Claiming My Ruthless Alpha

Lilith

"In my office, now!"

Rage flashed in my manager's eyes as he gritted his teeth menacingly, storming into his office, leaving me trembling as fear blasted me.

"Seems you are in big trouble," my colleague whispered in my ear in a sing-song manner that made me even more terrified.

The manager's office was like a lion's den. Everyone dreaded it.

Dragging my feet reluctantly in the direction of his office, I wiped my sweaty palms on my skirt before turning the knobs.

Pushing the door open, I felt my soul flew out of my body as my heart pounded hard against my ribs.

"You...sent for me, Sir," I stammered, swallowing the bile of fear in my throat as my eyes were pinned on the floor.

My eyes remained on the tiled floor for a few minutes as weird sounds flew past my ears.

I jolted in fear the moment I heard the chair move noisily.

It wasn't until I lifted my head out of curiosity that a horrid look descended on my face, making my jaws drop to the floor.

Biting my lips hard, I fought against the urge to puke as the image of my manager standing pants down with his erect junk pulsating angrily at my face kept replaying in my head.

I tore my eyes away instantly, retreating toward the door slowly until my back was against it.

"Like what you see?"

I remained motionless like a statue, struggling to keep calm as his eyes undressed me.

"You are gonna ride me, or you are just gonna stare like a dummy?" He flared, anger oozing out of him

"This is disgusting, manager!" I fired, unable to keep up with his irritating act.

For months, he had been trying to get into my pants, just like he did to the other female colleagues.

A burst of wicked laughter tore off his throat as he banged his fist hard against the table.

"Your life is about to be disgusting!"

I remained mute, snaking my hands to the doorknob to flee in case he tried something nasty.

"If you walk away from this office, forget about your job and salary, but most importantly, don't forget the long unending list of your sister and mother's medical bills. You won't survive without this job, Lilith," he paused briefly, his eyes gawking at me.

"If you know what is best for you, you better get on this chair and ride your way into your promotion, or else, I will make your life disgusting!"

Shutting my eyes as his cruel words crashed on me like a bulldozer, I felt my heart squeeze in pain.

"I am sorry, Sir, I can't." I didn't wait for his reaction before dashing out of his office as fast as my weak legs could carry me.

There was no doubt he was going to push hard for my termination, but the decision lies with the boss.

Maybe I would be given a second chance. Goddess knows how much I needed my salary and incentives badly, especially when I had to take care of my mother and my sister's chemotherapy.

It's another week, and the doctor will be expecting tons of cash for their treatment.

It was like the bills were never going to end.

Clutching my bag tightly, I hugged my small frame as a heavy whoosh of wind flew in my direction.

Cold seeped into my skin, and before I could get under cover, the cloud grew dark and lightning scattered all over the sky. Thunder clapped noisily, and it didn't take long before droplets of rain descended on me.

Could today be any better?!

The shilling of my phone caught my attention. Pulling it out of my bag, I unlocked it and clicked on the message icon.

I froze on a spot as my heart shattered into a billion pieces when I read the message across the screen.

I had been fired.

As if it was not enough, the rain intensified, soaking my dress and making me a trembling mess.

Tears slipped down my eyes, staining my cheeks.

I couldn't believe that after working my ass off in the company for years, I would get fired just like that!

My life was a mess with a series of unending and unfortunate events.

I was a disaster. I hated my life.

Pocketing my phone, as I sighted a car fast approaching, a nervous smile crept on my face as an idea popped into my head.

There was nothing to live for anymore. I have tried everything, but nothing seemed to work for me.

It was like all the forces in the universe ganged up to make my life extremely miserable.

I hope my mother and my sister forgive me for the drastic decision I was about to take.

Walking up to the unsuspecting driver, I stood rooted on his path, shutting my eyes and waiting for his car to knock me down and crash me.

I was better off dead than alive.

*****

Casper.

Pain clung to me like a second skin, and tears fell freely from my eyes as my fingers glided over a picture of my mate and my twins, whom I lost in a fire incident.

A fire orchestrated by my father's sworn enemy, Alec Black, to avenge his fiance.

