Rachel's POVEver since she stepped her filthy feet into our company, I've always wanted to break Allison Carter. Yet she always brushed off whatever I did with that big, idiotic smile she always wears. It was like nothing could shake her or hurt her.Until today.I can't keep a smirk of satisfaction off my face as I watch her tremble. She looks like her whole world is crumbling around her.I would make her whole world crumble around her if I could. But for now, I'll have to be contented with snatching the one thing she wants so desperately from her.It's an even more satisfying feeling than I expected."My office gets dirtier the longer you stand there," I say, returning to my book. "Get lost. I'm done with you.""No."That one word, delivered with enough poison to kill me where I sit, makes my head snap up and my jaw drop in shock."What?" I demand, certain that I've heard her wrong."I said no," she replies in a cold voice. "We are not done here, Rachel Fisher."The words hit me li
Rachel's POVIt seems I have begun to hallucinate, because there's no way Xander just said that to me. Allison Carter obtained permission from him? When? How?Since when does one bypass the CEO's personal assistant and obtain permission directly from the CEO?That's against company protocol. And wait, if Allison Carter really got permission to leave from Xander, was she just watching me make a fool of myself this whole time?Did she plan all of this, even provoking me so that I would call Xander, all to make me humiliate myself?I glare at her, but she just stares defiantly at me. She's not gloating or anything. Was it not an act, then? Or is this just another ploy to embarrass me once again?Damn it, I hate not knowing, I think."I beg your pardon?" I say to Xander. "I'm afraid I didn't quite hear you."If he notices my sinking state of mind, he doesn't show it. He just goes on talking calmly, as if all of this is normal."I gave Miss Carter permission to leave that day," he says. "I
Allison's POVI don't know what I expected Xander's request to be, but it wasn't this. He had told me to meet him at a different noodle shop from the one we went to last time.I figured it would be a date of some sort, even though he was being very mysterious about his intentions.The last thing I expected was for him to drive us to, of all places, the biggest mall in the city.I stare at the large building through the car window, then turn to stare at him with my mouth open."What are we doing here?" I ask."What does it look like?" he replies, already about to get out of the car.I grab his hand before he can open the door, staring at him in shock."We can't go in there," I say desperately."Why not?" he asks, giving me an odd look."People would see us together," I reply.Why is he acting like he doesn't realize that? I think."They won't," he says."Why, does being Alpha grant you the power to blind people?" I ask, too scared to bother about how the question sounds."No," Xander s
Xander's POVI should stop finding Allison adorable. Our relationship is purely out of necessity, and thoughts like that are what's going to make things needlessly difficult for the both of us. But it's not easy to hold onto this decision when she just keeps being so cute.Especially that blush of hers. I think I'm starting to get obsessed with that flustered look of hers, with the way blood steals up her cheeks and the sides of her neck.I used to think that her choice of clothes hid her beauty, but now I wonder if I was just being blind. She's dazzling. I can't take my eyes off her, messy hair, baggy clothes and all. I can't take my eyes off her now, as she turns in a near circle, glancing around the five-star restaurant I've brought us to with a look of pure wonder on her face.I can't help the warm feelings that go through me at this sight. I'm starting to learn just how much I love impressing Allison Carter.Dangerous thoughts, Xander, I think, scolding myself.I'm not naive. I k
Elsa's POVI've never thought of myself as capable of murder, but perhaps I should have. I'm this close to grabbing a pen from this table in front of me and slashes the throat of this idiot that just won't stop saying nonsense.But that would be messy, and I would have too many questions to answer, and I would be punished at the end of all that drama.Besides, I'm supposed to accompany Ian on an errand today, and I got my nails done just this morning. It would be a waste to ruin them with the blood of fools.So I'm forced to continue sitting still and listening to this waste of space and oxygen as he goes on and on about how finding Peterson is not of great importance."I know you're acting as her representative," he's saying, "and to be honest, Miss, I really don't think you should be doing that. I don't see why you would choose such a role. But anyway, a job given to us by an Omega goes to the bottom of the list. If she wants our help in finding this man, she will have to exercise s
Allison's POV"Oh my gosh!" I exclaim, staring at my phone.Elsa chokes on her lemonade out of surprise and drops the glass quickly, coughing."What the hell, Allison?" she asks.I pat her back, smiling sheepishly. I look around the company cafeteria to see if anyone saw what happened. Sure enough, there are a lot of people staring at me like I've gone crazy. I quickly return my gaze to Elsa, rubbing her back gently till she stops coughing."I'm so sorry, Elsa," I say."It's okay," she replies, straightening up and picking up her glass from the table. "But seriously, what was that for?"I stare back down at the screen of my phone."It's five days to next month," I say."Okay…" she says, raising her eyebrow. "And?""You're hopeless," I say with a sigh. "It's less than two weeks to the Tech Wizard competition, remember?""Oh!" she exclaims, "I totally forgot. How are your preparations coming along? Are you ready yet?"I have to sigh again."I actually haven't made as much progress as I
