Cruel Alpha

RED

When I thought my life was worse. Poor girl, twenty-eight weeks pregnant, her baby bump was so round, yet she was one of the hardworking staff at Case restaurant.

"Don't give me that look." Nyra stopped, short of rolling her eyes. Her boyfriend took off the moment he found out Nyra was pregnant.

"What look? This baby is gonna be strong as her mommy." I rubbed her belly. "We don't depend on assholes."

I, on the other hand, had to work hard, paycheck to paycheck. I had a father who needed me, and medical bills wouldn't pay themselves.

"Stop chatting. Your table needs your service," said Cosmo.

We were lucky our manager was good and understanding.

"I can take her table if she wants to leave early," I betted, but Nyra was already shaking her head.

Two men in sharp suits just went to my table number 3, reserved under Myers. The first man in his thirties had tanned skin, while the other man was tall, muscly, with long, curly, thick mousy brown hair tied neatly in a bun.

I put on a good smile as I approached. "Hi. Good evening. My name is Red, and I'll be your server this evening. Can I start you off with some drinks? Or perhaps some appetizers?"

The first man smiled warmly. "That would be great. Gin in Tonic for me."

"What about you, sir?" I asked the gigantic man.

He took a deep breath and turned his head to me.

My heart instantly skipped a beat when I met the iciest, intense gray eyes I'd ever seen, surrounded by thick lashes, narrowing at me. He looked the same age as the man across the table, but he seemed to have carried the world over his shoulders for a long time, with the way he frowned as if he were troubled.

I'd been working at this restaurant for almost a year, and I'd seen thousands of people- men, women, old, rich, celebrities who came here, you name it. But this man stood apart from anyone as if he pulled all the energy and essence to himself, and something about him was commanding as his presence filled the room.

Chills raced over my skin as he set his firm jaw, covered in a five o'clock shadow. Without a word, his body went rigid as he held my gaze as if he were furious for the interruption or something else.

"Water. Tap." He only said two words, but I found myself mute, staring at him.

What took him so long to order tap water?

"We'll call you when we're ready. Thank you," the other man said politely.

I smiled and walked away. Still inwardly shaking my head, I gave the order to our barista.

"You okay?" Nyra came. Her gaze landed on table number 3. "You look flushed."

"Yeah. I waited for the whole three minutes, and the guy in a bun only ordered tap water." I was exaggerating a little bit.

She laughed softly. "People are weird, but he looks loaded. Look at the blue suit he's wearing. It's bespoke, and the way he sits, he certainly runs a multi-billion-dollar company."

"Whatever, Elizabeth Keen." She didn't have to tell me. That man was super intimidating and something else I couldn't quite put into words. The way he made direct eye contact earlier was so intense and screamed dominance. But who cares? I worked as a waitress, and I took orders from the customers.

"Wow," she remarked quietly as the man stood up. "Man, he's Viking."

"And you're pregnant," I whispered to her, making her laugh, watching the man stride confidently and meet the tall man halfway before they walked out the door.

***

"Just sit down. I'll take care of the dishes." I smiled at Dad.

He was in his fifties. Despite his age, he shouldn't have been suffering from occupational asthma for years. His employer fired him and then paid him to silence him for getting sick due to his work nature.

"You've been working all day, honey." I knew he felt like a burden to me, but I would do anything for him, and I would trade my life for him to be healthy again.

"I'm fine." I had to drop out of college to work when the bills kept piling up. "Don't forget the humidifier."

"You worry a lot." He finally left the kitchen to sit on the couch. Seconds later, his favorite show flashed on the TV screen.

"I'll get you inhalers tomorrow."

He just waved his hand at me, telling me to get a life. I couldn't help but smile as I did the dishes.

Those men didn't order anything but left a huge tip, enough to pay Dad's monthly treatment. I thought it was a mistake, but when I got back to the table, they were gone. That was two days ago, and they never came to the restaurant again.