He and my father were best friends until my father recognized his fiance as his mate when his wolf surfaced. They got married and ruled over the Blackwood pack.

Angered, he plotted ways of eliminating my father to get his fiance back, but since it failed, he waited until I was grown, and I had chosen a mate to unveil his evil intentions.

I was young and foolish, blinded by his extended arm of friendship, despite my mate, Marina's disapproval.

Everyone knew Alec was a scheming bastard, but since he proposed a peace offering to quench the tension and erase the enmity and hatred between his family and mine, I jumped on the offer. I was newly appointed as an Alpha, and the last thing I wanted was enemies.

Instead of sticking to his promise, he attacked me, unaware of the night I prepared a ceremony to introduce Marina as my Luna.

Dragging me out after inducing me with a huge amount of wolfsbane that sapped all my energy, his men surrounded the arena, locking up the entrance door, trapping everyone inside, including Marina and my twins, setting everything ablaze while making me watch.

It wasn't until my Beta, Raphael, screamed in horror that I dropped the picture to focus on the road, but it was too late as I already knocked over a figure.

"I swerved, right?" I asked Raphael, terrified at my actions.

"I think you've killed someone!"

Rushing out of the car, I ran towards a motionless body on the floor as my heartbeat accelerated at an unusual pace.

Was she dead?!

Lilith

The last thing I heard was the screeching of tyres as he tried to manoeuvre the car.

Terrified, I fell on the floor, freezing for a moment before wincing in pain.

Thankfully, he swerved before I got knocked over.

My eyes flung open, and my breath hitched in shock the moment a pair of hands dropped against my chest to feel my heartbeat before pressing against my wrist to check my pulse.

"She's alive!" One of the men announced, heaving a sigh of relief.

The moment his fingers brushed against my skin for the second time, I felt the hair behind my neck stand erect as my breath seized.

Burst of tingles sprouted all over my body, making me shudder.

My brows furrowed in confusion as I pulled away from him at once after sensing strange sparks that ignited a fire in me.

What just happened?

Why did his touch ignite a strange feeling in me? All my life, several men had brushed their fingers against my skin, and we've had body contact, but this strange man was different.

"Do you have a death wish or something?!" Another man screamed as he shut the door of the car, walking towards me.

His presence jerked me off my long train of thought, making fear creep into me.

"I'm sorry," I muttered as my heart sank into the pit of my stomach.

That was a dumb idea.

What was I thinking putting them in trouble?

"You should be. I saw you. What was all that crazy stunt you played? Do you want to get killed?"

I recoiled to myself, pulling away from the first man as I felt bad.

"Yes!" I screamed. Their breaths hitched as my words caught them off balance. "Maybe I wanted to kill myself, I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking straight."

Picking myself from the floor, I dusted the sand off my body, but I jerked the moment my skin made contact with the first man's skin.

I could sense he felt the sensation, the stern look he gave me, and the way he backed away, rubbing his finger over the area.

"Raphael, enough, don't scare the girl more than she is," the first man said, observing me. "Did the car hit you? Tell us so we can get you to the hospital. It's partly my fault for keeping my eyes off the road while driving."

My heart melted at his soft words and affectionate hazel eyes that eased my pain.

I couldn't help noticing the sweet scent of chocolate and honey that clung to him, making me feel a strange bond and urging me to yearn for him.

Get a hold of yourself, Lilith!

"I'm fine; you swerved before you hit me; the shock made me fall, nothing more," I replied, forcing a nervous smile before proceeding to go home.

I had caused enough trouble.

"Sorry for yelling at you, I was just furious. He will give you his card in case you develop any internal bleeding as a result of the fall," the second man insisted before exchanging a look with the first man.

He disappeared into his car, appearing with a small card that bore information.

"Here, have it. If you feel anything strange, give me a call and get yourself to the nearest hospital. I will pay the bills and every other thing needed," he stated, placing the card in my hands.

I muffled a curse as the weird feeling washed over me again.

They turned their backs, about to leave when a thought dropped into my head.

"Wait!" I called, making them halt in their tracks before turning to me.

