Chapter 7
1656 Words
Tuesday
Polina went out for her usual run. Waking up early had always been a pleasure for her. Then came morning yoga and a shower. She slipped into a black robe patterned with irises, twisted her hair into a loose, careless bun, turned on Three Days Grace, brewed herbal tea, and sat down at her laptop.
She reviewed her résumé, making small edits, then slowly scrolled through assistant vacancies. If this city belonged to a madman, she could always find work somewhere else. It was a shame she might have to leave the apartment. Maybe even rent it out.
But no one called. Not once.
When she opened her résumé as a job seeker, there were plenty of views — but not a single offer. That was strange. Polina was a strong professional with an excellent track record and recommendations. Several foreign languages, management and administration courses.
She decided not to spiral and planned to visit her parents in the evening. She’d only just started her job search — no reason to panic yet.
There was one odd offer: a position as a private household manager. The salary was three times her usual rate, but there was something about a uniform. Polya snorted softly and declined.
At her parents’ place, chaos reigned.
Her father had been unexpectedly laid off. At the beginning of the month he’d been named Employee of the Month and even received a bonus. Then her older sister, Kristina, arrived with her husband. Oleg had been fired as well. Out of the blue.
“Two layoffs in one day — that’s too much,” Polya thought on her way home. “Did that psycho really decide to start carrying out his plan?”
She climbed to her floor by stairs. A box of flowers stood in front of her door. She bent down and saw a note.
“Polya,
I gave you a chance to come to me and talk. You chose not to take it — a mistake.
This is the first week, little troublemaker — the countdown has begun.I count to five.
Tomorrow, expect more news. Or come to me yourself.
The choice is yours.
Ruslan.”
Polina picked up the flowers and carried them straight to the dumpster outside. She tore the note into pieces with obvious satisfaction and threw it away as well.
Two wolves watched from a distance. One immediately reported that the Luna had discarded the gift.
A nasty inner voice whispered inside her head:
“You did this to yourself, i***t. This is only the beginning — just like he promised. Go to him while it’s not too late. Try to negotiate, like Amir said. Next come deaths. You’ll hate yourself for it.Spend some time as his mistress, freeze him out, drive him mad with coldness. He’ll get bored and find another. Maybe it’ll all end after the first night. He’s just a typical man of power who couldn’t stand being rejected.He wants you only because you resist.Go. Surrender. Before it’s too late.”
Wednesday morning came.
“Strange… I came back from my run and can’t find my yoga shorts or top. Where did my laundry from the basket go? What the hell?” Polina thought as she undressed and tossed her clothes into the washing machine. “Probably nerves. I’ll do yoga in a T-shirt and underwear.”
At lunch her mother called. Then her aunt.
Her mother had also been laid off — under some vague excuse. Her uncle and aunt had been in a car accident. They weren’t hurt, but they’d crashed into an expensive vehicle. Their insurance had expired. They’d been on their way to renew it.
The damage amounted to a massive sum — nearly half the value of their apartment. And the other party refused to compromise or allow installments.
Closer to evening, her brother Roma called. He asked to borrow money. Interest rates on his loan had suddenly increased, and it was only the third week of the month. If he didn’t pay immediately, his family would be evicted.
Polina transferred the required amount without hesitation. She’d already withdrawn her deposit anyway. She looked at the photo of the car she’d been saving for and forced herself not to dwell on it.
It’s just money. Things will work out.
The doorbell rang.
She opened it. A courier stood outside. Polina signed and took the package. Inside were chocolates and a bottle of red champagne — the exact kind she’d had at Amir’s party. A note lay on top.
“Polya,
How do you like the news?
Something sweet to lift your mood. I don’t want you to cry.And we can drink the champagne together.
Within the hour, a car will be waiting for you in the courtyard — a black SUV, license plate 4387.I’ll be waiting too, little troublemaker.
Ruslan.”
Damn him.
Polina cautiously peeked out the window. The car was there.
She left the package with the champagne and chocolates in the hallway and waited. An hour passed. She didn’t dare leave the apartment — what if they tried to take her by force?
