Cruel Fate

Chapter 9

Present

Five years later, Ember sat in her swivel desk chair, seamlessly navigating between her multiple monitors. Her fingers danced across the keyboard as she juggled various tasks: budgeting for her salon, reviewing applications for potential mentees interested in becoming certified cosmetologists or estheticians, and redesigning the downstairs shop to create a more welcoming atmosphere.

The first year after her rejection was dedicated to healing both her body and mind. Ember spent countless hours in therapy, meditating, and training, determined to rebuild herself. She worked tirelessly, her days filled with exercises that honed her physical strength and mental resilience.

By the second year, Ember was ready to retake her exam. To the astonishment of the examiners, she ranked up to Alpha. They made her take the test twice, unable to believe that an Omega could pass an exam she had previously failed. Ember didn't bother to explain that she had purposely failed the first time.

The first test assessed how quickly a wolf could shift into their wolf form. Alphas, Deltas, Betas, and Enforcers shifted instantly, but Alphas could control the speed of their shift. During her initial test, Ember had taken her time, savoring the sensation of her bones cracking and deliberately shifting slowly, which had placed her as an Omega. This time, she shifted instantly, displaying her true Alpha potential.

The second test evaluated her senses. Blindfolded, she was given the scents of ten different wolves and had to match each scent to the correct wolf. Previously, she had purposely given the wrong names. This time, she identified each scent with lightning speed, proving her superior senses.

Ember's transformation from Omega to Alpha was nothing short of remarkable. Her determination and the rigorous training she had undergone paid off, allowing her to claim her rightful place within the pack. This journey of self-discovery and empowerment set her on a new path, one where she embraced her true potential and prepared to face the future with unwavering resolve.

Over the last two years, Slate reluctantly allowed her to move into the human realm, despite his and his wolf's aversion to the idea of their pup living beyond the veil. With some help from the witch Cassandra, Slate even got an iPhone to keep up with her.

Her office phone rang, pulling her from her thoughts. She picked it up on the second ring. “This is Ember, how can I help you?”

“Hey, I have a Dominik here with a bouquet of flowers for you. He said he wanted to personally thank you for last night,” Addison giggled. There was a man waiting in the lobby for her boss.

Ember sighed. “Tell him I’m in a meeting all day, please.” She couldn’t believe her one-night stand, who had promised not to be clingy, had tracked her down. How he found her was beyond her comprehension.

“Will do.” Addison smirked, trying to compose herself. Her boss wasn’t very promiscuous, so the fact that a gentleman was here to see her surprised and entertained her.

Ember had been trying to move on with her life, immersing herself in her new venture. She’d recently started going clubbing with Addison and a few other girls she hired, attempting to embrace the human world’s vibrant nightlife. Her salon was thriving, and she found solace in her work, meticulously managing every detail from her office.

Today, she was deep into her tasks on her screens, her brow furrowed in concentration, when her personal phone vibrated. Sighing, she paused her work to check the screen. It was a FaceTime call from Slate. It had taken a lot for her brother to allow her to move into the human realm, and he called nearly every day just to check in.

“Hiiiiii,” Ember dragged out her greeting, putting on a fake smile.

“When can I come see your salon?” Slate was in his office with his mate, Ella, sitting beside him on the couch.

“I told you, when my renovations are done.” Ember smiled. Her siblings had been very supportive, including their mates. Her parents had distanced themselves from her since her rejection, and she respected that they refused to go against the grain.

“We’re so excited!” Ella squealed on the other end of the phone.

“Don’t worry, we’ll have a girls’ day once I finish the renovations. I’m thinking about adding one more expansion, which will be a sauna.” Ember smiled excitedly. She had poured her heart and soul into this establishment; it was like her child.

“When did this turn into a girls’ day? As your top investor, I deserve a tour first!” Slate grumbled, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms.

“I’ll show you around too, you goof.” Ember laughed, shaking her head at her brother’s antics.

“So, how was last night?” Ella wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

“Oh my god, no!” Ember blushed and covered her face. “We can’t have this conversation in front of Slate.” She giggled awkwardly.

“Ohhh, you had a one-night stand, didn’t you!” Ella smiled mischievously.

“For the record, pup, I do not agree with this.” Slate shook his head, clearly torn. Despite his disdain for Julian, he had hoped they might work things out. But it had been five years, and Julian hadn’t reached out once.

“I just wanted to try something new. I don’t think I’ll be doing it for a while, though. The no-strings-attached guy showed up just before you called with flowers. I had my receptionist send him away.” Ember shook her head and sighed, rubbing her temples.

“I don’t blame him, darling. You are a catch!” Ella smiled adoringly from the other side of the phone.

“Next time, just don’t give him your info.” Slate ordered, his protective instincts kicking in.

“That’s the thing. I only gave this guy a first name. It was supposed to be no strings attached.” Ember massaged her temple, still baffled by how Dominik had found her. She had met him the night before at Mirage, one of the hottest clubs in town.

“Single wolves can be clingy. Normally, we see it in female wolves, but it's not uncommon in male wolves either. Our natural instinct is to find our person,” Slate said, his eyes taking on a distant look.

Ember nodded, trying to keep her voice steady. Every call with Slate was a struggle to stop herself from asking about Julian, to stop herself from wondering what he was up to without her. Did he ever think about her? Did he ever look for her after she ran? These questions gnawed at her, but she kept them buried deep inside.

Slate's expression softened as he noticed the flicker of pain in Ember's eyes. “Pup, you know you can always talk to me, right? About anything,” he said gently.

Ember forced a smile, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “I know, Slate. It’s just... I’m trying to focus on the present, on building my life here.”

As she ended the call, Ember leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes for a moment. The past five years had been a whirlwind of pain, healing, and growth. Julian’s rejection had shattered her, but she had rebuilt herself from the ground up. Despite the lingering questions, she knew she couldn’t let the past dictate her future.