Resisting The Savage Alpha Brothers

Kaida

Two months earlier

It would have been great if crystals indeed fell around here; perhaps, I would have one single detail to be happy about living in this town.

Crystal Falls was a quaint, bustling town where every local knew one another. There were hardly any secrets in this town. The locals, especially the old fogeys, were unrepentant gossipers. The town had been around since the first lupine community was established, making it one of the oldest communities in California and the hub for the annual convergence of all werewolves in California.

I had grown up here. My ancestry stemmed from the soil of this land. Pity that I had failed them. I was unable to retain the inheritance that had been passed down through generations-the house-due to my inability to find a steady job and manage my finances effectively.

I was barely getting by nowadays, given that I had just been laid off from my job recently. The owner claimed the store's earnings were insufficient to cover salary expenses, and he would have to lay off some of us. Fortunately for me, I was among the staff members who were laid off, despite having been recently employed and not having worked up to a month. Oh, the irony of my life!

I had worked diligently upon resuming the job, hoping I would get noticed. However, my efforts were all for naught. If I had known I would end up being laid off, I would not have wasted my strength.

Why could they not have observed that they were incapable of covering salary costs before recruiting new employees?

I wrinkled my nose, wanting to curse them. Nevertheless, I held my tongue; I had been compensated generously.

My circumstances gnawed at me nonetheless. I had substantial debts to pay, including student loans, housing fees, and sustenance, which were a herculean task nowadays, especially when one was on the brink of financial ruin.

I had reluctantly sold my inheritance since the taxes it incurred far exceeded its actual worth. I was already overwhelmed with debt, and paying property tax on an old, family building that held no significance for me would have been a burden too far.

Currently, I was staying at my best friend Meredith's house. We had been friends since high school through college. She was fortunate to have living parents, unlike me, who had no one to turn to for assistance with bills.

My parents had passed away in my final year of college in a fire at the restaurant where they were celebrating their anniversary; there had been no survivors.

Meredith and I split the household expenses, but I owed her a considerable amount. She was understanding about my predicament, but I was ashamed of my inability to secure stable employment after graduating from college.

Meredith worked at a pharmaceutical company, where she earned a significant salary. She often received financial support from her parents and three older brothers. As the last born and only girl in her family, she was doted upon. I, on the other hand, was an only child, an orphan, and seemingly plagued by unemployment. Or perhaps my ancestors were antagonizing my future because I had sold my inheritance?

I huffed exasperatedly, pushing my cart to the shelf housing the next item on my shopping list. I economized by utilizing coupons for my purchases and always looked out for promotions or products near their expiry dates, as such items came at cheaper prices.

The box of granola bars I intended to grab had been placed on a shelf higher than my 5'3" frame. My diminutive stature often left me at a great disadvantage.

I inched onto my toes, stretching my hand to grab the box. My fingers skimmed its edge, but it was not enough to get it within my grasp.

I groaned, carefully planting my hand on a lower edge of the shelf, standing on my toes as far as I could go, impatient to grab the box. However, I couldn't reach it.

I was about to withdraw and retrieve an object to push the box over the edge when I felt the heat of a masculine body behind my back.

My body grew rigid, and my senses heightened. The towering male behind me easily reached above my head and procured the box of granola bars I had been struggling futilely to acquire.

"Thank you," I sighed in relief, reaching out for the box and looking up into the face of my benefactor.

Awareness pulsed through me like an electric shock. I had to tilt my head several inches back to meet his gaze.

He was the embodiment of masculine virility and was as attractive as sin. His face seemed to have been sculpted from a painting, with its angled jaw, high cheekbones, thin lips set in a grim line, and champagne-blonde hair that looked silky enough to evoke a sigh from a woman.

My fingers itched to comb through his hair and confirm they were as silky as they appeared. He practically glowed under the fluorescent lights of the store, his hair slick and shiny. His eyes were the most captivating feature, a rare stormy green color with several flecks of color that cast them aglow.

