CHAPTER FIVE - THE FIRST TIME SOPHIA MET ALAN ZANG

The first time Sophia met Alan Zang was during kindergarten; she had admired him ever since. As he grew, the number of girls around him increased, and he was sheltered by his friends, Julian and Eddie. He was a handsome young man who attracted many female admirers. Although human girls knew they stood no chance with the future Alpha of the Zang Pack, they still flocked around him.

Sophia's path crossed with Alan's for the first time when she was persuaded by Becky to take over her cleaning duties for their class that evening after school. Sophia had been obligated to accept, partly because Becky had been the one responsible for paying for her lunch that afternoon. While Becky disappeared, Sophia was left to clean the class herself. She needed to hurry home to help her mother with dinner, so she ran to the janitor's closet without a second glance. To her surprise, Alan was there, wrapped in the heated embrace of a nameless senior girl. Their lips were locked in an intense embrace, and they both raised an eyebrow when Sophia walked in, but they continued their activity, knowing she had no guts to report them. Sophia's face was red with embarrassment, and she quickly grabbed the equipment she needed and ran out.

Alan had not even spared her a second glance when he saw her in the halls later. He just passed by her, as if she was just like that nameless girl. Sophia had always felt like she was no special gem in the sea, and seeing Alan with that senior girl had confirmed her belief.

Even now, as he stood in front of her and asked her questions that she had blacked out on, he was still that handsome kid out of her reach. She needed that money, and she ought to behave like the slut she had come out to be. She couldn't let her tears flow; he might change his mind if she continued crying. No man wanted a crying bunny.

"Are you listening to me?" He asked again, his hands in his pockets.

"Yes," she said absentmindedly. His house was giving her a chilling feeling. She couldn't quite believe she was this close to him. Werewolves gave her that chill.

"I said, go in there and take your bath. I will join you briefly," he said, pointing in the direction of a bedroom.

Sophia nodded and stood up from the chair she had been sitting on. She went into the bedroom, which was bigger than the entire apartment she shared with her mother. She tried not to think of her mother now. It would be better if her mother didn't know how she got the money.

Sophia cautiously sat down on the soft bed, feeling the plushness beneath her. It was like nothing she had ever experienced before. The room was grand, elegant, and decorated with luxury furniture. She was beginning to lose herself in the opulence when she remembered that he had asked her to take a bath. She stood up and walked towards the bathroom, sliding the door open.

Looking at the toiletries on the bathroom shelf, she concluded that it must be his bathroom. Mark had told her that the client would not take her to their house, and it was likely that they would never see each other again. She was even instructed to wear a blindfold. But Alan had not only removed her blindfold but had also brought her to his house. What was he planning, or was he simply abusing his alpha privileges?

Hearing him moving in the room, Sophia undressed and stepped into the bath, washed herself clean, wrapped a towel around herself, and emerged from the bathroom. Alan glanced up from what he was doing and admired her, his eyes moving from her legs up to her face. Sophia smiled shyly. He had changed his clothes, and his damp hair suggested that he had taken a shower elsewhere.

"You clean up well, don't you?" he teased, his handsome face and smile causing her to melt like butter.

Sophia nodded, unable to form words. Alan dropped the pictures he had been sorting into his drawer, and Sophia managed to catch a glimpse of them. They were pictures of wolves, but she could not see any more as he closed the drawer.

He sat back and leaned against the wall.

"Come to me," he commanded.

Sophia gulped and gasped as his hands traced her waist, holding her in place.

"What is your name?" he asked, his hands moving up to the knot holding the towel above her breasts.

"Sophia, Sophia Andrews," she replied breathlessly, as he played with the tip of the towel. His hands roamed on the cleavage that spilt out of the towel, becoming more demanding and pushing the towel lower. Sophia was already getting aroused by his actions, her mouth opening as strange sensations flooded her senses.

"You have a beautiful name, Sophia. Have you lived in this city for a long time?" he inquired, pulling her between his legs. At that moment, the towel came loose, but Sophia held it loosely with her hands, gasping. Alan raised her chin with his hands.

"Isn't this why you came here? Let go. Let it fall," he commanded. Sophia bit her lip, ignoring him and holding on. Alan tugged her hands away, and the towel fell, exposing her body to his gaze.

