Chapter 6 Cruel Alpha King

I struggled to calm the tumultuous emotions swirling within me, feeling like a storm was about to engulf me. Yet, I couldn't help but steal a glance at my son, who was blissfully playing with building blocks. My heart suddenly brimmed with love and tenderness at the sight of him.

After losing everything, Austin had become my reason to keep going. Nothing in this world was more precious to me than him. I was aware that my thoughts could be irrational at times, but I couldn't help being frightened for him. The fear of Zander discovering Austin's existence and the potential consequences consumed me.

Suddenly, my breaths became shallow, and panic threatened to overtake me. I struggled to keep it together and reached for a glass of cold water, attempting to regain control. Sitting down, I closed my eyes, trying to focus on the good memories to calm myself.

Gradually, my breathing steadied, and my heart resumed its normal rhythm. I glanced at the time and realized I was running late for my appointment with the interviewer. Panic resurfaced momentarily before I forced myself to take a deep breath and gather my belongings. I needed to head out quickly. I walked up to Austin and gently kissed his forehead.

"Austin, Mom is heading out for an interview. Be good to Grandpa, alright? I'll be back before you know it," I whispered softly.

"Okay, Mom!" Austin nodded, his innocent eyes meeting mine, giving me the strength to face the challenges that lay ahead.

I took the bus to the office of a tech company. One after another, I went to five interviews straight in a row but faced nothing but failure. Every response was the same that I wasn't qualified enough for an office job. Fuck my luck.

I returned home with weary feet and a heart heavy with disappointment. Countless thoughts and considerations swirled in my mind, the pros and cons of my next steps consuming my every waking moment.

As I stepped into the calm, soothing atmosphere of the house, I took a deep breath to steady myself before gently closing the door behind me. Austin and Uncle were glued to the TV, and I forced a smile as I passed them. I made my coffee, grabbed my mug and laptop, and headed to my favorite spot by the window. I found comfort in that little corner. Dragging my beloved bean bag near the window, I plopped down, placing my coffee mug beside me on the floor and opening my laptop on my lap. I started job hunting again. I had a few hours before my night shift at the bar would start. Ah, goddess! What a life you've blessed me with. Closing my eyes, I let the peaceful chirping of birds returning to their nests wash over me, finding a little relief in their sounds amidst the chaos in my mind. Then, I opened my eyes and focused on the laptop screen.

"Selena!"

Uncle's voice snapped me out of my moment of focus, and I lifted my head to find him standing before me. His gaze bore into me, seemingly reading the emotions etched on my face. Feeling self-conscious, I looked away.

"So, you didn't get the job, right?" he deduced.

I nodded, offering a faint smile.

"Don't worry. There are plenty of jobs in the market," I assured him before returning my gaze to the laptop and starting to apply for interviews again.

"What if you don't get a job next time? Why don't you think about something else?" he asked frantically.

Rubbing my forehead, I took a deep breath.

"I'm trying, Uncle. I have another option in mind. Until now, I've restricted myself to job hunting only in the South. But now, I'm going to explore opportunities anywhere. If I find a job in another region, we'll relocate," I explained my plan for the future.

"What?! Have you lost your mind? We've been hiding for years from that cruel alpha king, and now you're risking our lives by showing up? You know that monster, Zander Blake, won't show any mercy if he finds out what you've taken from him," Uncle warned.

I turned to face him, frowning. "Trust me, I won't let anything happen to you or Austin. But I have to do this. It's the only option I have now. I can't live like this. I need a job," I said, having thought it over carefully. Honestly, I had no other choice.

"I have a better idea," Uncle smirked darkly, and his smile unsettled me this time.

Curiosity and suspicion tinged my voice as I asked, "What is it, Uncle?"

"You could bring the Alpha King to his knees," he said confidently. "He'd pay any price if we asked. You have his blood-his heir, Austin. You know how badly he wanted a son. I'm telling you, we could make him beg." His words dripped with malice, a vengeful glint flashing in his eyes.

I scowled at the suggestion, disgusted by the thought.

"No! Don't ever think about doing it, Uncle. I am warning you," I roared furiously, my protective instincts kicking in. "Zander should never know about Austin. He is my son, and I am never going to use him in this dirty war between him and me," I snapped, glaring at him with determination.

Uncle nodded, his expression grim as he understood the weight of my decision.

No one, not even my uncle, would ever use my son as a pawn to get revenge on the Alpha King. I knew Zander had countless enemies, and if they learned that Austin was his son, they would use him against him. If anyone found out that I had Zander's child, they'd come after both of us. That's why I had kept Austin hidden, even from his own father.

Zander Blake was cold hearted and ruthless. He hated me, and he would see my son as nothing more than a reminder of the past-a burden he'd want to erase. I knew he'd kill my son without a second thought.

Life had taught me hard lessons, and the betrayals I'd faced had made me cautious, vigilant. I wasn't the naive girl I once was. I was a mother now, and nothing was going to threaten my son's safety.

After losing everything, I was only left with Austin.

"What can I say then? I'm just a useless old man," Uncle scoffed, frustration clear in his voice.

"Uncle!" I sighed, stepping closer. "It's not like that. You just have to trust me. I'll take care of us, okay?" I reassured him with determination.

Suddenly, one of my applications was accepted, and I received a call for an interview.

"See? My luck's not that bad," I said, a small smile tugging at my lips as I shared the news.

"Really? That's great, Selena! Where's the interview?" Uncle asked, his eyes lighting up with hope.

I hesitated for a moment before answering, "Wild Howl Pack."

Uncle's face drained of color. "But... that's in the North!"

I nodded, taking a deep breath.

