The Alpha’s Pregnant Mate

1. Interview

KAYLEY POV

I clutched the stupid map in my hand as I gazed up at the map on the wall. They’re two different maps! For the same building! I bit back the urge to cry, I hated when I got like this. Suddenly it felt like all these people were staring at me. I knew that realistically no one was looking at me, but when I raised my eyes and made eye contact with a stranger it just reaffirmed my anxiety. I closed my eyes and drew in some deep, calming breaths. I glanced around the lobby and decided to ask the front desk for some better directions.

“Hello.” I said to the young red headed girl that sat behind the giant desk.

“How can I help you?” Her blue eyes shone under the fluorescent lights. When my eyes met hers a look of recognition flashed in their depths, I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

“My name is Kayley Benson, I have an interview today, but my map doesn’t match the one on the wall.” I held out the map for her to take. I watched her reddish brows pull together as she looked it over.

“Yeah this map is over five years old, who sent you this? I bet it was Carol from HR.” She huffed, rolling her eyes.

“You’re interviewing for housekeeping on the tenth floor, right?” She asked.

“Yes.” I blushed slightly.

“Okay, you’ll want to go to elevator D, which is right down there and to the left.” She smiled and I noticed how sharp her teeth looked, kind of like mine.

“Thank you, what was your name?”

“It’s Violet, good luck on your interview.” I told her my thanks as I quickly hurried off. I kept glancing at my phone, gnawing on my lip. I needed this job so badly, I couldn’t afford to be late. Thankfully the elevators were quick and I was on the tenth floor before I knew it. After checking in with the front desk on this floor they had me sit in a little waiting room. As I waited I finally took the time to absorb my surroundings. I felt so out of place around all the people in suits or fancy dresses. I suddenly felt so insecure in my Goodwill slacks and Walmart blouse. It was the best I could do with what little money I had.

“Kayley Benson?” I heard a woman call, pulling me from my thoughts.

“That’s me.” I said, smiling and standing from my seat.

“My name is Greta Stone and I’ll be interviewing you today.” I tried not to let my smile slip, but I already had a feeling this woman wouldn’t like me. Her dark blue eyes felt like they were piercing into my soul, judging me from the inside out.

“It’s nice to meet you.” I replied as I shook her hand. Her hand was cold and hard against mine, causing my stomach to twist.

“Follow me.” She turned on her heels and made her way down the hall briskly. Her outfit was so sharp and pristine compared to mine. Her blouse was a dark gray long sleeve button up, tucked into a black knitted pencil skirt. She looked more like a funeral home director than someone who worked in an office. As we stood in front of her office I felt my eyes trailing over to the office at the end of the hall. It was giant, made almost entirely of glass, blinds that covered the windows were open and inviting. There was a man sitting at a giant desk in the center of the room. He was raking a hand through his hair as he spoke on the phone. Some of his face was distorted by the blinds, the parts of his face I could see were dashingly handsome. Before I could get a better look, Greta was waving me into her smaller office.

“Please have a seat.” She motioned to the chairs that sat in front of her desk. I tried to sit as nice and proper as I could.

“You have no job history.” She said more as a statement, but I felt the need to explain myself.

“I’m still in high school, I’m trying to get my foot in the door before I graduate next year.” She continued to stare at the papers in her hands. I felt my stomach twist, my anxiety creeping up my neck.

“You just want to work for the summer?” Still no eye contact, which I was kind of grateful for.

“I could work and go to school, I just couldn’t work morning shifts.” I played with my hands in my lap. Using one finger to trace the natural lines of my palm to help soothe myself.

“Hm, well, unfortunately we’re looking for someone who can work mornings year round and has experience.” I felt my heart plummet.

“Thank you for your interest, but I don’t think you’re exactly what we’re looking for.” Her creepy eyes finally met mine. I had to clench my teeth to stop from crying.

“I understand, thank you.” I rose from my seat and hurried out of her office. I was trying to leave so quickly that I stopped paying attention to my surroundings. I knocked into something hard and next thing I knew I was flat on my ass.

“I’m so sorry, are you alright?” I heard a deep, masculine voice ask me. It sent a shiver down my spine and the hair on the back of my neck stood on end. I raised my eyes and my breath caught in my throat. Kneeling over me with hands outstretched was the most attractive man I’ve ever seen. In his deep green eyes flashed recognition and something else I didn’t understand. A wide smile spread across his lips, showcasing sharp, white teeth.

“Please tell me you didn’t hit that pretty little head.” His words snapped me out of my trance. Pretty? My face flushed.

“Oh, um, no.” I blinked a few times and gazed down at his outstretched hand. I slowly raised my hand and slid it into his, when our skin touched another shiver rocked through me. He helped haul me up to my unsteady feet. He stood almost a whole head taller than me, dressed in a dark purple dress shirt and black slacks. I felt like I needed to physically stop my jaw from dropping. I don’t know how or when it happened, but our hands had entwined around each other. It’s almost like they were meant to be like that, they fit together almost perfectly. Being so close to him was a mistake, the smell of his cologne or aftershave was making my brain foggy. I tried to step away, but felt my knees almost buckle. A strong arm wrapped around my waist and I was pulled even closer to him.

“Here, why don’t you come sit down?” I nodded slowly as I let him guide me to the giant office. When I looked around I noticed people staring, my mouth went dry. I tried to pull away and when he looked down at me I froze, captivated by his eyes. Those eyes searched me, watching me and it was like he read me like a book.

“Back to work!” He snapped, causing everyone to look away. I physically relaxed in his hold and let him continue to lead me to the big office. He sat me in a chair, I watched as he closed the door and the blinds. He walked over to the mini fridge next to his desk and produced a bottle of water.

“Drink.” He commanded in a soft voice. I flinched when the cold water hit my mouth.

“What’s wrong?” His brows drew together as he gazed at me.

“I, um, I don’t like cold water.” I readied myself for laughing and teasing, but it never came. Instead I watched as he walked over to the large closet and pulled a water bottle out of a new pack.

“Trade?” We switched water bottles and I stared at him dumb founded.

“What’s your name?” He asked after a moment.

“Kayley Benson.” I took a long drink of the room temperature water.

“What pack are you from? You don’t look familiar.” My brows pulled together.

“What’s a pack?” I c****d my head slightly.

“Where do you live?” He asked, avoiding my question.

“Downtown.”

“Who do you live with?” He crossed his arms across his broad chest.

“Why?” I started tracing the lines on the water bottle as I stared up at him.

“Just answer me, please.” His eyes were soft and pleading.

“I-I live in a group home.” I felt my face flush. It was embarrassing being in the foster care system, but even more embarrassing living in a group home, never to be adopted.

“How old are you, Kayley?” Hearing him say my name sent another shiver down my spine, I really needed to control these reactions.

“I’m seventeen, I’ll be too old next year, that’s why I need this job.” I felt my shoulders slump.

“What job?” He asked as he leaned against the desk, still standing in front of me.

“I applied for the housekeeping job, but I’m not qualified for the position.”

“You’re hired.”

“What?” My head snapped up to look at him.

“You heard me, if you want the job, it’s yours.”

“But Greta said-”

“And I write Greta’s checks.” His tone was final, I felt my face flush again.

“You didn’t tell me your name.” I smiled shyly.

“Hunter Wilde.” A handsome smile curved at his lips.

“Kayley, are you aware that you’re a werewolf?”