Chapter 007

[Apple]

“What’s this?” I pull out a tiny glass vial filled with a liquid that swirls and glows green in the sunlight.

“That is a scent-enhancer.” He tries to explain. “They are illegal because they can be used to mask a wolf’s true scent. They are often sought out by omegas who are trying to escape their fates by landing gamma or beta mates.”

Something this valuable must have cost a small fortune. 

“A dab of that behind each ear and the crook of each knee, and most people who sniff you will think you are a Luna without question.” He nods his head while keeping his eyes on the road. “I got the strongest stuff the witch had…and she threw in a little extra scent since you have no scent to enhance.” 

“Thank…thank you,” I say, not sure what else I can do as I follow his instructions, placing a small drop behind each ear and knee. “For everything this morning. I appreciate it.”

His cheeks redden at my unexpected praise, “It's nothing, Luna. Just doing my job.” 

When we pull up to the front of Sterling Incorporated, I take a few deep, calming breaths as I wait for the beta to open my car door. 

“You’ve got this, Apple,” I whisper to myself in affirmation as I become more and more confident with each stride. “This is just a performance. Like a play. You can do this.”

“You might want to quiet the internal dialogue,” Beta Rudy smirks. “We’re almost within earshot. Remember, wolves have much better hearing than humans.” He pushes open the door, scanning the room for potential threats and I follow behind him, standing tall and straight, clenching my fists to hide how much they shake. 

 This time when I enter Sterling Incorporated, all eyes are on me, but for a different reason than before. Yesterday, I was a confused human. Today, I’m their new Luna. A rental Luna, yes, but a Luna nonetheless.

Beta Rudy guides me with a gentle hand past security, who tips their hat and doesn’t bother checking for my credentials. Wolves stand aside to let us pass and we get the elevator to ourselves. 

“Is it always like that?” My nervous hands immediately begin shaking.

“Like what?” he raises his eyebrow, curious.

“Like intense,” I exhale as I try desperately to explain. “Like everyone’s watching to see you stumble.” 

“A bit,” he admits. 

The doors open.

“Good morning, Beta Forrester,” the receptionist stands and bows to him, keeping her face neutral as she turns to look at me. 

Does she recognize me from yesterday, the underdressed stranger who ran out of here like a maniac? 

 “Oh, did the agency send over a new Luna this morning?” She gives a little sniff in my direction and her whole face lights up.

My tense smile widens and I stand a bit straighter as the Beta answers for me. “She was just sent over by the agency, chosen specially for our Alpha.”

Both of her eyebrows shoot up with his words. “Shall I show Luna…”

“Luna Apple LeRoux,” the Beta speaks up for me again.

“Yes,” the blonde bows to me as well. “Shall I show Luna LeRoux to her new office?”

“No need, Rosie” The Beta holds his arm out to me and I gladly take it.. “The Alpha wants me to see to her needs personally.”

The last time I came through, I was guided to the quiet, dark halfway to my right that leads directly to the Alpha’s office. 

This time I am directed to the left, where a much shorter hallway opens up to a large room full of what must be at least a hundred wolves sitting at desks, talking on phones, making copies, and drinking coffee all while going about the daily grind of running a major corporation. 

As I squeeze Beta's elbow, I look over and see a couple of she-wolves near a water cooler whispering behind their hands as they look in my direction.  

The Beta guides me forward, and as I move, doing my best to ignore the glares. The group of she-wolves in the corner, however, are all glaring daggers at me, daring me to say something with their pointed stares. 

At the heart of the room, where the lights pour in from the tall windows, is a set of large doors. Pushing one open, Rudy hands me inside. “Here you go, Luna.”

This office is at least as big, if not bigger, than Alpha Sterling’s office from yesterday. This can’t be meant for me. 

 “There is a handbook on the desk describing your duties and responsibilities. If you need anything, I’m on speed dial.”

“Thank you,” I say to him as he turns to walk away. 

His face softens. “My pleasure, Luna. No problem at all. Welcome to the pack.” 

Closing the door behind me, I settle in behind the desk. It is large and made of beautiful mahogany. It has a fancy new computer and a basic office phone. There is a smaller desk in the corner, which I guess is for an assistant.

The handbook is massive. At least 200 pages. Thankfully not all of it details my role as Luna. A big chunk of it discusses the history of the pack, the corporation, and also the roles and responsibilities of the other senior members of the Alpha’s staff. 

Afraid to make another misstep that could lead me into trouble, I spent my first hour trying to read over every detail. It is very informative, perhaps too informative, and my eyes and mind begin to blur about 20 pages in. 

“I wonder if the university teaches classes just by reading this manual,” I muse as I flip it over to the back. Sly’s smiling face grins up at me from the cover and I almost feel as if his eyes are watching me. 

Feeling overwhelmed, I get up and head towards the breakroom. There were a few other wolves there when I arrived, including the three she-wolves who had laughed near the water cooler during my introduction. 

Should I go in?

If I were a real Luna, what would I do?

Walking proudly across the room, I pretend they are beneath my notice as I walk as gracefully as I can from the door to the counter across the room to pour myself a cup of coffee.

The sound of my spoon stirring hazelnut creamer echoes in the suddenly quiet room as every wolf present studies my movements.

I feel like prey waiting for them to pounce.

Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes as I take a long sip, sighing in pleasure as the coffee warms me from the inside out. 

A hissing voice breaks through the silence. “Why is she even here? Another fake Luna.”

“She’s so pathetic she’s even making her own coffee.”

Shoot. I already made another mistake. I should have known better. But I didn’t want to bother Beta Rudy over something so trivial. He’s a busy, important wolf.

“What does it matter, she’ll be gone soon,” The group starts to chuckle menacingly, as if promising to make their wish come true.  No longer thirsty. I set the cup down, and walk out as calmly as I can. 

My heart racing,  I hurry back to my office and shut the door.  

They’re right, I’m not a real Luna. And when they find out the truth, nothing is keeping them from doing whatever they want to make me disappear for good.

“What have you gotten yourself into, Apple,” I flop into my chair. Picking up the phone, I try to remember how to speed-dial Rudy. I need to tell him this is all a mistake, that I need to go home. 

But my hands and my brain aren’t working, fear causing my hands to tremble. After a few failed tries, I give up on trying to call the beta.  I really am hopeless--I can't even work a phone.

“Damn it!” I growled, picking up the handbook on my desk and tossing it across the room.

It lands with a very solid thunk. 

Turning the rest of the way around I see why.