EMMA
Mum and Dad burst into the room, their voices laced with concern.
"What's wrong?" they asked in unison, scanning the room as if searching for an intruder.
I swallowed hard, my eyes darting around the space beside me. "He...he had left," I whispered, confusion etched on my face.
Mum rushed toward me, her expression worried. "Was anyone here?" Beta Blake asked, his eyes scouring the room.
I could sense a hint of tension in his voice, as if he too felt the lingering presence of the Alpha.
I was still reeling from the encounter, and Alpha Ian's parting words echoed in my mind. He doesn't want me and wants no man beside me?
(Mate is tricky..) My wolf grumbled sadly, "What in the world is he thinking?" I muttered to myself, trying to make sense of Alpha Ian's erratic behavior.
I was still lost in my thoughts until Mum's gentle tug on my hand broke the spell. "Emma, what are you whispering to yourself?" she asked, her voice soft with concern and worry.
"Nothing crazy happened, did it?" she asked with a narrowed gaze.
I shook my head, still trying to process the events that had transpired.
"No mum… just trying to recall something about the office." I lied quickly grasping myself.
"Emma… you sure.."
"Mum, please I am fine." I cut Mum off, and just then my tummy grumbled, my eye twitched Beta Blake and I noticed how he forced a smile. He is the Alpha's Beta and a friend he knew Alpha Ian was here.
"I am famished, let's go eat," I told my mum again. Mum gave me a wry look for some second, until she was sure that I was doing okay, and finally agreed as we all went back to the dining room.
*****
I walked into the office early the next morning and handed the whole task Ryder had made me do.
Thank goodness I was able to complete it last night, I had slept late, and thank goodness I was still able to meet up and come early to the office today.
"You came late.." Ryder stated and quickly bowed my head not wanting to get his mood ruined this morning again.
"Points will be deducted for your tardiness," I could only force out a smile and went back to my seat to see Lady Nyx already sitting in my position.
"Good morning Lady Nyx," I greeted but she ignored my greetings.
"You should sit over there, I am more satisfied with this than that,"
I didn't want to argue with her so I just went to her seat. I was about to turn on the system when she stopped me.
"Hey!" I turned to her almost immediately even though I was getting annoyed by this.
"Aren't you supposed to get me my coffee?" I stared at her for a while and this got her mad.
"Are you saying you wouldn't go get it?" She fired at me, and I quickly shook my head.
"I will go now," I let out with an eye roll, obviously she could see that.
I came across Lucy by the door, her eyes were swollen but she forced a smile at me.
"Good morning.." She greeted me and I returned it even though I was so curious about why she was this way.
I could only watch her walk inside the room while I found my way to the break room.
I walked into the break room, my sense of smell guiding me to the coffee machine.
I loved the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, and my stomach growled in anticipation.
"Guess I would be getting it for myself also, first I need to make that for Lady Nyx,"
I had worked in the cafeteria before, so I knew exactly how to operate the machine.
I reached for a cup and placed it under the spout. I selected the "black coffee" option and waited for the machine to work its magic.
As I waited, I heard the sound of laughter and joking behind me. They sound so familiar and I needed no one to tell me who they were.
I turned to see two mean girls who always find every single minute of their life to bully me anytime they see me even in my former workplace.
My mood ruined seeing Rachel and Sophia, walking towards me, they loved to tease me about being human.
"Hey, human," Rachel said, sniffing the air just as I had expected.
"What are you doing in our break room?"Sophia chuckled. "Yeah, don't you have a cage to go back to? How did you even get a sneak into this company?"
I ignored them and focused on my coffee. I wasn't going to let them get to me.
"Hey bitch! I am talking to you!" Rachel huffed, pulling my hands. Just as they were about to continue teasing me, a voice came from behind.
"Is that the reason why you work here?" We all turned to see
a tall, handsome guy walked into the break room.
Rachel and Sophia immediately stopped teasing me and stood up straight, their eyes fixed on the guy.
"Delta Lucas," they said in unison, their voices filled with respect and my eyes almost bulged out.
I didn't have the right to go close to the pack, so I hardly saw and recognized high-ranking officials. I have always heard how Delta Lucas is a playboy but fun to be with.
A dangerous but playful look appeared on his face as they bore into them, "Ladies, enough… leave now, or get on my wrath." he warned as he walked in like a gentleman.
(Hey, you can't admire him, we have a mate.) my wolf reminded me, while I just rolled my eyes.
"We are sorry, Delta Lucas!" they both yelled as they found their way out of the break room leaving us both.
Just then walked over to me, his eyes locked on mine. "And you are...?" he asked, his voice gentle.
"I am Emma," I replied, with a small smile. Delta Lucas smiled back at me leaving me dazed.
"It's nice to meet you, Emma. I am Lucas, the Director of Operations here at the company. And I must say, I haven't come across you ever before in this pack." he stated and I gave an affirmative nod.
"Well, yeah… too low for you to know me," I said. "But thank you for stepping in."
Delta Lucas's expression turned serious. "You shouldn't have to deal with that, Emma. You are also now a valuable member of this team, and you deserve respect. Don't let anyone bully you, okay?"
I smiled, feeling grateful. "Thank you, Delta Lucas. That means a lot coming from you."
Delta Lucas smiled back at me. "Just call me Lucas, Emma. We can't be formal here." he let out but the next second the whole light of the room began to flicker, as I felt the cold and strong feeling around me.
Lucas's eyes widened as he shifted back from me, "You… What relationship do you have with the Alpha?" he stuttered as that gaze now held signs of respect for me.
I looked around in shock wondering what he was talking about, until I felt a grasp around my wrist.
"Stay away from her, or you might regret it." Alpha Ian barked out behind me, and Lucas immediately fell to his knees.