5: He is My Mate!

Katherine’s POV

Breathe. Catherine. Breathe.

My hands squeezed tight gripping the broom and took a shaky breath.

It'a Harrison.

I must not go in. I could ask Bella to send someone else. This is extra work, I could say no, and she should be able to help me. Leave. I need to leave now.

I stepped back while I was thinking, but that was the moment a girl's voice came from inside the room.

“I’m sorry Alpha. I didn’t mean to! I-I'm just a part-time waitress! I’m still in werwolf college! Please, don’t make me do this. My dad would kill me. I can’t strip!”

It's Nancy. My roommate.

Then came men's laughter and teasing. “Waitresses don’t wear shirts that low. And I saw you leaned into the Alpha on purpose. Didn’t they warn you? If you act like a whore, you get fucked like one.”

I should leave. The best class I learned in prison was to stay quiet. No interfere. No speak up, even when insulted. But… Nancy had Andy's green eyes.

I took a deep breath and twisted the doorknob. “Cleaning.” I walked in with my head down to hide my face in the dim light. I could only see Nancy crying in the center of the room. Her eyeliner color ran down her cheeks, looked ridiculous.

A group of ranked members sat on the sofa. Sons of Gammas, betas, and...Harrison. His gaze swept toward the door. I quickly took another step into the shadows, and force my trembling voice steady. “Bella's looking for you. Why are you taking so long delivering the order? She’s in a hurry. Get to her office now.”

Nancy jumped at my voice, then nodded fast after several blinks. “S-sorry, Alpha! I—I have to go now!” She made a quick bow, grabbed her coat and ran.

I kept my head low, but I could still feel it. A sharp gaze cutting into my skin. It felt like the whole world had gone silent. All I could hear was my heartbeat and my labored breathing. Was there no oxygen in this room?

Harrison seemed completely unaffected. He kept silent too, staring at me. Studying me. My heart slammed in my chest. I clutched the broom and walked toward the vomit on the floor. I focused on cleaning as my life depended on it, tried to act like nothing had happened.

Finally, the floor was clean. I picked up the mop and the bucket, take a bow before stepping out. I swear I would ran as fast as I can the moment I stepped out the door.

But just as I passed Harrison’s side-

"Stop." Cold as ever. The chatter around us stopped. People began to turn their eyes toward me and Harrison.

Beads of sweat formed on my forehead. I gulped, “Did I miss anywhere?” The wolfsbane had ruined my voice. It sounded harsh. Harrison's men winced.

Maybe they’d kick me out. Maybe I’d get lucky.

But Harrison just forced a cold smile and looked at my face. “The waitresses and cleaners have different supervisors. What do you mean by Bella called her?”

“I don’t know, Alpha. I was just passing it along.” My voice stayed flat and empty.

“Oh really?” he sneered. “Well, since you saved her… you’ll take her punishment. You. Strip and dance.”

All eyes turned to me. They began to laugh like they're enjoying Harrison's humiliation to me like it was a show.

“If I strip, will you let me leave?” I asked flatly, took a glance at the dirt-stained tips of my shoes before looking into his eyes. He had no idea. Compared to what I went through in prison, this kind of humiliation was nothing at all.

Harrison said nothing. But his gaze changed to something I couldn't read. More dangerous and darker.

I slowly undid the buttons of my uniform. Peeled off the coat. My cheap white T-shirt was damp with sweat. He still didn’t speak. I grabbed the hem of my shirt and yanked it off. My thin body with scars all over it showed up.

“God. What even is that? She’s disgusting! I’d rather look at omega slaved than that.”

“Put something on her, for goddess’s sake!”

I unbuckled my belt and slipped off my trousers, leaving only my bra and pants on. I ignored all their remarks and turned toward Harrison. “Is this enough Alpha? Do you want me to continue?”

I stared at him. At the man I used to love. The Alpha of Blackwood Pack. Are you happy now Harrison? If you ever find out I was innocent… will you regret it?

Harrison met my gaze. His lips pressed into a thin line. Some red light flashed through his eyes, and then a strange look crossed his face. Shock, and full of confusion. But he still stayed silent.

I signed, reached behind and unhooked my bra. And the moment it fell, Harrison stood up. Fast like something snapped. He stormed toward me and threw off his coat, wrapping it around my body.

That scent hit me like lightning. Heat spread through my belly. My whole body tensed.

Mate.

Harrison is my mate.

I looked at him in shock. His expression made it clear that he realized it too. “How could you...?"

No. No, no, no! This can’t be happening!

I shook my head, instinctively turned to run. But before I could take a step, a force gripped my waist and lifted me off the ground. Harrison slung me over his shoulder and walked out.