CHAPTER 1

Cecilia

Even from the beginning, I knew that life is really unfair. I’m the living proof of it. From my origin and the kind of life I have right now. It felt like everything and everyone is against me.

“Hey, Cecilia,” Missy, one of my officemates called me. “The dead department is looking for you.”

Before I could ask her why, she already walked out on me. The girl is rude and greedy. She’s the usual mean girl in the office and she always play pranks on me as I always ignored her bitchy presence.

I composed myself before leaving the table. I’m not really sure why I was called. It’s either the two: I did something bad or I got promoted. For the former, I’m always one of the best worker so I’m confident that I wouldn’t fit that category. And for the latter, hmm. Maybe?

My excitement turned sour. The latter is almost impossible.

I knocked on the door of the office before opening it.

I gulped as I looked at Mr. Morris. He’s the head of my department and I still don’t know why he called me here at his office. Whatever it is, I know he’s up to no good. I’m not comfortable with him ever since I joined The Midas Corporation. He’s creepy and always look at me like I am some food from the menu. That was the reason why promotion is really impossible for me. He’s also a credit-grabber and selfish.

“Ceci…” The fifty-one-year-old superior of mine called me with his flirtatious voice.

I forced a smile and tried to put a distance between us. I stood near the door.

“You called for me, Mr. Morris?”

He laughed then pointed to the couch. “Have a seat first, Ceci. We’ll talk about the upcoming project of our department and I’m thinking of giving you the chance to lead the project. It’s a big one and if you succeeded, it will give you a chance for a promotion.”

I’m convinced that I can’t trust Mr. Morris but the project he’s talking about triggered something in me. It’s an opportunity for me.

Without a single blink, I walked towards the couch and sat immediately. I saw how Mr. Morris grinned but I’m occupied with what I can achieve if I succeeded in this project.

“What kind of project you’re talking about, Mr. Morris?” I’m thrilled.

The old man puffed his cigarette and it released thick smoke and foul smell. I almost coughed but I tried my best to remain still.

I have no plan to curry flavor from anyone but I really need this, whether it’s a promotion or a commission, I badly need an extra buck for my account.

“Well, you’re familiar with what our role in this company, right?”

I quickly nodded.

Our department is responsible for marketing and promotion of different products, places and such. I’ve been working here for three months now and I love everything about my new work.

My goal is to be a regular worker in this company as The Midas Corporation is one of the huge company in the city. No one would know that I’m hiding as an office worker here.

“The ABC Group of Companies has been eyeing us to promote their newest brand line,” Mr. Morris explained lazily. “They’re choosing between us and the RCL Marketing. And believe me when I tell you that we have the higher chance to be chosen…”

I nodded. The company he mentioned is a huge one! It’s also in different kind of business than ours.

“And you might lead this project, Ceci.” He called me on my nickname again.

His smile creeped me out but I can ignore that. This is not the first time and I’m used to his tricks. All I have to do is to stay for a few seconds to hear him out.

“But…” Mr. Morris’ hand held my thigh and caressed them sensually. “It depends on your behavior, darling.”

I knew it!

Before I could even think, I slapped him hard in the face. I need the job but I have low tolerance for the people who want to take advantage of others. I should have not given him the benefit of the doubt! This old creep is a perverted person!

Mr. Morris stood and if I didn’t distance myself from him, I might get hit by him.

“How dare you slap me, bitch?” He’s mad and I know what may come next. “You’re fired! You have no place in this company!”

I closed my eyes for a second, trying to calm myself. This company is the perfect hiding place for me but it’s also a hell because of the likes of Mr. Morris.

“You don’t need to fire me, I resigned!” I walked out and left his office.

I marched towards my table and fixed my things. I didn’t bother to answer my colleagues’ questions because I’m busy putting my stuff on the box. 

I sighed. I never planned to quit from this company as early as this. I really want to stay longer if I was given the chance. Now, I have to look for another place that could serve as my hiding place.

I was from another city, where my kind lives and yes, I’m not an ordinary human. I’m a werewolf and I’ve been running away since last year.

Moonlight Pack of Dragonstone City was my home. Was. Because it’s been a year since I successfully ran away from that pack and as of now, I have no plans to return. Not yet.

I live in hiding since then. I learned how to mask my scent and my wolf agreed on hiding, too. I couldn’t let Coraline take over because we’re living as a human in this city. No one knew about werewolves and I have no plan to reveal myself to anyone.

I’m trying to earn as much as I can so I could investigate the secrets I heard from the council of my former pack. But because of the fact that I have no one to trust, I struggled on finding a regular job. Staying here at Metro City is the best decision I could make as of the moment, no one from my former pack which is just a few miles away would even think that I’m just here.

I’m lucky that I told no one about my dream to live like an ordinary human. I just need to be careful, I’m aware that they were still looking for me. I’m prepared for the worst scenario though.           

“So, what are you planning to do?” I heard Coraline in my head. We’re now walking in the hallway and some employees were looking at me with frown on their foreheads.

I didn’t answer and just sighed. I’m grateful that she’s my wolf. I never heard her complain since I told her not to transform. She understood me completely and she never argue with me.

But it doesn’t mean that I’m fine with it. I am not. Coraline deserve to run freely, play with other wolfs and if possible, find her mate. But due to our situation, she couldn’t do any of it.

Sometimes, I’m amazed by how my wolf stay strong despite being hidden. Some wolf that has no chance to transform would be weaken by now. But maybe Coraline is a special case. She never felt weak nor drained.

“Everything will be fine once we meet our mate,” she added. Her voice sounds excited and she started rolling in my head.

I just smiled. Mate? With our current situation, is that even possible? I have no time for that.

“Of course, it is!” My wolf almost roared in my head. She heard my thoughts and she’s against it. “Sooner or later, we’ll meet him. I feel it!”

“We have to be careful, Coraline. There are so many—

I almost stopped walking when I smelled a wolf scent. But it’s a bit different from a natural wolf smell. It’s foul and almost rotten. A rogue!

Coraline became serious, trying to figure out the location of the scent. Yes, she can do that. She’s really special. Thanks to her abilities, we could avoid some warrior from that stinky pack.

“The filthy wolf is not from our fake pack, Ceci.” I felt her rolling her eyes. “But yeah, it’s a rogue. Maybe two miles away, south.”

I simply nodded before changing my route.

I trained way back but I’m still an amateur in facing some rogues. I have zero experience in that department. And the best option now is to avoid facing any possible threats. Especially that Metro City is home to almost ninety-eight percent of human population. The two percent includes some werewolves that’re travelling here and there.

“A rogue…” I rode on my bike after putting all my things on the basket in the front. “Do you have any idea why they kept coming here?”

“Not really.” She scoffed before going deep down in my head.

I sighed as she literally shut up. I have a feeling that my wolf has been hiding some things from me. But I should focus more on looking for a new job. And of course, a new place to keep us safe.