Corporate Politics and Past Wounds

I took a deep breath of fresh air and let the breeze cool my heated skin.

"What the hell was that?" Nova muttered, referring to my uncontrollable body parts.

I shrugged, "I have no idea. But I can't blame me, he's hot as hell."

"You're right." Nova smirked, "And a nice ass."

I chuckled, "You mean he's an ass."

"Well, unless it's Zara. Never thought I'd see your face again." A cocky voice rang out.

I winced as Derek walked up to me. Derek didn't seem to have changed at all. He still had the same lanky build with hints of muscle and his slicked-back blond hair. He looked as horny as ever.

"Derek, it's so good to see you," I said sarcastically, rolling my eyes at his stupid grin. I remembered his smug look all too well when Marcus found his date and left me in the dust. He was always encouraging Marcus to go out and try new girls. In hindsight, Marcus was probably cheating on me. Not that it mattered.

"So, how are you coping after that whole Marcus thing? A little awkward, huh?" His mocking tone made my blood boil, and I stopped.

"Listen here," I growled, taking a step forward. "It's been a year. A whole damn year. Now, back off before I knock your teeth out." I spat.

"Where did you get all this courage?" he asked seriously.

"I'm part of the Moonstone Academy, I trained under Commander Steele," I said proudly. his eyes widened in surprise. He taunts me about betraying Marcus, but his tone quickly becomes nervous when he sees my predatory stillness and the way I move like a trained killer. Rumors of my training at the Academy have spread.

"This Academy rejected me once, how can you be a part of this Academy, it's impossible, I can't believe it." He honestly said that he works for a rival supernatural corporation after being rejected.

"Still annoying, isn't it?" Sophia rolled her eyes, making me jump. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't notice her standing there.

"Unbearable. I feel terrible for his future partner." I rolled my eyes, refusing to look in his direction.

Sophia gave me a small smile. "So where are you heading?"

"Oh, I'm just going home." I shrugged, looking at her. I couldn't help the guilt that swirled around me as I thought about her.

“My house is just down the road. Mind if I walk with you?” She smiled.

“Not at all.” I was a little surprised, but I knew I needed to apologize for what happened between us.

“Look, I’m sorry, okay? You know I’m not the best at apologizing, but I’m sorry I was the worst friend ever.” I frowned.

“I forgave you when I found out what happened between you and Marcus.” She shrugged, like it wasn’t that big of a deal.

Sophia told me how her older sister had finally found a mate in a neighboring pack and was now pregnant with her first child. Only a few members of our pack had died in the fight, including my mom. Alpha Kane had quickly stopped fighting once our side had given up, and once he realized our Alpha had abandoned them.

I hadn’t realized it before, but a part of me blamed Alpha Kane for my mom’s death. I knew it wasn’t his fault directly, but the blame was still there. I placed the rest of the blame on Marcus’s shoulders.

“So you’re happy to have found your mate?” I smirked at her, watching the slight blush creep up her cheeks.

“You held your well against Alpha Kane.” She shrugged.

“You think so? Ryan said the same thing.” I frowned. Does getting punched and kicked over a hundred times count as a good fight?

Sophia winced. “Yeah, that’s good. Alpha Kane fights like a fucking monster, I’ve never seen anything like it. Sterling Kane’s empire has saved a lot of the pack’s businesses. He’s incredibly wealthy, more than we can even imagine.”

“Yeah, me too.” I shook my head, wondering if Alpha Kane was on some kind of supernatural werewolf steroid or something. As far as I knew, there was nothing like that, but I still wondered why he was so rich.

Sophia was amazed at my transformation - I moved like a predator now, and there was something dangerous in my eyes that wasn’t there before. “Moonstone Academy changed you,” Sofia whispers in awe.

We discuss how Moonstone Academy graduates are legends among supernatural circles - elite warriors who can command a price. Sofia mentions that Kane himself probably understands the value of having an Academy-trained warrior in his pack.

Sophia giggled, “What happened to you and Alpha Sterling?”

I shrugged, “I just piss him off. He wants me to be obedient.” I rolled my eyes. I may be a werewolf, but I’m no damn dog. I sounded good, but I think I’d look better as a husky.

“I’m surprised he hasn’t killed you yet.” She shook her head at my stupidity.

I shrugged: "The guy is 6 feet tall, over 3 inches, and weighing almost 200 pounds, he probably just doesn’t see me as a threat.”

“Maybe,” she nodded and went to her house.

***

After dinner, I collapsed into bed, exhausted. Even though it was only 7 p.m., I wanted to go to bed early. I was looking forward to sleeping through Saturday morning.

I realized the extent of my bad luck when an annoyingly attractive voice rang out in my head.

“Zara, report to my office at 9 a.m.” Alpha Sterling’s gruff voice rang out over the mind link.

“Come on, Alpha.” I groaned. “It’s Saturday.”

“9 a.m., Zara.” His gruff voice growled and cut off the mind link.

I grumbled and rolled over in bed, letting sleep take me.

***

The events of the day before had yet to catch up with me as I sat up in bed and stretched. Just as I was about to get out of bed, my gaze darted to the figure in the corner of my room.

"What the hell!" I gasped, looking up at the furious face of Alpha Sterling.

"You're talking in your sleep." His tone was calm, but his eyes were still blazing. He looked at me strangely, and I wondered what I'd said in my sleep.

I didn't have to look down to know that my nipples were hardening under my tank top. I shook my arms to cover my chest, looking up at Alpha. I was grateful that I'd managed to fall asleep in sweatpants instead of my usual boxers.

Alpha looked good. His rage was only making him hotter. He was wearing a simple black button-down shirt with a diamond pattern, but the sleeves were rolled up, revealing his muscular forearms.

I mumbled, at a loss for words. "What the hell are you doing in my room?" I gasped. I could feel my face turning red.

His face remained still, while his golden eyes burned with fury. "9 am, Zara." He repeated the familiar words, and I felt my body tense, remembering the events of the previous night.

I glanced at the alarm clock by the bed, my eyes widening as I looked at the time. 11 am.

"We're in deep shit," Nova muttered sleepily.

I should be scared, right? I've been angering the deadliest Alpha for three days now, and yet I'm still alive.

As if Alpha could read my mind, he stood up from his spot in the corner and walked over to me.