Allison's POVElsa and I are alone in my apartment, three different computer systems open in front of us, all in use at the same time. I'm determined to finish my presentation today, and while Elsa isn't a software developer like me, she does know her way around computer systems. Things are definitely faster with her here, and we're almost done at this point.Elsa leans back from the keys she was typing on, cracking her neck and her fingers. Then she stretches until her back pops, before leaning forward to rest her head on the table."Allison!" she whines. "I'm exhausted."I sigh, rubbing my eyes."Yeah, me too," I say.We've been working nonstop for hours, and I'm honestly surprised either of us lasted this long."Let's do something else," she says."Something like what?" I ask.She turns her head to face me, a big smile blooming on her face."Let's talk about your outfit for the Tech Wizard competition, of course," she says. "Have you tried on the clothes Xander Black bought you yet
Xander's POVAllison is sitting with her hands on her lap, fiddling with her fingers. Is she nervous because I saw her in one of the dresses I bought, or because of something else?"I was right about the dress," I say. "It suits you."I'm partly saying this to reassure her and stop her from feeling nervous, but I truly mean it, even more than I realized.The dress hugs her curves in all the right places, and the deep blue color brings out the lovely flecks of gold in her warm brown eyes.A red hue spreads on Allison's cheeks in response to my words, crawling up her ears. She looks up from the hands resting on her lap and turns her gaze on me."You think so?" she asks.Really, the sort of questions she asks, as if the answers aren't obvious."Of course I do," I reply. "You should dress like this more often, if it doesn't make you uncomfortable."She ducks her head shyly, biting her lower lip. Golden blonde hair falls in a shiny long curtain over her face, hiding it from view.I want to
Allison's POVThank the goddess that I was born an Omega. Honestly.I never thought I would think something like that, but as I stand in front of my full-length mirror, getting dressed for work, I can't help but be grateful for my half witch blood that healed me faster than normal.I wouldn't have been able to stand having to stay in the hospital for even one more day.I've been dying to return to work, especially since the new date for the Tech Wizard competition is going to be announced this week. My phone rings, and even before I pick it up from my bedside table, I know that it's Elsa."Hey girl," I say as soon as I accept the call. "Sorry if I'm a little late. I'll bring the car around to your place as soon as possible."There's an awkward pause."Um…" she says. "Actually… I'm riding with Ian. He's at my place already…"Well, Ian did leave about half an hour ago. Except that naughty guy did not tell me he was going to pick up Elsa. I can't stop the smile stretching out on my face.
Allison's POVI'm staring out the window, awaiting news of Elsa's date with Ian, when Xander shows up. I know it's him even before I hear his voice, and there's a smile on my face as I turn to watch him walk into the ward."Allison," he says softly.It doesn't matter how many times I hear him say my name like that, I know I'm never going to get used to it. It never fails to make my knees go weak, to make my heart thump in my chest."Hi," I say, sounding a little breathless."I came to see how you're doing," he says.I think, with a small pang, that he would have been holding flowers if we didn't have to keep this relationship a secret. Of course, there's nothing wrong with the bouquets he sends anonymously by mail. It's just that I would have loved to be able to see him bring them himself, to be able to stand on the roof of the tallest building in the city and announce that Xander Black is my lover. I'm in a romantic relationship with literally the most perfect man anyone has ever see
Elsa's POVIt had sounded like such a good idea when Allison first proposed it. Make a bet with Ian, and get him to go on a date with me, where I give clearer hints about my feelings for him. Easy, right?Wrong.Because I'm sitting across from Ian at this new restaurant, fiddling with my cutlery while I try not to let him notice. I know it might be just me, but the atmosphere between us is so awkward, I'm surprised a waiter hasn't stepped in to comment on it.My hands feel too stiff to handle my fork and knife. I seem to have suddenly forgotten how to cut into steak, and how to chew the meat when I did succeed in cutting it.Goddess, why am I so pathetic?Ian, on the other hand, is perfectly relaxed, eating his meal like nothing unusual is going on. Not even the fact that he has practically been blackmailed into taking me out on this date seems to affect him. He had shown up at my apartment earlier this evening, not a minute later from the time we agreed on and bearing a bouquet of lo
