LEONA’S POV
Ever since Mommy Rose took me in, I promised on her dying bed to fulfill her agreement with her best friend, which is to marry his son. I looked at myself in the mirror before facing the Flinch, reminiscing the day Mommy Rose found me.
****
I lived on the street when I arrived in the human world. I ate with the stray animals and scavenged food in the trash to survive. Mommy Rose saw me. Since then, she never stopped giving me food and clothes. Until she brought me home one day. She gave me a home, a family.
She taught me many things, and Mommy Rose was surprised to know I could read and write. I told her what we do in training back home. Mommy Rose was stunned. She said we were like Amazons—the warriors of God.
Her library is filled with books which I’ve never seen in my whole life. Every day I read one, and the television is also one of my favorite things. It featured moving objects and moving humans. Amazing how they fit into that tiny box. She introduces me to movies, music, food, and wine. Also, she taught me how to drive a car, and I got my license immediately. I am lucky to meet such a good soul.
Shortly, she enrolled me in home school, gave me her name, treated me as her own daughter, and called her Mommy Rose. My mother in the human world. I became Leona Eldrich.
I went to college and took up a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She gave me a car and a cellphone as a gift for my achievements. But she got weaker, old, and disabled. She hired a private nurse to take care of her. I refused, but she wanted me to focus on my study. My guts told me that she wouldn’t live for long, and I wanted to be by her side till that day came.
“Leona dear, come, sit here,” Rose called tremblingly.
“This is yours,” she handed me an envelope as I sat on the chair next to her bed.
“What is this, Mommy?”
“Open it.”
I opened the envelope and saw her last will, deed of sale, land titles, certificates, and my adaption paper.
“I am leaving everything to you when I’m gone.”
“Mommy, don’t say that.”
“I can feel it, Leona, and you do too.”
“Mommy, don’t think about me. You have done enough. I will never be who I am today without you.”
“No, I won’t be at peace knowing you are not properly taken care of. So I’m leaving you this house and everything that I have. But there’s one thing,” Mommy Rose took another file.
“It’s an agreement between my best friend and me. This is legally bonded and signed by both parties.”
“An agreement?”
“Yes. It stated that his firstborn son will marry my firstborn daughter. If I have a daughter, but if it’s a son, it will be revoked. And now that you are here, as my legally adopted daughter, you are my firstborn.”
“What?” I suddenly felt cold. She never mentioned this before.
“I have a share in their company. My lawyer will contact them when I die and will guide you with the details. You may read everything in that file.”
None of her words sink into my brain. Overwhelmed, I nodded to ease her mind.
“Promise me, Leona, you will try to get along with your fiancé.”
“Ye~Yes, Mommy,” I answered to stop her worries.
“Thank you. I can leave in peace now.”
With my diligence and hard work, I graduated college. Sadly, Mommy Rose died after. And in her dying bed, she reminds me again about the agreement. She said with my marriage; my future would be ensured. Until death, Mommy Rose still thinks of my welfare, and I will be forever in debt and gratified by her kindness.
A knock startled me, bringing me back to reality. It's Amanda, Mommy Rose's lawyer. She approached me after the burial and set this day after talking to the Flinch. I am not sure if they would like me to be part of their family, but I am crossing my finger, and hopefully, my fiancé is nicer in person than the snobbish picture Amanda showed me.
"Are you ready?" Amanda peeks at the door.
"I think so."
"You look lovely in that dress. Now come down. They're waiting for you."
"Okay. I'll be right behind you," Amanda went back downstairs.
"Whew! You got this, Leona. Just meet your fiancé and his family, and this will all be over; if he doesn't like me, then good. We can all move on!" I said to myself in the mirror. I retook a deep breath to ease my nervousness.
Don Rafael and Madam Sonia meet me with warm hugs and big smiles. My fiancé, on the other hand, is in the restroom. Maybe fixing himself, or who knows what he is doing there to keep us waiting.
"I am so delighted to meet you, Leona, finally!" Madam Sonia peck my cheeks, "Such beauty and grace! I'm sure our Darren would love her! Right, Rafael?"
"Of course! I will cut him off this time if he still refuses to get married! What’s taking him so long in that restroom anyway?" Don Rafael glanced at his Rolex.
Refused? Does that mean he was betrothed to other women before? I asked in my addled mind.
****
In the restroom, Darren is nervous. He was fully aware of his parent's agreement with Rose Eldrich being her father's best friend and one of their business partners, but it never crossed his mind that this day would come since the Eldrich wasn't blessed with a child. Never did he imagine she adopted one.
"Chill, Darren. Women are all the same," Darren spoke to himself in front of the mirror and inhaled.
Darren fixed his coat and returned to the living room, where a lovely woman with a very innocent and angelic face caught his eyes.
"There he is!" Don Rafael collects and pushes him in front of Leona, "Darren, son, this is Leona, your fiancé."
"What is that smell?" Darren pinches his nose.
"Not again!" Madam Sonia rolled her eyes, gritting her teeth, "Will you stop that nonsense, Darren? Every time!"
"I mean it, mother. This time it's a different smell!" Darren stared at Leona and came near her, sniffing her entirely.
