Sold To My Fated Alpha

Chapter 7: Like a Stray

Sheena

I stayed completely still, my feet glued to the floor. The look in his pale gray eyes was simply disgust. He was staring at me like I was a piece of trash he’d just stepped on and wanted off his floor.

“I… I’m sorry if I offended you in any way, Alpha,” I mumbled, dropping my gaze to the floorboards.

My heart was hammering against my chest so hard it was possible he’d hear it. Was I caught? Already? There was no other reason for a total stranger to hate me on sight. I bit down on the inside of my lip, a heavy sickness rolling through my gut. If he knew I was an imposter, I wasn't leaving this island alive.

“What’s the matter, Alpha?” Tenicia asked, stepping closer. She’d been getting ready to leave us alone so he could interview me, but even she looked thrown off by how fast he’d turned mean.

Alpha Neil didn't answer her. He pushed his chair back with a heavy scrape and walked around the desk. I kept my chin tucked into my collar, staring at the floor as his boots stopped inches from mine. I didn't dare look up.

“I don’t like the scent on this one,” he grunted, the deep rasp of his voice carrying authority. “It’s filthy.”

I flinched, the words stinging way more than they should have. I knew I wasn't pumping out Omega scents like I was supposed to, but hearing him call me filthy made my chest ache. He didn’t have to spell out what I’ve known all along.

“Alpha, if we just give her a chance—” Tenicia started.

“No,” Alpha Neil cut her off, not an ounce of give in his tone. “I want her off the property. Now.”

My head snapped up in shock, and I accidentally locked eyes with him. Those pale gray eyes were slicing right through me, and panic spiked fast in my chest.

“Look at you,” he sneered, getting right in my space. “Guilty as hell. What are you hiding? Are you a thief, maybe?” He turned to Tenicia, not even hiding the disgust in his voice. “Where’d you pick this one up?”

“An online agency listing, Alpha,”

Alpha Neil let out a harsh laugh. “Figures.” He turned those icy eyes back on me. “Get out.”

“Alpha Neil, please,” I choked out, desperation forcing the words past my lips. “I really need this job. The pay is high and—”

“I don’t give a damn about your excuses. Take her out, Tenicia. While I’m still being nice.”

My hands dugged into the sides of my pants, crumpling the fabric. That was him being nice?

“I—”

“Out.”

He didn't shout. He didn't need to raise his voice to make it feel like the room was his to command.

Tenicia’s hand touched my arm with a gentle grip. “I’m sorry, Iris. Come on, let’s get you outside.” She bowed her head toward Alpha Neil before pulling me back into the hallway.

I couldn't even form another sentence. I just let her lead me down the stairs.

“Tenicia, I can’t... I really can’t just leave,” I whispered, staring at the floor.

She looked at me with a soft, helpless expression. “I’m sorry, child. Nobody goes against the Alpha when he makes up his mind. I’ll call a boat for you. Can you wait down by the dock?”

I wanted to beg her. I wanted to ask for five minutes to explain, but I couldn't drag this poor woman into my mess. I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded. “Thank you for trying, Tenicia.”

I grabbed the handle of my suitcase, and as I turned toward the front door, I caught the look of pity on her face. It made me feel even smaller.

The walk back down the stone path was a nightmare. The suitcase dragged against the rocks, tearing at my arm, and tears started burning behind my eyes. What was I going to tell Aiden? That I got thrown out five minutes after walking through the door? That I failed before I even started?

By the time the wooden dock came into view, my knees gave out completely. I collapsed onto the wet planks, letting go of the handle as the suitcase hit the wood with a loud bang.

I slammed my hand over my mouth, my breathing coming fast. My fingers moved up to my teeth, and I started chewing wildly on my nails as terror rose up in my chest.

No, no, no. Not again.

I couldn't break down now. Not like last time, or the time before that.

I took a slow, shaky breath, forcing myself to calm down. Aiden loved me. He was my fated mate. He’d understand, wouldn't he? He wouldn't just dump me back on the street for failing one impossible job.

Would he?

A heavy drop of rain hit the back of my neck, followed by another, and within seconds the sky opened up. Rain poured down, erasing the ocean until I couldn't see more than a few feet ahead.

I pulled my knees up to my chest and wrapped my arms around myself, shivering as the cold water soaked straight through my clothes. I waited for the boat Tenicia promised. But minutes dragged on, turning into hours.

The sky went completely black, the moon rose behind the storm clouds, and the ocean just kept churning. No boat came.

Sitting there in the freezing rain, my brain drifted back to the day I met Helaena. It had been pouring just like this.

“What are you, some stray cat?” she’d asked, holding an umbrella over my head while I sat in an alley, freezing to death. I hadn't answered her, but she just held her hand out anyway. “Get up. Come with me.”

Living without her, without my mom, just feels completely empty.

“Are you just going to freeze to death out here like an i***t?”

I jerked awake, my heart leaping into my throat.

I looked up through the blur of rain, blinking hard. Alpha Neil was standing right over me, holding a large black umbrella that kept the heavy water off my face.

He looked down at me, let out an annoyed breath, and thrust his free hand out toward me without even looking me in the eye. “Get up.”

I stared at his hand, my brain completely blank. Why was he suddenly being nice? It didn't make any sense. This had to be some kind of trap.

“Damn it.”

Before I could move, he leaned down, clamped a hard hand around my wrist, and yanked me straight up off the wooden dock. The sudden pull slammed my wet body right against his broad chest, knocking the breath out of me with a gasp.

He glared down at me, his jaw set hard. “Do you want the job or not?”