This man was built to ensnare a woman. With those looks, I wondered how many hearts he had broken. Every part of him was hard, as if he had been carved out of stone. His eyes, the set of his jaw, the breadth of his shoulders – I tried not to let my eyes wander too far, knowing where my observation would lead.

My cheeks heated up, and I flushed at ogling him.

I swallowed, struggling to regain my composure around this gorgeous stranger. I waited for him to hand me the box of granola bars, my hand still outstretched. "Thanks for helping me with that," I said, gesturing with my fingers for him to give it to me.

His gaze shifted from me to the box, a slight arch in his eyebrows. Then, he did the unimaginable. He turned on his heels and walked away from me with my box of granola bars.

"Hey!" I charged after him, incensed by his conduct. I intercepted his path, planting my hands against my hips, and glaring up at him.

He stared down at me with a look one would appraise someone stepping out of line. He was several heads taller than I was, and even if he weren't, I couldn't overpower him with his massive build. I looked like a petulant child next to him.

"That is mine!" I gritted through clenched teeth, jerking my finger at him. He remained silent, fueling my ire. "You brute! I reached for it first, so it's rightfully mine."

He continued to stare at me in silence. I felt embarrassed when he didn't show any reaction to my outbursts, and I left, my shoulders slumping in defeat.

I headed to push the cart containing our purchases – mostly Meredith's. If I had been the only one shopping, what I would have purchased would have hardly filled a small shopping basket, not to mention a full cart. I proceeded to the counter to have our purchases scanned, packaged, and made the necessary payment.

"You have some nerve for a girl of your stature," the cashier remarked as she handed me my receipt. "Challenging one of the Ragnar Brothers. I assume you have a death wish."

I raised an eyebrow at the older woman's words. One of the Ragnar Brothers? Were they someone significant in the community? I had assumed he was a stranger in this town. Guess he wasn't, and he had brothers or another brother who must be just handsome but ill-mannered.

I was irritated by my encounter with him, mulling over the substitute I had to make for the item he had taken from me. Calculations ran through my head as I stepped out of the store, lugging the shopping bags after me and dropping them more aggressively than necessary into the back seat of Meredith's car.

My hackles rose, sensing someone's gaze on me. I searched for the source amidst the rows of cars in the parking loft. My eyes locked with the familiar stormy green color of the thieving Ragnar Brother.

Had he been deliberately waiting out here for me? Had he deliberately provoked me for a reaction?

He was leaning casually against the hood of his exotic car, which screamed luxury. I thought about the cost of that car, and dollars rolled in my eyes.

His brothers were in the car as well, and I confirmed that they were incredibly attractive. They had good genes in their family – tall, muscularly built, and devastatingly handsome. It's a pity manners were qualities they lacked.

I tore my gaze from them, gave them the words "f*ck all of you" under my breath, and flipped them the bird before getting into Meredith's car.

I sped out of the parking space, accelerating the speed, wishing I could trample over their smug, handsome faces.

Kaida

Present day

I woke up with a scream, clutching my throat and bolting upright in bed. Sweat had molded my nightdress to my skin, a result of the chilling nightmare I had endured.

Legends claimed that disrespecting an Alpha always came with adverse consequences, but I expected those superstitious beliefs to be outdated and ineffectual by now. After all, we were in the 21st century.

Although a few details, such as packs, healers, and distinguishable titles like Alpha, Beta, and Omega, still lingered from the past, we were no longer living in an era where a single ruler-the Alpha-presided over the future of a community irrefutably. It was a free world around here, with communal rules we lived by, but nothing like the old system of leadership.

Months had passed since I had crossed paths with the Ragnar Brothers, and I had learned from Meredith that they descended from a line of powerful Alphas and were back in town for reasons known only to them.

