I shifted back worriedly hoping this wouldn't get her mad, "I… had an encounter with some co-workers so.." My words didn't get completed when I noticed her claws elongated making my eyes widen.
"Lad…"
"You were there when he told everyone in this room that I would be his Luna. The next time I smell the Alpha scent on you, I will not only make you go through pain, but you will take it in forever."
I nodded hastily, not daring to meet her gaze. "Now, go get my coffee!"
The room fell silent, all eyes on me. I couldn't bear to look up, instead finding my way out of the room as quickly as possible. Anger and humiliation bore inside me.
As I made another cup of coffee, my wolf cried out in frustration. (It's not fair. We're supposed to be the Luna of the pack. No one is supposed to treat us this badly because of the position we hold.)
She was getting paranoid, "I hate being weak. I want to be powerful... I want to take down all our bullies. I want to be near my mate."
I sighed, pouring water into the tea. Lost in thought, I didn't notice the water overflowing until I felt the burn.
"Aww!" I groaned, pulling out my hands and making the cup drop in the process.
"Another fail.." I mumbled about remaking the coffee again. Just then, a familiar scent washed over me.
I smiled a bit as I turned to see Beta Blake standing before me, a look of concern on his face.
"Good day, Beta," I greeted, still wincing in pain.
"I get that you are busy and want to drink coffee, but don't you think you should concentrate more so you don't continue scalding your hands?" Beta Blake asked, trying to pull my hands toward him.
But I quickly snatched them away, recalling Alpha Ian's warning. "Beta Blake, I am sorry. I should leave now so as not to annoy Lady Nyx."
Beta Blake's face clouded with irritation, and I noticed the hint of anger in his eyes when I mentioned Lady Nyx's name.
"Why? She's your assistant. Why are you serving her?" Beta Blake asked, his tone laced with confusion.
I could tell he was ready to force those words out of my mouth but I didn't want him to help me. I will deal with things myself.
"Beta, I am fine with it as long as I can manage to pull up money to maintain my needs. I am fine."
I announced this firmly, then turned and walked back to the office, feeling Beta Blake's burning gaze on my back.
I entered the office, dropped her coffee on her desk, showed my courtesy, and made my way back to my seat, choosing to focus on my work and avoid any more confrontations with Ryder.
But my drama, for the day was far from over, I was about to concentrate on my task when I heard Lady Nyx scream, as spat out the coffee she was drinking.
"What the fuck you bitch? " I darted over to her wondering what the problem was now.
Lady Nyx's voice was sharp as she glared at me. "I said I want a black coffee. Why is there sugar in this coffee? Are you trying to ruin my diet?"
I stared at her, confused, knowing I hadn't added sugar to her coffee.
"I am talking, and you are still seated!" she yelled, her Alpha aura radiating from her now.
I quickly jumped up from my seat, bowing, but Lady Nyx moved closer, kicking my leg and forcing me to kneel.
"Are you messing with me because I am your stupid assistant?" she sneered.
I shook my head hastily. "No, Lady Nyx, I didn't put sugar in your coffee. I recall you didn't ask for…"
My words were cut short as hot coffee poured onto my hands, making me screech in pain.
"You think I am lying, right?" Lady Nyx spat at me as she threw the cup at me.
While my hands trembled in agony from the pain of the burning tea. "I get it... I will teach you a lesson now, Ryder!" she called, making my head whipped up.
"Add all my tasks to her list, and she must submit them early tomorrow morning. If she doesn't, I will make sure she gets fired," she ordered.
Lady Nyx turned to me, having a sly smirk on her face. "This should teach you a lesson. Now, get the f**k up and clean up this dirty floor."
Biting my lip and withholding my already angry wolf from spitting out words that would get me into trouble, I did as I was told.
As I cleaned up the mess, her words echoed in my head. (This is happening because of our mate. I regret being weak.)
I sat back in my seat, my hands still trembling with pain, and began working on my tasks. "We are doing this for Livia. We are going to get through it," I told Beena, trying to reassure her.
But she wasn't having it.
As nighttime fell, I was still far from completing my tasks. My stomach growled with hunger
Just then, Lucy's voice broke the silence. "Hey," she called out as I looked up from my computer, responding curtly, "Are you going home? Have a nice night."
I looked at my computer but she cut short my attention again, "You know the Alpha. Why don't you just report her to him? It might lessen your burden."
Lucy's suggestion was great, but I shook my head. "I am fine, Lucy. I will handle this myself. I don't need help from someone who wouldn't care." I started and Beena whimpered at the way I didn't care about her silly mate.
I proceeded with my work, trying to focus on the tasks at hand. Lucy sat down beside me, watching me with concern.
"I am fine Lucy," I repeated, trying to reassure her. "I just need to get this done."
"I can help you, go through the one you have done so you don't get on Ryder's bad side again." she let out.
I recalled that she complained about my work being tacky and if I didn't want to get on his bad side again then I should allow her to go through it like she had said.
"Thanks for the help, I will appreciate it.." I handed the one I had done to her as she began going through it but my happiness was short-lived when her phone buzz glanced at it and worry etched on her face.
"Oh my! Emma, I won't be able to accompany you today, I need to get home to them as quickly as possible," she explained as I watched in frustration as she hurried out of the office.
"Catch you tomorrow," she said, leaving me to deal with the task alone.
"Guess I will do this myself," I muttered, proceeding with the work.
Just as I was getting into the zone, the lights in the office flickered and then went out, making the room go into darkness. I froze, my heart racing.
"What the...?" I trailed off, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. Was someone coming to hurt me?
I quickly stood up, my hands outstretched in front of me as I felt my way to the door. But as I reached out to grab the handle, my fingers brushed against something cold and metallic.
Suddenly, the darkness was brightened by a faint, flickering light. I blinked, my eyes adjusting slowly to the dim glow.
And then I saw it.
A figure, standing just inches from me, its face twisted into a monster grin. I tried to scream, but my voice was frozen in my throat.
The figure began to move closer, its eyes glinting with a malevolent light. I was paralyzed with fear, unable to move or speak.