CHOOSING HER

EMMA

I walked into the house, my whole body sore from pain. My wolf wouldn't stop whimpering at the thought that our mate had rejected us at sight.

Also, the thought that I felt I betrayed him in the past is still ringing in my head.

I took in a deep breath masking my pain with a smile not wanting to make my family worried.

"Mum… she is back!" I heard Olivia's excited voice, and just hearing her bubbling voice, I felt alive again. 

I pushed the door open and a small smile played on my face as she ran into my hands, "I missed you!" she screamed, I quickly squatted to the ground to her level.

"Careful baby girl, you are not that strong," she rushed into my hand as I enclosed my hand tightly around her with my eyes shut.

"I missed you too baby girl," I stated and just then Mum appeared from behind having that scared look on her face.

"Olivia, don't get me scared that way again," Mum screamed at her trying to calm her nerves at the way Olivia had run toward me.

Olivia is only six years old and has been battling with heart issues since baby, it has been hard on us all but my baby girl is doing everything possible not to get us worried.

She is one of the strongest girls I have ever come across. I could feel her rising heart and couldn't help but ponder on the kind of love my baby girl had for me. 

Despite knowing running might have an effect on her she still forces herself to run toward me anytime I come back from work.

We disengaged from the hug and I could tell they were now both concerned, waiting for my response from the interview.

"So?" Mum asked, giving an urging look as Olivia's puppy eyes darted toward me.

"Yes! Mum! I did!" The moment I let it out it was followed by the shrieking voice of them as they both embraced me.

"Yes! Mum! She is going to have a job now! And not be a waitress anymore!" Olivia screamed excitedly.

I was excited to see this happy smile on my mum's and sister's faces. Olivia had always wished for me to have a good job, she is always sad to know how I am being picked on.

My dad is just a farmer, and hardly sells well, because they believe his kids are like a curse to the pack. We are the lowest of all ranks in the pack, and also I and my sister still can't shift.

Some of the pack members only patronize Dad, after his hard work, only when he decides to beat down the price to the lowest.

They believe we should be slaves in the pack house because of our ranks.

We are only lucky that be one because Alpha Ian, also being a reasonable and responsible leader, wanted everyone to have something to do to fend for themselves instead of being like a slave in the pack house like other packs.

Aside from the behavior he had exerted today in front of me, I have always thought he was only a strict and disciplined leader, but after today's event, I can't help but have a change of mind.

While I work as a waitress, now that I have finally landed a good job because of the Beta I am so excited.

"Where is Dad?" I asked, looking around, as they helped inside. "Your dad is in…"

"Anyone asking me?" We turned back to see Dad coming inside with a basket of food.

"Daddy! Yay! She got the job!" Olivia squealed, running into Dad's arm, he looked up at me and I nodded my head.

"Oh my baby girl, come here!" Daddy cried out as he dropped Olivia spreading his arms. I ran into them, leaning my head on him feeling relieved.

As he patted my back, I wanted to spill to him how I almost lost my life in the office of the Alpha. How I finally felt my wolf come alive getting the scent of her mate but he didn't seem to be fantasized by it and even rejected us.

"I am excited Dad!" I murmured and noticed how his patting changed to that of assurance, we disengaged and mum already prepared a table for our dinner.

Everyone had their food and went to their room after dinner. While I am pulled into Olivia's room smiling at how she pulled my pinky fingers.

She wanted me to read bedtime stories for her, she always wanted just me and no one else.

She stretched the book she wanted as I got her changed and tucked her into the bed making sure she was warm.

Finally, after almost an hour she slept off, and a small smile played on my lip seeing how exhausted she was.

I picked up her little hands covering them with mine, "My love, I promise I will make sure to get you better, you are going to be a strong little girl again." 

I kissed her on the head and with that I lay beside her, turning off the light and allowing the slumber to do the rest.

*******

"Good morning," I greeted the first person I saw as I walked into the sales department excitedly but the face I met changed my excitement immediately.

"You are the weak wolf," he said as his eyes glowed, "Yeah, I got the job last…" 

"I don't care about your story, get to business," he announced, leaving my words hanging.

It wasn't the first time I had been picked on so I didn't get mad and just found my way to the space I was given.

As I settled into my chair, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. Excitement for my new role, but also anxiety about the Sales Manager's chilly reception. 

I took a deep breath and began to organize my workspace, trying to focus on the tasks ahead.

Just as I was starting to feel more composed, the manager's tall figure emerged from the corner of the room. 

His eyes seemed to bore into mine, and I sensed a wave of hostility emanating from him.

"You are the new sales rep, huh?" he asked gruffly, his tone dripping with disdain.

"I am Ryder, the top sales performer in this department, and now the sales manager And you are...?"

I stood up, trying to maintain my confidence. "I am Emma, the new sales rep… nice to meet you."

He snorted. "Nice to meet you. Save it, Emma. You are here to take my job, aren't you?"

I frowned, taken aback by his accusation. "I… I am just here to do my job to the best of my ability."

"Save it, I did a lot to get close to the Alpha." Ryder sneered and I quickly shut my lips not wanting to get fired on my first day.

"Well, You are going to be reporting directly to the Alpha on every business deal. You will be the one responsible for bringing in new clients and closing deals. And if you fail..."

He let the threat hang in the air, his eyes glinting with malice as he dropped some files on my desk.

I felt a shiver run down my spine at his dangerous gaze, "I won't fail," I said, trying to sound confident despite the doubts creeping into my mind.

Ryder laughed. "We'll see about that." With that, he walked out of my presence.

I sat back down when another figure pulled up in front of me, "Good morning.." a familiar voice greeted me, and the moment my eyes met with the lady the small smile disappeared from my lips.

She also recognized me, and that her bitchy self surface, she was the one who got me fired from my last job as a waitress.

"You… how come you are the bitch who got this job when I am here." I fluttered my eyes confused at her behavior.

"I… don't und…" my words stopped midway when a slap landed on my face.

"Lady Nyx… wasn't expecting you here," Ryder rushed forward, bowing to her.

Yeah, Lady Nyx is the daughter of the Alpha of the Nightshade pack, since her pack isn't far from ours she would always visit and is treated with the utmost respect by us because of how dearly Alpha Ian who turned out to be my mate treated her dearly.

"How dare you lowly brat talk back at me!" she yelled ready to smack me again.

 "Nyx!" another voice called out and immediately I could feel the chill, he was here.

"Mate," my wolf claimed again, as I turned to him he sped toward her, his eyes locked with mine and he grabbed her hands.

I felt heartbroken seeing how he touched her, "I put her in the position." he answered, his eyes not breaking from mine.

"You haven't shown your courtesy." he reminded me and only then I recalled I was too lost with his hands being with her.

"I.."

"Show her every fucking respect she demands, or you regret it." He cut me off.

"Wh.." my voice stifled as the sudden pain crept into my heart.

"She is the future Luna," he announced, still not breaking our eye contact. I couldn't help but shift back as the pain struck me deeply.

"Despite knowing I am his mate, he is choosing someone else over me."