Ever since their arrival, their reputation had instilled terror in the hearts of the locals. Their names were whispered on every local's lips, and nobody dared to gossip about them loudly for fear of repercussions. These people acted like gods who had descended out of nowhere into our town, intimidating the inhabitants with their presence.

My life hadn't improved over the months, and I was tempted to attribute my recurring nightmares to their influence. I was still the same jobless individual, working odd jobs to get by until I could secure a stable job that matched my qualifications. However, the prospect looked bleak with each passing day. Perhaps I would remain unemployed for life.

My nightmare never ceased to leave a sour taste in my mouth. My heart felt pinpricked, with pain spearing through it. I dragged my hands through my hair, releasing a frustrated breath.

In my dream, I was often chased by predatory creatures with gleaming red eyes that I couldn't make out in the darkness and blurriness. The snarls and tension had coaxed a shudder from me, and the sensation of fear still lingered, my body trembling in reaction.

I scrambled out of bed, throwing the covers aside, and stepped onto the floor of my bedroom. The small space, originally meant to be a closet or storage, had been converted into a makeshift bedroom for myself. I didn't possess many belongings, having sold most of them along with the house to clear some of my outstanding debts. Despite the few items I possessed and the small student bed I slept on, there was barely enough space to navigate around the room.

I headed out to the kitchen to cool my parched throat with a glass of water. I observed the time displayed on the grandfather clock in the corner; it was almost morning-5:30 a.m. I had no reason to wake up early, as I had no tangible commitments for the morning.

With a heavy heart, reminded of my predicament, I rinsed my cup and returned it to the cabinet. I doubted I could sleep again now that I had woken up. It often took me longer to fall asleep, unlike Meredith, who dozed off immediately once she lay beneath the covers. She could sleep through an earthquake, but I was a light sleeper; the tiniest sound could rouse me awake.

Having nothing better to do, I retrieved my phone from the bedroom and continued my job hunt, hoping I might encounter a stroke of luck. Persistence, they say, is the key to success, and one never knows when they might find the answer they've been seeking.

I headed back to the minimalist sitting room and plopped down on the retractable couch, surrounded by two armchairs and a three-seater cushion, all arranged around a short, circular dark mahogany table with sturdy, arched legs. The table sat atop a silky plush brown matte rug, while the rest of the floor featured dark marble flooring.

The house rent was substantial, and its decor was highly attractive – a testament to its price. Meredith took on the higher portion of the bills, thanks to her family's contribution, while I struggled to pay the lower half of the household expenses due to my unemployment.

I occasionally found gigs to supplement my income and avoid depending solely on Meredith, but the pay was barely enough to cover my needs. The labor was often more than the remuneration was worth, but I took on these jobs nonetheless; beggars can't be choosers.

I continued scrolling through job vacancies, searching for any opportunity I could apply for.

Meredith swept into the room later, dressed and ready for work. She looked professional and attractive in her attire, her long, shapely legs being the most captivating feature of her physique.

In contrast, I was short and curvy, with a more voluptuous figure, while she was slim and tall, with rich golden blonde hair that accentuated her enchanting blue eyes.

Meredith had the smile of an angel and the physique of a runway model, with moderate assets that made her look smart and poised in her attire. Unlike me, whose curves often jiggled or spilled out of my dresses, Meredith's elegance was effortless.

I wasn't ashamed of my figure; I was an hourglass, after all. However, I sometimes wished I could be taller and more like my friend – Barbie-replica attractive.

"Morning," Meredith chirped, her excitement infectious despite the gloom that had settled around me.

I managed a smile in response. "Morning, Meredith."

She smiled back, heading to the kitchen to prepare her usual cup of coffee before leaving for work. I listened to the whir of the percolator, focusing on my task until Meredith returned with two mugs of steaming coffee.

"Here," she said, handing me one.

"Thanks," I replied, inhaling the rich aroma before taking a sip.

"How long have you been awake?" Meredith asked, sitting down in the chair across from me as she waited for her coffee to cool. It was 6:50 a.m., and she didn't start work until 8 o'clock.

