CRYSTAL'S POV
A human, born to werewolves? Yeah, that's me!!My name is Crystal Lennox. I work at a large restaurant close to my home, serving as a waitress, and I live with my Foster parents . They were not blood-related, but you already knew that, and neither were we bound by marriage. My parents entrusted me to them because my Foster Parents loved me so much.That year I had turned seventeen, although I looked nineteen- perhaps I had the wolf genes anyway.My parents were leaders of a wolf clan somewhere in Pasadena, but unlike them, I was not born with a wolf. I was an ordinary human. Maybe that was why they sent me away, but I did not regret their decision. I live well in California with humans, and my step-parents love me. What more can I ask for?It was late afternoon, and I had to go to work for my shift. I opened the closet and sighed. There were so many clothes in there. I finally selected a red T-shirt and jeans.While dressing up, the thought of the young man who lived in the castle right across the street from the restaurant crossed my mind again. He usually came in the evening to buy food.Something strange about him kept me bothered for the last few weeks, or maybe longer. I did not understand why, but seeing him gives me goosebumps. Whenever he was around, my heart raced and my body shuddered. I find it difficult to take my eyes off him. My mind goes blank, and I feel intoxicated every time I spot him. Something about him did strange things to my body; especially to my heart- It fluttered uncontrollably, and I got butterflies in my stomach.Not only that, his presence makes me feel dizzy. My legs wobble, unable to support my body. Seeing him made something crawl under my skin, an itching sensation I could not describe.I needed to know why my body reacts the way it does around him? Why does warmth envelop my body from the inside yet give me goosebumps on the outside?His eyes were intimidating, and the way he moved made my heart stop beating. He was handsome, but he was not the first handsome guy I had ever met. So why did his presence make me feel that way?Curiosity to get answers to those questions made me approach him whenever I got the chance, but I never dared to confront him. The thought of that abnormality kept me bothered for the past few weeks.When I finished dressing, I grabbed my black bag and hurried downstairs.I ran into mommy and daddy, as I affectionately called them. They were sitting at the dining room table when I arrived. The maid had already served breakfast."Good afternoon, everyone!" I greeted them cheerfully.I walked over to mommy and gave her a peck on her right cheek."Why are you in a hurry, Crystal? Aren't you having lunch with us today?" She asked, frowning."No, I'm running late, but I promise I'll eat at work," I said.She did not seem convinced by my answer, so I gave her a reassuring smile."Well, if you say so. Be careful out there.""I promise, okay? Bye. Take care." I waved and hurried out of the door.My step-parents as I like to call them were very charming. Sometimes I felt like they were kinder than my actual parents. I mean, who throws out their children for not having a wolf?I arrived at McMahon's Food Palace, where I worked. The back door was open, and I hurried in as I did not want to draw attention to myself.I walked into the kitchen and the first person I met was Margaret. She was one of the oldest cooks in the restaurant, and she was also very nice.She was already old, with a twisted waist and gray hair. Her face was full of wrinkles. She looked like a faded shadow of her former self.Something far more hideous than a wooden mask had permanently replaced her face, which was once so attractive. All-around and along her neck was a network of crisscrossed veins."Hello, Margaret." I smiled as usual.My mother often told me that the best way to live your life was with a smile on your face."Hi, you're finally here. Grab an apron and get out there as fast as possible," she instructed me."Well, what's wrong, Mrs. Maggie?" I asked."Your partner Rosie is sick today, and she's taken sick leave from the boss. It's up to you and Grace to take over.""Oh!" I groaned. So it was going to be a stressful day, got it.I quickly grabbed an apron and headed to the local eatery. There were a lot of customers there.Suddenly, my heart started beating fast, and I could not understand why."Crystal, don't stand by and do nothing. Check what that man wants." Grace instructed as she walked by with an empty tray in her hand.I nodded my head. She seemed to be in a bad mood today. I turned towards the direction she had pointed and froze. It was him; the guy from the castle. That explained why my heartbeat increased when I walked in here. But why?"Crystal! Don't tell me you've finally gone deaf!" Grace almost shouted as she passed by me again, but she had two takeout plates in her hands."Sorry," I muttered and headed toward the man.I reached for his table and swallowed hard. He concentrated his gaze on reading the menu.His blond hair caught my eye. It was a messy blond, which was rare in that part of the country."Sir," I said and swallowed hard. Even speaking in his presence was difficult. I felt like my legs were going to give up on me at any moment."What would you like to have?" I