SHADOW
“Zack, what are you doing here?” I was surprised to see him in the parking lot.
“I’m the designated driver for today,” he excitedly said before he went to the driver’s seat to start the car.
“Oh.” I suddenly felt shy. Zack was a good guy, after all, but I didn’t want him and everyone to get the idea that their Alpha was giving me privileges. They hated me already, and I was afraid I would end up poisoned by my haters.
I was literally an outcast who just jumped into an assistant to the Alpha. The number one those gossipers could ever think was that I was in bed with the leader of the pack. Just like right now, these female werewolves were shooting me daggers.
“I think I’d rather work in the office,” I told the Alpha as he finished his phone call.
“Don’t make it a habit of defying my orders, Shadow. And don’t make me repeat myself. If I say you’re joining, you’re joining me.”
I gulped as I nodded, and that was when he noticed the reason for my discomfort. With just a single look at the ladies, they scattered away.
I got into the car and asked Zack, “Where are we going?”
“Shopping.”
“What’s the occasion?”
“Nothing,” Califf answered, buckling his seatbelt.
I did the same as Zack, driving off the parking lot. “This is my first time to be out of the compound without being drugged or tied behind my back.
“You weren’t tied. You were drugged, yes, but not by my men.”
“Well, I remember waking up and getting drugged, then waking up in that chamber. I thought I was in some secret government facility, and they would cut me open. Who built that confinement, anyway?”
“Zack’s brother, Ian, is an architect. Some of my men are experienced contractors who built the entire building. He lives in the city and works in a prominent construction company.”
“Great. Do you have hackers, too?”
Zack chuckled.
I looked at Zack. “Wait. What did you hack?”
“I’m not good, but just a school record. I failed in some subjects in junior, so I hacked the system.”
“Awesome. Maybe you can help me hack something,” I literally just whispered to Zack from the backseat, but I heard a groan, reminding me it was nonsense to try.
“No. Don’t encourage her.” Now, I could feel his eyes on me. “What do you want to hack, Shadow?”
“I was just joking. Nothing.”
“You’re lying.”
I met his gaze. “Why would I lie?”
“Don’t challenge me, rogue. You won’t like your next punishment. If you need something, you will come and talk to me.”
“Yes, Alpha.” Even if it was against my will, I had to agree.
We arrived at the mall. I still didn’t know why he had to take me with him. I could see he had a fashion sense that didn’t need my opinion. I would just probably be the bag carrier while Zack was his bodyguard.
Once we reached one of the activewear shops, he went inside. I realized the cashier and the salesladies were werewolves, and they just slightly bowed their heads.
“Alpha,” they addressed him with the utmost respect.
“Give her what she needs,” he ordered the cashier.
“Wait.” I tugged the sleeve of his jacket, making him look down at me. “I don’t need this.”
“What are you gonna wear on the day of your challenge?” He didn’t look impressed that I just defied him again.
“I still have what you provided to me, Alpha. And I’m grateful.”
He ignored my reply. Instead, he turned to the cashier. “Give her ten sets in her size. I’ll be right back.”
“Where-” I shut my mouth instead as he and Zack walked out of the shop, leaving me alone to be mauled by these women.
They waited for him to be far away, and one of the salesladies approached me. “So you’re the rogue that everyone talked about, huh?” I didn’t like the black lady’s tone, but I couldn’t argue or begin a fight.
What Alpha Califf was doing just made everyone hate me. I couldn’t redeem myself as long as I worked for him.
“I don’t want any trouble, okay?”
“You just disrespected an enforcer who keeps everyone safe in the compound, rogue. And now Alpha is buying you clothes? You must be pretty damn good. I wonder what Everlee has to see to this?” Everlee? So that was her name.
I knew exactly what she meant, and this was what I was afraid of, that everyone would spread gossip about me sleeping with the Alpha.
“I’m good at my job.”
They just laughed at me.
“We’re not stupid, rogue. But when Alpha Cal is done with you, he will throw you out, and you will end up cleaning the toilet. Everlee is good for him. She’s beautiful and deserves to be at Alpha’s side.”