"It's been over an hour now," I replied, rubbing my undereye to relieve the strain of staring at the screen for an extended period.

"Any luck so far?"

I shook my head, a sigh escaping me. "The platform is dry." I was thinking of loading another page to continue my search when Meredith walked in.

She offered a sympathetic smile and words of encouragement. "I heard from a source that the Ragnar Brothers are employing."

I blinked, frowning in disbelief. "Again?"

Meredith shrugged. "They pay handsomely. That must be the reason why the job demands are excessively pressured."

"Or they're terrible people to work with," I countered, recalling Rosa's account. Rosa, a girl I met on one of my short-paying gigs, had mentioned working with them and broke down in tears. She claimed she had resigned after a week due to mounting pressure and was currently undergoing therapy to deal with anxiety issues triggered by her experience with the Ragnar Brothers.

Meredith twisted her mouth contemplatively when I shared Rosa's story. "I was just thinking... one man's poison is another man's cure. You can't assume you'll encounter similar challenges as another person in your career."

I raised an eyebrow at her relentless persuasion. "I've heard stories from three of the endless list of staff they've employed over the past two months. They scar people, Meredith."

"You can't tell until you try," she said, her tone unwavering.

I narrowed my eyes, wondering if her persistence was rooted in her frustration with my increasing debts. "Is this your way of telling me you're fed up with putting up with me and my financial struggles?"

Meredith's blue eyes flashed with surprise. "Kaida, I'm only looking out for you. You need money, and those jobs won't make a dent in your growing expenses. If anyone can survive working for the Ragnar Brothers, it's you. You've put them in their place once."

I recalled our encounter two months ago, where I flipped them the bird without direct confrontation. Working closely with them might mean offering myself up for retribution.

"You're stronger, determined, and have come this far despite the pressure you've dealt with," Meredith continued, her words laced with conviction. "This is an opportunity for you, and the pay is highly attractive."

Her emphasis on "highly" was not lost on me. After Meredith left for work, I sat alone in the sitting room, weighing the pros and cons.

What if I couldn't handle the pressure? What if I ended up like the others, seeking therapy?

What if I succeeded? A silent voice echoed within me, reasoning that the pay was attractive and could help me pay off my debts and get by fine.

I was already struggling financially; what more pressure could derail my mental health than my current situation?

I made up my mind: I would apply.

Kaida

I waited for the door to be opened after the chime announced my presence. I heard the shuffle of feet from inside as someone approached to answer the door.

My heart thudded loudly in my ears, and my lips were pressed into a grim line. I pressed my resume flat against my thighs, nervousness flooding through me.

I fidgeted, wondering which of the brothers would be opening the door, and praying it wouldn't be the thieving one. I had a poor record of effectively masking my emotions, and even though it had been months, the granola bars he stole from me still radiated fury within me whenever I reflected on that day. It wouldn't be in my best interest to glare at my potential boss with my fate hanging on their acceptance.

I forced a smile onto my face as I heard the click of the door lock and the heavy wooden door swung open.

Surprise flashed across Caspian's face when he saw me.

He was the older brother, and I had researched the three brothers extensively that morning. Aside from their Alpha genealogy, the Ragnar Brothers had made a name for themselves abroad as oil and shipping magnates, with a net worth spanning hundreds of millions of dollars. My eyes had practically widened in astonishment when I read the estimates on Forbes.

Those brothers were incredibly wealthy; I wondered what they were doing in this small town, changing employees frequently and reportedly tormenting them into seeking therapy sessions.

I braced myself for my own future here, focusing on the money before I balked and decided again that the financial reward wasn't worth the risk to my mental health. However, the poverty I was enduring had already taken its toll.

"Hello. Good evening. My name is Kaida Wilder. I heard you were employing house assistants," I said, trying to sound confident.