finally found my voice."Pasta and grilled chicken wings with a bottle of coke," he replied without looking up."Okay," I replied, and walked away to bring his order.The cooks arranged everything on a tray, and I carried it to his table. I arrived at the table and served him. Then, picking up the tray, I was about to leave when he said something and I stopped."Open the bottle!" he ordered me in a stern voice. He still did not look up at me, as he was busy on his phone.I picked up the bottle opener and fixed it on the bottle cap. My hands were shaking and before I could realize what was happening, I accidentally knocked the bottle over and the drink spilled on his shirt."What the fuck!" he grunted and immediately got up.That was when he looked at me, and I froze. Those blue eyes were intimidating. They made my body shudder even more than before.That was not fear. That was something else that I could not explain, but it had taken over my entire body, and I was barely in control."Are you dumb or what? You just spilled a drink on me," he yelled and I subconsciously shuddered.However, I could not move or speak a word. Nor could I leave the place. Those blue eyes had trapped me. An invisible force sealed my lips and shackled my legs."Crystal! What have you done?" Grace screamed."Get out, right now!" she ordered me.It was then that I found the courage to move. I heard her apologizing to the man as I hurried away. The boss was definitely going to be mad at me if he heard about that.What was wrong with me?I went to the kitchen and dropped the tray with a sad face. Just then, Grace walked in. She was not only older than me in age but also at work."Why are you so clumsy today, Crystal? You almost lost us a valued customer . Forget it; someone said the tissue in the customer restroom has run out. Go replace it," she instructed me.I nodded and grabbed a large tissue roll from the shelf, heading for the restaurant restroom. This wasn't even in my job description!!All I had wanted for the last few weeks was to know him better so he could help me understand my strange body reactions around him. But I kept screwing up.I got to the restroom and pushed the door unconsciously. I was lost in my thoughts and did not even care to knock on the door."What the hell are you doing here?" I heard someone yelling and looked up.I was stunned to see his bare-chest. He was cleaning his shirt that I had spilled the coke on.Oh no, not again!"I... I'm... I'm sorry! I... I didn't know you... were here." My words came out jumbled and I was stammering nervously.I spun on my heels and was about to leave when he grabbed my hand, pulled me back, and then closed the door behind him.**LOGAN'S POVI pushed her against the wall, and her back crashed hard. Then, closing the door behind me, I turned to look at her."What are you up to? You've been harassing me for the past few weeks, and today you spilled a drink on me. Now you've followed me into the restroom. How shameless can you be?" I growled at her, and she flinched."No! I swear, I didn't even know you were here," she said with pleading eyes."Liar! You've been following me everywhere. You think I didn't notice?" I yelled at her."Yes, we meet everywhere, but it's all a coincidence. I never planned for those meetings to happen! For some strange reason, we just happen to be in the same place at the same time!" She tried to escape."But it can't keep on happening all the time! You think I'm a fool that I'll believe your silly lies?" I shouted as I closed in on her. She tried to move but her back was against the wall and she had nowhere to go. I trapped her between my body and the wall, placing a hand over her hea
It was supposed to be my birthday, not like it mattered, but yeah. I paced around my room, feeling uncomfortable. I had just come home from work and was feeling grumpy. Maybe it was because mom and dad had not bothered to see me for the past two years, which made me feel unwanted.Mommy and daddy had gone off to one of those late-night parties at a country club, I mean my foster parents, so it was just me at home.The boredom and the eerie silence added to my discomfort. I hurried into the bathroom and took a quick shower, but I still felt uneasy. I had a strange feeling that I could not explain, a feeling of unease and sickness that was not going away somehow.When I could not take it anymore, I dressed nicely and went out into the cold street with only my bag in my hand.I thought about where to go since I had no friends. Going back to the restaurant even though my shift was over for the day was not a good idea as I knew my boss would not be happy if he saw there after my work hou
Crystal's POVI hurried out of the restaurant and flagged down a cab. My work shift was over for the day, so I headed to the university. I had got admission to study for a three-year course, and it was my last year at the university.Those three years since the embarrassing incident between Logan and me happened were the most difficult ones. The result of that incident was the birth of my son, Aidan.Our tragic one-night stand had led to me getting unexpectedly pregnant. I thought it was the end of my life then. My birth parents were very disappointed in me, not like they ever loved me. Logan already hated me for being a filthy bitch, which I was not, and wanted nothing to do with me. The birth of Aidan brought nothing but shame to my family.Life became hard for me, and I had no one to ask for help. However, my step-parents were still supportive.After that horrible night, I never saw Logan again. I used to stand outside the restaurant waiting for him to come out from his castle, bu