Exactly an hour later, the SUV drove away.
She changed into her workout clothes and went for an evening run. The package she left by the dumpster. Let someone else celebrate.
North Industries
Ruslan’s office. Same day.
Ruslan sat in his chair. Alec stood beside him. Karim brought a package for the Alpha. Sergey remained close to the girl — she was under surveillance twenty-four hours a day.
“Give it to me,” — the Alpha ordered, suppressing his anger. Photos and short movement reports were laid out before him. The wolves confirmed that all gifts had been thrown away.
“The guys got something better than photos,” — Alec said. — “They got into her apartment. Gloves on, no scent left. Just… stay calm. The whole office is already on edge.”
“What?” — Ruslan’s eyes flashed yellow. Karim tensed behind Alec.
“Easy, Ruslan,” — Alec said evenly. — “Before killing someone, try a different approach. It’s far more effective than a raging she-wolf.” He handed the package to his brother.
Photos fanned out across the desk: Polina running with headphones on, Polina stepping off a bus, Polina hugging a young girl who looked like her.
Ruslan pulled out the item — a strip of pink cotton, saturated with the scent of his little troublemaker.
His claws shredded the fabric instantly.
Alec quickly sent Karim out of the office.
Ruslan changed before his eyes. In the chair now sat a black wolf in a gray suit — partial transformation. A wolf’s muzzle, a clawed hand gripping the panties, nostrils flaring as he greedily inhaled the scent of his mate.
“We’re setting up a meeting for Friday,” — Alec said, deliberately looking away. — “I’ll take Irina off your hands. You’ll get time alone with your Luna. Try not to pressure her. Convince her to go on a date.”
“I’ll kill them,” — the wolf growled. — “They were closer to her than I was. I’ll tear them apart.”
“Don’t,” — Alec warned calmly. — “They’ll bring you a new dose every day. Just… no injuries this time. All right?”
“Fine. Leave me,” — the Alpha ordered. — “I want to be alone.”
Thursday didn’t start well. It rained in the morning. Polina skipped her run and did yoga instead.
Around ten, her middle sister Alya called. Her husband had been laid off. She herself was on maternity leave. The baby was sick. They desperately needed money.
Another chunk of the deposit was gone.
She received one call about a job — and then was told the position had already been filled.
It was all too strange.
When she worked for Amir, headhunters chased her. Now, when she was openly searching, there was only silence.
In the evening, the weather cleared. Polina went for a walk in the park, bought coffee, spread a blanket, and read a Norwegian crime novel. Nature always calmed her.
She was so absorbed that she didn’t notice someone approaching.
Blue sneakers. Black jeans.
She had to tilt her head up to see his face.
A hand extended a cup of coffee.
At first she thought it was her brother Roma — but the cup read: “Little troublemaker.”
Only Seversky called her that.
Polina jumped to her feet.
Ruslan smiled at her.
“Hello, Polina. It’s just coffee,” — he said peacefully. — “Why so jumpy? You could’ve just taken it.”
“Why are you here?” — she asked warily, ignoring the greeting.
“Just passing by,” — he replied casually.
“Then you should’ve kept passing,” — Polina snapped. — “This is a public park. Corporate heads don’t just ‘pass by.’ Say what you want.”
“I wanted to see you,” — Ruslan said. — “I hoped we could talk, but I see you’re not ready for dialogue yet. Just take the coffee and I’ll leave. But don’t pour it out — or I’ll come back.”
“You’ve already caused enough damage,” — she replied coldly. — “Leave. I don’t want to see you.”
“Take it and I’ll go,” — he said, holding out the cup. — “No need to thank me.”
She took the cup silently and sat down on the blanket, turning her back to him. Took a demonstrative sip.
“Have a pleasant evening, Polya.”
When she returned home, another package waited by her door. Coffee. Chocolate candies. A short note this time:
“Cheer up, little troublemaker.”
She left everything by the dumpster.
There were no conditions this time.
- Writer
