Embracing Storm

CHAPTER ONE: FIRED

~NATALIE’S POV~

The alarm kept buzzing over my head, reminding me of the beginning of another dreadful day.

Are you wondering why I have summed up a day that hasn’t even started dreadful? Well, as an outcast in my pack, it isn’t such a wonder to go outside.

I drag my tired self off the bed. Even if I am unenthusiastic to leave the house, I still have to go out and work. If I do not make money, my life will be even more pathetic. What can one do?

I quickly stride to the bathroom, took a quick shower and got dressed. After taking a quick glance at myself in the mirror, I proceed to the door. Time for another storm.

The handle of the door was just pushed down when I notice there is something blocking the door from the outside. Using half of my strength, I push the door to make even though a little opening for my escape. Luckily, I am not too big and will be able to squeeze myself out from it.

Just when I have successfully made it out of my room, I stumble over something.

“Dammit!” I curse out loudly, knowing fully well I just graze my elbow on impact with the tiled floor through the pain that shoots up in my body.

“Hark..”

Almost immediately, a loud snore penetrates my ear, and I do not need a soothsayer to tell me it belongs to my father.

“For the love of the moon goddess! How on earth does he even find comfort on the floor?” I sigh as I pick myself up from the floor and stare at his face.

Looking at his haggard appearance, I know that he had drank himself to stupor last night again. I sigh out sadly as I walk into his room to get a blanket. After making sure his body is well covered, I take one last look at him before leaving the house.

Standing in front of my house door, I can feel my heart fall once again like every other day.

Compared to this isolated small house in the woods, we were once living in the pack house. My father was the Alpha and my late mother, the Luna of Red Moon pack. Life was amazing.

I sigh out again for the umpteenth time this morning before strolling away from the front door, picking up my pace because I am almost late for work.

__

“Natalie!” I just arrived at the hospital for my morning shift when I hear someone call out my name with so much repugnance, and I know it is Marla straight up.

Marla walks up to me with a victorious smirk that makes it hard for me to depict what the smile is about. She is the daughter of the present Alpha and Luna of the Red Moon pack.

I still find it strange that my father’s Beta when he was Alpha suddenly became Alpha just after my father was labelled as a traitor, but there is nothing I can do.

Looking at the person that was once upon a time my best friend and the Beta’s daughter, it seems like she takes it upon herself to always remind me of my fall from grace with her repulsive smile.

“Guess what I heard today,” she starts. Increasing her tone like she is scared the people present in the lobby will not hear her.

I do not want to guess. In fact, I will rather eat grass than stay a minute more listening to her voice. So, I proceed to walk past her, but obviously, it seems like I will have to really guess today whether I like it or not.

Guess I will not be having grass for lunch today.

Marla holds onto my arm, causing me to pause in my steps “Guess… it might actually save you the trouble of signing in today.” She continues, maintaining her annoying smile.

“What do you want this time? Don’t you ever get tired of doing this every morning?” I reply, restraining my displeasure. This is my place of work, and unlike Marla, I have to mind my actions.

Marla shakes her head, “Why should I? Besides, unlike you, I have the right to be here.” She shrugs while maintaining her smug look.

I scoff, “What do you mean by that? Or did you finally decide to see a psychologist? In case you have forgotten, mummy and daddy does not own this hospital. Do you understand what I mean? It means that this is not the pack’s property. So, I actually do work here whether you like it or not.” I retract my arm from her hold and walk past her.

The only reason why I can work here is because the pack has no claims over the hospital.

After my father was casted out as the pack’s Alpha, everyone saw us as traitors and refused to employ me when I sought to work.

When I finally saw this hospital, I was scared to apply, but who knew luck shined on me and I actually got the job to work as a nurse.

I did not take more than two steps when I hear Marla’s laughter echo in the lobby. I wonder what her problem is. I really do hope she came to see a psychologist because she really needs one.

“Good morning,” I greet the lady at the front desk.

Just as I am about to open the attendance book on her desk, she pulls it away, causing my hand to stop mid-way.

“You won’t be able to sign today, Natalie.” The lady answers before I can even ask why.

“Why? What do you mean by that? Don’t you know who I am anymore? Or don’t I have an early shift today?” I am very certain that I have a morning shift, did it get shifted without my knowledge? I hope so, because for some weird reasons, I am starting to have a bad feeling about this, recalling Marla’s words earlier.

“As of today, you will not be working here anymore, that is why you don’t need to sign in.” Her words hit me like a bad dream. Is she implying that I have been fired? No way.

“I am sure there is a mix up somewhere. I was here just yesterday and everything seemed fine. What are you saying now?” my voice is getting loud due to my confusion, and it seems to have gathered attention to me.

The lady’s mouth twitch and she suddenly becomes irritated “What kind of mix up can there be? Aren’t you Natalie Hue? It is all over the hospital by now. Everyone knows how you seduce the male patients, and even forced yourself on Doctor Harvey. Aren’t you ashamed?” she snaps.

I am dumbfound by her words, “What?” Seduce male patients, and forced myself on Doctor Harvey? What in the moon is she talking about because clearly those things weren’t done by me?

“If you have any shame left, just pack your stuff and leave quietly. I do not want to call the security on you.”

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Walking through the hospital corridor, I can feel the judging stares on my skin like a leprosy, but I do not pay any attention to them as I keep on walking towards a familiar door. Even though I have no idea which male patients the front desk lady referred to, I have an idea who Doctor Harvey is.

Doctor Harvey is my boyfriend. He works in the hospital with me and I can say he is the light in my darkness. Our relationship is kept secret because according to Harvey, being in a relationship with a co-worker is prohibited in the hospital.

Although I did not hear any rules like that, I do not mind. After all, we are good like that.

Now, hearing that I had forced myself on him, I am sure he would stand up for me. Maybe that way, we will even make our relationship public. All I need to do is talk to him.

I feel the relief when I finally reach the familiar door at the end of the corridor, but just as I push the door open, a scene that had better be a nightmare greets me.

“Harvey?” I breathe out, feeling a jolt run through my body.