“I have no idea who that is,” I lied, even if they talked about the woman who came out of Califf’s room. “I suggest you prepare ten sets of workout clothes for me. I’ll be right back.”
The other braid-haired lady blocked my way. “You’re not going anywhere.”
“I suggest you move away, or I will pee on your door and take one of those leggings to wipe the floor.”
She didn’t let me go without shooting me a glare. I rushed out of their way and searched for the bathroom. I followed the stench of pees and female scent. After I peed, I stayed there for a while.
I wanted to cry and ask the Moon Goddess what I did wrong to deserve this treatment. After finishing college, I was happy with my life and planning to work at Kent’s company, but things didn’t go well as I dreamed of.
After I washed my hands, I went out. I didn’t want to go back and get another threat and bullying from those women. I went to the food court instead, but the problem was I didn’t have money.
For the first time, I felt trapped in my worst nightmare. I had nothing. I lost everything I had in my life. I didn’t have a phone to call Kent. I didn’t have a cent in my pocket. I washed dishes and worked out without guarantee that I would win to be one of them. I bet everything I got, I wouldn’t win their hearts even if I had proven myself.
“You hungry?” I almost jumped as Alpha Califf just joined me at the table. I wouldn’t ask how he found me because that would be ridiculous.
“I’m good.”
“Zack, give us burgers, fries, and soda. You choose what you want.”
“I’ll have the same, Alpha.” He left without hesitation, leaving us alone.
I would probably get another punishment for walking away from that shop, but to hell with that. I’d rather stay in confinement than hear their awful words against me and see the disgusted look they throw at me.
“How many days?”
He probably heard the tenuous in my voice. “What?”
“I’ll choose confinement this time. I’d rather starve than see those faces and hear those nasty things they throw at me.”
“They will change their views towards you once-”
“I don’t think I can win the challenge. Whoever my opponent is in two days, he could snap my neck without even trying.”
“Don’t sell yourself too short, little rogue.”
I looked at him. “How can you be so sure I can win this?”
He looked right into my eyes. I thought I saw a little concern deep in those gray eyes, but I could be wrong. “Because I believe in you. You’re stronger than you think you are.”
“I wish I had your confidence, Califf.” I blinked off as his name just slid off my lips. “Alpha.”
“Your parents believed in you, that you would make it here today. You survived that night. I trust you will win the challenge.”
“I didn’t mention anything about that night. How did you know?”
“Attackers usually attack at night when everyone is asleep.” I still didn’t believe him. I felt like he knew about my life than he let on.
“It’s best if I stay away from you. I can work in the kitchen. I can cook and wash dishes, but not in your office.”
“So you’d rather give up the job assigned to you by your Alpha because some jealous women treated you terribly?”
“They didn’t.”
“Don’t lie into my face, little rogue. I asked them, and they told me everything.”
“Then they won’t stop harassing me.” I looked away when my emotions became too much to handle.
“They get my message pretty well. No one will mistreat you anymore.”
“You don’t have to do that. I can take care of myself.”
“Yeah, by running away. I know why. You didn’t want to break their necks. You’re avoiding troubles.”
“I don’t wanna get into a fight. Everyone already hates me.”
“Not everyone. And that message is for everybody. Not you alone.”
I looked straight into his eyes. “You can just let me go. I’ll find a way to get to Kent. He needs me, Alpha. Please?”
“He’s good without you. You can’t see him until we find the people responsible for putting him in the hospital.”
“He wouldn’t be in danger if your men just let them take me.”
His eyes darkened as he glared down at me and let an animalistic growl tear out of his chest. “Here’s one thing I want you to know, rogue. They can’t have you. Do you understand me?”
“I’m just putting everyone in your pack in danger.”
“I’m still talking.” He growled. His eyes were intense, and he never blinked. “No one will touch or take you away from me while I’m still breathing. They can try, but I will hunt them, shred every inch of their bodies, and tear their hearts out of their bloodline for generations. I will see to it that they won’t exist in this world if anyone lays a finger on you.”