Chapter 54
I had worked through the night, my eyes burning from staring at spreadsheets and reports for hours. At some point, exhaustion had won out, and I had fallen asleep at my desk, my wolf pacing restlessly in my dreams.
When I had jerked awake hours later, my meticulously organized files were gone. Panic had seized me until I heard Claire in Derek’s office, presenting my work as her own. Through the door, I had heard Derek’s deep voice praising her thoroughness and attention to detail.
Hearing this had chilled me to the bone. Why? I respected Claire so much, only to have her steal my work and take credit for it to the Alpha? I had sighed silently.
Later that day, Claire had strutted around the office with a smug smile on her face, basking in the
added favor and status she had gained with the Pack Alpha.
I had said nothing. What could an Omega say against a Delta? Especially one favored by the Pack
Alpha.
Being Derek’s Soul Bond meant nothing if he refused to acknowledge it. The strange connection between us—the electricity that sparked whenever we were in the same room, the way my wolf responded to his presence–none of it mattered in the face of Pack hierarchy and Derek’s
determination to keep me at a distance.
This morning, my mother had been waiting for me at the breakfast table, a gentle smile on her face that immediately put me on alert. She only smiled like that when she was planning something.
“Erin, I’ve invited someone to dinner at our home tonight,” she had said casually, setting a cup of tea
in front of me.
My fork had paused midair. “Why, Mom?”
She had busied herself arranging fruit on a plate, not quite meeting my eyes. “Just a small gathering.
We’ve been friends with his family for years, and they hope our children might become friends too.
He’s a good Beta wolf, and it would be beneficial for you to know him.”
I had set down my fork, my appetite suddenly gone. “A Beta wolf? Mom, are you setting me up on a
date?”
She had finally looked at me, her eyes filled with concern. You’re working too hard, Erin. I just want
to see you happy, with some stability in your life.
“I’m fine,” I had insisted, though we both knew it wasn’t true.
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Chapter 541
He works at Stone Group too,” she had continued as if I hadn’t spoken. “In the finance department. His mother says he’s being considered for a promotion soon.”
I had sighed, unable to be angry with her. She was doing what all wolf mothers do–trying to secure the best future for her cub. In our world, an Omega paired with a Beta would not only elevate their own status but that of their entire family.
“I’ll try to come home early,” I had promised, knowing I couldn’t deny her this small thing, especially after all her support through everything.
She had reached across the table to take my hand, her expression turning serious. “You look exhausted. Is that Pack Alpha being too hard on you?”
I had forced a smile. “I’m fine, Mom. This job is important for our family, and I can handle it.”
When I arrived at my office after my morning classes, I was already drained. As I walked down the hallway, I felt the gazes of other employees–some sympathetic, others gloating.
As the only Omega in an executive position, I had become a curiosity, a spectacle for higher–ranking
wolves to observe and discuss.
“Look at the Alpha’s pet Omega,” I heard someone whisper as I passed. “How long do you think
before she breaks?”
I held my head high, pretending not to hear. My wolf growled softly inside me, angry at the disrespect, but I suppressed her reaction. Any sign of aggression from an Omega would be
disastrous.
At my desk, I sank into my chair, closing my eyes for a moment’s rest. My wolf immediately began pacing anxiously, uncomfortable in our surroundings.
The strange one–way glass wall in my office made me feel like I was constantly being observed, and I was certain that Derek could see into my office while I couldn’t see into his.
Why would he watch me through the glass? Was it to monitor my actions? Or was there something. more personal in his observation?
Derek, you are so hard to understand.
