Alethea (Zoe)
I can feel the heat creeping up my neck, and I know he’s watching me. I want to glance back, but I force myself to keep moving. My hand grips the doorknob tightly, and I twist it open, stepping out into the hallway.
Just as the door closes behind me. The sound of glass smashing against the wall reverberates through the silence.
I freeze mid-step, my heart pounding in my chest. My breath catches as unease washes over me. For a moment, I can’t move. Is he angry? Did I provoke him?
I take a sharp breath to steady myself and force my legs to move, walking briskly back toward my team. Every step echoed like a drumbeat in my ears. ‘Stay calm. Don’t let it show,’ I remind myself over and over.
Near the lobby where my team is waiting, I see Liam, the Beta. He’s standing in the doorway, his eyes locked on me. He pauses, with an unreadable expression, but his gaze feels like he’s searching for something.
I quickly school my features into a polite smile. I step forward and extend my hand. “You must be Liam, the Beta,” I say, keeping a light, confident tone.
For a moment, he hesitates. Then, slowly, he takes my hand, his grip firm as his piercing blue eyes remain fixed on me. “Yes, I am,” with a steady voice that is laced with curiosity.
“Good,” I say, pulling my hand back and clasping it behind me. “Alpha Asher mentioned you’d show us to our quarters.”
He nods, “Sure, Zoe,” he says, turning toward the hallway. But just as he takes a step, he pauses and glances back at me.
His eyes linger for a moment too long, and it feels like he’s trying to connect dots that I desperately hope he never finds. I hold his gaze, refusing to flinch,
“Any problem?” I ask sharply, breaking the silence as Liam’s stare becomes too much to ignore. I want him to know I notice his curiosity, that I’m not oblivious to his searching eyes.
He blinks, then quickly shakes his head. “No, not at all, Zoe,” he replies smoothly, though there’s a flash of something unreadable in his expression.
He finally turns and continues walking ahead.
I exhale slowly, trying to release the tension in my chest and follow him.
He leads me down the hall, showing me my room along with the accommodations for the rest of the team. I nod politely, but I’m exhausted.
The day has drained me, and I’m itching to take off these contact lenses, peel away the facade, and finally take a shower.
Once inside my room, I lock the door behind me and let out a deep sigh of relief.
My bag drops to the floor as I strip off my clothes, heading straight for the bathroom. Standing in front of the mirror, I catch my reflection staring back at me.
“You did well, Ally,” I whisper to myself, the words echoing in the quiet room. “And you’ll do even better tomorrow.”
The reflection seems to agree, offering me a small, tired smile. I step into the shower, letting the warm water cascade over my body, washing away the tension of the day.
For a moment, I allow myself to relax, closing my eyes and enjoying the soothing sensation of the water on my skin.
My thoughts drift to Declan. I miss him so much it aches. I miss Selena too, though I would’ve never admitted it before. She’s been a presence in my life, even when I didn’t want her to be.
I smile faintly as I remember how much I protested when she insisted on changing my surname from Weaver to Carter before I joined TechSpark.
At the time, I thought she was being overly cautious, paranoid even. But now I see her wisdom. She must have foreseen something like this.
At work, my colleagues address me as Ms. Carter. Zoe is my middle name, a piece of me I never thought I’d rely on this much. Still, I worry what if someone slips and calls me Ally?
The thought sends a chill down my spine, but I push it away, focusing on the steady rhythm of the water.
For now, I am Zoe Carter, a professional here to do a job. And I can’t afford to let anything-or anyone-jeopardize that.
I step out of the bathroom, steam trailing behind me as I wrap a towel securely around my body. I glance around, ensuring the door is locked, a habit I can’t seem to shake.
I move to the closet and pull out my pajamas. I settle onto the edge of the bed, I exhale slowly, letting the tension from the day melt away.
I pull out my phone and dial Selena’s number, my fingers lingering over the call button for a moment before pressing it. The line rings once, twice, and then her voice comes through, instantly warming my heart.
“Ally, baby!” she greets, her tone full of affection.
I roll my eyes, even as a small smile tugs at the corners of my lips. Selena still sees me as her baby, and while I don’t mind, it’s a little strange considering I’m a mother myself.
“Yes, Mother,” I reply, with a teasing soft voice. I’m grateful for her. She had thought everything through and prepared me so well for this trip to Redwood Pack.
“How did it go?” she asks, her voice tinged with concern.
“Better than I thought, Mum, you’re the best.”
“Oh, Ally,” she chuckles, “you’re going to make my head swell.”
“Mum, it’s a fact,” I say, my smile widening. “You should have seen his face! It was like he was trying to piece the dots together, but the stoic, heartless Asher couldn’t figure it out. And that’s all thanks to you.”
There’s a moment of silence on her end before she speaks again, her voice softer this time. “I miss you, Ally. How long are you staying for?”
“Two months,” I reply, though the thought of being away from home for that long makes my chest ache. “But I’ll do my best to speed up the process so I can come home sooner.”
“Okay, Ally,” she says with a sigh. “I wish you all the best. Declan misses you, you know.”
“I miss him too,” I say, my smile growing wider as I picture my son’s bright face. The thought of him warms my heart.
For now, I have to stay focused, but knowing they’re both waiting for me makes it all worth it.
A sudden knock at the door startles me, breaking the calm I was just beginning to feel.
My heart leaps in my chest as I glance around the room, quickly checking to make sure there’s nothing out of place that might give me away.
I take a deep breath, steadying myself before walking to the door. I remind myself to stay composed, no matter who’s on the other side.
But when I open the door, I freeze.