His amber-brown eyes scanned me, as if he was still in disbelief that I was standing at their doorstep.

I inwardly cringed, recognizing that I had probably lost points with them before we even discussed my eligibility for the position, given our previous encounter. Nevertheless, Caspian stepped aside, granting me permission to enter.

I swallowed awkwardly, stepping over the threshold into a space that was nothing short of paradise. The interior was massive, impressive, and exotic, with towering ceilings, strong pillars, and brilliant lighting. Every part of the house I passed through was dazzling and enchanting, incomparable to any edifice I had come across in my entire life. This place reeked of wealth. I inhaled the crisp air, my lungs constricting with a mix of pleasure and awe.

Caspian directed me to sit on one of the plush chairs in the lavish sitting room, setting himself across from me. His gaze was intense as he watched me, and I wondered whether he was thinking of our last encounter.

The chair was so soft that I sank into it, biting down on my lower lip to stifle the sigh that almost escaped me.

I perched on the edge, not used to this luxurious treatment, and cleared my throat. "I know we didn't have a particularly good history, but if you could consider me for this employment, I will serve you to the utmost of my ability."

Caspian's gaze remained focused on my face, its intensity making me feel warm. Was he already intimidating me before I even began to work?

I recalled that Malachi, the thieving and youngest brother, possessed a similar intense look, and my heart twinged at the thought of working under their scrutiny. I could tell now why those people had to quit; they were too overwhelming. I was already feeling lightheaded from the attention. I struggled to maintain my composure, refusing to cave under the pressure.

"Are you going to say anything, or will we keep up this stare-down until the day runs out?" I blurted out in impatience. My eyes widened as I recognized my folly, and I slapped my mouth in mortification. "I'm sorry," I muttered.

Twice, I had disrespected an Alpha. If we were in the primitive ages, my head would have been hanging on a spike right then.

A look I couldn't detect crossed Caspian's eyes briefly – had it been amusement, intrigue, or displeasure? I couldn't tell.

I adjusted in my seat. "I'm highly hardworking and resourceful."

He hushed me with a raised hand as I was about to launch into my strengths and list the reasons I ought to be considered for this job. He inhaled the air, his voice a low, harsh growl that sent shivers racing down my spine.

"Human?" he spat in distaste.

My mouth popped open wordlessly, and I vehemently shook my head. "No." I was a werewolf, born into a family of betas. You would think I would address the Alphas with better reverence, given my genealogy. However, I had spent most of my life in human-populated areas, and their influence had rubbed off on me more than my roots, where I couldn't fully fit in.

Caspian's attractive blonde brows knit in confusion. His own blonde hair was a shade darker than Malachi's, but he was just as ruggedly handsome as the other brother.

"I can't smell it on you," he said, his voice rumbling from his throat like he was suppressing a growl. His timbre was both masculine, scary, and tantalizing.

I clenched my mouth, now feeling very uncomfortable in my seat. I hated talking about my circumstance, but I had been put on the spot by my potential employer. I needed this job; the pay could turn my life around.

"Have you ever shifted?" he questioned before I could speak.

I hesitated, and the possibility of securing employment here seemed to grow increasingly dimmer with each passing moment. Perhaps I should just walk out and spare myself the embarrassment. Or maybe I could see this through to the end; I might be lucky. A second thought kept me settled on the plush chair.

"My wolf... there's been a bit of a complication with it," I answered, a sense of shame washing over me at that admission. I possessed sharp hearing, sight, and unhuman strength like the rest of the werewolves. I could flash my claws at will, but that was the best I could do. I couldn't fully transform or connect with my animal form.

Dad often consoled me whenever I cried about it, mentioning that I was a late bloomer, but as the years passed, I knew what I was.

"You're a Null," Caspian spelled out the word, a hint of distaste in his mouth.

I met his gaze, feeling odd at the amount of antagonism he exhibited toward my kind. Well, there went my chance of securing employment here.