/Erin's POV/
As soon as their scents fade in the meeting room, I let out a loud exhale, still able to feel the musk hit my nostrils. My eyes bore hatefully in their direction, hoping it was enough to burn their back. Both of them dared to show up and give an ultimatum. Then again, after their father's death, they had no obligation to invest in our company anymore.
Still, it stung. The harsh reality that we had no one to back us anymore slowly settled in. Our staff paychecks relied heavily on monthly payments from the Pack Alpha and few royalties. How will we survive? Most importantly, Alpha Reed mentioned us paying him back.
What am I going to do now? Panic began seeping into my bones, legs clamped together. My head slammed on the cold desk, eyes stinging with unshed tears. Our savings were used up in the first year to support the company until Pack Alpha found our situation. We managed to exhaust every dime of it to keep the company floating.
My mother had sharply reminded my father not to do it, save it up for Esther's bonding ceremony. He did not pay any attention to her advice, something I am sure he will regret now. Should I tell him?
The question hung in the air, a lump forming in my throat as I thought of his worsening condition. He was unable to cope up with the death of his close friend, choosing to stay indoors. Naturally, we were all concerned for his well being.
The receptionist knocked on the door, almost startling me and pulling me out of my thoughts.
"Yes, Helen?"
"Is everything alright? Why were they here?"
I straightened my back, mustering a fake smile on my lips. The receptionist was a huge gossip, and fortunately for us, I had closed the door on her. She might not have caught our conversation and now tried to coax me into telling her.
"Of course," I said, my voice a tad bit chirpy. "Why wouldn't it be? They were here for business purposes. You can get back to your work now."
Helen twisted her lips, hands on her hips, and eyes narrowed in my direction. "Are you sure? It seemed like a serious discussion."
"That's how business meetings go."
I refrained from rolling my eyes at her. She had to be the most nosy person in our office, but my father still insisted on keeping her. The beta was only nineteen and had no one to support her but a grandmother.
"Alright, if you say so."
"Please get me a strong coffee. Two sugars."
"Sorry!" Helen innocently blinked. "We are out of milk."
Moons! A groan escaped my lips, and my head fell back on the cool surface of the desk. Just when I thought the day couldn't get any more worst.
***
There's a shiver I can't seem to shake that's coursing through my body, and it went with the tingling I felt at the back of my neck. A general unease that made my body thrum with it, heart beating fast ever since this afternoon.
All because of those Armani twins.
Why did they have to come back? I huffed under my thought, but then my heart twisted at their situation. As much as I wanted to hate them openly, they were grieving their father. It's not fair.
I glanced up when my dad walked in from the kitchen, two steaming mugs in his hands, his face crumpled and tired, looking like he's aged another five years in the last one week. Sliding one of the mugs across the table towards me, he slumped on the couch and leaned heavily on his forearms.
"I made you coffee."
"Thank you, dad! You have no idea how long I have been craving for a cup." I cradled the mug between my hands, letting the hot steam rise and cloud my vision for a moment. After they left, I was distracted the entire time, ate half a sandwich and wrapped things up.
Renee was annoyed as I kept zoning out and took it personally by giving me the cold shoulder for the rest of the day. Her ideas were marvellous, and I should tell her that the next day.
"You should have asked Helen to make you a cup."
"We ran out of milk today."
A laugh forced out of him, setting the mug on the table. "Wow! How did that happen?"
"I am sure you might have heard that the Armanis showed up today for a business meeting."
He hummed. "Yes. Helen called me in the morning after Charles scheduled a meeting."
I knew it! My father was not slick at all, nor was Helen. It's expected of her to report everything to my father anyway.
"Right, right," I conceded, eyes flickering up for a beat, grip tightening around the mug. I took a long sip, my eyes rolling back as the hot liquid slid down my throat. "They came to see me with Charles. I think he's their assistant now."
"Good for him," My father made a sound, taking a sip of his coffee. "What did they talk about? It must be nice catching up with them, right?"
I almost choked on the coffee at that, letting the liquid burn down my throat too quickly, too hot, and I felt it down to my stomach. "Uhh...we only talked about business, dad. Nothing else."
