Chapter 3

Elise POV

I had barely walked into the packhouse when a tray was rudely thrust into my hands. I looked at the omega, and she rolled her eyes, unhappy that she had to deal with me.

“Alpha Tristan ordered coffee and morning tea for his guest,” her lip curled up, “so go and take it to him already.”

“Who is the guest?” I asked quietly, gripping the tray tightly and praying I didn’t accidentally drop it.

It was heavy and difficult to balance.

“Damned if I know,” she snapped, putting her hands on her hips, “do you think the likes of Alpha Tristan divulges that kind of information to a lowly omega? God, how stupid are you?” she said in disgust. “Just be a good wolf less fat mutt, and take it to him,” she shoved me and I just managed to keep the tray from tipping over. “He’s in his office,” she added as I nodded meekly and turned around.

Sadly, I was used to this kind of treatment. The other omegas took their cues from my Agatha and Seraphine, who were regular visitors. Everybody thought that Seraphine was going to be the next Luna, and therefore her word was law. Tristan hadn’t denied it. Anybody looking at the way those two adored each other could tell it wouldn't be long until Tristan made it official.

I knocked on the door and waited, shifting the tray slightly as I bit my lip, pondering how to open the door.

My hands were full. I should have brought somebody with me, but none of the omegas liked me so I doubted they would have assisted me.

Great. Now I was going to piss him off, and it wasn't even lunchtime.

“Come in,” Alpha Tristan snapped from the other side of the door.

Easier said than done.

“If you could just open the door,” I felt my voice shaking, “I’m afraid my arms are full.”

Silence for a moment. I hardly dared to breathe, anticipating his reaction.

Tristan didn't like it when omegas asked for anything, and even though this was something small, he would still use it as an excuse to punish me.

He was a control freak in that way.

The door slammed open, and I flinched from the sound of it and the sight of Tristan looming over me, a furious scowl on his face. I remembered the way he had hurt me before and found myself struggling to maintain control of myself, worried he might smack my head into a wall again, visitor or no visitor.

“Useless fat bitch. Put the tray down and leave,” he snarled, his veins pulsing in his neck. "I have an important guest in here!"

I swallowed hard and felt my body tremble in fear.

I knew I was going to pay for this later. I bowed my head and moved to the desk, carefully placing the tray down on it, making sure it didn't spill.

I breathed a sigh of relief once my hands were empty.

I sensed eyes on me. I slowly turned and inhaled sharply as I looked at him. The most magnificent specimen I had ever laid eyes on of the male species. A pure god. Everything about him was perfection. From his dark blonde hair pulled into a man bun, to the chiselled jaw, grey eyes, and extremely large body. He was huge. So strong it looked as though he could break me in half easily. His arms were covered in tattoos, and the form-fitting jeans and casual shirt only made me swoon harder. I’d never seen another Alpha like that. Not one so gruff and rough around the edges. He resembled a biker, but that only made him all the more desirable.

Fuck he was glorious.

I blushed bright red as I realized I was staring at him, and his eyes crinkled with amusement.

He'd definitely noticed. God, how embarrassing. There was a small smile curved on his lips as he regarded me, and I felt my heart skip a beat.

Even his smile made me want to touch him.

There was no way a man like that would be interested in the likes of me. He probably pitied me, or worse, was already judging me because of my weight. I had to get out of here before I made a further fool of myself. I slid my eyes away and carefully put my hands together, waiting for permission to leave.

The sooner I left the quicker I could get myself back together and put all this humiliation behind me.

“Sorry for the intrusion, Alpha Blaze, this omega was just leaving,” Tristan growled in warning as he sat behind his desk.

I scurried to the door, relieved.

“It’s no problem, Tristan,” God, his voice was deep and so masculine. My legs quivered as I stepped outside the office and quickly shut the door.

“Fuck,” I whispered, putting a hand on my chest and breathing shallowly, “that is some man right there.”

I wondered absently what pack he might be from and decided it didn't matter.

It was a shame I was nothing more than an omega. A shame that I was so ugly in comparison to the other omegas. A shame my body would never be the type to entice a man like that to even consider me as a mate.

I cursed my bad luck and looked down at myself with a sigh, hating the way my hips jutted out, the way my breasts strained against the fabric of my shirt, and the soft, rounded stomach that was easily visible despite how loose my clothing was.

I was soft and plump instead of toned and slender.

A man like that? He didn’t intimidate me in the slightest. Instead, he sent my heart thumping and made me breathless. He made me want to climb him like a damn tree, and that was dangerous thinking.

What would it be like to have a man that strong, that tall, and that sexy, hold me in my arms and vow to protect me?

A dream come true, that’s what. Too bad life wasn’t a fairytale, or I might have found my happy ending.

My dreams would have to suffice for now instead.