"It came from her! But, it’s different?"
"Cut it out, Darren!" Don Rafael pulled him.
Leona stood there in awe.
"So she's my fiancé? I don't like her smell, and I don't like her. You can forget about the agreement," he turned away, heading to the door. His deceptive words hit Leona like a bomb, rejected by his fiancé.
"Not so fast, Darren! I have had enough of your stupid sniffing thing! You are not getting any younger, and neither are we. You will marry Leona whether you like it or not, and that is final! Or you can forget about your inheritance and this family!" Don Rafael walked away, slamming the door behind him.
"Mom?" Darren turned to Madam Sonia.
"You embarrassed us, Darren. Your father is right; enough is enough! I won't be on your side this time. So fix yourself and be a man!" Madam Sonia turned to Leona, "I am very sorry, dear. Do not worry; the wedding is still on, and we shall see you again."
Madam Sonia kissed her cheek and followed Don Rafael. Darren approached Leona narrowing his eyes.
"I will make sure the wedding will be off," he covered his nose again. He was about to leave when Leona uttered a word.
"Whatever, mate!"
Darren turned back around, "What did you call me? Mate?"
"Whatever!" Leona stormed upstairs.
"Wow! That went well. Anyways, nice to finally meet you. Excuse me. You know the way out," Amanda glanced at the door and followed Leona.
Darren was left speechless, repeating Leona's word.
"Mate? Insane!"
Leona was mumbling when Amanda entered her room.
"That boorish, arrogant, and conceited guy! Who does he think he is? So what if he rejected me?" Leona shrinks in her bed.
First time to meet her fiancé, and got rejected. Although her mouth and brain are telling her it's okay, deep in inside, it hurt badly. Werewolves have one mate in their lifetime. Even if she's human, her instinct tells her that Darren Flinch is bound to be hers. But now, he refused to be her mate.
"Ouch!" she uttered in dismay.
"Leona?" Amanda slid herself into her room without knocking.
"Come in.”
"I just got a call from Don Rafael. The wedding is still on. Looks like Darren can't get away this time."
"Great! I will live my life with the man who hates me! What a lucky woman I am!"
"Well, you are the last option for Mr. and Mrs. Flinch to give them a grandchild. And with the agreement, you and Darren are tied to each other. Don Rafael let their son get away with his previous engagement, but not this time. Given the fact that his best friend fulfilled their agreement."
"Let's say, if that Mister snobbish fiancé of mine and I agreed not to get married, would that affect the agreement?"
"Yeah. Darren maybe will lose his inheritance, and your conscience will haunt you."
"I can live with that."
"But not him. He is the only child. I'm sure he doesn't want their hard-earned money to go into charity, and he will not make things easy with you and his parents."
"Then I guess my life is screwed.”
Amanda gave her a half-inch file of the Flinch's biography and saw Darren's photo when he was a child. He was smiling widely, looking like a sprightly kid.
"Why are you giving me this?"
"Learn about your fiancé’s background. Besides, your mom asks me to give it to you. I guess she planned everything for your future. Study well," Amanda waved at her and left.
Leona was still shocked at how drastically her life had changed. She tossed the file in her luggage and continued packing.
LEONA’S POVThe condominium is spacious, just enough for me. Mommy Rose bought it as a gift for my graduation, but she didn’t get the chance to give it herself. And I thank her love for making my life easier. I called my friend, Sophie Lucas, and informed her that I’d already settled in the city.We will apply to a fashion company together and, hopefully, get the job, so I won’t rely on the money that Mommy Rose left me.****“Where are you?” Sophie asked over the phone.“Almost there!” I park my car outside and rush into the company’s lobby.“Leona. Over here!” Sophie waved at me.“Sophie!” we peck each other’s cheeks, “Are we on?”“You are just in time.”The human resource officer called our name for the interview. We went inside and confidently answered all the questions they threw at us. It was a panel interview, but they didn’t spook us. I am here for the job. As a result, we got in as marketing staff.“I am so flattered to be part of the leading fashion company in our country no
LEONA’S POVSophie and I arrived early in the office. The CEO’s secretary, Fiona, introduced us to some of the employees and showed us our space. She gave us our contract, and we happily signed it and waited for the next instruction.“We have our own desk!” Sophie gasps softly. Her eyes are popping out of excitement. I just laugh at all her reactions.Shortly, Fiona came back to collect us and led us to the training room, where all new employees were gathered for the orientation.“Good morning, everyone, my name is Glenda, and I am the training manager of the Flame Corporation. I welcome you all to our company, and I hope you all sit back and relax as we begin our orientation.”The projector started, and the first topic was the company’s background. On the screen, it flashes the humble beginnings of the company. Then goes to the owner that I almost fainted.The Flinch family owns Flame Corporation. Since Don Rafael stepped down as CEO, Darren Flinch took over. Darren Flinch, the name