"If you want to help me, you could give me a job. That is the only thing my life depends on right now. I don't mind anything you offer me, I am up to the task, and I am a fast learner. Just give me a chance, I'm begging you," I pleaded desperately, clasping my hands together.

Silence hung in the air as they were lost in thoughts before exchanging looks.

"Fine. But don't keep your hopes high. It's 50-50," he warned while I mouthed a thank you.

They disappeared into the car, reviving the engine before driving past me while I pondered on his words, dragging my weak feet home.

50-50?

*****

I jerked up as raindrops pattered against my forehead.

My roof was leaking again.

I yawned tiredly, rolling to the other side of the bed. As I turned, my gaze met the two empty beds beside mine. Tears welled up in my eyes as I pictured my mum and my sisters sleeping peacefully on their beds.

I wish someone would wake me up from this nightmare of a life.

I missed my old life where I was the daughter of a wealthy millionaire.

I was about to get lost in my thoughts when the loud ringing of my phone pierced my ears.

My heart sank into a bottomless abyss when I read the text message.

'You are fired!'

It was now official.

My manager finally got into my boss's head, poisoning his mind towards me.

As if it wasn't enough, he withheld my salary and incentives.

The job I pleaded for was not even certain.

How would I pay for chemotherapy this week?!

I had barely dropped my phone when it rang again.

My face dropped in sadness as I let out a worried sigh.

My heart skipped 2 beats as the doctor's name flashed across the screen.

He rarely called except to pass on important information.

Something bad was about to happen. I could feel it in my gut.

"Hello..." My voice shook in fear as I gulped down the lump in my throat.

"Miss Parker, why are you not here yet?"

"I..." I stammered, unable to think of an excuse and anxiety ate me up.

"Is everything..." I tried to ask, but he interrupted.

"Get to the hospital now. Your mother is having some complications right now, and we noticed one of her kidneys is failing. Also, you haven't sent a deposit for the chemotherapy of your mother and sister. You are wasting time," he complained. I could feel his frustrations.

"I am trying, doctor, I..." I broke down in tears.

"You need to be in the hospital within 30 minutes, or I'm afraid your mother won't make it," he dropped the bombshell.

Lilith.

His last words hit me like a bombshell.

I felt my heart skip two beats as beads of sweat gathered around my forehead.

My mother wouldn't make it?

My chest clenched painfully, and it was like an invisible hand squeezed it hard.

I knew my mother had a 50/50 chance, but I hadn't come to terms when she was dying.

Goddess, please, take my job, my happiness, even my life, but spare my mother.

I quickly wiped the tears that stung my vision as I dashed across the hallway, ignoring stares from my neighbors.

I wailed and soliloquized like a mad woman. The onlookers didn't bother me.

When I got to the bus station, I comported myself, wiped my tears, and let out a deep breath.

I entered the bus and sat quietly beside the window, feeding my eyes with the view of the city.

We hadn't gone far when the seat next to mine was taken by a father and a daughter. She was around two years of age.

Throughout the ride, they kept giggling, and from the corner of my eyes, I saw her holding a wrapped gift given to her by her father.

"Thank you, Daddy, I love you,"

My heart broke as I watched her tighten her small arms around his neck.

Her words echoed in my head repeatedly, spiking my emotions and resurfacing memories that I wanted to forget.

I was a daddy's girl until I was not.

Everything happened so fast that I didn't know when I slipped from riches to rags.

I was born with a silver spoon, and my life was envied by my classmates. If it wasn't the best, my father wouldn't purchase it for me.

My life started to fall apart when my mother caught my father cheating. But instead of an apology, he got worse.

His habits soon graduated into drinking and staying out late. Despite being too young to understand, I knew something was off. I tried to ask my mother, but she acted like all was well.

Things grew worse when I noticed my mother was in pain and her hair started to fall out in chunks. She would apply makeup to brighten her pale skin and wear a wig to maintain her radiance.

My fairytale life ended the day my parents got into a big fight. I heard my mother cry throughout the night from my room. The next morning, the voice of a beautiful lady woke me up.

His mistress!

One word from her and my father sent us packing. We were tossed on the street penniless. The clothes we wore were the only thing in our possession.