I woke up early. Dad was still snoring in bed. I made breakfast, cleaned the house, and showered. After that, I put the dirty laundry in the machine.

Before I could leave for work, I found an envelope slid under the door with my name written on it. I opened it and read what looked like an invitation.

"Who the hell is Mr. Zax Skoll?" I slipped it back and put it into my bag before I left the apartment.

Before I could get into my car, someone called my name- my full name, and only my English teacher called me that.

"Redleigh Lyra Klein?"

I turned around to see two men in dark suits, both fit and tall.

"Yeah? Who's asking?"

"I'm Clay Beaufort," said the dark-haired guy, maybe in his forties, introducing his companion, who was younger than him. "And this is Axl Fielder."

"Looks like made-up names." I unlocked my car.

"Ma'am, we're here on behalf of Mr. Skoll." That made me pause.

I faced him again. "Mr. Skoll?" Mr. Zax Skoll?

"Yes. He requests a meeting with you, ma'am," the younger man said.

"I'm sorry. His name doesn't ring a bell. And if he wants to meet me, if you can find where I live, I'm sure he knows where I work, and I'm gonna be late. Goodbye, gentlemen." I got in my car and drove off.

I could still see the disappointed look on their faces from my side mirror. Whoever they were, or Mr. Zax Skoll was, they could wait.

During the break, I found time to Google Zax Skoll and search his name on social media, but I got nothing, as if he didn't exist.

"Luddite much?" Dismayed, I slipped my phone into my pocket.

It was late as I got out of the restaurant staff exit, and I was exhausted. The tables were always full during my shift.

All of a sudden, the hair on the back of my neck rose when I made it to my car.

I didn't know if I was just paranoid, but I felt like someone was watching me in the dark, and the entire alley was silent, turning it into a stalking and hunting ground.

Something had changed, almost like I could taste danger in the air- the temperature drastically dropping low to chilly in summer, like needles against my skin, piercing through my bones.

I rubbed my arms and felt that something was about to happen.

Instantaneously, a car engine roared behind me, making me jump, and my keys slipped from my grasp. I bent to pick them up only to hear a loud crash at the corner.

I yelped in shock, and my heart was pounding hard. Then the animalistic growling followed, freezing me to the ground.

"Ms. Klein."

I sucked in a sharp breath. Like I was a deer caught in the headlights, I stared at the same man from down my apartment building.

He grabbed my keys on the ground, picked me up like I weighed nothing, and stuffed me in the passenger seat of my car.

Before I could even draw a breath into my lungs, he was driving us out of the alley to God knows where.

ZAX

"Thank you for meeting me here, Mr. Skoll." Kaleb Myers was in his thirties, and I was a lot older than him. In fact, I could be his father.

I'd never been to Case Restaurant before, but he, the beta to Alpha Knight Blackwell of the White Moon Pack, knew the restaurant owner. Case Woodrow is the grandfather of Knight's mate, Nirvana.

"You promised me a good steak and Greek specialties."

He smiled. "My alpha sends his deep regrets that he couldn't come, but he's grateful for your investment."

"His proposal is very impressive, and I understand, considering there's a new family member to the Blackwell family. I sent the baby a gift, on its way to the vineyards."

"That's thoughtful of you." He slightly bowed his head in respect, even though he served another alpha. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Now, the steak you promised." I breathed deeply and slowly released it as I caught something in the air.

Werewolf's senses were way more sensitive than humans'. I squeezed my eyes closed as a muscle ticked in my jaw. When I opened my eyes again, Kaleb's brown eyes bore into mine.

"Is everything okay?" Worried was deep in his voice.

"Yeah."

Then, slow, calculated steps caught my hearing, definitely female.

Before the waitress could approach the table, something spicy, citrusy hit the air. The smell of food, perfume, and spices faded away, changing into sweet lavender with a hint of praline and chocolate, leaving a soft, sweet, and warm hug of vanilla, amber, and musk.