My poor naive dad. He had no idea what happened between us or why we were not on talking terms all these years.
"Oh?"
"Yes. They wanted to talk about the investment and our upcoming book fair."
I replied after a moment, licking my lips, relishing the slightly bitter taste of the brew that's never quite strong enough for my liking.
We did not speak anything for a few minutes, and I soaked up the silence.
"That's all?"
I stuttered. "Y-Yes."
"Thank moons! I was worried they would want to stop investing and demand their money back. They are our only hope right now, honey. We would have crumbled a long time ago if not for their support." He said with a sigh, a long look on his face. My father stared at the wall behind me. "The company has been our business for almost four generations now. I cannot imagine our family without it. Those two are just as generous as their father."
I hummed, cringing internally. What would happen if he found out the truth about them? It would break his heart and possibly affect his health even more. That's the last thing I wanted right now.
"Dad, I have a few things to take care of, so..." I trailed, already standing on my feet, the mug numb in my hand.
"Alright! I'll see you for dinner then." His back cracked as he stood up with a wince, gaze weary. His stare fixed firmly on me, stirring nausea in my belly, but I tried to keep my steps light, walking towards my room.
"Don't work too hard!" I heard my dad, his voice heavy with things we have decided to leave unsaid.
***
The next day's dawn broke with a tension in the air that made me feel a bit uncomfortable.
Helen beamed upon seeing me walk through the doors, making me almost double take. "Mister Rowan and Mister Reed Armani are waiting for you again."
"Huh?" I blinked, rushing towards the meeting room, my heart in my throat. What was the hurry? Could they not wait for another day? Is it too much to ask?
The identical heads turned to me, creeping me, but Rowan's lips twitched. I slammed the door behind me before coming to stand in front of them.
"Couldn't you both wait for a day?"
"I am afraid we cannot." Reed piped, his arms crossed together against his chest. "This is rather pressing."
My cheeks flamed as I let out a breath, clenching my eyes shut. The hair on the back of my neck stood up. It was very embarrassing to admit that we had no money to pay back.
"Umm...regarding the money, I am sorry, but we do not have any funds to pay you back."
"We know." Reed huffed. "That's why we are here to talk."
"Oh." I squeaked, quickly coughing to cover up as I finally sat down in the chair opposite them.
"We thought about it the entire day and concluded that we do not want your money." Reed drawled, lazily leaning back in the chair. "We will continue to support the publishing house."
My eyes widened at that, mouth opening and closing. Silence settled in the room, jaw falling slack. "Oh, Moons! I-I cannot believe this. Thank you, thank you so much for reconsidering. I don't know how I am ever going to return this favour."
"There's a way you can return the favour, Woods."
"Huh?" I blinked confusedly. Hope blossomed in my chest as I flickered my eyes between the identical twin Alphas. "Really?"
"Yes," Rowan smirked, but there was a glint in his eyes that made me nervous. He glanced at his brother, who gave him a nod. "You have to be our omega."
***
What do you think Erin will do?
