Chapter 8

Caroline's POV

After work, Eleanor was waiting for me at the door, with Liam settled in his car seat in the back. We had planned to go to the mall to buy the things he would need for daycare.

"Bestie! How was your first day? Tell me everything!" she said cheerfully, with a huge smile, her brown eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Elle, I think I'll have to call your uncle and ask for my job back," I said somewhat sadly, Rory whining inside me with disappointment. Eleanor looked at me in shock.

"No way, Caroline! Did you manage to get fired on your first day? Tell me everything."

I smiled and told her everything. By the time she turned off the truck in the mall parking lot, she was laughing hysterically at my situation.

"Carrie, only you could get into an argument like that with the Alpha. You know he's super young, right?!"

I looked at her like I'd just seen a unicorn and asked, "What do you mean, young?"

"Oh Carrie, didn't you research your boss online? The mighty Alpha of Storm Valley Pack isn't exactly low profile."

"No, Elle, I went on the company website and read everything, but there's no photo or any reference to his age on the site."

"And you didn't check social media?"

"Elle, I don't have social media."

"Oh right. Well, let me tell you about your young, successful Alpha. They say he's incredibly handsome, with countless she-wolves throwing themselves at him. But he still hasn't chosen a Luna." She nudged me with her shoulder.

"What does that have to do with me?" I asked, confused. "Is his bad temper because he's mateless?"

Eleanor laughed. "It has everything to do with you. As his assistant, you might have to fend off all his admirers. And besides..." she paused with a mischievous smile, "you're so beautiful, if you became his Luna, you wouldn't have to worry about getting fired."

I smacked her arm, my cheeks burning with embarrassment and anger. "Elle, I'm serious!"

While helping Liam out of his car seat, she chuckled, "Alright, alright. Don't worry, Carrie. If you get fired, I'll help you out until you find another job here."

We got into the mall. We bought everything Liam would need and took him to the toy store. I wanted to spoil my son a little and buy him a toy. He ran through the whole store but latched onto a building set and wouldn't let go, so that's what I was going to get. His little face lit up with such joy that Rory purred with contentment. Of course, Eleanor bought him a toy too.

As we walked through the mall, I stopped at a window display, staring at an absolutely gorgeous and extremely expensive dress. Eleanor noticed my eyes sparkling and said, "Come on, let's go in."

"Are you crazy, Elle? That dress costs a fortune. I can't spend that kind of money."

"Listen here, Caroline, have you forgotten that you now work at a multinational company run by an Alpha, directly with the pack leader himself, and need to dress well? Besides, your boss will be impressed when he meets you wearing this dress. He'll think you're such an elegant assistant! You can treat yourself too. And if you can't afford it, I'll get it for you!"

"No way, Elle! You already do too much for me."

"Then go in and buy the dress, or I'll buy it myself and you'll have to wear it anyway. A Beta's daughter deserves to look her best."

I looked at her. "You know what, Elle? You're right, let's go in."

We entered the store and were quickly greeted by a very friendly saleswoman. I pointed to the dress in the window, and she brought one in my size along with a pair of incredibly high heels, saying they would match perfectly.

I went into the fitting room and changed. When I looked in the mirror, I was enchanted. The dress was even more beautiful than it appeared in the window—deep emerald green silk that flowed like water, with delicate gold threading along the sweetheart neckline. It hugged my curves perfectly before falling gracefully to my knees. A subtle slit revealed just enough leg to remain elegant. The heels were equally stunning, four-inch stilettos with thin gold straps and emerald details that made them irresistible.

"Caroline, please hurry up, we can't wait to see!" I heard Eleanor's excited voice from outside. I tore my eyes away from the mirror and stepped out of the fitting room.

Elle and the saleswoman stared at me with their mouths literally hanging open.

"By the Moon Goddess, there's no way you're not buying this dress and these shoes!" Elle exclaimed, and the saleswoman chimed in, "It looks like they were made for you! I've never seen a dress fit someone so perfectly! You look stunning!"

I felt embarrassed and thanked them. I decided to buy both items and follow Eleanor's advice, who then insisted that I needed new lingerie to wear with them, declaring that I should debut them the day I met my boss to make an excellent first impression. The saleswoman quickly showed me the lingerie section, and I was shocked by the prices, but Eleanor didn't even let me catch my breath. She immediately grabbed an emerald lace set with gold details and a pair of sheer thigh-high stockings with delicate lace trim, saying it would be her gift and I wasn't allowed to complain.

"A she-wolf needs to feel powerful, especially when facing an Alpha," she whispered so only I could hear.

The saleswoman smiled approvingly at my friend's choice and went to the counter to wrap everything up while we paid. Finally, she handed us a business card and told us to come back to the store again. We thanked her and left.

Back home, I tucked an exhausted Liam into bed, watching him drift off while clutching his new teddy bear. His golden hair and peaceful violet eyes reminded me briefly of that life-changing night.

In my room, I hung up the new dress and considered researching my mysterious boss online. Just then, my phone buzzed with a message:

"Arriving tomorrow. We'll discuss your duties, and prepare the herb tea."

My heart sank. The Alpha was returning early—likely to fire me early.

Rory whimpered in my mind, sharing my anxiety.

"It'll be okay," I whispered to myself and my wolf, trying to believe it.