A low growl rumbled from within my throat as the waitress stopped before us. Before I even realized what I was doing, my hands formed into fists under the table, and the rune on my back burned hotly and excruciatingly. It was molten and slowly sinking through my skin and muscle, deeper into my spine, the same pain I had endured for the last sixty years.

At this moment, I instantly knew what was happening. A new kind of pain clutched and set in my chest, simmering dangerously.

While Kaleb interacted with a woman in a friendly and soft tone, I drew another deep breath before my eyes could glow.

When I lifted my gaze and looked at her, my wolf- my stupid fucking wolf, Coal- just claimed his mate. "Mine."

This is not happening. As much as I loved to have a mate, finally, this wasn't right. I couldn't help but ask the Goddess why.

For fuck's sake, why does she have to be a human?

I'd been waiting for this moment since I started to shift at eight years old, but unfortunately, my curse was more than just the agonizing, uncontrollable shifts every full moon. It was a bloodlust.

And she was too small for my size and too young for my age.

My wolf growled again in delight as my gaze locked with the most beautiful, big, round ocean blue eyes I'd ever seen.

She was a waitress in a restaurant uniform with her name, Red, pinned on the white shirt. She had pale skin with strawberry blonde hair tied in a neat bun. She had light makeup on her heart-shaped face. And she seemed to have been checking me out as well.

She was smiling politely, waiting for my order, but I was too enthralled by her beauty.

Yes, there was no doubt how beautiful she was, so innocent looking, but again, she was human, and there was no place for a human like her in my world.

Before Kaleb could sense what was going on, I replied to her, "Water. Tap."

As he dismissed her, I excused myself and stood up. "Give me a minute."

My bodyguard and trusted enforcer, Gillean, met me halfway. "Is everything okay, sir?"

"Follow me." I walked out of the restaurant and shuddered in relief when her scent faded in the air.

"You're tense, sir."

"The meeting is doing well." I grabbed my handkerchief and wiped off my sweat. "I just need some air, and call Axl to find out who that woman is, the waitress serving us, named Red. I want to know everything about her. This is his top priority."

Axl had a previous military intelligence background, and he was good at finding someone who didn't want to be found. He was also my enforcer and often served as my bodyguard when Gillean or Clay was not available.

"Of course, sir. Extensive background checks." He was trained not to question my orders but to do them.

As we went back inside, I sat back across Kaleb. "Sorry about that."

"It's fine, Mr. Skoll."

"I might take a rain check on that steak."

Moments later, that irresistible smell flooded my senses again. All I could do was stare at the glass of water with thin slices of lime inside as I tried to block her presence in my head.

When I lifted my gaze, I told Kaleb, "I apologize if I have to leave immediately, but I will inform my CEO, Slade Fitzroy, to meet Alpha Knight." I stood up and offered my hand.

"He'd be glad to hear it, Mr. Skoll." He stood up and shook my hand firmly. "It's really an honor to meet you, Alpha Zax."

I put some bills and left a generous tip before I walked out of the restaurant.

I knew most werewolves would say that I made quite a name for myself when I was Zaxton Wulfric, but when you were a seventy-year-old man who didn't age, you had to move a lot to avoid bumping into humans of my age.

***

"What the fuck?" I frowned at Axl and back at the papers in my hand. "Are you sure about this?"

"Yes, sir," he replied confidently.

My nose flared as I read through the report.

Redleigh Lyra Klein just dropped out of college last year to take care of her sick father. It was admirable and heroic that she prioritized her family over finishing college.

"She's only twenty fucking years old?" My eyes narrowed at the report on my desk. Of course, she was young. I even expected her to be eighteen or nineteen with her small-framed hourglass figure.

"Yes, sir. An adult. Are you hiring her to be your assistant?" Unlike Clay and Gillean, sometimes Axl could be intrusive.