/Rowan's POV/I awoke with a startle, my eyes flinging open as I felt a sharp, metallic poke at my cheek. My hand swatted at the object as I sat up as fast as my body could manage, a groan escaping from parted lips. I didn't see anyone when I came to until I heard a childish giggle from behind. With my brows furrowed together, I twisted my body to see the unwanted visitor, my back cracking as I did so.The pup blinked at me; her silky blonde hair appeared messy with a tiny hand clamped over her mouth. I had to squint from the harsh glare from the ceiling lights to observe her on her knees beside the bed in an attempt to hide.“Anya, love, what are you doing here?” I slowly tugged on her wrist and nudged her closer, making the pup sit opposite me. After the afternoo
/Erin's POV/My eyes widened as I let his voice sink in, washing over me in waves. Those words kept on echoing, my toes curling around the sandals. Goosebumps prickled at my arms all over, suddenly aware of the chill in the room. For a second, I thoroughly thought that they were both joking about it. Then again, Rowan and Reed would never try to open up past wounds, not unless they were severe.“Excuse me?”Rowan was the first to speak up, wetting his lips and breaking the silence that followed my question. “Yes, you heard us right, Miss Woods. You have to be our omega, as in the Pack Luna, and we will keep on funding your company.”I took a quick breath through my nose, feeling incredibly exposed.Rage coiled in
/Reed’s POV/Staring at the cold omega in front of me, I couldn't help but think back to the first time I met her. My brother and I were pups just like her but a few years older and mature. Or so I thought."But I don't want to go!" I whined while crossing my arms together and slumping on the bed. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Rowan tying his shoelaces, a grin on his face. At eight years old, my twin was already enthusiastic about listening to everything our father said."Reed..." My father sighed, a furrow in between his brows as he sat on his knees. "I promised my friend that I would bring both of my kids. Besides, don't you want to make a new friend?"My mouth twisted at that, head
/Erin's POV/I closed my eyes briefly, steeling myself as the honeyed voice seeped in through layers of clothes. My treacherous body had always innately responded to the dark, forbidding men sitting across. The way the Alphas talked to me, so brash and honest that it spurred something inside.Also, I hated to admit it, but they looked more dangerously handsome than ever today. I couldn’t help but gawk at their thin shirts, barely concealing anything; their dark brown hair was as attractively dishevelled. Reed's eyes appeared deep green and intense as they stared, the laugh lines at the corners in stark contrast to the brooding expression on his face.I kept my gaze down for a hesitant moment, biting on his lip, uncertain whether to oblige to the demand he made.&n
/Reed POV/There’s a heavy hand on my shoulder, holding me tight enough to let me know that trying to get away wasn’t a good idea. I twisted my head towards Rowan, who mirrored the same expression. A sigh escaped my parted lips, tearing my eyes to look at the Luna in front.“Mom.”“We need to talk.” Her nostrils flared, eyes shifting around the living hall, her tone sounding grave. “Now!”“What is it, mom?” Rowan tried to ask but only got a glare in return which made him cower. The Luna can be scary when she wants, a fact that made the members steer clear of him most times. Growing up, we thought it was fun, but it only made it difficult for us to get through with her.
/Erin's POV/As the question washed over me, I shifted on my feet. Suddenly the room turned hot, toes curling as sweat clung to my skin. My chest heaved, chin raising defiantly to meet the Alpha's accusing stare. He appeared a lot closer than before, making my heart pound."It's my family issue, Rowan." I crossed my arms against my chest, making sure to emphasise on the 'family' part. His face fell for a second, inhaling sharply."Are you serious right now?" His brows rose in utter disbelief as if the Alpha couldn't believe that I would even have the nerve to say something like this. "We have known each other for years, Erin. My brother and I expect you to inform us of such critical matters, especially if we are going to be mates."&nb
Putting on a weak smile, I made my way towards Reeds chair, draping my arm over his neck. My sharp nails dug into the Alphas shoulder blades, watching as he didn’t even flinch. I leaned forward, lips parting as I met my father's eyes.“Dad, you should focus on getting rest instead of indulging in silly conversations,” I said.“It’s not silly!” Reed piped from below, his lips twisting, offended.I pressed my nails harder, letting out a breathy giggle, the hair on the back of my neck standing up. What was Reed trying to prove? The last thing I wanted was the Alpha to break the news about courting me to my father in his fragile state.Esther made a sound, twisting her lips. “Erin, how can y
/Rowans POV/I closed my eyes tighter in hopes that it would stop, the images of the omega and her sharp piercing eyes. She always had that power to leave an impact, a long-lasting one at that, so it wasn't a surprise that I couldn't stop thinking about her. With too many layers in the way, it's far from the effortlessness we were both used to, but the sheer urgency of it made my insides curl.Her lips were chapped and nose cold when it brushed against my cheek, but the inside of her mouth felt warm and wet, tasting sweet and faintly like coffee.It's different; the last five years palpable in the hesitation of her hands to travel anywhere but my shoulders and in the slight tremor that kept a firm hold on her body. But it's also the same beca