Filed to story: Wolf Crying Mate of the Alpha by Jazz Ford
‘It’s Dom Hayes. I need to see Zenith as soon as possible.’
‘Okay, sir. Please hold on a moment,’ I open the diary screen and find a free spot tomorrow.
‘Mr. Hayes, I offer, ‘I can book you in for 2 pm tomorrow?’
‘Okay, I’ll see him tomorrow, Mr Hayes says, ending the call before I can say goodbye. I spend the day answering calls from clients, booking appointments, and passing on messages. I see John and James leaning over my desk halfway through the day, looking right at me with coy expressions.
‘Is there something I can help you with?’ I ask them.
‘Astrid, there is something you can do. If you could follow me into my office, John says. James elbows him playfully.
‘Don’t mind him. He is just stirring, James says.
‘We would love a coffee, James says, winking and smiling.
‘How would you like your coffee?’ I ask, ignoring John’s smirks.
‘Latte, no sugar. John will have the same.”
‘Okay.’ I walk into the kitchen and look at the enormous copper industrial coffee machine sitting on the granite benchtop. How am I meant to use this thing? I recall what I learned in my six hour barista class a few years ago. I surprised myself and made the coffees expertly. And placed the mugs and one teaspoon on a tray and walked with them out to the men. They look at me like I’m some divine goddess who makes barista-style coffee. I put the lattes down in front of them, they’re impressed
‘Won’t your father be angry? You two are out here staring at me instead of working?’ I ask. James grins.
‘You’re right, Astrid,” he says, gives me a wink, and returns to his office with his latte.
‘John, get back to work, he laughs. John returns to his office with his latte.
‘You know how to handle those two, don’t you?’ Brooke giggles. “You must tell me about yourself. How old are you? Where are you from?’ She asks.
I’ll be eighteen in five days. I used to live with my Dad, a forty-five-minute walk from here,” I reply.
‘How exciting! You’ll meet your wolf this week!’ She says excitedly. I give a fake smile.
‘Yeah, so excited…’ I say with a tinge of sarcasm and sadness-the phone rings.
‘I better get back to my desk downstairs, Brooke says, running downstairs in her court shoes. I answer the phone.
‘Zenith Creations. Astrid is speaking. How may I help you?’ ask.
‘It’s me. Zenith. Make us both a latte and bring them to my office, he says, ending the call. I push open his door with the lattes in my hands and put them on his desk.
‘You’ve done well today, Astrid,’ he says.
‘Thank you, I reply, sipping my latte.
‘We need to discuss your living arrangements. You can stay in the packhouse with me and the boys, if you’re comfortable to do so, Zenith offers.
I pause in thought at his offer. I don’t have anywhere to stay, and I don’t want to live with his sons. So, what choice do I have? ‘Okay, just for now, though, I smile, accepting his offer.
‘Good. It’s settled then, Zenith smiles, sipping his latte.
At 5 pm, I follow Zenith to the elevator. John and James follow behind.
‘You can hop in with me, James offers, smiling.
‘Thank you. ‘ll go with your Dad, I say, smiling.
I get into Zenith’s car. A vital phone call takes his attention for the duration of our ride home. Finally, we arrive, and I see a sign that reads Shady Crest. I gulp. Wait, this is the Pack Vanessa, and Alice lived! The Pack abused Vanessa and used her as the pack slave.
‘Is something wrong?’ John asks, staring at me.
‘No, I’m just admiring the house. It’s so lovely, I say, trying to contain my nerves. His house is large and impressive. It’s not as big as Ryker’s, but still gorgeous. The car stops. Zenith opens his door and helps me out. My court shoes crunch on pristine white gravel.
‘Are you okay, Astrid? You’re shaking,’ he says.
I’m fine. I’m cold, I lie, rubbing my arms.
‘Let’s go inside.’
We walk up the twenty stone steps to a glossy green front door and walk inside into a foyer. Zenith puts his black leather case on a nearby table with his coat.
‘This way, to the dining room’, he says, smiling. I follow him into the dining room. People sit at a long mahogany table and are being served plates of food by employees.
Everyone goes quiet and stands with Zenith’s arrival.
I’d like to introduce you all to Astrid formally, he says, placing a hand on my back. There are a few gasps and whispers among them.
‘Silence’, Zenith says calmly.
‘Astrid is staying with us. Hopefully, she joins our Pack too. I know I can count on you to make her feel welcome and at home, he says, with utmost authority in his voice.
Zenith walks to his chair at the head of the table.
‘Astrid, you may dine next to me tonight.’ he says. I nod and sit in the chair next to him. All eyes are on me. I look around the table and give a nervous but friendly smile.
They all smile and nod. I realise they’re excited I’m here. I eat, and the Pack members introduce themselves to me. James sits next to me, and John sits opposite me. The pretty girl next to John shakes my hand.
I’m Amelia, John’s mate,’ she says, smiling. I look at John, tilting my head in surprise.
‘John, you never mentioned you had a mate, I say.
‘Oh, didn’t 1?’ He says. James smirks.
‘I suppose you have a mate too, then?’ I ask James. He smiles while eating.
‘No, I haven’t. Dad is telling me to choose one, though, he says, winking and brushing my leg with his under the table. I blush and look away.
‘Amelia, I’d love you to give me a tour of the house,’ I say, smiling at her.
‘I would love to, Astrid,’ she replies with a smile. We finish our meals, and she skips around the table and links her arm with mine.
‘Let’s tour,’ she says excitedly.
Strange that Vanessa said she was once a slave here and beaten. Everyone seems pretty civilised here. Everyone has been amicable. I might even get used to the boys flirting. I’m sure I can find out more information through Amelia.
‘This is the dining room, she giggles. She shows me through the kitchen, the hallways, and the bedrooms upstairs.