She heard his sharp intake of breath, noticed the dilation of his pupils, and felt his hands become more lustful as they searched, grabbed, and kneaded her flesh to his desire. Her moans increased in earnest.

"You haven't answered my question, Sophia. Did you grow up here?" he asked.

"Yes, I did," she replied breathlessly. His eyes read her every move, and she tried to look away, but he cupped her face and directed her eyes back to his.

"Don't be afraid," he said gently. Sophia nodded and opened her mouth to reply, but he invaded it with his own. His kiss was demanding, leaving her no room to breathe. His hands went down and in between her legs, causing her to panic and close them reactively. Alan cut off the kiss and removed his hands, pushing her away.

"If you won't let me touch you, then why did you try to sell your virginity? You're not willing to do this," Alan stated.

"I am. I just need time to adjust to you," Sophia replied.

"What? I haven't even started, and you're this jittery. It's either I stop now, or if we continue, there will be no stopping. I will take the pleasure I paid for," he warned, his patience waning. He seemed to be struggling within himself.

Sophia's eyes became glassy; she needed the money. She couldn't mess this up. Alan began to move away from her, picking up the towel and throwing it at her before walking out. Sophia panicked; he must be upset with her. Tears began falling in earnest, and she wrapped the towel around herself.

She followed him out of the bedroom and saw him seated in the living room, the television playing. He kept flipping channels and drinking.

"Wear some clothes; you can pick some of mine in the wardrobe. They should fit you," he called, sensing her behind him.

Sophia sniffled and went back in to get some clothes. She settled for a shirt big enough to act as a gown. She paddled back to him barefoot, and he signaled her to a seat.

She settled down across from him like an obedient child. He handed her a glass of wine, and she took it gently, looking at his face. He didn't seem perturbed or angry with her. He looked gentle and collected. Sophia panicked and wondered what he would do with her now. She needed the money. Becky would give her an earful if she heard that she messed up the job. She couldn't even handle a man sleeping with her. It would be a real hell, and her house, the loan sharks, they might as well sell her into a prostitution ring. She was hopeless.

"Comfortable?" he asked her after a few more sips.

"Yes," she answered awkwardly.

"So are you going to answer me now? How many years have you lived here? Do you know me?" he asked out of the blue.

Sophia blushed. "Of course, everyone knows you. You lived in Zang City until your parents died and travelled…" Sophia paused, realizing what she had said. She needed to get her act together. This was a werewolf, and he might quickly hate her. If there was anything the Wolf of Zang City hated, it was humans poking their noses into their business. Human males were annoying, and the females were just for sex - a service she was currently denying him.

He dropped the glass he was holding and looked at Sophia with a deep-searching gaze.

"I'm pleased to know that you know me. What school do you attend?" he asked.

Sophia panicked, "Why are you asking?" She couldn't let this become known in public. He wouldn't tell, would he? Most of the girls at school thought she was a virgin and teachers used her as a daily moral example for the others. Her life would be ruined in Zang City.

"I have a proposition for you," he said, not sounding annoyed at all. He just regarded her with a cool gaze, like a pesky fly he couldn't wait to get rid of.

"What is it?" Sophia asked nervously.

He laughed, the sound rich in her ears. His phone began ringing, but he ignored it. "I can see you have a habit of ignoring my questions."

"Sorry, I attend Zang High School," Sophia said, trying to compose herself.

Zang High School was the only public school in the city, and the people of Zang City were fortunate to have it. It was the only structure that signified that the government recognized the city. In all other cases, the Zang Pack ruled. There were several private schools around, and no doubt Alan would attend one of them now. His father had wanted him to attend the public school so that he could learn about the people at the grassroots level and be a better leader. That had been his father's philosophy, but upon his death, his uncle had sent him abroad, saying that was where quality education lay.

They had attended the same kindergarten and primary school, then the junior school, and yet he didn't remember her. Whereas she knew all about him.

"Oh, that's cute. I guess we'll be seeing more of each other then," he said, sounding pleased.

"Yes?" Sophia asked, confused.

