Her Dilemma, Her Choice

Chapter 1

Beth

Being a Lycan in the human world was more difficult than I imagined it would be. And not for the reasons one would think. Mostly because I really liked my jobs and had to quit entirely too soon so they wouldn't notice that I aged at a much slower rate than they do. I've had 5 jobs in the last 35 years. Every 5-7 years, I quit and start a new job at a new firm and every time, I think it'll be too difficult. This time, though, I really don't think I'll be able to. I really like my coworkers and I really believe in this firm, EC Enterprises. I tell April all this.

“You mean you really think the new CEO is sexy. You can’t get anything by me, Beth. You forget, I’ve been watching you for 35 years.” April goads.

“Arrrggh… no. Well yes. He is sexy, but no I really believe in the company. I mean, they’ve reduced their carbon footprint almost entirely. They try really hard to promote from within and…”

They stock the vending machines with skittles! And the human IS really hot. My wolf, Kira chimes in.

Not you too! I groan inwardly. Kira is happy and just wagging her tail, she loves skittles.

April grins, “based on your facial expression now, Kira agrees with me! Ha! Ha! Well you probably won’t need to quit this job, because you’re turning 50 next year and King Maxwell is expecting you back. Remember?”

“Ugh. How could I forget with my father reminding me every other day.” We both laugh. “But the king didn’t say I had to stay when I went back. He just said I needed to stay for a big celebration.”

And that he wants you to be his chosen mate. I like Archon. He would be a good, strong mate for us. Kira has always respected and liked the king’s wolf. A massive silver beast with bright blue eyes. She was disappointed when I didn’t accept the king’s proposal 35 years ago.

“He did say he’d like you as his chosen mate. That’s not put forth lightly.” April says.

“Yeah, Kira was just reminding me of that too. I don’t know why though. Can you imagine? Me, the Luna Queen of the territory? Sheesh! Talk about a lot of pressure and work.”

“Actually I can.” April says. “You would make a fantastic Luna Queen and you already do as much or more work for Eric.”

Eric is my current boss and CEO. Kira and April are right though, he is one sexy human. I’d pit him against many of the Alphas I’ve seen in the looks department. More than that, he’s an incredibly kind being, a fair boss and an all-around good guy. Everyone at the company loves him. He took over the position 3 years ago and helped EC Enterprises modernize. Now, we’re leading the industry and revolutionizing the publishing world.

“You should accept his proposal. The kingdom could use a Luna Queen and what else are you going to do? You can’t stay here. You’re at the last publishing house in the city. There’s no where else to go,” April says.

I agree with April. Also, wouldn’t it be nice to be home again?

“Maybe I could tell Eric what I am and just be able to stay here?” I said, half-joking, but also not. I look at my watch and spring up.

“Oh gosh! I have the Publisher’s Gala tonight! I need to start getting ready!”

April helps me with my hair, while I put on make-up. I put on the elegant ice blue floor-length dress that fits like a dream. When we’re done, I look in the mirror. I’d forgotten how good it felt to be dressed up like this. Living and traveling with the royals, I had to dress like this multiple times a year. Since moving out on my own, though? I may have been to one party. But it wasn’t as elegant as this event.

I was going with Eric, who would pick me up at any minute and April would follow me in my Charger. I had bought her a ticket to the gala too, and though she wasn’t sitting at my table, I was glad she’d be there. There hadn’t been very many occasions that I needed a body guard, but the handful of times over the years that I did, I was grateful she was with me. Usually, it was just a single rogue that was trying to get to the king. I really wasn’t sure how they figured out where I was, who I was or even that I knew the king.

Bzzzz. My apartment buzzer sounded, signaling someone was here.

“Who’s there?” I pressed the intercom and asked.