Chapter 7
“Don’t interrupt me. You’ll get a free pass to drool over them every day. Imagine walking into a room and Alpha Aeson is there, all polished and serious, and Alpha Caiden’s lounging around, looking like trouble. And Hades-” She fanned herself. “Just standing there, ripping you apart with those eyes of his.”
“Stop it!” I snapped, feeling both embarrassed and annoyed. “You’re being ridiculous.”
She laughed, throwing a pillow at me. “You’re no fun, Serena. I’m just saying, if you don’t want this job, I’ll gladly take your place.”
I scowled, but deep down, her teasing had gotten to me more than I cared to admit. What had I gotten myself into?
I slumped onto the bed, staring blankly at the floor as the weight of everything threatened to suffocate me.
“Getting the job is far from it, Everly,” I said, my voice trembling with resignation. “I’ve lost it. I just hope no one comes after me to punish me. That will uplift Alpha Pedro, but my parents… they’d be devastated.”
Everly’s teasing smirk disappeared. She leaned closer, her expression softening.
“I understand,” she murmured. “But you shouldn’t worry so much. Nothing will happen. I’m sure Alpha Aeson won’t dwell on it if he finds out you lied. And if he does and wants to punish you, I’ll talk to my father to save you.”
I shook my head vehemently. “Your father is a Gamma, Everly. Pedro sent my parents out of the packhouse because of me. You and I being in close contact isn’t going to sit well with him. It’s not worth the trouble.”
Everly frowned, her brows furrowing in defiance. “What are you saying?”
I met her gaze, my eyes pleading. “I know you care, and I know your father does too. But he’s bound by his loyalty to Pedro. He can’t get in the middle of this, Everly. You know what I mean.”
She shrugged dismissively. “I don’t care about all that. I just won’t let you get hurt. You can rely on me and my wolf to protect you until you find your wolf.”
I gave her a bitter smile. “That’s like a dead cause. It’s been over five years, Everly. I haven’t even been able to shift. I don’t think I’ll ever get my wolf.”
“Balderdash!” she spat, her wolf flashing through her eyes for a split second.
I got up and began pacing, the anxiety bubbling inside me needing some outlet. “Honestly, I’m less worried about myself right now. What matters most is finding a job, sustaining my family, and paying off the debt we owe Pedro before he decides to unleash his wrath on us again.”
“Ugh, that bastard…” Everly hissed under her breath, clenching her fists.
I stopped mid-stride and shot her a warning look. “Don’t say that. The walls have ears, Everly. You could be punished severely.”
She rolled her eyes. “Like I care. I just hate how he treats you like you’re less of a pack member. I wish you and your parents could go to another pack.”
“You know that’s impossible,” I said quietly, resuming my pacing. “Because of my status. Because of me. No pack would want a late bloomer. I’d seem like a trap, Everly-a burden. Most would consider me a curse. And since we’re not originally from whatever pack we’d move to, they’d treat us like outsiders. It’s better to stay here in Misty Violet, keep Pedro from being irked, and do my best to meet his endless demands.”
Everly sighed deeply, her voice softening. “Poor you. Your life is just so hard.”
I didn’t respond as she crossed the room and hugged me. Her embrace was warm and soothing, briefly pulling me from the edge of despair. For a fleeting moment, I allowed myself to lean into her comfort, but the beep of my phone cut through the silence.
Everly pulled back, glancing at the device on the bed. “Are you going to check that?”
“No, Everly. It’s probably a useless message,” I muttered, waving it off as I resumed pacing. “It’s not worth-”
Chapter 7
She snatched it up before I could stop her, her eyes widening as she read the screen. “Serena!”
“What?” I stopped and turned to her.
Het gasp was loud and theatrical. “You got it!”
“Got what?” I frowned, confused. “Everly, stop teasing. I know I’ve got trouble following me every day.”
“No, Serena,” she said, her voice trembling with excitement. “You got the jobr
My chest tightened, and I took a cautious step toward her. “Don’t taunt me by rubbing my predicament in my face.”
She shook her head frantically and thrust the phone toward me. “I’m serious! Look!”
My lips parted as I snatched the phone from her hand, my eyes scanning the message. “Congratulations, Miss Serena,” I read aloud, my voice barely a whisper. “You’ve been accepted as the assistant. Please report to the Alpha’s office tomorrow morning…”
My hands trembled as I stared at the screen, unable to believe what I was reading.
Everly squealed, throwing her arms around me in a tight hug. “Oh my goddess, Serena! Congratulations!”
But I couldn’t respond. The weight in my chest hadn’t lifted. If anything, it felt heavier. This wasn’t a relief. This wasn’t joy. It seemed like it was a storm brewing, and I was standing in its eye.
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