01. Fruitcake delivery

2 days before Christmas

Kerris POV

The Stone twin towers sit proudly across the street from my taxi. At half past 4 pm, sunlight is beginning to fade owing to the winter season. The decorative lights on the towers and a few other buildings on the street have been turned on, giving the street an enchanting holiday look.

Let it Snow plays from a speaker in front of the coffee beside me as I give the driver my fare.

“Keep the change. Merry Christmas.”

“Thanks, Miss. Enjoy the holiday,” he calls back and drives off.

It’s a Tuesday, and the business district is as busy as ever with mostly humans moving about with shopping bags and gift baskets. I wait to cross the street, staring at the twin skyscraper on the other side of the road.

More humans work here than members of the sixty-seven packs in the west coast. To the them, the company belongs to a young billionaire who made his wealth from medical technology and renewable energy.

But to us werewolves, that young billionaire is the ruthless Zach Stone, Alpha King of the west coast. The humans are half right. Fifty percent of his wealth is a result of taking back our lands and mineral deposits from the southern tyrants.

I cross the street and walk into the vast lobby of the second tower. The place is not nearly as intimidating as when I was in high school because not only does my stepsister work here now, but my fiancé, the new Alpha of our pack, is the head of Stone Energy, a very important division of Stone Corporation.

Today is Alpha Tyrel's birthday, and I've taken time off work to prepare everything for his party later. The one thing left in my to-do list for the day is to surprise him at work with his favorite fruit cake.

Adora waves at me as I approach. She's the clerk at the reception desk, and a member of the Moon Shadow pack. I'm glad it's her on duty and not one of the many humans working here. Not only are we members of the same pack, we went to high school together. Convincing her to let me go up unannounced shouldn't be a problem.

Thankfully, the lobby is almost empty. Business is officially closed for the holiday, according to Emily, my stepsister. But werewolves and a few other top staff still have to come to work until Christmas eve. That's tomorrow.

"You look ready to parrrtay," Adora says. “I thought the party isn't until later in the Alpha's house?” She picks up the phone and starts to call Tyrel, but I push the end button to stop her.

“It is. I need him to be surprised," I plead.

“I just got this job, Kes. Are you trying to get me fired? I can't let you go up there without informing him.”

“Yes, you can. He's not gonna fire you, c'mon.”

She shakes her head, “Can't take the risk, sorry.”

"C'mon,” I begged. “I'll owe you. Hold on. I brought you something." Reaching into the basket, I got the specially wrapped piece of fruitcake and give it to her. I'd known she would be like this and has prepared the bribe.

She takes it eagerly but continues with her protest,

“It's almost 5 PM, for Fates’ sake. Why can't you just wait out here to surprise him. Or call your sister? She's works in his division.”

"Geee. What a brilliant idea. Why didn't I think of that!" I rolled my eyes. She shoots me a glare and I quickly say, "Sorry. I talked to Em before coming. She's in a meeting with her bosses. She says it could take all evening."

Adora frowns, then says absently, "I thought that was over a half hour ago. Guess I'm mistaken." Pushing the wrapper open a little, she stares longingly at the cake. Her expression softens.

“I swear, if I get in trouble for this–”

“You won't.”

She grabs a pass card and hands it to me. I reward her with a smile and make my way to security where I flash him the pass and he lets me get through towards the elevator.

I can’t help but smile when I picture Tyrel's face when he sees me. I imagine him sitting behind his desk, wearing a frown on his handsome face with eyes clued to the computer screen right now. I run my fingers around my engagement ring hanging on my necklace.

I wish I could wear it proudly on my ring finger, but I can't. Not yet. Not until we announce our engagement to the pack. Tyrel said we'll do it when he becomes Alpha, so I expect soon. Maybe later tonight at his party.

I think of his new promotion and feel such pride that he'll be my mate. Other Alphas tried for that position, but he got it, and not because his uncle owns the place.

I had applied for an internship here when I graduated. But I didn't get in despite the fact that I'm the former Beta's daughter and dating the Alpha heir of Moon Shadow pack. They weren't taking fresh graduates in the division where I could have been useful. That proves there's no nepotism here. The applications opened a few months later, but I was already settled at the Pack's Chemist.

My stepsister, Emily, on the other hand was among the lucky ones who got in with her diploma in digital marketing analytics. She's now interning at the biggest corporation in all of the west coast and arguably, the world. I work at our local chemist. I envy her sometimes. Like right now.

I always tell myself that I may not be lucky with a few things but at least, I have our new Alpha's love. I'll soon be his Luna.

The elevator rings out and slides open as I smoothen my dress and check my lipstick in the glass beside me. I'm about to apply more when a man appears and enters.

Soft holiday blues filter from the corridor as I make my way to Ty’s office. His assistant is not on her desk. She's human and would have begin her holiday. I’m glad for the silence and privacy.

Tyrel's door is ajar, and I momentarily wonder if he's not in there.

I'm about to knock but the sight I catch through the small opening freezes me in place. It is accompanied by an equally horrifying sound of flesh slapping against flesh as the girl cries,

“Yes, yes, yesss Ty, fück me!”

I push the door open with shaky hands, telling myself that I can't be seeing right. Tyrel is hard at work. Not on his computer, but between another woman's legs. He doesn't know he has an audience yet. His face is twisted in a way that I don't recognize as he drills into the woman from behind. She's facing away from the door and I have to strain to see who.

“Em..mily?” I gasp.

Only then do the two realize they're no longer alone.

"Shit!” He cusses. “What the fück, Kes!" He glares at me and doesn't pull away from her.

Emily twists her neck to look at me, then rolls her eyes but doesn't move away either. The picture of the two in that pose will stay with me forever.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Tyrel barks with both hands still gripping my stepsister’s waist.

I could not reply. His tone immediately puts me on a defensive. I start to feel like I truly am interrupting the Alpha when he's busy.

"I...I wanted to surprise you," I stammer.

"And you thought coming to my workplace uninvited was the best way to do that!? Shouldn't you be at the chemist finding a drug for your condition?"

My condition. He's talking about the fact that my wolf has not emerged yet. He has never used it against me or gave any indication that it bothered him. After all, I've only just turned twenty-one and still have hope. A few more months hope, at least.

I stand between the half-open door feeling confused and in pain, and wondering if I'm missing something. Isn't he supposed to offer an explanation? He's mad that I'm here without addressing the fact that his dıck is still inside my stepsister?

I look at Emily and can’t look away. She’s a picture of bold and impatience. Like she can't wait for me to leave so they can continue uninterrupted.

Tyrel finally pulls out of her and reaches down to pull up his pants. Instead of covering up, she just stands beside the desk with her dress hanging above her naked hips and asś.

"Get out!" Tyrel barks at me. "We'll talk when I get home.”