Chapter 55
BANS POV
Just then, my phone chimed with a notification. Reluctantly opening my eyes, I saw a notification from Darkwood Pack Bank–my salary had been deposited. When I opened the banking app and saw the amount, I nearly dropped my phone.
“So much?” I whispered in disbelief.
The figure on the screen was far more than I had expected, more than most Omegas would earn in three months of work. For a moment, a bitter laugh almost escaped my lips. So this was the price of my dignity? Of my health?
Just as I was contemplating this further, a knock at the door startled me. I quickly locked my phone and sat up straight in my chair.
“Come in,” I called, trying to maintain a professional tone despite my exhaustion.
A Pack Enforcer entered, his large frame nearly filling the doorway. “Blackwood, the Alpha wants you in his office. Claire won’t be coming in today.”
I blinked in surprise. “What happened to her?”
“That’s all I know,” he answered indifferently. “Since she’s absent today, you’ll have to take on her
responsibilities. Go to the Alpha’s office and see what he needs. You should feel honored, as an
Omega,”
I nodded, swallowing hard. “I understand.”
As the Enforcer left, my office phone rang. I picked it up with trembling hands, already knowing who
would be on the line.
“Miss Blackwood,” Derek’s deep voice came through, vibrating in my ear. Despite his cold tone, my spine automatically straightened, a shiver running down my arms, raising goosebumps. ‘I see Darkwood Pack Bank has paid you today. So what is it that makes you so unmotivated at work? Have you forgotten your place in the Pack?”
His words cut through me. I bit the inside of my cheek, tasting the metallic flavor of blood. My fingers gripped the phone tightly until my knuckles turned white.
“I… I’ll come to your office right away, Pack Alpha,‘ I managed to get each word out, carefully controlling my voice to keep it from trembling.
“See that you do,” he replied, then hung up. The dial tone buzzed in my ear, loud and accusing.
1/3
Chapter 55
I set the phone down gently, my hand still shaking. My wolf, restless all day, suddenly stood at attention, ears forward, tail up. Her excitement rushed through me, making my heart beat faster.
“Stop it,” I muttered, fingers pressing my temples. “I’m tired, don’t add to my stress.”
She responded with a whimper, the sound echoing in my chest. I felt her disagreement clearly, as if she had spoken. She pushed from within, persistently hopeful despite all evidence to the contrary. No matter how many times he rejected us, she stubbornly believed in our connection.
I stood up from my desk, my legs unsteady. My hands automatically smoothed my skirt, brushing away invisible wrinkles. I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, licked my dry lips, and quickly checked my appearance in the reflection of my computer screen.
I took three deep breaths, counting silently on each exhale, then squared my shoulders and headed
toward Derek’s office. Each step down the hallway felt heavier than the last, my heart pounding
fiercely between my ribs.
I knocked on Derek’s door. I curled my toes in my shoes, trying to steady myself while I waited, holding my breath.
“Enter,” came his commanding voice from inside, muffled by the thick door but still powerful enough
to make my pulse jump.
I walked in, immediately enveloped by the cooler air of Derek’s office. It was dimly lit as usual,
heavy curtains blocking the midday sun. The darkness pressed around me, making my eyes strain to
adjust from the bright hallway.
Derek sat behind his massive desk, broad shoulders slightly hunched forward as he studied the
documents spread before him. He didn’t look up as I entered. His dark hair fell slightly over his
forehead, the strands glinting in the weak light filtering through the curtains. The line of his tense jaw moved subtly as he clenched and unclenched his teeth, the muscles there tight with
concentration.
I stood quietly just inside the doorway, feet seemingly rooted to the floor. I folded my hands in front
of me to prevent them from fidgeting nervously, feeling the dampness of my palms.
I waited to be acknowledged, my breathing growing shallow as I counted the seconds in my head.
My wolf, restless all day, suddenly went completely still. Then, with a violent surge, she pushed forward, pressing against the barrier of my skin.
