ALPHA REDEMPTION PATH

CHAPTER NINE

Diana's POV:

My phone rang for the tenth time all morning. I picked it up, glancing at the number. It was the same number that had been calling all morning. I figured whoever it was would get a hint that I didn't want to talk to them, but they didn't. They just kept calling.

There wasn't a sound to be heard in the house. I had pulled shut the curtains, blocking out all the lights. I had dropped the kids off at school barely an hour ago returning back home to lie in bed.

I'm by no means a lazy woman. If there's stuff to be done, I get it done. I have two kids who are my sole responsibility. I cannot be lazy.

But my bones were still shaking from the events of yesterday. The interview that practically went to hell. Seeing Lucian again, and being assaulted with all those memories. Seeing the werewolf in the cafe....

****Flashback****

The werewolf looked right at me, as if we were drawn by a magnetic field. Her eyes went wide, a look of shock on her face.

The after effects of seeing Lucian still hung in my bones. I felt my heart start to race. She turned and walked ahead, and I felt like I could finally breathe. The sweet scone tasted like paper on my tongue.

I drank the last of the coffee and started getting my things ready to leave.

"Hello," I heard a voice right beside me. I almost yelled out as I turned and saw her staring right at me.

"Hi," I replied, picking up my purse and rising to my feet.

"What's the matter?" She asked, her brows furrowed. "It's just nice to see someone like me around here," she sighed, her eyes dropping as she looked around her.

"I'm sorry, I have to go now." I didn't want to be rude. But I had to leave now.

I can't be hanging out with werewolves.

She walked beside me as I tried to leave the coffee shop. "Can I at least have your name? Or your number?"

"Please stop talking to me." I said in a pleading tone. I gave her one last look. "Have a nice day."

"Wait!" She called out, but I was already out of the door.

****End of flashback****

Thinking back to it now, perhaps nothing was wrong with her. She seemed genuine enough, and happy to meet one of her kind.

But I couldn't be too careful. I had to take every measure I could to ensure that I and my kids were safe.

The phone finally stopped ringing. Thank goodness!

I rolled over in bed, hugging my pillow close to my chest. Just when I thought it was finally over, the phone started to ring again.

"You have to be kidding me." I groaned under my breath as I reached out for the phone.

Still the same number that has been bugging me. For goodness sake!

I slid the screen on the accept button. I put the phone to my ears. "Who is this?" I snapped, unable to control my irritation from seeping into my voice.

"Miss Anderson. Good morning to you " A female voice said.

I frowned, I knew that voice. I tried to place where I had heard it before. Oh, that's right. "Karis," I said, rolling my eyes. I laid on my back, staring up at the ceiling.

"Yes, that's me.....wait a minute. Are you in bed right now?!" She sputtered, shock in her voice.

"I don't see how that's any of your problem." I replied, making sure to let the sarcasm in my tone get heard loud and clear. "You've been blowing up my phone all damned morning. What is it you want?"

She cleared her throat. In my mind's eye I could see her adjusting her glasses, a self assured look coming to her face. "I've been calling to inform you of our decision to hire you for the role of the marketing strategist. Now you will have to...."

"Thanks, I'm not interested." I cut her off. I brought the phone down from my ear and clicked the end button.

No way in hell am I doing that.

They want to give me a job now? In Lucian's company? Yeah. I'd rather eat hot coals and claw my own eyes out.

I tossed the phone aside. Before it hit the bed, it started to ring again. "For goodness sake!" I yelled out. Damned Karis! Why won't she leave me alone?! I already said no. What else does she want to hear??

I picked up the phone, but not to pick the call but rather to put it on mute. Exhaling in relief, I laid back on the bed.

It going to be a very long day.

****

I overestimated my ability to rot in bed.

By ten o'clock, I was itching to get out of bed and do something. I told myself that I can't keep lying on my bed all day.

I got out and took a long shower. After that I go dressed. Last night I had tried to check from jobs online. I wasn't very lucky. It was by pure chance I had found the opening at B&K. It crossed my mind to talk to Sandra, and maybe ask her for recommendations.

"Don't do that." I scolded myself. "She's done enough already. How much more do you want?"

I had a quick breakfast of cereal, the sugary kind the kids were raving about. I don't know what's so great about cereal anyway, it tasted too sweet.

After my breakfast, I sat at my desk in deep contemplation. I needed a job, something to keep I and the kids afloat till we had to move again, which was inevitable. I had the coffee shop in mind. Perhaps while I waited for my perfect job opportunity, I could apply there.

I drafted an application as quick as I could. Putting together all I needed, I deemed myself ready to leave.

I drove to the coffee shop, playing soft music in the car as I drove and for a moment, my thoughts were free of Lucian.

****

The coffee shop was crowed even though it was almost afternoon. The hum of conversations mingling with each other rose into the air. The scent of coffee was strong here, and creamer too. Overall the shop gave off a peaceful vibe to it.

Inhaling deeply, I walked over to the girl at the counter. "Good morning," I greeted.

"What can I get for you?" She asked, barely looking up from the order she was making.

"Oh no, I'm not here for coffee." I said with a nervous laugh. "I'm actually here for a job,"

She raised her head and looked at me. Poor human looked like she hadn't slept properly in three days. Her skin was pale, freckles scattered over her nose bridge, a stud piercing on her nose. I thought I was imagining it, but I'm sure that's black ink peeking out of her collar.

"A job?" She asked, making me look up at her.

"That's what I said." I affirmed with a bright smile. "I have my application and resume with me here," I dug into my purse, rummaging for the papers.

"Hold on just a bit, I'm kind of busy now."

Oh. How rude but oh.

"That's fine." I said. I moved to the side of the counter. "I'll just wait here."

"Suit yourself lady."

She continued making the coffee she was working on. "Order twenty?" She called out.

"That would be mine." A deep voice responded.

I felt my spine go rigid. Oh come on! You can't be serious! Why is this happening to me right now?!

"Here you go," The barista handed over a cup of coffee and a paper bag. From the corner of my eyes I saw the man who walked up to the counter pay for his drink and drop a generous tip into the tip jar.

"Really?" The barista girl said, her voice sounding unimpressed.

"What?" The man mused. "You don't like me spoiling you with my riches?"

"Go use that on someone else." The barista girl scoffed. She turned to me and the playful look in her eye vanished. "Yes, you were saying?"

"Um..." I stuttered, unable to form the words. "I need a..." I bit my lip hard.

"Yes?" The girl urged. "I don't have all day please."

I sighed heavily. Why must fate be so cruel to me? All I want is a job and yet things keep taking a drastic turn for the worse.

"Oh my," The man said. "Look who it is."

I tried not to turn, I really did. But my curiosity took the better of me. I turned my head. And there stood Lucian, in all his alpha glory. His green eyes were full of amusement as he stared at me, a smirk on his face.

Shit. That's all I could really say right now.