Rachel's POVI can't believe how spectacularly my plan was ruined. Even after what happened at the Tech Wizard competition, I had hoped that I could continue to use Amy Becker.I have not run out of plans, after all. But that stupid bitch didn't have the good sense not to get herself exposed like that.As if that wasn't bad enough, she had to go and get herself fired. And she calls herself an upper class werewolf?What a living disgrace.And what's wrong with Xander these days, anyway? It's always him, again and again, jumping in to ruin my plans with his display of law-abiding discipline. I used to love that about him, but now I'm starting to decide that it's not one of the reasons I love him, after all. Life kind of sucks right now, and it's all thanks to him.Usually, walking into Goldbrew cafe would have put me in a good mood. But not today, because I'm meeting stupid Amy Becker here in few minutes. She called earlier today, crying like a freaking baby, to beg me to meet up with h
Allison's POVOn a typical work day, I am usually awakened by the gentle stirrings of my alarm clock, but today, I am woken by the intrusive wail of my phone's ringtone. With a grunt, I toss around on the bed, gripping my pillow and burying my face into it. But the ringing of my phone does not stop. Instead, it continues to ring continuously and I mutter a cuss under my breath before blindly stretching my hand to my bedside table and reaching for my phone. I almost drop the phone but the gods are merciful and I successfully grip the phone with my hand. Grumbling, I fumble with the phone and bring it to my ear with another irritable curse. The high-pitched voice of my best friend, Elsa, erupts into my ear, nearly causing me to drop the phone a second time.“Where the fuck are you, Allison Carter?!” “Where else am I supposed to be?” I answer, my voice gruff and scratchy from sleep. My eyelids remain closed, still heavy with drowsiness as I lean into my pillow. “I am in my apartment of
Allison's POVIt is closing hours after work and I am standing at the lobby, my eyes fixed on the entrance as I wait for Elsa. I do not fail to catch the front desk staff staring at me and whispering to each other. It doesn't move me anymore because I am already used to the constant gossip about me. They are gossiping about the same old thing. The low class omega girl who somehow managed to secure a job at this prominent company, yet lacking in the fashion flair that most of the employees here possess. “Who even wears that to a corporate job?” One of the ladies whispers and the second one replied.“I know right? Even if she works in the tech section, that doesn't give her a right to wear that to work. She is so embarrassing.”“I heard she is quite good with what she does, though. Matter of fact, she is the best software developer the company has. Rachel's dead jealous of her.”The ladies immediately fall into a reverent silence as a tall figure strides into the lobby, radiating an
Allison's POV“Yo, Allison!” The bar guy greets me with a wave, his friendly voice echoing through the bustling bar. “You’ve been coming around a lot lately. I hope it's not some sort of work drama driving you here, eh?”He flashes me a teasing grin, one of the many reasons I like hanging out at this bar. “I'm fine, Graham. Nothing to worry about.” I lie through my teeth as I sit on the bar stool, flashing him a fake thinned smile.But what Graham doesn't know is that my life has turned into a shitshow. My best friend is angry at me and wouldn't pick up my phone calls or reply to my messages, while Peterson, the jerk who I had believed was my soulmate, is going behind my back with some woman. And on my own bed too! If Graham knows all this, he would understand why I would be practically camping out in his bar these days.“I'll have the usual.” I say to him and Graham nods at me. “You've got it!” Graham pours my shots, handing them to me like he knows what my night needs. And he doe
Allison's POVI would give anything to go back to a time when my life was boring, simple. Right now, I don't have the luxury anymore. In the space of one night, I had fought with my best friend, found my boyfriend in my bed with a strange woman, ended a relationship of several years, spilled my miseries at a bar, and ended up having a one-night stand with my boss.Xander Black, my fucking boss! Ohh Jezz! How am I supposed to face him now? How can I go back to work, knowing what I know, and still function properly?I was so lost in thought all the way back to my apartment. Wish i no longer have to set foot in that company,but I have to, It's not like I have any other choice. I need the job.Getting to my apartment, I hurriedly took my bathe and got dressed for work.I definitely cannot think about him, cannot think about the way I can still feel the touch of his smooth skin, warmer than my cashmere blankets—Stop it, Allison. You said you wouldn't tell anyone. That includes yourself,
Allison's POVI am unable stop the trembling that starts in my hands: a bout of shivers so bad that I feel sick. Xander Black's words echo in my mind.Fired, I think numbly. No…this can't be happening…"But Sir—" I begin shakily."My decision is final, Allison," Xander Black cuts in.He has transferred his attention to the documents before him, not bothering to spare me another glance. Normally, I would have walked immediately out of his office, because I really don't want to offend him by acting disobedient. But at this point, what more do I have to lose? I fall on my knees in front of him, bowing my head."Please, Sir. Please reconsider. I'll do anything, just let me continue working here. I beg you, Sir—""There's no need to grovel, Allison," he replies.Is that remorse I hear in his voice? Does that mean I stand a chance at being allowed to keep my job?"Please, Sir," I say, making no attempt to hold back my tears. "I promise I won't tell anyone what happened. I'll work twice as h
