Chapter 1

Two weeks later

"Serena, be fast, or you will be late for the interview," my mother shouted from the sitting room.

"I'm almost done, Mom. I will be there in a minute," I replied.

I looked at the reflection of myself in a mirror, ready to go for the interview.

Why was I going for an interview, you ask?

Ever since the Alpha chased us out of the house, I knew that I had to get something to survive. I was the only child of my family, and I had to work my ass off to be able to cater to the family's needs. My father was already working some petty jobs, and while the Alpha wouldn't let him rest, always on his neck, he didn't ever choose to stop working for the monstrous Alpha, despite not being a Gamma in the pack.

I was the wolfless runt of the pack, who had to obey everything that was ordered of me, and who was a curse to my parents. I didn't have a wolf and was considered a human in this city.

Our wolf city, the Crimson Valley City, was one of the most dangerous cities in the world. Werewolves dominated it, and it was usually a bloody mess, but there were also some sprinkles of human life, trying to share our resources, and not causing trouble. A long time ago, humans chose to live peacefully amongst us, not interfering with packs and boundaries, but they worked amongst us.

It was very hard to survive, especially if you were weak, and as much as I despised it, I couldn't do anything about it. It just made me live in regret every day of my life, living in the constant pain of being the lowest of the hierarchy, not being able to do anything or make decisions for myself.

I wasn't even an Omega, yet, the fact that I had not shifted yet or discovered my wolf only classified me as one - maybe even lesser than an Omega. I had always wanted three things – a wolf, a mate, and a happy life, but none of them had come my way.

Our pack, the Misty Violet Pack, was just a moderately powerful one, and the Alpha acted like he owned the world. No wonder he always had problems with rival packs.

Shaking the thoughts of my head, I stared at the mirror, admiring my beach waves, with a hint of caramel highlights. I hadn't felt as confident as the way I did in quite some time, since what shrouded my life was misery.

I turned around, grabbed my bag, and stuffed the last bottle of fragrance oil in it. I hung across my shoulder while making my way to the outside.

The house we now lived in was a mess. I used to think the shabby place we were left with in our pack was really bad, not until the Alpha forced us to stay in this rotten, aging-affected house. The paints on the wall were peeling, the floorboards creaking upon every step anybody took, and all the windows were broken, while the shutters sagged. It was nothing but a rundown apartment, where an air of dampness and desolation was the only thing to breathe in.

And the worst part was, the cruel Alpha made us pay for living in it. If not, he threatened to throw us out to the streets, prone to attacks by hungry rogues, and dangerous wolves looking for fleshy food under the moonlight. Even if my parents could protect themselves, I couldn't. Everything just pointed out that I was a blight on their existence.

I locked the door behind me and walked to the sitting room. My mother was already there waiting, with a smile on her face, and I knew that she had high hopes for me.

"You are finally here. Goodness knows how long you were going to take," she said and sighed.

"I only had to put a little bit of makeup on. I had acquired some from Everly. I don't know how she got it, though, but she gave it to me." I didn't wear a guilty expression, thinking that my mother would attack me. Everly was the only friend I had ever since I was a child, and she was the only one who supported me when other bitches of the pack tried to attack me.

My mother held up a worried look. "But, you know that her father is a Gamma. Once the Alpha finds out that you have something to do with her, he won't like it, and it could cause troubles in the pack," she said.

"No need to worry, Mom," I said, cupping her cheeks to relieve her of the tension that must have been running through her.

I stared at her, looking back at me with sorrow in her eyes. I knew that my mother was not happy, but she was trying to crown it all with a good face

I stared at her deep onyx eyes. Those were the only things I didn't get from her. Well, not that I got everything from her anyway.

She wasn't my real mother, but I took her as one. My real mother had died in an attack from a foreign pack. I didn't see her face, nor remember how it was, the only memory I had of her death was the blurry picture of her cold body lying afar off. Then, into the arms of my stepmother, who was then a close friend to my mother. She took care of me for a long time, and then, my father married her.

"Okay, Serena. I believe in you," she said, jolting me from my thoughts.

I smiled at her, and she reciprocated it, her lips curling into a beautiful smile. I loved everything about her, her face, and smile, and I wished I had her powers too.

I turned around, grabbing the cup of water on the table. I knew that it was the only thing I had to fill my stomach, since there was nothing in the house, as we were too poor to even afford food, while the Alpha cut our feeding from the pack, with the demand of paying for food if we wanted to get food cooked from the Omega quarters.

"Where is Dad?" I asked, after downing the cup in a go. The feeling was chilly, relieving me of the tension that spread all over my body.

"Your father has gone to meet the Alpha," she replied dryly.

