1. All For Money?

Amelia's POV

The day I mated with my mate, the love of my life; I found out that he is my step-brother.

All the dreams we saw together and all the plans we had for our future shattered into a thousand pieces.

A year ago 

I wish I could say that my life was good, but it is not.

I hate waking up because I know exactly what awaits me every single day. My shift at Joy’s, to wait tables and deal with men that misbehave more times than I can count. But I have to save some money before school starts which is tomorrow. That means I have exactly one day to make sure that I get enough tips to get my supplies and all the necessary things for school.

I groaned as I got up from my hard bed, and saw my little sister sleeping peacefully beside me. I have to provide a better life for, at least better than mine.

I got ready for work and while I looked in the mirror as I did my hair, I looked too much like my mother.

When I was little Dad always used to say that I will grow up to be exactly like my mother. And now I can see why he used to say that.

Both my parents died in a car crash 8 years ago, and since then a lot have changed for me and my pack. My brother Alex was throned as our Alpha even though he was a mere kid and my brother Archer was announced as our Beta after their demise.

As time passed by we grew up way faster than the other kids, because we didn’t have it all easy like them.

We had to fight hard every single day to survive on our own, fight from ourselves, fight with other packs who thought we were beneath them since there was no real head in our pack.

Suppressing the painful knot that grew in my chest after recalling the past, I went to work with my head held straight.

The smell of greasy food was thick in the air as customers flooded in and out of the restaurant. The constant chattering and clinking of pots gracing my ears.

I went into the prep kitchen to help out with the dishes when my coworker called me. “Amelia! I need you here in the front!” she yelled and I wanted to cover up my ears because… super hearing can be a blessing and a curse at the same time.

“Coming!” I shouted back as I wore a red apron and headed in the front to take my notepad and pen.

“Good morning, girly,” Shelly said with a warm smile and I returned it with the same warmth as I headed to the table to take orders.

“Hello Richard, what would you like to have today?” I asked in a polite tone to the bald old man who was in his late sixties.

“Hey, Shawty! Just get me the usuals and feed me with your own hands if you will,” he said with a wink. I gave him an uneasy look before I went to place his usual order which consisted of Grilled cheese sandwich and a large coffee.

I picked the prepared meal and went back to his table with it. He smiled at me happily as I placed the dish in front of him.

Just as I was about to go to another table to pick an order, I felt a sharp tinge on my behind. Puzzled, I looked behind to see Richard smiling at me as if he had won some sort of lottery.

I swallowed the bile that was rising through my throat. Just because I knew I couldn’t say anything back to him. If I say anything to him he won’t give me any tips and I am really in need of those. I hate days like these. I know I am not the first waitress here to have experienced that. It is very common but that didn’t make it any easier because I really wanted to punch Richard square in the face. But, I had no power here. And the one thing I have learnt in this world is that, no one would believe you unless you have great power.

As I was wallowing in shame and misery, I heard a familiar voice, “Are you seriously going to just fucking stare at him?!” I heard an anger filled voice blaze in my ears.

I whipped around in a breath as I saw none other than Zane Alistair, my childhood best friend who abandoned me when I needed him the most, my tormentor and my bully from all these years.

His eyes were blazing fire at Richard’s hand that was now on the table. His sharp jaw muscle was twitching in anger and I could feel all the rage radiating out of him.

I widened my eyes at Zane, as I stuttered, “Zane… what are you doing here?”

His poisonous gaze whipped from Richard to me as he glared at me and I wanted to hide under a rock. His gaze drafted to Richard again, who was looking between Zane and I confusedly.

Gritting his teeth hard Zane grabbed a glass bottle from the side table and smashed it on Richard’s head in one swift motion. The sound of the bottle crashing and the soft drink spilling everywhere made the entire busy restaurant pause for a moment. Every pair of eyes in the restaurant turned to look towards us, and I grew bright pink with shame.

What have I done?

“What the hell?!” Richard yelled as he held his bloody head and moaned in pain.

“How dare you touch her?!” Zane roared at him as he grabbed Richard by his collar.

“Zane!” I exclaimed and tried to pull him away from killing the old man. I am sure one punch and the old man would be seeing the stars but before that happens I pulled Zane by his arm anxiously and he turned to look at me with disgust in his ocean blue eyes.

By his caveman reaction one might think he actually cares for me, and maybe he does in his own way. But I know for a fact that the only reason Zane hit back for me is because he wants to be the only one to torture me. He has been like that since my parents death.

Yep, that’s right.

Zane and I were best friends, we always hung out together and I even had a huge crush on him, I mean I still do.

But after my parents death when we lost everything, I needed my best friend the most, and he was not there for me. He, just like other people, started to degrade me and my pack. Every time he used to degrade me and I, like a fool, still expected him to grow feelings for me again. But I know that is never going to happen.

Zane and I exited the restaurant as he walked way faster than I did so I ran to catch up with him as I yelled, “What were you thinking when you attacked that old man like that?”

“What was I thinking?” he repeated as if I am the ridiculous one here. “You know what I think? I think that you let all these men touch, grope and spank you because you want the fucking tips. If you are doing it just for the money then you are more than welcome to become my very own cum bucket!” he said with a purposeful laugh to degrade me.

His face registered nothing but shock when I slapped him HARD across his face.

“How dare you?” I cried at him as I grabbed him by collar, my tears threatening to fall down my eyes.

“Oh wow! You can slap? Then why didn’t you slap that old bastard?” he asked me with an angry voice. I knew if I were anyone else I would have been dead for slapping him.

I looked at my feet with guilt covering my face, he is right. I should have stood up for myself.

“You know what? Forget it! I don’t want to waste a breath on someone like you. You could let them all have a turn at you and I wouldn’t care,” he spat out as he straightened his black leather jacket, and started walking away from me.

As soon as he turned around my tears started rolling down my cheek.

Where is the guy that used to threaten everyone who made me cry?

Zane is not like that anymore and my brain knew it, I wish that my heart could come to terms with it as well.