LEONA’S POVMy first day of work went well. I successfully avoided my fiancé because Darren was on a business trip for weeks. Luck is still on my side. I will deal with him later when he gets back. One thing that stresses me out is my future in-laws. It seems like Madam Sonia is so fun of me and wants to create close family ties.“Leona, you have to go. At least your fiancé’s parents are nice and approve of you.”Sophie was referring to the dinner invitation Madam Sonia prepared. She wanted me to treat them as family. And since I am her husband’s best friend’s daughter, she wanted me to treat her as my mother.“You mean we are going,” Sophie drops her jaw, “I told her I’m with my best friend, and she invited you as well.”“What are we going to wear?” she gasps softly.“Clothes,” I sneered.“Are you for real? Leona, they are not just your future in-laws; they are the owner of the leading fashion company in our country. It will be an honor to meet them!”“Point taken. But seriously, be
LEONA’S POV“No, please. I didn’t do it! Help me! No!” I woke up in tears and sweat. I dreamed of my life with the beast, my horrible life.****Dress in white, Ellen curled my hair and did my make-up. It’s Moonbeams. Our mates are waiting now. We have to look beautiful and wait until some wolf guy approach us.“Whoa, you are gorgeous, Leona!”“So are you,” I check myself in the mirror. Wow, Ellen did well and made a major transformation to my ugly face.“Is that me?”“Do you have doubts?” Ellen pinch me.“Aw!”“So it’s you,” she laugh.“Do you think our mates will like us?”“You are worrying again. They will like us and will probably want to make the bond and mark us.”“Hey, naughty girl,” I laugh.Bond and mark means we will surrender ourselves to our mate. Marking will happen if we have sex with them. The bond is when we become one—a spouse. I don’t know what comes first, but I’m pretty confident that is what they mean.“All single she-wolves are now outside. I think it’s time to m
LEONA’S POVDarren is back. He was impressed with the project proposal my manager submitted to him and asked for the list of newly hired marketing staff, preferably the brain of the project. And my name was at the top of the list. He called our supervisor by the intercom and asked about my file. I am so busted.“Leona,” Sophie held my hand in nervousness. We both didn’t expect him to come back soon. Not until the next two weeks.“I have to face him eventually. I guess it’s for the best?” I plastered a fake and invigorating smile.“Okay, ah, call me. If he molested you, we’d immediately storm out of this company!”“Molested?”“Sorry, I don’t know what I’m talking about now, I’m terrified for you!”“Don’t be. He wouldn’t dare to get near me here, or our cover will blow off.”“Any plans?”“Just continue working and avoid him at all cost. I will do what he asks me. Anyway, I don’t have any plans to stay in this company. Once Amanda declared my rights, I won’t be working here anymore.”“Ok
LEONA’S POVMorning has come. I heard the main door open and hoped its food or water. But it was the guard. They pulled me out and tied my hands to the pole. Victoria came in with evil eyes. She whips me. After getting tired, she would order the guards to beat me.“Cage her,” she said, content with what she did.After two days of beating and starving, I plead to the guard to end my life. To end my agony.“I’m sorry,” the guard turned away.I thought I was stronger now, but my wounds didn’t heal, and my skin burned. Hunger, thirst, and the beating go on for days. Every whip made my skin shiver; I peed on myself countlessly. Even fell to my knees, but nothing could stop Victoria.My pain is her happiness.I haven’t seen my Mama and Papa. I’m sure they forbid them to see me so is Ellen. Before, I prayed for my mate to rescue me, to claim me; now, I prayed for my death.Metal clicks. I know it’s the key to the main door. Could be Victoria again. If she beats me again tonight, I hope she’l
LEONA’S POV “Are you alright, Leona? Sophie followed me to my desk.“Shame on that guy!” I let out my tears of disappointment. I told Sophie what happened in his office and his accusing words.“Shall we file a resignation now? Just say a word, and I’m ready to print it. You know I drafted already just in case.”I smile a little. Sophie really knows my soft spot.“Later. Don’t worry; I can still handle him.”“That’s the spirit, Leona. Prove to him that he’s wrong, or I’ll kick his ass.”“Hahaha yeah, right.”Ignoring Darren’s mockery is my own way of inducing peace to my mental health. He can think whatever he wants; I don’t care. As long as I do my part in this company, I can leave here with dignity before Amanda announces the new heir of the Eldrich’s asset.Following the Muse Fragrance, Darren wanted me to present an advertisement plan to him that would be presented to the investors. To prove myself, I focus on it and prioritize this project. But it seems like he is determined to m
DARREN’S POVYou got to be kidding me! What is she doing here? Is she following me? That’s impossible since she’s new in the city. But I know her friend is familiar with this place. I didn’t expect to see her here.“This girl is pissing me off,” I gritted.“What’s that, Darren?”“Nothing, Brent,” I quickly texted Leona to see me back door and whispered to Brent that I needed to go to the toilet.“Don’t leave us hanging, okay?”“I’ll be back.”I made sure no one followed me and slid into the back door. When I smelled Leona’s scent, I quickly pulled her as she opened the door and pinned her to the wall.“Listen, you flirt, I don’t know what you are doing here, but do not make a scene. You don’t know me, and I don’t know you, is that understood?” I hold my breath. I really hate her smell.“First, you don’t own this place. Second, I didn’t know you were here. Third, who says I want to be publicly associated with you? And fourth, you are conceited. I am not following you,” Leona pushed me