ALPHA REDEMPTION PATH

CHAPTER EIGHT

Diana's POV:

I felt frozen in my seat. I felt the waves of an alpha's aura flooding into the room in torrents. That voice. I had heard that voice before.

"Sir!" Karis exclaimed. She got to her feet and bowed. "I didn't expect to see you here so soon." Her eyes darted over to me, she made a gesture with her head. I guess she wanted me to bow or acknowledge this boss or something.

I clutched my purse tightly in my hands, averting my gaze from her face to a snow globe on the desk.

"Is something wrong with your head?" The man snapped in annoyance. I heard his footsteps approach the desk. With each step he took, my heart thumped in my chest with increasing intensity. From the corner of my eye I saw him. "I said I'll be here for the interviews. And you started without me?!"

Karis bowed. And it wasn't just a shallow bow, it was a deep ninety degree bow of respect. But I don't understand. She's a human, there's no way she can feel this kind of obligated respect towards him.

"I'm very sorry sir." She said. "She's the first person, so I'd say we're early."

"Whatever." He scoffed. He walked to the other side of the desk. I felt his burning eyes on me. I didn't want to raise my head up. I don't want to confirm my suspensions. But fate is against me today.

I heard the rustle of papers. I guess he's going through my files.

"Diana Anderson?" He asked.

"Y-yes," I replied. My voice came out weak. I cleared my throat. "That's me."

I heard a sigh from him, Karis shifting uncomfortably in her seat. "Is there something interesting in your foot that you're so fixated on?" His voice was cold, biting. Like a certain someone I dreaded.

"Not exactly." I muttered.

"Karis, is this how low our bar has been set? Do you think it's fine to accept just any application you come across?"

"B-but sir, you saw her file. She's qualified for this position."

"Oh so now you think I'm qualified." I scoffed, referring to Karis. "I can't believe you."

"I beg your pardon?!" Karis gasped.

I raised my head and looked at her dead in the eye, mustering the coldest look I could come up with im my current rattled state of mind. Her brows were so high they nearly vanished into her hairline. She pushed her glasses up her nose bridge, another gasp coming from her.

"Sir," She turned to the side. "Perhaps you were right. Perhaps the bar is too low."

My heart started to beat erratically again. This is it. I can't keep looking down for ever. I contemplated getting up from here and walking out without ever taking a look at the man to know if my suspicions were right or not.

"Miss Anderson, we don't have a lot of time to spend. So if you would just..."

I turned and stared at him. His words died off as our eyes met. And for a fraction of a second, there was a look of shock on his face. Then it vanished into nothing.

My heart tanked into my red bottoms. His eyes, green and so lifeless stared right into mine. I would recognize that scar under his left eye, it looked more faded now but it was still there. His hair had grown longer now, judging my the strand over his shoulder.

I would be lying if I said he looked the same. His face had changed, the panes of it sharper. He looked more handsome, but also more cold at the same time.

My suspicions had been spot on. It was in fact him. It was like a deep chest of memories had been unlocked inside my head. The rejection, the torture, the pain. Everything came flooding back to my mind so hard it knocked the breath out of my lungs. My eyes swelled with tears. Tears I angrily blinked back.

He doesn't deserve my tears. Not even a single drop

I rose to my feet so fast I knocked the chair over. I turned to Karis. "Have a wonderful day." I said to her. Without waiting for a response, I turned and hurried out of the room my heels clicking louder than usual.

There's no way I had just walked into a company with Lucian Aurelius on the hiring team.

I made my way out of the office, hurrying down the halls as I walked. I was so eager to leave, to go out in the open and never return to this place. I walked outside, the sun blinding me momentarily. I doubled over, breathing heavily.

I tried to keep the tears at bay. Biting my lip so hard blood flowed into my mouth, curling my hand into such tight fists I felt my nails cut into my skin, blood dripping down my closed fists. I tried so hard not to cut. But the minute I was out of that place, the tears came.

I choked back a sob, wiping the tears with the back of my palm. Of all people. Lucian. Of all the people I had to run into! I felt a scream of frustration rising in my throat. I had hoped to never see him again, not even by mistake. I had taken precautions to avoid werewolves, even if I so much as caught their scent by mistake.

It wasn't enough. He waltzed into that room like I hadn't spent years on the run from him. On the run from the nightmares of how he treated me in that place. On the run from the pain.

And he just stared at me blankly, not even a single emotion on his face. He didn't even say a single word to my face.

I heard footsteps pause in front of me. Through my teary eyes, I saw a pair of black pumps. "Are you okay?" A soft voice asked.

I straightened my back, wiping as much of my tears away as I could. "I'm fine," I replied, not glancing at her. The scent of vanilla hit me hard. This girl is a human, and one that loves vanilla scents.

"Here," A handkerchief popped up in front of me. It was pink, with flowers and cherries embroidered on the edges I could see.

I raised my head and looked at her. She had a smile on her face. She looked really pretty, her hair black and cut in a stylish bob swept to the side. Her eyes were full of kindness and not pity, a beautiful honey brown color. I saw a flash of diamonds on her ears.

I took the handkerchief from her "thank you," I said quietly, wiping my eyes with it. It was scented vanilla and roses. .

"It's nothing," She said with a wave. "I know working here can be pretty tough. I understand how you feel "

I smiled at her, "I appreciate that, thank you." She doesn't understand how I feel, but that's fine. She doesn't have to know either. I looked down at the tear stained handkerchief in my hands, "I'm sorry for ruining this, I'll pay you for it."

"No no, please keep it. " She said with a soft laugh. "Let it be a little gift, something to cheer you up."

I found Myself smiling. "That's kind of you."

She looked down at her watch. "Oh my, I have to get going!" She flashed an apologetic smile. "Don't Worry, I'm sure I'll see you around."

I nodded even though I knew I wouldn't be coming back to this place. "Thank you for the hanky."

"You're welcome!" She called out, waving as she ran up the front stairs and into the building.

I didn't even ask her name.

I walked back to my car, clutching the hanky in my hand. It seemed like such a small act, but I felt a smile on my face. I got into my car, taking a moment to catch my breath.

It's fine, I told myself. Everything is fine. All I just have to do now, is find another company to apply to. I have everything I need, I just have to look elsewhere.

And forget all about Lucian Aurelius again.

With a renewed smile on my face, I started the engine and drove out of the parking lot.

I decided to stop at a nearby coffee shop. I remembered I hadn't eaten anything all day. I parked and walked inside. A soft k pop song was playing on the speakers. I ordered a black coffee and some chocolate scones. I sat by the window and drank my coffee.

Lucian.

I can't get him off my mind. I felt goosebumps cover my skin. The ruthless way he had treated me. Everything he had done to me.

I drank my coffee. It wasn't strong enough.

The door of the coffee shop dinged and someone walked in. A shock ran down my spine as I caught the scent in the air. I raised my head from my coffee and instantly our eyes met across the room.

A werewolf.