"I'm starting back at Zang High next week. This is insider information, nobody knows yet," Alan said, leaving Sophia stunned. She was going to see him again? Her nemesis? That was not good. She would always remember their session together, especially since she had even failed at what she set out to do. No doubt he regarded her as a loser now.

"I'm looking forward to seeing you in school. You can go now. The money will be wired to your account. Pay off your debt," he advised.

"But I didn't..." Sophia blushed, embarrassed.

"You don't have to. I was the one who hesitated. I could have taken you regardless of your tears. All I want is your body to satisfy me. Your feelings don't matter." He said without looking at her.

That hurts her, but she took it in good grace, she had been spared, so why cry? "But you're giving me the money. I can't just take the money without doing something to earn it."

"Oh, really?" he asked, his eyes lighting up. "You're very funny. Aren't you the one who started crying at the thought of selling her virginity?"

Sophia looked down at her feet, tears threatening to fall. She would never be able to face Alan Zang again with her head held high. She couldn't believe she had met her crush after all and behaved so shamefully. Her situation was pathetic.

"Sorry," she mouthed.

The doorbell rang, but Alan ignored it. Sophia looked at him in question, but he waved her off.

"How about this? I'm going back to school on Monday, but I don't have anyone to take care of me. No one to cook, do my laundry, copy my notes, do my assignments, or even run my errands..." the list was endless.

Sophia knew it was a lie, a trap. He was rich and could easily get someone to do all those things for him. But she didn't have the courage to say it out loud. His doorbell kept ringing.

Werewolves had high sensitivity, and she was sure he knew who was at the other end of the door. She didn't want to be in the middle of a werewolf fight. Or perhaps it was a girlfriend, was that why he didn't want to open it, so the person wouldn't misunderstand? That must be it. Werewolves had their own destined mate. She had seen several of them in the city. Instant love blossoms everywhere. Though there had been no announcement for Alan Zang yet which gave every werewolf girl hope.

"So, as payback for the money, you can assume the role of my maid. Someone to look after me and ensure I'm always fine," he said, smiling.

"That's not a maid; that's a nanny," Sophia corrected, instantly regretting it as the words left her mouth.

He sent her a look that could kill, his entire vibe turning dangerous. His eyes were settled beyond her though - he was looking at the door. It was then Sophia noticed that the doorbell was no longer ringing. Whoever was at the other end was now trying to input the door code. With each failed attempt, Alan’s face grew more serious, his whole mood changed, and he had succeeded in cracking the remote in his hands.

“See you on Monday, Sophia. You are to report to my house at 5 a.m. I eat at 6. And you are also in charge of carrying my notes to school,” he said gravely.

Sophia didn’t dare to argue; she nodded like a duck. He stood up and placed his hands on her back, pushing her out of the house. He opened the door.

Sophia gasped as she took in the people outside. It was Maska Zang, Alan’s uncle and the current unofficial ruler of Zang City. The man held so much power that Sophia knew he could crush her where she stood. He was holding a walking stick, and two guards stood at his back.

There was also a young girl at his back - slimmer and model height. Her face was polite and gentle, and she smiled when she saw Sophia. Her eyes scanned the clothes Sophia was putting on, the smile on her face never fading.

This must be the girlfriend. Oh my. I'm in trouble, Sophia thought. She hoped Alan had explained to Maska Zang while she was there.

“Uncle, welcome,” Alan said, pushing her out. Sophia itched to warn him that her clothes were still in his bathroom, but she thought better of it. The present Alan was not the forgiving one who had left her alone when she cried - he would not hesitate to tear her in two if she made a silly mistake.

His uncle grunted. Sophia wanted to disappear, but her feet refused to move. Maska Zang had not commanded her to leave. She needed to live to withdraw the money to pay her debtors.

“Is she the one you took from the undergrounds?” his uncle asked barely glancing at her

“My maid. Yes. I heard my maid was there, so I went to buy her out,” he replied, his smile slipping in place as he pushed the door open and allowed his uncle to come in with the guards. She could see how attentive he was to the girl that followed them. He didn’t even spare her a glance before closing the door behind him.

Sophia heaved. That was all she was always going to be - the one who is left behind, waiting and hoping that one day she would be more than a one-night stand gone wrong.