I became the Alpha’s Obsession

The basement was cold and smelly.I pressed my back against the wall, my eyes on the moon outside my window.I was waiting for midnight. In less than three hours, I would be 18. Three hours until everything changed, or three hours until I proved Marcus right. That I was worthless. Wolfless. The mistake that killed my mother.My skin felt too tight. It felt like something was scratching to get out.“Arabelle!” Glass shattered. “Get your ass up here!”It was the voice of my drunkard father, Marcus, calling me from upstairs’.I refused to call him father. I called him by his name, Marcus.Because he was nothing like a father to me. All the bruises and broken bones I’d gotten from his beatings and abuse were backings to my decision.“Arabelle!” He roared again, then I heard him add, “Where’s that little bitch?”I quickly rushed upstairs to where he was. As soon as I got there, the foul stench of the room hit my nose. Bottles were scattered about. Cigarettes and whiskey filled the air.He

Helen thrust a silver pot at me. My hands shook.“He wants coffee.”“Now?”“Dining room. Through those doors. Pour and leave. Don’t speak unless he speaks first.”I walked through into a room straight out of a home magazine. Windows overlooking gardens that probably had their own staff. And sitting at the head of it all, scrolling through his tablet like he owned the world, which he basically did, was Zach.He didn’t even look up. I reached for his cup.“You’re shaking.” His voice was dead flat. “Spill coffee on me and you’ll regret it.”I steadied my hands and poured. The silence was suffocating. This close, I could see the dark circles under his eyes. He hadn’t slept either.“Anything else, Alpha?” The words tasted wrong in my mouth.“No.”I turned to leave.“Wait.”I froze.Zach set down his tablet and actually looked at me. Really looked.“Your cheek. How is it?”I blinked, confused. Then remembered the glass from Marcus’s bottle. I’d almost forgotten.“Fine.”“It’s infected.” He

I obeyed, my heart hammering. The bond flared hot between us.“Simon Sinclair offered you a job,” Zach said flatly.“Yes.”“And?”“And what?” I crossed my arms. “You want to know if I’m leaving? If I’m taking it?”“Why are you still here?”I raised a brow.“You have an out. A good one. Simon’s rich, charming, actually gives a damn about people. So why haven’t you packed your bags?”“Maybe I like washing dishes.”“Don’t be smart.”“Why not? You’re being an ass.” I was already saying before I could stop myself, “You rejected and humiliated me. Then made me your slave. Ignored me. And now you are mad someone finally saw me as human? You don’t get to care!”“I care!” He yelled, getting up.“Oh really?” “I said I rejected you. Those are different things!”“How? Explain it to me like I’m stupid, since apparently I am for still being here!”“I was trying to protect you! Because everyone I’ve ever loved has died or betrayed me! Because being my mate is a death sentence and I’d rather hurt yo