4: Kate Hunter

Four Years Later

“Madam, we’re sorry, but you can’t have this site,” the lady at the counter said sadly.

This was the fourth time this was happening to me, and for a brief moment, I wondered who could be behind it all. Had I wronged anyone in my past that I was unaware of?

Because it was glaringly obvious that something was wrong. It couldn’t be a mere coincidence that every site I booked to start my small fashion school was taken from me at the last moment.

Feeling utterly dejected, I booked a cab and left the registration stand, heading home. It wasn’t big, nor was it small, just a modest place on the outskirts of the pack, where I lived with Dad and my children, Henry and Annabella.

He had told me that he found me at an accident scene years ago, helped me regain consciousness, and couldn’t let go after the doctor announced I was pregnant and suffered amnesia.

It wasn’t my fault that I couldn’t remember anything from my past, or that I never had a wolf. But most times, I wished I could, to remember even the faintest pieces of who I once was.

He had also told me that all attempts to trace my people or the pack I came from proved futile because the driver died on the spot. I was lucky to have survived, and to have kept my babies safe.

Since he never had a child of his own, he adopted me as his.

“Mummy!” Henry shrieked the moment I stepped out of the cab, running into my arms.

“Mum, I missed you so much!” he said, tightening his tiny arms around my waist.

“No, mum, I'm the one who missed you more” Annabella grinned.

“Why’s that? And why are you two back so early?” I asked, smiling and swallowing back the lump in my throat.

It wasn't their fault that they were much stronger than kids their ages.

I cupped their faces and led them inside our little apartment.

I looked around, but the place was quiet.

Not that I expected Sir Philip home anytime soon. His work shifts were long, but I couldn’t stop the sharp ache that hit my chest when Henry frowned.

“What’s wrong, cutie? Why are you home so early?”

“That’s because… we were sent out of school for lack of fees,” Annabella murmured, and I felt my heart sink instantly.

It wasn't what I had expected, but this was so wrong. I couldn’t stand the thought that my children were sent out of school simply because I couldn’t clear their fees. I was even owing arrears from the previous term.

“Don’t be sad, Mum. See? I’m happy. We're not angry anymore,” Henry grinned, holding my hands. “We will make you proud someday, with or without school.”

“Never say that again, cutie. Mum’s going to make sure you two stay in school, alright?” I forced a smile and kissed their foreheads.

Tears burned behind my eyes, but I held them back. Sir Philip had single-handedly sponsored me through fashion school with his modest job. And now that I was through, I kept meeting disappointment after disappointment. Still, I wouldn’t let it define me. I’d find something. Anything, to make sure my children stayed happy and continued their education.

That night, I spent hours searching through newspapers and websites, desperately looking for any vacancy, in any establishment, or even a small space where I could showcase my designs just to make ends meet.

Even when exhaustion weighed me down, I didn’t give up. Finally, I came across a cleaning vacancy at a company called Bamboss Enterprises.

Feeling a spark of excitement, I searched for the details. Since the deadline was close, I applied immediately and prayed it would work out.

Eventually, I drifted off to sleep. By the time I opened my eyes, morning had come, and a notification blinked on my phone. An email from Bamboss Enterprises, inviting me for a final interview and paperwork.

At the appointed time, I sat patiently in the lobby of a massive building that looked like ten companies put together. After a few minutes, a lady approached and led me to an office where I met a pair of dominating eyes staring straight at me.

“You may have your seat,” the woman behind the desk said.

“And you are…?”

“Kate Hunter,” I replied quickly before she could continue, and she glared at me over the rim of her glasses.

“You look quite energetic and eager for this job,” she said.

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll do anything in my power to secure it,” I replied firmly.

She seemed intrigued. Setting the file aside, she removed her glasses and tapped them against her lips.

“And you mean anything?”

I nodded, unsure why she phrased it that way but too desperate to question it. “Yes, ma’am. I’d do anything to see my children through school.”

“You are a mother?”

“Yes,” I answered quietly.

“And you think you can handle this job wholeheartedly without being distracted?” she asked, narrowing her eyes.

“I can.”

“Do you have a husband?” she added suddenly, and I tensed. I didn’t like where the conversation was going, but my desperation left me no room to lie.

“Not really. I just can’t…” I stopped midway. How could I explain that I was a wolf who remembered nothing, not even the father of my children? Not even if I was once married, judging from the faint scar on my neck?

She gave a slight nod. “I guess you don’t want to talk about it, and I respect that. Being a single mum isn’t easy in this economy. So, I’ll give you the job.”

My lips parted in disbelief. “Thank you,” I said gratefully, but froze when she continued.

“But,” she said sharply, narrowing her gaze, “you won’t be working as a cleaner. You’ll be the assistant to the CEO of the company.”

My eyes widened as she set her glasses down.

“You see, that position was disguised as a cleaning role to attract the right kind of applicant.”

“Why is that?” I asked, puzzled.

“Because no one in their right mind would willingly apply to be the assistant of the ruthless Alpha of the North.”

A soft gasp escaped me, but I managed to steady myself.

“You seem composed,” she said, eyeing me. “I like your demeanor, and I think you’ll be perfect for this position. Or don’t you want it?”

“No… I’ll take the job,” I said without hesitation.

“That’s great.”

The next few minutes were spent explaining the dos and don’ts of the role, followed by a tour of my new office. From the look of things, the Alpha didn’t seem as cruel as the rumors said, and even if he was, I wasn’t going to quit easily.

I needed this job.

I needed the money.

And I would fight, no matter what, to give my children better futures.