*****Crystal*****"Mummy!!" I heard that alluring tiny voice scream in sheer happiness as I walked into the house."Hey Aidan!" I smiled and spread out my arms for an embrace.He ran towards me and I lifted him in the air and embraced him while he giggled."I heard you have been a naughty boy today, is that true?" I asked, feigning anger."No mommy, I promise I behaved, now can I get that candy you promised" he asked pouting his lips."Awwn, now how can I say no to that cute face" I said, pinching him softly on his cheek. "You can have a candy"I put him down and brought out two Candy bars from my bag, then gave it to him."Thanks Mommy" he exclaimed in excitement, revealing his missing tooth."Wow my arm hurts after lifting you, I think you are getting heavier every day" I said, messing up his tousled blonde hair with my palm. He gave me one of his breathtaking smiles.I guess he took over the smile thing from me, but every other feature he possessed was taken from Logan.Speakin
** ** ** ** ** Crystal's POV ** ** ** ** ** **"Sir! Sir please don't do this to me, I really need this job" I pleaded."I am sorry Crystal, but you can not continue to work here," he announced.I was shocked, how is this possible? Everything was fine yesterday, and even this morning, although I was a bit late to work but the boss had exchanged greetings with me, he had been very nice to me and didn't even question me for the lateness, so why is he firing me all of a sudden?I pleaded for half an hour but he did not change his mind, the same man who had always been very nice to me, even though he was strict with other workers, he hardly found issues with me, so what could be the reason behind his sudden change of attitude? his actions!I took the envelope and walked sluggishly out of his office. I went straight to the locker and carried my bag in tears. Ignoring Mrs Maggie's call, I ran out of the restaurant.What am I supposed to do now? My step parents don't earn much to take care o
** ** ** ** ** Crystal's POV ** ** ** ** **"I am sorry ma'am, but there is no vacancy left" the bald-headed man replied.I felt very disappointed."Alright thank you" I muttered and walked out of the office.As a college student, finding a decent job in California is as difficult as finding a needle in a haystack.I have tried at several establishments but it's either they don't hire part-time workers or they need only men, or even worse, there ain't any vacancy left. Why is life so difficult? I really need to find a job soon, my saved income has run out and I need to get Aidan's food. I don't even have enough for the daily necessity, talk more of my fees, what am I supposed to do now?Walking out of the industry, I noticed a red car that looked familiar to me. I have been seeing that exact car everywhere I went for the past two days. Who could be in it and what does he or she want with me?My phone started ringing, it was Rhea calling."Hey girl" I said after clicking the g
** ** * ** * Crystal's POV ** ** * ** *I slumped onto the couch the moment I arrived home.Today was yet another day of disappointment, I was unable to find a job.I can't believe that old man was making advances at me just because he was going to offer me a job as a cleaner. How shameless!Although I am desperate, I also know where to draw the lines." Mary" I called softlyI wonder how Aidan is doing. I have been so busy searching for work lately that I don't want to spend much time with him again.Mary walked into the sitting room rubbing her eyesWas she sleeping by this time of the day?"Welcome ma'am""Yes Mary, where is mum-two and Dad-two" I queried"They had left for a meeting" she replied"Oh okay, what about Aidan?""He has falling asleep ma'am"I was glad to hear that, at least I won't have to bother about him till tomorrow."Ma'am, Aidan's milk is running out quickly, and there is no money to get another," she added.That was the bad news I have been dreading. My b
* * ** * * Crystal's POV * ** * * *When the cab stopped and I got done, I was dumbfounded.I recognised the Castle, it's the same Castle opposite the restaurant where I used to work, the Castle where Logan lives.I was now in a dilemma, I had to either go there and face Logan or go back home jobless, but when I remembered that Aidan's food had finished and I was already owing a lot of people, I had no choice but to knock on the castle gate.After two minutes, a man opened the gate. I recognised him too.He was the same gate man working here the other time I had come to deliver food.I greeted him and told him why I was here, he let me in and asked me to wait in the compound to get the supervisor.I stood admiring the big compound, I did not take a good look at it the last time I was here.There were two sculptures of a large Wolf standing at both sides of the entrance, behind them were too long pillars that were up to the roof.The pillars were decorated with red bricks.In the