Chapter 93: Borrowed

The rest of the morning was a nightmare. Every time the office phone rang, Sofia’s heart jumped, hoping it was Alaric calling her into his office for them to talk it out. But the calls were only from suppliers and factory managers. Alaric stayed behind his closed door, silent and invisible.

​At noon, Sofia headed to the breakroom to get some water. She tried to keep her head down, but she could feel the eyes of the other workers on her.

​”Look at her,” Bianca’s voice rang out, loud enough for everyone to hear. “The ’Future Queen’ looks more like a tired maid today. What happened, Sofia? Did the Alpha realize he made a mistake? Or did he just finish using you?”

​A few people chuckled. Sofia gripped her water bottle so tightly that her knuckles turned white. She didn’t want to fight, but the pain from Alaric’s rejection made her temper short.

​”I’m here to work, Bianca,” Sofia said, her voice trembling. “Maybe you should try doing the same.”

​Bianca stepped closer, her eyes full of hate. “You think you’re better than us because you fucked him. But we all see the truth. He walked past you like you were trash this morning. You’re nothing to him… just a temporary distraction.”

​Bianca leaned in, whispering so only Sofia could hear. “And don’t worry. Genevieve will deal with you soon.”

​Sofia felt a chill run down her spine, but she didn’t let it show. “I’ll be waiting.”

​She walked back to her desk, feeling defeated. Just as she sat down, an email popped up on her screen. It was from Alaric. Her heart soared for a second, then crashed as she read the words:

​To: Sofia

From: Alpha Alaric

Subject: Tonight’s Event

​There is a formal dinner tonight with the Council. As my assistant, you are required to attend to take notes and manage the schedule. A car will pick you up at 7:00 PM. Dress appropriately. This is strictly a business matter.

​No “Dear Sofia.” No warmth. Just a cold command.

​Sofia stared at the screen. “Dress appropriately,” he had said. She frowned. She didn’t have a gown. She didn’t have jewelry. She lived in an apartment that wasn’t even hers, and she could barely count her clothes.

​As she stared at the email, her wolf suddenly growled in her mind. He is watching us.

​Sofia looked up. She couldn’t see through the one-way glass of Alaric’s office, but she knew he was standing there. She knew he was watching her. For the first time, she wasn’t just sad; she was angry.

​Looking away, she closed the email and focused on work. She worked all through the day, and when it was time to go home, she switched off her computer and left. She didn’t spare a glance at Alaric’s office, nor did she bother to check if he needed anything else.

​After an hour, she got to the apartment. She took a quick bath and stood in front of the mirror with just a towel wrapped around her chest. A loud, heavy knock echoed through the empty apartment. Sofia startled, pulling her towel tighter around her chest. She peeked through the peephole and saw a man in a crisp delivery uniform.

​When she opened the door, he handed her a large, heavy box. “From Alpha Alaric,” the man said simply, then turned and left.

​Sofia dragged the box to her bed. Her hands trembled as she lifted the lid. Inside were different kinds of gowns, dresses, pants, jeans, and corporate skirts. Beneath them were different kinds of shoes and a velvet box containing a diamond necklace that cost more than her entire life.

​She searched for a note, her heart thumping. Maybe this was his way of saying he was sorry. Maybe he couldn’t say it in the office, but he was saying it now. She found the small white card and pulled it out.

​Her smile vanished as she read the sharp, cold handwriting:

​”You represent my office tonight. I cannot have you appearing in the rags you currently own. The necklace is a loan for the evening’s requirements. Ensure it is returned in perfect condition. Do not be late. — Alaric.”

​Sofia felt like she had been slapped. Rags. A loan.

​The tears she had been fighting all day finally fell, hot and bitter. She looked at her reflection in the mirror—a twenty-year-old girl with nothing to her name, wearing a borrowed necklace.

​”He wants it this way?” she whispered, wiping her eyes until they were clear and sharp. “Fine.”

​She didn’t do her makeup to look pretty; she did it to look powerful. She painted her lips a blood-red and pulled her blond hair back into a sleek, tight bun. She stepped into the silk dress, which hugged her curves perfectly, and clipped the “loaned” diamonds around her neck. They felt like a cold chain.

​At exactly 7:00 PM, she walked out of her building and into the waiting black car.

​The driver took her to the grand Council Hall. When she stepped out, she didn’t look like a girl who had been crying on the floor an hour ago. She held her head high, her heels clicking like a heartbeat against the marble.

​She entered the dining hall. The room was filled with the scent of powerful wolves and expensive wine. She spotted Alaric at the head of the table. He was dressed in a black tuxedo, looking every bit an alpha. His eyes found her immediately, darkening as they swept over her body in the blue silk.

​Sofia swallowed hard and made her way toward him. When she reached where he sat with the other men, she slightly bowed. “Good evening, Alpha Alaric.”

​Alaric frowned. He didn’t like this. He didn’t like these professional walls between them, but he composed himself and looked away.

​As he began to talk to the other guests, Sofia took out the company’s iPad and began to jot their words down. From time to time, Alaric would stare at her, but her eyes were solely on the screen of the iPad. He groaned inwardly but kept a blank look, acting like he was concentrating on the meeting, whereas his thoughts were fixed on the stunning lady seated a few seats away from him.

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