Contracted To The Cold Alpha

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Boston, Owl City.

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Miss Independent, Ne-yo.

Shakara, Ckay.

Breathless, Shayne Ward.

As time goes, MItiS

Escape, Aaron Shirk

CHAPTER ONE

#Sit Back

Lucy placed bread and scrambled eggs on the four plates on the table, as Dan kept his Tareyton 100 beside it

"Really Dan? When you're just about to eat?"

Dan rolled his eyes as the faint sound of a dog barking teemed the air. "You can just look away for once woman."

The door burst open with a loud bang, startling everyone in the garden.

There stood Artems, the Alpha.

"There iz going to be an important meeting. 12AM. A collaboration I've been waiting for. And I am going to supervise it. I won't have you riffraffs interfering and ruining thiz for me"

Dan frowned. " Alpha--"

" Ester iz the only one coming. No questions asked. No stupid poke-nosing! Or you'll hate the consequences!" He stuffed his large hands into the pockets of his shorts, disdain and repulsion on his face as he turned and walked away.

The door remained open, displaying his back as he wove his way towards his black Aston, Ramon holding the car door open for him.

"Debbie, go close the door." Dan said softly, concealing the despair in his voice.

Debbie who had been anxiously hiding behind her large purple teddy bear stood and did as ordered before coming back to sit.

There was moody silence, the tense fragrance of lilac hung bitterly in the air, along with the sweet scent of jam Lucy spread over the bread.

Next was the honey, which Lucy poured into the cups with shaky hands

"Mom that's oil!." Ester spoke up, her voice tinged with surprise.

"Oh my." Lucy's eyes widened and she dropped the bottle, on the table making it clatter noisily.

Dan sighed.

"Come sit, Lucy," he said. "I'll do this.

"Let me, dad." Ester and Dan stood at the same time; Ester took the actual honey bottle and began dishing it.

"I'm just... gonna take a quick smoke."

Dan retired to a corner to light his cigarette.

"How long are we going to let this keep happening; Dad? Mom?" Ester unable to bear the silence spoke up.

Surely something could be done? Maybe they could head back to Florida. It was only a matter of time before these people finally decided they didn't deserve to live anymore, and ended their lives. It terrified her.

They'd be extremely poor if they went back yes, but in contrast to dying? Ester's thoughts made her shiver.

Lucy stole a furtive, helpless look at Dan who pretended he hadn't heard; lighting his Tareyton.

Lucy sat and began eating.

"Do we have any choice Ester?" Dan finally said. "I don't get it. What do you feel like you want to do differently? Look around you; we are in a werewolf world...our business is for them. We have no choice but to do what they want us to do. To suck up to their maltreatment. To kneel and kiss their feet. unless you want us to pack our bags and go. If that is what all of you suggest just let me know." He took a smoke.

Debbie pushed her chair back and stood. " I've lost my appetite."

"Debbie, you haven't even eaten anything." Lucy called out.

Dan scoffed as she walked away from the flower house. "Eat up, Ester... you have a meeting to attend to."

After managing to eat two slices, Lucy sadly commented. " I know not having werewolf ears is one of our big disadvantages, but glean as much as you can."

Ester nodded and continued eating.

.......

Ester relaxed into her seat after spotting the head lights of Alpha Artem's Aston as it reared its head into the parking lot, searching for a spot to park.

To think that he had scheduled whatever meeting this was, at 12, and he was arriving 30mins later.

She had been here before, but the identical sleek black cars that lined this place were too many--as of today.

So many imposing vehicles, so many things to prove to her that they had no business being in this place.

But Dan wouldn't agree, a part of her wouldn't too.

They couldn't go broke--because of her woke sense of justice.

Even though they were despised, debased and degraded, every time by the pack they had built into an economic enigma with their company Wolvencore.

When they had parked she stepped out of the car, smoothening her ash-colored velvet suit and locking up.

She walked up to Artems and his crew as they alighted as well.

"Good morning, Alpha Artems." Ester said, awaiting his next command.

Artems gave her a scornful, reproachful look. "Stay far away, as much as possible. I do not want to catch you eavesdropping.. Just sit back, drink some coffee, catch some fun or go to hell, whichever you prefer."

He scoffed and walked away.

His gamma followed, but Ramon the beta's look lingered on her.

This was a man she had longed for, wanted, confessed her feelings to way back in their days in school. But he had humiliated her, embarrassed her, slandered her with smear campaigns for being human. Called her a filthy being and species.

But that was a long long time ago, her heart had since moved on with the pain, the shame.

It still pained just a little, whenever she saw the scorn and disdain on his face for her, for what she was, for the kind of people she represented.

"Good morning to you too, Beta Ramon."

"Humph." He scoffed in irritation and walked away.

" You're welcome." She whispered and followed.

Fresh-brewed coffee and ground beans wafted into Ester's nostrils along with the scent of crunchy cookies and fresh baked muffins as she opened the glass door into the house.

So many---black men? Or rather men in black.

Artems didn't inform her that black was the occasion. She felt like an outsider, it was a normal feeling already.

She sat far back, and quickly made an order.

It arrived soon and she wrapped her hands around the smooth ceramic cup, taking a sip.

She hadn't realized she had been staring hard at the two men talking, because she'd have noticed how hot the coffee was.

But the damage was done, it scalded her. She emptied the contents of her mouth back into the cup; She checked her clothes and looked around in the hopes that no one saw her.

No one did, except him.

Her cheeks flushed.

The man Artems was speaking to.

He was a tall man--the tallest in the room, dressed in thick black sweatshirts and pants with a fucking dope face.

The dopest, she'd seen.

He was frowning, his sky-blue eyes--like hers--were laser beams piercing indeterminately into her soul.

Well there was nothing to see there, except resentment for his kind.

One of the waitresses dropped a cold mug of iced coffee in front of the two men.

"Dhat would be for my frrriend; Ulmea, here" Artems explained, carefully moving the drink to him.

Ulmea didn't reply, simply taking the drink and chugging it down.

"Let me get you your usual Alpha " The young lady asked, redoubling her apron strips.

"No no. I would take this as well." He pointed to what Iced coffee Ulmea was taking.

The waitress nodded, a bit surprised.

"My friend, It's been a while we spoke, but I am glad you saw it fit to accept my proposal."

" I am here for business Artems, not pleasantries or iced coffees." Ulmea dropped the cup. " Are you the owner of this business?"

"Of courrrse," Artems looked shocked. "Who else? You think such levels of success would have been achieved if it weren't my business? The fact that other Alphas are looking into investing too, seeing as I'm..." Artems cleared his throat, realizing he was about to shoot himself in the foot by exposing himself" My pack...is getting richer and better.

I have subordinates of course, that run it in my absence, but it is mine."

" Right. Let's get down to business then."