Mum did odd jobs to take care of me and my sister, but after college, her sickness worsened.

My stream of thoughts ended when the bus stopped, indicating that I had gotten to the hospital.

I gave the girl a small smile before dashing out of the bus into the hospital.

I took a deep breath when I got to the ward where my mother was, carefully opening the door to avoid startling her.

I froze on a spot as my heart shattered the moment I saw my mother.

She was like a bag of bones.

Her dark, sunken eyes that were once full of life were shut.

Her pale face was blank, void of any feelings. Her chubby cheeks were flat and dry. Her luscious hair was no more as she was now bald.

Tears resumed streaming down my eyes as her sorry state.

She looked like a ghost.

"Mum," I called. My voice cracked from tears.

I resisted the urge to touch her and inform her of my presence.

"I love you, Mum," I whispered before blowing a kiss.

A weak cough caught my attention, and I looked down to see my mum flash a forced smile at me.

Behind the smile, there was great pain.

"I love you...my Lily," she started softly. "But I'm sorry that I'm making you go through this."

Her voice broke, and I knew she was close to tears.

"No mum..."

"I failed as a mother, I couldn't take care of you, and I'm sorry."

"Please, don't say that. I am not complaining, and it's not your fault." I tried to convince her.

"Forgive me, Lily. Sometimes, life can be tough. You just have to keep going. But I assure you that when I beat this disease, I will take care of you and your sister. You don't have to do odd jobs. Everything will be fine," she assured me, but I didn't know whether to believe it or not.

Can she beat stage 2 cancer?

Will everything ever be fine?

I was about to console her when the clearing of my throat caught my attention.

I turned to see the doctor watching me keenly with a displeased look on his face.

"Meet me in my office," he said before disappearing out of the room.

"I have to go, mum, where is Rose?" I asked, looking around.

"She has been transferred to a more sanitized room since her immune system is weak."

"Okay," I said before kissing her forehead.

My heart hammered against my chest as I made my way to the doctor's office.

I didn't have what he wanted.

What excuse would I give again?

I'm sure he was already sick of me and my lame excuses.

"Miss Lilith," his voice boomed, causing me to shake.

"Good afternoon, doctor." My face met with the floor as I didn't know what to say.

"Your delay isn't helping matters." He started.

"Your mother's cancer has progressed from stage 2, and she is not in good shape. Her health is deteriorating daily. One of her kidneys is bad, and the spare one is showing signs of failing. We need to start dialysis." Urgency lingered in his deep voice.

"The fluid she is placed on won't help much, and if you continue this way, you'll lose her soon. Then there is your sister."

My heart clenched in pain at his words again.

I hated hearing those words.

Speechless, I sat down, digesting his words with a sorrowful look plastered on my face.

This was too much for me to bear.

"We need at least $3000 to start anything on them," he said before relaxing into his chair and adjusting his stethoscope.

Crushed by frustration, I broke down in tears.

"I'm trying, doctor. It's not easy. Sometimes, I just want to disappear from all these..." I took a deep breath and composed myself before sitting up.

I had to be strong for my family.

"I have $1000, I hope it will be enough to start some treatment on them," I announced, digging my fingers into my small purse.

With a small smile, I dropped the money on his table.

"I know it's not enough, but please..." I stammered as I was close to tears.

He signed before shaking his head. "This can't go anywhere, but it will start something. We need more by tomorrow..."

"Not tomorrow, please, the end of this week," I pleaded. A frown appeared on his face before he shrugged his shoulders.

"This is about life and death. Delay is dangerous," he warned before standing to his feet to leave his office.

I strolled out and went into my sister's ward, but she was asleep.

I didn't want to wake her, so I wrote her a note and dropped a "get well soon card," kissing her on her cheeks before leaving the ward.

I couldn't think. The doctor's words kept echoing in my head.

How do I get $2k before the end of the week?

My eyes popped open at once as an idea dropped in my head.

The card!

I retrieved the card from my purse, and I couldn't help but be consumed by the urge to dial the number.

I was stuck between asking my best friend for help or asking the hot stranger instead?