The next morning I woke up fresh and early, ready to visit a few places where I had seen signs about hiring new people. I went from place to place, all day. I was overqualified for some and underqualified for others. I needed more experience for some jobs and some were just not going to pay enough for me to save any worthwhile money. Overall, it was not going as well as I had hoped it would. By the time evening rolled in, I was feeling quite hopeless. I walked into what looked like my final stop for the day. It was a huge hotel and restaurant in need of more serving staff. It was fairly new and was still short on staff. At this point, even a bartending job wouldn’t be bad. I smiled at the receptionist and before he could judge me, immediately said, “Hi, I saw the ad for hiring serving staff. I hope you guys are still hiring.” He looked me up and down and nodded before picking up the landline and calling someone. I waited as he talked and placed the phone back before finally addr
Zoe’s POVMy new client, Angelina, was an adorable girl of seventeen from another pack. She was in our territory with her friend, whose elder sister was pregnant. Angelina and I decided to meet at a small cafe to discuss the details of the event. Her friend was also there to make sure that her sister’s surprise baby shower was perfect. As it turned out Angelina’s friend belonged to an elder’s family and was willing to pay a lot for the event to be memorable in a good way. I thanked Maisie in my heart and promised myself to treat her with her favorite foods when I got paid. The meeting had gone smoothly. Thankfully, the young girl from my pack did not keep up with the news and either had no idea about my Dad’s scandal or didn’t care. I still decided to stay away from their home and elder’s eyes as much as I can. I needed this commission and I didn’t want anyone to take it from me simply because they believed in the fake embezzlement case against my Dad. We settled on an indoor eve
She said she couldn’t bear to go serve those people yet and begged for me to take over. I was not hopeful for any different results but if anything happened to me, I could go straight to the management to complain. Marianne won’t have to and hopefully, none of us will lose our jobs because of rich snobs who think they own the help. I walked over to a group of cute boys, barely out of high school. But their mannerisms instantly screamed of their playboy lifestyle because they had never had a day to worry about money or girls. I plastered a fake smile on my lips and pushed the trolley of their ordered desserts. “Your desserts, gentlemen.” I started plating when the rude comments started. They acted like I couldn’t hear them and smirked when I stiffened at their remarks. “This one is even better than the other one.” “Imma order this one for a midnight dessert.” “How about some chocolate on silky skin.” “Stop it, man. My mouth is watering already.” They laughed as I stood up asking
Zoe’s POVOnce in a grand office with polished woodwork, carpeted floors, and a wall-sized window with a perfect view of the territory with the skyline. He was still fuming when Miss Williamson walked in nervously and closed the door behind her, her skirt somehow higher than normal and a button undone on her neckline. “Alpha Councilor. Sir, I will personally see to it that this rude employee doesn't ever get to see another restaurant in this or any territory. She is a new hire and started yesterday. It must’ve been a case of misjudgment by the hiring crew.” She blamed me blatantly for the entire catastrophe that had happened. My jaw dropped and my eyes widened in shock. I was the victim. I was being manhandled and she dared turn it around on me? Xavier’s nose flared at her words as he looked at her sharply, scaring her speechless for a second. He leaned back at the table and crossed his arms, raising a brow, “I thought, you as a manager, were responsible for all the new hires. W
Xavier’s POVI was furious when I saw the way Zoe was getting treated. I had no idea who the kids were, but they had no right to come to my restaurant and treat my mate like that. Spike had taken over immediately and beaten those kids to a crisp. I am pretty sure I was going to kill the one who had her in her lap if she hadn’t stopped me. One look and I knew who I was going to fire for letting this happen at all. Once in my rarely used office, Williamson had started spewing nonsense oblivious to the fact that she was digging her own grave. I had let her go on and I was proud that Zoe had stood up for herself. I was not sure how long things had been this awful for the employees of my establishment but I was glad that I was not too late, Seeing Zoe in a waitress uniform had surprised me. I was under the impression that she was the ex-Beta’s daughter and an event manager. What was she doing starting a job in my restaurant? Before I could ask her anything, she had asked about my well-