Coal growled, and my eyes glowed. I was restless since yesterday, and I hadn't run. The last thing he would do was to piss me off.

"Apologies, Alpha King." He instantly dropped his gaze.

"Call Clay to come."

A few seconds later, Clay walked in.

"I want you to bring Redleigh Klein here."

Clay gave me a confused look. "Sir?"

"Did I stutter?" When I didn't hear a response, I closed the file and put it in my drawer. "Axl will explain to you. Do what's necessary."

"How do you want us to proceed, sir?" Clay asked further.

"You know what to do." I rose from the chair. "But make sure she's unscathed, or you both die."

"May I suggest first, sir?"

Shrugging, I turned to Clay, crossing my arms over my chest, waiting for his idea.

"Maybe we can ask her politely, and if she declines- "

"Or if she suspects something, call the cops, and your plan fails, you will pay the price. Now get out of my office."

At night, her innocent face would constantly visit me before I slept. I drove all the way back to the city to feed my curiosity. I knew I was being reckless with my unrestrained fascination and dangerous obsession with finding out what was so special about this human.

She even looked a lot younger, sleeping soundly, not knowing a creep had already gotten through her window, watching her with disturbing craving.

My heart pounded hard in my chest. My limbs moved of their own accord as I sat on her bed. She didn't even stir.

Violent shudder rippled through me as I inhaled her sweet, intoxicating scent deep into my lungs.

I popped a button of her pajama top with my claw, revealing the pale smoothness of the sweet swell of her ripe breasts.

She was definitely perfect- this beautiful obsession of mine.

RED

"Stop!" I faced him, and he was seemingly calmer than I was when I had already started to hyperventilate.

"Seatbelt, please?"

"No!" I yelled at him. I was not overreacting. I just didn't know him, and he was driving my car to God knew where. "You tell me first who you are and what happened back there. And why were you down at my apartment building earlier, and suddenly you were there at the alley when the white van crashed?"

"I will tell you everything once you're safe." Once we got to the main street, he pulled the seatbelt and strapped me like I was a child.

Honestly, he could just choke me with his hand or elbow me to knock me out. He was fit and tall, and he just adjusted the driver's seat to his size.

"You stop the car, or I will call 911."

"Give me a few minutes." He breathed deeply. I could see by the way he gripped the steering wheel tightly that he was annoyed. Good, because there was no way in hell I would go with him willingly until he told me something.

"For what?"

He briefly stole a glance at me. "My partner is taking care of the crash right now."

"You're stalling. Who are you, people?"

"I work for Mr. Zax Skoll."

I snorted. "That name again. What does he want from me? How does he know me when I know nothing about him? I swear I never met him before, and suddenly, he takes an interest in me."

"You met him once."

"No, I didn't. I haven't. I would have remembered that name." I stared at him. "I Googled him."

"He's very reclusive."

"He's a Luddite." I rolled my eyes.

"You could say that." I heard a hint of humor in his tone when I was being sarcastic.

When he turned right, my heart thudded again. "You're not taking me to my apartment, are you?" My chin instantly trembled. "Please, whatever it is that Mr. Skoll wants with me, he's clearly mistaken. You got the wrong person."

"Ms. Klein, he just wants to talk to you." His phone suddenly blasted off, and I jumped in my seat.

"Apologies." He picked it up from his jacket pocket and answered it. "Yeah. What do you have?"

I blinked through my blurry vision as I thought of something terrifying that would happen to me, leaving my father alone waiting, and I might not come home.

This man was driving more than the speed limit, and if I jumped off the moving car, maybe I would still end up dead.

As if he read my thoughts, he locked the door. "I promise, Mr. Skoll means no harm. He just wants a few minutes of your time, Ms. Klein."

"My father is waiting for me. He needs me to be there because he's sick. I can't leave him alone. Please, just drive me to my apartment, and I promise to see Mr. Skoll in the morning."

"I'm sorry, ma'am."

"Don't ma'am me! My name is Red."