Allison's POVThe very next day, I'm on a bus taking me back to the outskirts of the pack. That miserable place where we Omegas have been forced to live. When I escaped from that place some years ago, I had promised myself that I wouldn't go back.I had worked harder than I thought possible, building my reputation as the best software developer in the most prestigious tech company in the city. I had clawed to the top with all my strength, only to take one hell of a fall and end up right back at the beginning.I sigh, looking away from the window and back at the screen of my phone. I had typed out a message to Elsa— I've been fired. I'm on my way back to the outskirts— and have spent hours trying to decide whether or not to send it. What if she's still mad at me? What if she reads the message and doesn't care? That would crush me completely. But this is Elsa, and if nothing else, I have faith in her kindness. So I tap the send icon and lean tiredly back into my seat. I miss my car alre
Allison's POVFor a very long moment, I'm certain it's a prank. I pull the phone away from my ear to stare at it with wide eyes. Elsa and Ian's gazes snap to me, immediately concerned."What—" Elsa starts to say."Rachel," I mouth immediately.Elsa closes her mouth right away. We don't know what Rachel wants. It won't be a good idea for her to find out that Elsa is here with me, in case she's in another bitchy mood."Allison Omega Carter," Rachel says in a cold voice, "you're not ignoring me, are you?"Yikes."No, I'm not, Miss Fisher," I say quickly. "How may I help you?"Even through the phone, I can tell that she's rolling her eyes at my usual polite tone."There is, in fact, a way you can help the company," she continues. "However, this is something I would rather say in person. Anybody could be monitoring this phone call.""Alright…" I respond, still trying to process the information."Meet me at the Goldbrew cafe tomorrow morning, by ten," Rachel says, still ordering me about li
Rachel's POVI can't believe how spectacularly my plan was ruined. Even after what happened at the Tech Wizard competition, I had hoped that I could continue to use Amy Becker.I have not run out of plans, after all. But that stupid bitch didn't have the good sense not to get herself exposed like that.As if that wasn't bad enough, she had to go and get herself fired. And she calls herself an upper class werewolf?What a living disgrace.And what's wrong with Xander these days, anyway? It's always him, again and again, jumping in to ruin my plans with his display of law-abiding discipline. I used to love that about him, but now I'm starting to decide that it's not one of the reasons I love him, after all. Life kind of sucks right now, and it's all thanks to him.Usually, walking into Goldbrew cafe would have put me in a good mood. But not today, because I'm meeting stupid Amy Becker here in few minutes. She called earlier today, crying like a freaking baby, to beg me to meet up with h
Allison's POVAmy has been fired. The news spread through the company even faster than the false rumours about me. Just this morning, she was summoned before the executives, tried, and fired. And I know that I shouldn't be feeling sorry for her. She did drug me and steal my idea, after all. She's the reason I ended up in that accident, and she didn't even feel sorry about it.She hates me. She made that very clear.Still… I can't bring myself to feel pleased about what happened to her. She might have deserved it, but to be thrown out of the company just like that…I can imagine how it must have felt. Most of us working in this company don't have a better option somewhere else. This company is the best in the city, and to be kicked out is to fall lower than one was before. When I think of how she must have felt, ambushed like that and then fired when she couldn't see it coming, it reminds me of when I was fired as well.That's why I actually wasn't going to tell the executives what she
Amy's POV"... and she was drugged, because Amy Becker drugged her!"Those words won't stop ringing in my head, neither will they leave the lips of my co-workers. Now I understand how betrayal feels.How could Dave do this to me?He's supposed to be in love with me. We do anything for the people we love, don't we? Has that Omega bitch used her witchery to turn him against me? Or did he treat me like that because I didn't accept his advances? I know men can get really cruel about that sort of thing.Still, can't he see that he went too far?I'm walking around with my head down, and even when I can't see them, I can feel the judgemental glares boring into me from all sides like lasers. Not even Emily's gossiping skills can fix this, and Emily herself has turned against me as well, anyway. She switched sides so fast, I couldn't believe it, and now it's like no one even remembers that she was the one who went around spreading the false rumors in the first place.People don't like being li
Allison's POVI'm having the time of my life, sitting on Elsa's desk and laughing heartily while she makes halfhearted attempts at shoving me off, a pout on her reddening face.Technically, we're not supposed to be chatting during work hours, but today is kind of an unspoken free day, because most of the executives are away. Xander said something about a new deal, et cetera, which is just fine since it means that I get to tease the life out of Elsa."I hear wedding bells ringing in your future!" I proclaim."Oh, please," Elsa says, hitting my arm playfully. "You should be speaking for yourself."Those words send an unexpected pang through me, but I make sure not to show it.It's not Elsa's fault that I can't openly be with Xander. It's more my fault than hers, in fact. Because out of Xander and I, I'm the one who lacks courage. I'm the one who's going to keep making sure we stay a secret."But seriously," Elsa says, "I don't even know if Ian got the message or not. He seemed to, I cou
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 lov
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