Elsa's POVApparently, this is how stuff happens. You step out of your best friend's ward for about an hour to give her some privacy with her secret lover who isn't really her lover, and by the time you return, they're in a real relationship, and it nearly got announced to the whole pack except that your best friend decided otherwise.Oh, and the guy in question also happens to be the Alpha.What's this, the grand finale of a best-selling romance movie?At least I'm not alone in my shock. Ian and I are sitting on either side of Allison's bed, staring mutely at each other after having heard the strangest story in the history of the pack. If he wasn't the Alpha, we would have run right out of the room, found Xander Black wherever he is and dragged him back here to tell his own side of the story. It's not that we don't believe Allison.It's just that sometimes, it can be really difficult to wrap your head around something. Like your best friend being the future Luna. But there are more i
Allison's POV"Let's start dating, Allison. For real, this time."Now I'm sure I'm hearing things, because there's no way Xander just said that. My mind is going oh my goodness, he asked me out, I'm so happy! and at the same time screaming oh no, he asked me out, this is terrible, this is a nightmare!Xander must have felt the way I instantly went still, because he lets go and pulls back, looking into my face."Allison?" he says. "Is something wrong?"I can only stare dumbly at him with a million thoughts running through my mind.Why is he asking a question like that?Am I the only one who heard him just now? He's literally suggesting that we do the exact thing we both agreed that we shouldn't do."You just asked me out," I whisper, just to be sure."I did," he replies in a voice soft as the look in his eyes.And it's that look that convinces me that I'm not mistaken. Xander truly wants to be with me, for real.While I'm staring off into space, lost in thought, Xander is searching my
Allison's POVWaking up hurts like hell, My whole being is aching, even in places I didn't know my body had, and it makes me want to fall back into unconsciousness.Slowly, I crack my eyes slightly open, wincing from the bright light that fills my vision. My whole body feels heavy, but when I try to lift my arm, I do so without difficulty. I hold up the bandaged hand, using it to shield my stinging eyes from the light. I suppose I should be glad I didn't have it worse. Being part wolf and part witch sure comes in handy for helping Omegas recover from terrible injuries faster than normal."Allison!" Elsa's voice exclaims with relief.I look to the side just as she appears beside me, her eyes shimmering with tears. She takes my hand in both of hers and clasps it to her chest."I'm so glad you're awake," she says.Me too, I want to say, but I can't get my voice to work, so I settle for giving her a soft smile. I'm so glad she's the one at my side when I woke up.Speaking of… what happene
Rachel's POVIt's possible that Xander might have been cursed by the witches to behave strangely.Or rather, to behave in strange ways that will ruin things for me.I don't know why he has been showing up at the very worst times to sabotage any of my plans that involve making sure Allison Carter doesn't win the Tech Wizard competition.I mean, if she were to win, it would be a victory for the Omegas, and they would consider it a reason to look down on us upper class werewolves. It's perfectly obvious. Why doesn't he seem to get it?First he made sure I couldn't disqualify her from competing, and now this.Everything was going according to plan. Amy Becker had just given the best presentation so far, earning the highest marks so far from the judges. Then Xander barges in with his security, and everything stops going right and starts going horribly wrong."This competition is cancelled," he announces.Jaws drop all over the place and I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who is shoc
Xander's POVI'm in a meeting with the heads of one of our partner companies when I start receiving the calls from Allison's friend. I didn't pick them at first, because I'm in a meeting, and also because it's an unfamiliar number. But she keeps calling relentlessly, so I pick up out of curiosity. She sounds worried and frightened, which should have warned me, but I'm still not prepared for the news when I hear it."Allison is in the hospital," she chokes out through sobs. "She was caught up in a car crash on her way to the competition…" she hiccups. "I d-don't know why she was going there alone…"I don't wait to hear anything else. I'm up and heading for the exit before I remember that I was in a meeting. I pause at the door long enough to say "this meeting is adjourned".Without waiting for a response, I hurry out of the building."Which hospital?" I say into the phone."Hands of Light," she replies."Are you with her right now?""As close as I can be," she replies, sounding miserab
Allison's POVI stand before the mirror, running a hand down the long sleeve of my white shirt, trying not to think about Xander.But not thinking about him is proving to be pretty difficult, since I'm currently wearing clothes he bought. That's right, it's the day of the Tech Wizard competition, yet all I can think about is Xander Black.I can't stop seeing his eyes, dark with desire as he fixed them on mine. Can't stop hearing his voice, thick with longing for me. I had been so sure that he was going to kiss me, right there beside the fountain, in full view of everyone. Which is why I had to step away, even though I wanted it so badly I could have screamed.I want him so badly I could scream.I understand if he hadn't been thinking about it at the time, but all I had seen as my whole body longed to lean closer to him was everything that was at stake.His reputation and mine. My safety, both from upper class werewolves that would feel insulted that an Omega dared to get together with