"Okay, Red." He slowed down as the Skoll Private Airstrip signage came into view.

My stomach sank. My heart squeezed hard. I turned to him, and there was no way I could escape from him, and I knew he had a gun under his suit jacket.

I wiped my tears as he stopped the engine inside the hangar where there was a private jet, and outside was a helicopter ready to fly.

He got out of my car. Then someone opened my door, startling me. It was the other guy earlier with the made-up name, offering his hand.

I unlatched my seatbelt and jerked his hand away. "I need to call my father first."

"Okay, ma'am," Axl said.

"Agh! I said, no ma'am." I glared at him as I fished out my phone from my bag and dialed my father while they were watching me.

Dad picked up right away. "Red, are you on the way?"

I squeezed my eyes closed, thinking of a possible code or something to tell him that I was in trouble, but my mind went blank. I couldn't think of anything.

"It's fine, Red. I know you're with your boyfriend. Why didn't you tell me you're seeing someone?"

"E-excuse me?" My eyes widened.

"You're dating Mr. Zax-"

"Skoll." I glared at Axl and Clay in anger.

"Yes. His employer, Mr. Fielder, came earlier to check up on me."

"What do you mean, he came?"

"That you might be worried about me and wouldn't agree to staying overnight with your boyfriend. I'm fine, honey. Go, have fun. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Dad-"

"Redleigh, I promise I'll be alive when you get back. Bye."

I stared at the phone screen as the call ended. I breathed deeply, scowling at Axl and Clay. "What's so important that it can't wait, huh? And how dare you lie to my father to make him believe that I'm safe? So, that crash earlier was staged so that you could pretend you were there to save me?"

"No, ma- Ms. Klein," Clay said, almost regrettably.

"I don't care, and I don't believe the word you say." I looked at the helicopter that I supposed would be our getaway ride. "Since I don't have a choice on this matter, then let's get this over with, but if something happens to my father while I'm away, I will sue your asses for kidnapping, and I'll make sure your employer will not celebrate his next birthday." I walked past them outside the hangar.

The one-and-a-half-hour ride on the helicopter was filled with silence. Considering how noisy the rotors were, I never talked to them again.

Apparently, Clay was our pilot. It was impressive and annoying at the same time.

As it landed smoothly on the private estate, I helped myself out, still avoiding them, but they never left me out of their sight as they escorted me to where I would be meeting the recluse, faceless Zax Skoll.

I stopped in my tracks to see the biggest mansion I'd seen, similar to a Gothic revival castle with elements of dramatic ornates feature and pointy arches. By the look of it, maybe it was built in the early 1900s or older.

I inwardly groaned, reminding myself that I was here against my will.

The double door swung open. Another tall, fit guy in a white shirt and dark pants looked familiar, like I'd seen him before.

"Ms. Klein." He smiled. "Welcome."

I looked at him. "Are you Zax Skoll?"

Still smiling, he shook his head. "No, ma'am."

Before I could roll my eyes, the two men said in unison, "Don't call her ma'am."

"I'm sorry, Ms. Klein. I'm Gillean. Mr. Skoll is waiting for you in his study." He gestured.

I ignored my curiosity as we walked inside the expansive receiving area. I still got a glimpse of rich architecture, carpeted floor, wood interior, and a classic crystal chandelier hanging from the sky-high ceiling.

All of a sudden, my heart was beating so hard in my ribcage to almost painful, making it hard for me to breathe as Gillean knocked on the massive door. Without waiting for a response from the inside, he pushed the double door open.

I stepped inside. The first thing I smelled was the rich, expensive perfume, like a darker, intense, sophisticated, luxurious, soapy, woody, leathery clean scent. And then the doors shut behind me.

My heart jumped in my throat with a strange and unfamiliar combination of tension and fear, making a flush of heat creep up my neck.

But what I was not ready for was to see the man sitting behind the massive executive oak desk.