Chapter 1

KIARA'S POV

I nervously fidgeted with the hem of my sweater as I sat across from the alpha’s imposing desk. The room was luxurious, filled with leather chairs and mahogany bookshelves, a stark contrast to the humble factory I'd worked at before. I swallowed hard and tried not to be intimidated by the sheer wealth of the man in front of me.

I had grown up knowing just my mother. My father had left us when I was just five years old, leaving us to fend for ourselves. My mother worked hard to provide for us, and I had always known that we didn't have much, but we are happy.

I was a young lady who believed in hard work, so when the time came for me to begin working, I worked hard, putting in all my best, and preparing for college.

But all that changed when my Mother fell ill. Lydia, my Mother, had fallen off due to an accident in the marketplace and had since suffered Paralysis.

I had worked day and Night trying hard so I could fend for my Mother, and myself. Being an only child, and a breadwinner was no easy feat, and that was why I decided to look for an extra job that could pay more.

And so that I could fend for myself.

“Mom, I’m going for an interview at Kalin Corp, today. Pray to the moon goddess that I get a job there, they’ve got very good salary bonuses for even Cleaners.” I said as I cleaned my mother's body.

“But… would..you be…okay..over.there? I..heard…They aren’t..nice…in..that..place?” My mother stuttered, and I smiled at her.

“Let’s be hopeful Mother. If I do get the Job, I can save up and take you for the treatment that could make you walk again. I would love to see you back on your feet.” I said and my mother broke into a slow wide smile.

I wiped the tears falling from my eyes, as I freshened up for her interview. My mother had lost her ability to walk, and it affected her speech, making her speech a bit more slurry.

I sighed and threw on the most decent dress I had, a cloth that accentuated my bodily curves. The beautiful specimen I was to look upon, yet nobody saw through it.

I was one of the minority who lived on barely bread and Water.

“One day I’ll be rich. And I’ll find my mate and he’ll be rich.” I said to my Mother every morning, pursuing the affirmative

The fact is that I was the epitome of Beauty, hard work, and brains and I believe that will take me a long way even though I'm from a poor background.

But I had no way to show it. I hadn’t finished High school, ever since my Mother fell ill, and I had lost the chance to become the person I had wanted to become.

I stared at my shoes, my mind coming back to the present, where I sat in the reception at Kalin Corps, waiting for my name to be called.

“Kiara Stardust?” The secretary called and I looked up hurriedly.

“That’s me,” I said.

“It's your turn to see the President.” The secretary said and I nervously stood up and entered the Office.

“Good Morning, Alpha.” I greeted and he just looked up and stared at me.

He stared at me for a while and I was able to read his expression like something about me seemed to worry him, his facial expression says it all.

“Please sit.” He motioned to me to sit across from him and I did. I looked nervous, tapping my knee and looking around.

"How can someone be so unsure of herself?" He said to me as if he was getting Irritated.

I wanted to say something but he cut me off.

"So, Miss Stardust, why do you think you're qualified for this position as a cleaner at North Hill Corp?" His voice was smooth, but there was a hint of amusement in his eyes that made me wonder if l was being made fun of.

"Um, well, Mr. Dawson, I'm a hard worker. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to support my mother." I tried to keep my voice level, I couldn't ignore the way my mind and body was reacting.

My own wolf was stirring as well, but I tried to ignore it, but it was nagging at me.

What exactly was my wolf trying to do? Why was it so anxious?

I looked around and I could feel my cheeks become hot with discomfort. Something about this man irked and excited me.

But I couldn’t put a finger on it.

"Interesting," The young man replied, leaning back in his chair and he stared at my face intently.

BRYANT'S POV

I knew what the problem was.

Because I could feel it too. The discomfort is too obvious.

“Would you like me to put on the AC? You’re sweating.” I asked and she shook her head.

“No, no. There’s no need. I’m fine, President Bryant.” She said and I nodded softly.

There's something strange and different about this lady among all the females I have met.

She felt Ominous.

Like she had come to destroy the balance of my life.

I can feel it.

U could no longer control my wolf.

Damn it, I sensed it as soon as she stepped into the building,  and into my office.

The scent of my mate. This poor, unsophisticated thing was my mate.

And I had no plan to keep her as my mate.

Not when I had Anna.

My wolf took control and In a low growl, he uttered "Mate."

As I struggled with my thoughts, and I felt ashamed that I couldn't keep my wolf calm not to split out that word just then the door to my office opened and my father, Kalin Edward, walked in. He was a man of upright principles, with a strong sense of honor and duty.

He had always been a source of guidance and support for me, and I knew that my father would have some wisdom to offer me in this difficult situation.

"What's going on here?" My father asked, looking between me and Kiara.

I hesitated for a moment before responding. "Kiara is my mate," I said softly. "But I can't be with her. I made a promise to Anna."

My father frowned, looking at me sternly. "Bryant, you know that rejecting your mate is a serious matter. You can't just do it because of a promise you made to someone else."

I felt a surge of frustration rising within me. I had always respected my father's opinion, but in this case, I felt that he was being unfair. "But I love Anna," I said firmly. "I can't just abandon her for someone else."

My father raised an eyebrow. "Love is a powerful thing, but it's not everything. You need to consider the consequences of your actions. There are plenty of men who have rejected their mates and ended up bankrupt or miserable because they weren't with the one they were meant to be with."

I shook my head. "I won't end up like them. I won't marry anyone else but Anna."

I said firmly to my Dad before drifting my eyes to the poor thing the moon goddess gave me as a mate. I gave her a stern look and she quickly lowered her head. I'm glad that she is here listening as I discuss with my father at least now she will know my true intentions towards her and that I don't plan on rejecting her because I have a woman I'm deeply in love with even though she is not my mate Anna is the woman I want to marry.

My father sighed, looking at me with a mix of concern and disappointment. "Bryant, you're being stubborn. You need to think this through. You can't just throw away a potential mate because of a promise you made to someone else."

I felt my anger rising. I didn't want to hear any more of my father's lectures. I had made up my mind and I wasn't going to change it. "I appreciate your concern, Father," I said icily. "But this is my decision to make. I won't marry Kiara, and that's final."

My father looked at me sadly, as if he couldn't believe his son was being so stubborn. "Very well," he said. "But know that I will always be here for you, no matter what happens."

After my father left I turned to face Kiara and with no emotions in my eyes, I said to her. "Get out," he said finally, his voice low and angry.

She looked at me, hurt and disbelief etched on her face. "What? Bryant, please, we can talk about this-"

"I said get out!" I roared, standing up from my desk. "I don't want to see you again."

She flinched hard at how harsh I was to her, she was staring at me with disbelief because I had seemed a bit nicer before.

With a trembling body and moist eyes, she walked out of the office.

She wouldn’t be getting the job nor will I take her as my mate.