I was successful; they didn’t detect my presence, so I pretended I had heard nothing as I prepared my things, ready to go home.

I secured all the important papers in a folder when I didn’t notice Mandy was approaching me, and we bumped into each other.

Shocked, I screamed when the hot coffee burned my skin. But it wasn’t the worst thing that happened. Her cup of coffee landed on my table and ruined all the important documents. I worked so hard for many days!

“Oops! I’m so sorry, Sylvie!” Her eyes were wide and her mouth gaped open, faking the shock on her face. “It’s not my fault! You bumped into me!”

I glared at her, my body trembling in anger.

Mandy mockingly grinned at me and then walked past me like she didn’t do a terrible thing. Or maybe it was her plan all along to destroy the reports and proposals I made because she was f*cking jealous!

Angry and frustrated, I slammed both of my hands on my table just to stop myself from folding Mandy into eight.