Chapter 1

(Emi’s POV)

Current Day

When I had turned eighteen, I had decided to enter into the workforce as an omega. The northern Delta class was the Northern Alpha King’s army and militia. Delta class was split between the two sectors — full timers and part timers armed forces. The omega class were civilians.

I had just turned twenty a day before that terrible evening that destroyed me. I thought everything was going my way before that. I was working in a catering company and working part time at my aunt’s specialty bakery and patisserie. I had what I thought was amazing partner, who loved and cared for me. Even though he wasn’t my fated mate, I had been content at the time and I had thought we were going to end up together even though we came from different worlds.

Fated mates were not uncommon and not impossible to find, but modern day wolves seemed to take their personal freedom of choice seriously. Life was different from the old days when our traditions were followed by our ancestors. We were no longer tied to that. The Society of the Otherworldly Cooperative thrust werewolves to change with the times and become unified with all otherworldly creatures. Werewolves had to adapt with the times and become flexible.

That evening four years ago changed my life. I no longer had someone to build a future with. I lost my job at the catering company after they faced public criticism and they fired me. The only good thing that came out of all that was Iris still stuck by me and refused to ghost me like all other high society individuals.

Everything else went downhill after. My aunt wanted to pass her legacy to me to continue, but she had fallen sick with a rare werewolf illness that had weakened her immune system. Her doctor said she only had a couple years at most before she passed on.

When she passed two years ago, she left my younger sister, Sylvie, and I the house. Her shop unfortunately faced bank foreclosure, because she couldn’t keep up her loan at the end.

It felt like the world collapsed around me, but when my aunt passed, a mysterious stranger showed up offering me a chance at survival. He said that he represented a client that wanted to be an anonymous silent partner. They said their client wanted to pay off the loan and provide unlimited capital for me to get the bakery up and running again. They would continue to invest money with whatever I needed no matter the cost.

I had thought it was too good to be true, but what choice did I have at the time. Sylvie was still in high school. She had just filed the proper paperwork for being an omega class citizen and she was planning on attending university. I had to take the opportunity and hope for the best.

Here I am two years later with my twenty fourth birthday right around the corner and that business deal changed my life. The bakery and patisserie shop is thriving. Everything I asked for I was given. When I was able to perform without taking so much from my anonymous silent partner, it felt fantastic. It now feels like heaven, because we are now making profit instead of surviving and I can finally give back to this mysterious stranger who saved my life.

This stranger continues to remain a complete stranger, only sending Mr. Delacroix to be their mouthpiece. As a thank you, I began giving both Mr. Delacroix and his client baskets of goodies to bring home when we had our monthly check-in meetings.

The bells chime and I know Mr. Delacroix is right on time. I just finished making their goodie baskets. I walk out with the baskets in both hands. Smiling when I see his familiar face as he takes his usual seat in the small lounge area with his usual cup of coffee from the coffee bar in hand.

“Good morning,” I call out as I walk over to him. I deposit the baskets on the table.

He smiles warmly, eyeing the baskets appreciatively. “What do we have this time?”

“Those muffins you like, some tarts and other goodies,” I ramble off as I move to the counter and grab the notebook and my folder with all the documents. “Some new tiramisu mini cakes I’m introducing soon to the menu.”

His eyes light up with that. He had let it slip that his client’s favorite dessert was tiramisu last month. All month I perfected the recipe and made it a part of the lineup. It’s the least I can do for all their help. I just hope they like it.

Everything is going as it should. Mr. Delacroix and I go over numbers. Sylvie shows up for her morning shift before her afternoon classes and fully opens up the bakery. Regulars come in with the friendly familiar warmth and greetings, enthusiastically ordering their favorites. It’s the same old, same old until it’s not.

A familiar haughty blond walks in. I’ve had all types of customers that come in from all walks of class. It’s a high end bakery but with affordable prices. I’ve had Deltas pop in, high society members who kindly don’t mention that incident, and omega class citizens. I don’t like excluding people. This bakery is meant for everyone.

The way she walks with her head held high. Her designer shoes clicking on the floor. Her eyes take in her surroundings until they land on me.

She frowns for a moment. “You look familiar.”

“Do I?” I manage to say back as politely as I can.

She tilts her head to the side before her eyes when in realization. “Oh, it’s you. The stupid charity case Spencer took pity on.”

My cheeks burn and it takes everything in me not snip back. I want nothing more to grab her by the hair and toss her out of my bakery, but I don’t need the bad press.

“I’m sure you’ve heard,” she says, eyeing her hand as she wiggles her fingers. A beautiful familiar ring adorns her finger. “He made it official. We’re have a claiming ceremony at the end of the year.”

A stab pierces my heart for a moment. Years ago, Spencer used to show me that ring and promised me that it was mine. That someday, he’d show the world how special I was to him.

“Congratulations,” I tell her flatly and she only smirks at me before she gets distracted by the array of pasteries before her.

I sigh, focusing my attention back at Mr. Delacroix. He continues our meeting as I vaguely remember any details. I watch the blond order some things and Sylvie package them. She pays for her stuff and walks out of the bakery.

Finally, I can breathe again. Everything is back to normal.

“The numbers look great,” Mr. Delacroix tells me as he gets up. “My client will be pleased with the numbers.”

I smile at that. “Thank you for your time.”

He nods to me and gathers up the baskets of goodies. I watch him leave and I wonder yet again who this mysterious stranger is. I don’t have much time to dwell on it, because my phone buzzes in my pocket and I dig it out.

I see a text message from Iris and I quickly read it.

‘I may have nabbed you a new client, she had typed out. It’ll be your biggest one yet. I’ve been currently hired by the Northern Alpha King to assist with multiple upcoming events. Your bakery good will be a staple floor his business meetings. I’ll be making sure of that.’

I chuckle at that. I type out: ‘Glad you’re thinking of me. ‘

Iris’s response is quick. ‘Believe me. It was hard to think. He’s hot, but he’s hotter in person. I could climb that wolf like a tree, but then I’d be out of a job.’

I roll my eyes and shake my head. I’ve heard of Alpha Lucian Wolfe’s stupidly good looks. I have also seen him in the media to know the wolf is a wickedly sinful masterpiece. I’m not going to deny that.

The truth is that high ranked and high society wolves line Alpha Lucian would never give me the time of day or even spare me a glance. I’m not going to lose sleep over it. It’s how the world goes.

He’s looking for a good company to work with to supply daily goods. Do you think you can pack up a box of your delicious yummies and drop it off at the main entrance guest service so he can sample them?

I stare at her text for a moment and sigh. This would be a good opportunity. If I can secure this, it would be a big client and the bakery would thrive even more. What is there to lose?