I knew that something was wrong. I turned around and saw her gazing somewhere else.

"Did he go to beg the Alpha again?"

"Yes, Serena. He has been begging the Alpha non-stop, but Alpha Pedro doesn't want us to go back to the pack house. He says that you will bring your curse to everyone if you go back," she said, with sadness in her voice.

It just made me hate the Alpha more. I didn't even think about it, because I knew he was that cruel.

"Tell Dad to stop going to the Alpha. Pedro's ego will only get inflated if he keeps begging for us to go back," I told her.

She seemed to disagree with her facial expression. "You know that's the only way we can survive. We have been dependent on the pack for so long," she uttered.

"That's the reason why I want this job. I heard it is owned by billionaires, and it could have a high pay. If only I could be a receptionist, or maybe a secretary, then, we'd be able to live well," I said.

"You didn't tell me about the job, Serena. What is this company about?"

"Don't worry, Mom. I will come back with good news," I assured her.

She took my word for it. "Wish you luck," she said and kissed my forehead.

I wore a faint smile, as I left the house. Stepping outside, the early morning breeze hit my face. I used to move carefully so as not to run into one of the pack guards, or maybe someone I knew from the pack. That would only cause another layer of embarrassment and a reason to be more ashamed of myself.

It wasn't far until I got to the city, after taking a cab immediately I got past the borders of the pack. I didn't have a problem with the guards at the borders, since, as sentinels, they weren't so familiar with the happenings of the pack house, and didn't recognize me.

"Here. Drop me off," I said to the driver.

Giving him his pay, I stepped out of the car, and gazed, amazed by what stood in front of me.

Several meters away, a colossal edifice. The building seemed as if it pierced the sky. Water fountains on either side of the path leading to the main entrance, the only thing I could see were the uncountable windows on every floor, and I imagined how many offices there would be.

There was the large signage that one could read from afar – H.A.C CONSORTIUM. While I didn't know what the acronym meant, I only knew that there were filthy rich people in there.

Immediately passing the guards, I walked up to the receptionist. She was a young blonde, not past her twenties, with the way I saw it, and as if she knew I was coming, had her eyes fixed on me, with her eyes sparkly white, and a welcoming smile on her face.

"Good day," I greeted.

"Good day, how can I help you?"

"I am Serena Carlton, who applied for a post here, and I was told to come today," I said.

She looked downward, maybe at a file or whatever it was, and then returned her gaze to me. "Yes. I can see your name here. Take the elevator there, and once you reach the next floor above, you'll be directed on what to do by the secretary there," she said.

I smiled and nodded. Turning around, I quickly headed for the elevator. I didn't want to be late for an interview. I stepped inside, and hit the button for the next floor, when suddenly, a hand appeared in between the doors, and the door opened up. I raised my head, looking at who must have stopped it, and was surprised to see who it was.

He had thick hair, and nice amber eyes, and was staring at me as if he was guilty. A really strong scent hit me. While I thought he was a werewolf, I doubted the possibility of werewolves working here. It was a billion-dollar company, and I could only assume humans operated it.

He stared at me, not moving his eyes, as he stepped into the elevator. It was as if something was wrong, but I knew I wasn't beautiful enough for him to keep staring. I began getting uncomfortable, and as I looked at him sharply, he understood the message, and my glare seemed to jolt him out of the unknown.

I closed my eyes. The only thing I could see was his face. Amber eyes, nice lips, and…

My goodness! I was here for an interview! I totally forgot that. It didn't take long, about seconds, before we got to the next floor. Seconds that felt like so many hours. I couldn't wait to jump out of this elevator.

Immediately, I entered the floor and headed towards the woman at the desk.

"Good day ma'am, how may I help you?" She asked, immediately I reached her.

"Serena Carlton. I applied for a position, and I was told to come today," I told her.

She seemed to realize. "Ah, yes. Go over to that seat, others are waiting…" She paused, and I wondered what was wrong. I didn't have to ponder anymore, as I turned around to look at who was behind me.

It seemed that all the men here were deities. Another handsome guy behind me.

"Uh… Jace?"

"The boss requests to see the ones who applied," the young man said, in a hard tone.

"Yes. They are there, waiting. If you may, you can…"

She paused again, and I looked at Jace, as she called him. His eyes scanned the entirety of me before he ordered.

"Get inside the office. The boss requests to see you," he ordered.

I wanted to ask if he was indeed talking to me.

"But… there are others who came…"

"Quick," he said, looking at me.

I wondered why he was that way, but he seemed to have a strong aura.

I returned my gaze to the woman.

"Go. The Alpha wants to see you," she said. My jaw dropped, and my stomach sank in as I

heard the statement. What?!

Alpha?

No way an Alpha owned the company!