"Yes, it is." I replied as my gaze shifted toward my son who was innocently engrossed in watching TV, a carefree smile on his face.

I was doing this all for my son.

After dinner, as we all settled down for bedtime, I felt it was the right moment to share the news with Austin.

"Austin! Honey, I have to tell you something," I began, trying to soften the impending revelation.

"What happened, Mom?!" he asked, his innocent blue eyes blinking with curiosity.

"Sweetie, I have to go to another region for a job, but once I'm settled, we can relocate," I gently explained, watching his innocent face fall with sadness.

"Do I have to live without you for a while?" he asked, his lower lip trembling in a heart-wrenching display of emotion. I nodded, struggling to hold back my own tears.

"Okay, Mom," he said quietly, his voice tinged with disappointment.

My heart ached seeing my little boy endure so much at such a tender age. Life had forced him to grow up too quickly, and I couldn't help but vowed that after this he would never have to face any more hardships.

"Austin, you know Mom loves you so much," I reassured him, gently brushing his dark hair aside and planting a soft kiss on his forehead.

"I love you too, Mom," he said, his eyes sparkling with hope and innocence.

Now, all I had to do was secure this job, and our problems would be over. I just hoped nothing would go wrong this time.

___

To travel to the North, I needed a flight ticket, and with the little money I had, I had no choice but to borrow some from my friends at the bar where I worked. I promised them I'd pay it back as soon as I got my paycheck.

With a heavy heart, I said goodbye to my son and uncle before leaving for the Wild Howl Pack.

Standing in front of the hotel where my interview for the housekeeping staff position was scheduled, I took a deep breath and put on a confident smile before stepping inside. This wasn't just any hotel; it was the only eight-star hotel in the world, catering exclusively to the wealthiest clients. The pay was generous, and they didn't require a degree-just experience.

With my background as a janitor and bartender, I felt certain I could land this job. It finally seemed like the goddess had heard my prayers.

____

*Avery*

"Zander, did you see the news? We looked amazing in those pictures," I exclaimed to Zander, my excitement bubbling over. However, his attention remained fixed on his laptop screen, seemingly uninterested.

I set his laptop aside and positioned myself on his lap, attempting to capture his focus.

"What's going on, Avery? Can't you see I was engrossed in important work?" he snapped with a scowl. I felt disappointed that he didn't even spare me a glance, especially since I was wearing such a revealing dress that accentuated my curves and exposed so much.

But, I even found him hot when he was angry. Truth be told, I loved every aspect of him. Yes, I was head over heels in love with my best friend.

"You're leaving for a week, and you're still glued to your dull laptop?!" I complained, pouting and sensually batting my eyelashes.

"Spend some quality time with me," I leaned in closer, whispering seductively. I took his hand and placed it on my slim waist. His touch was enough to make my panties drenching wet, leaving me wanting more.

"Have you lost your mind, Avery?" Zander barked, his expression suddenly annoyed. "Remember the agreement between us," he continued sharply. "I'm not interested in getting intimate before the wedding," he reminded me in a cold, icy tone.

I let out a sigh of exasperation. Zander's self-control was truly remarkable. No matter how hard I tried to seduce him, his reaction remained disappointingly unaffected. My workaholic Alpha! He'd made sure we were getting married because he needed an heir, and I was more than willing to give him one.

"We're engaged, darling, and you are mine officially," I purred, my finger tracing a path along his lips as I closed the distance between us. However, just as our lips were about to meet, he suddenly pulled away, setting me down on the couch before standing up.

"I'm running behind schedule. I need to leave," he stated formally as he left abruptly and briskly.

A soft chuckle escaped my lips. It was merely a matter of a few more days, and then he would be bound to me forever. I could sense the excitement in my wolf, Leah, as her growls of anticipation echoed in my mind. She shared my desires, my aspirations.

Despite having admirers who appreciated my beauty from all corners of the world, my heart longed for only one man: Zander Blake. Men were ready to kill and die for me. But I only wanted Zander. I had wanted him all my life. He had been with me since our childhood. He was my first crush, my first kiss, and my first in everything. I sighed hopelessly.

I knew he always had eyes only for me. I wanted to be the only woman in his life. Only me. So, I had never let a woman come close to him. He was mine. Our fathers were friends, and they wanted us to marry and choose each other as mates. Everything was going so perfectly, and marriage was in the cards. I was so happy and was on cloud nine. The ruthless Alpha King Zander Blake was mine until... that bitch, Selena, came between us.

I had loved him since we were children and always wanted to marry him. I even rejected my fated mate just to be with Zander, and I believed Zander also loved me as he agreed to marry me. But then, he met that ugly bitch, and all the hell broke loose after that.

I didn't know what kind of spell she and her father had cast on Zander, that he had forgotten everything after seeing that whore. He forgot about our love, friendship, and promises and wanted to marry that wolfless filthy daughter of a useless Alpha of the world's weakest pack.

That cunning witch took everything from me; my Zander, my love, and my position. I always dreamed of being the Luna Queen of the North. But my dream was shattered in a blink of an eye when Zander announced he was going to marry Selena in a pack's alliance. I swallowed the lump of insult down my throat and waited for the right time to come. It was tough to manipulate Zander. But how long could he resist my beauty? After my diligent efforts, Selena was finally out of his life, and he was mine again.

I threw my head back and laughed smugly as I remembered.

That ugly bitch couldn't hold a candle before me. She was useless in the name of a woman and Luna. She was a mistake. I made sure Zander saw that, and once he realized what a mistake he had made by marrying her, he kicked her out of his life.

Nevertheless, finally, the day had come for which I had been waiting for so long. Zander would marry me and mark me as his Luna and mate.