She sighed, “Because that’s what I have grown up hearing from everyone. Even the kids at school and some elders in the pack prohibited their kids from interacting with me once they realized I had not gotten my wolf at eighteen.” My grip on her tightened. My hands were itching to beat the shit out of some more people now. But I needed to know one more thing, “Zoe.” “Yes?” She looked up curious at me. “What were you doing in this restaurant, wearing this waitress uniform? Not that I mind it, on the contrary, in fact.” I smirked, making her blush, before resuming, “I thought you were an event manager, no?” “I am. But to be an event manager, one needs events, doesn’t one?” She asked and then spoke, “Winter is usually a slow season, and now that Dad isn’t getting any salary. They’ve even stopped his pension. I need odd jobs to, um.” She stopped and I sat confused for a second before it dawned on me. She was doing this to pay my fee. Spike was getting upset at me for putting the fee
Zoe's POVI had talked to Maisie and Aunt Julie when I returned home. I had told them everything and we had reached the conclusion that it was not right to keep working in the restaurant. I was technically Xavier’s client and even though I was sleeping with him, only we knew that fact and it was better to stay that way. So, I was going to have to let go of that job, even though it had a great pay package, and look for somewhere else. Luckily I didn’t have to look very hard. I had gone to meet Angelina and her friend to further discuss the details of the event and somehow the topic of me looking for odd jobs was brought up. Angelina had excitedly offered, “My brother has a partner here who owns a massive boutique. I can drop by with you and introduce you to the manager. She is very sweet and knows me. I can’t promise a job but we can try. I’m sure the package would be nice.” I had to agree even though I was not sure if I should be taking any favors from people I didn’t even kno
Zoe's POVCould my day get any worse? I should not have asked that. I had just helped Miss Alyssa Shaw get dressed into a possible wedding dress for her wedding with my cheating ex-boyfriend. “Why do you hate me so much?” She suddenly asked, still looking at herself in the full-length mirror. “I don’t-” I started, but she interrupted me. She turned to face me and said seriously, “Just because I may act like I only think and care about myself doesn’t mean that it is the only truth. I have noticed the way you glare at me often, each time we meet anywhere. Your animosity is not as well-hidden as you would like it.” “Miss Shaw, I-” “Just call me Alyssa and be truthful. What have I done to offend you so much?” She was genuinely curious, and for a moment, I contemplated telling her and reminding her of our real first meeting in the parking lot of her hotel. Before I could answer there were screams from downstairs. She looked at me alarmed and I told her trying to stay calm, “Ma’am,
Zoe's POVI sighed and sat down on the bench beside her. I went there for a reason, I was going to see it through."You say that when you know that not only we weren't aware of the Blood Contract, we were a little busy not knowing you even existed. Excuse us for wanting to accept our fated mates and
Zoe's POVI was braiding the hair on the edge of my shaved scalp when Olivia rang the intercom. Xavier walked out of the wardrobe with a spring in his step and let Olivia in, who rolled in a trolley of steaming breakfast.It was Xavier's idea to have breakfast in the bedroom. He said he wanted to sp
Zoe's POVWhen I woke up next, my head felt like I had been hit by a truck. Xavier's arm rested on my belly as he lay deeply asleep beside me. It was strange to wake up to him after spending weeks of him coming and going while I slept. I took the time to cherish his touch and light breath. He looke
Zoe's POVMy head was pounding. It was like someone had cracked open my skull and was performing brain surgery without anesthesia. It was torture. I wanted to yell,' Stop it,' and I think I said something, but different words were coming out.I tried to yell. I knew Xavier was holding me, but every
Xavier's POVMy head was fuzzy. I was trying so hard to focus on the conversations around me. It was like I had been underwater and just resurfaced. The light, the sounds, the colors, everything felt weird. I blinked as I tried to focus on the fork in my hand. I whispered to Zoe, "Please get ready
Zoe's POVThat night, I stayed up and waited for Xavier. He took his time coming to the bedroom. He must've thought that I was asleep, and that's exactly what I pretended. But, I had a theory and I was about to test it out.I stayed still, kept my heartbeat calm, and eyes closed. Until Xavier went t
Zoe's POVWhen Xavier and I walked in hand in hand, every jaw in the dining hall dropped, but no one was as shocked as Blondie, who entered after us. She must've been waiting for him when he was walking me to the dining hall. She swallowed her shock and forced herself to sit on the opposite end of t
Zoe's POVFinding friendship with Alyssa was one of the strangest things that happened to me that week. Since then, I saw less and less of Xavier. He came to the room when I was already asleep and often left before I had woken up. We missed that one meal we used to share before the coronation.He sp
Zoe's POVThe conversation with Xavier was the hardest I've ever had with anyone. He was acting like I was just another wolf in his pack that he was responsible for. The only emotion I got from him was regarding the baby but even that was fleeting. I was so bewildered that I ended up asking, "Are y