The Masked Wolf

Starting to live

Ava’s point of view

As I woke up the following day, my were eyelids still heavy with remnants of sleep. Feeling refreshed from the previous night's shower, I skipped the morning routine and went to the kitchen for breakfast before tackling our daily duties.

As I finished my meal, I sought out Stephanie in the laundry room to inquire about my tasks for the day.

Entering the laundry room, I found Stephanie occupied with her duties. "I'm sorry, but I need you to bring the Alpha his breakfast," she informed me, her voice filled with apology.

I objected, a tinge of frustration seeping into my voice. "Seriously? You know he can't stand me. There are countless other tasks I could do, why not assign it to someone else?"

Stephanie shrugged, acknowledging my concerns. "You always manage to complete tasks more efficiently, and not everyone showed up for work today. I need it done quickly."

I knew the true reason was my fear of facing the Alpha's anger, but I kept that thought to myself. With a sense of reluctance, I made my way to the kitchen, gathering the Alpha's breakfast - a satisfying plate of eggs, toast, waffles, and crispy bacon, accompanied by a glass of orange juice and water. Balancing the tray cautiously, I approached his office and knocked on the door, determined not to spill anything or embarrass myself.

"Come in," the Alpha Ace commanded with his Alpha tone.

Despite my efforts, I couldn't help but flinch. However, I managed to keep a steady hand and avoided any spills.

Walking into the room, I approached the table and carefully set down the tray, deliberately avoiding making eye contact. "I have brought your breakfast, Alpha Ace," I stated, my voice tinged with deference. I was eager to make a swift exit.

Alpha Ace's mocking tone took me by surprise, and I couldn't deny the strange allure in his words. "I'm amazed you managed to wake up so early after indulging in late-night partying," he sneered, his voice oozing with a mixture of contempt and irresistible dominance.

It sent a thrilling shiver down my spine, a twisted blend of intimidation and attraction that I found strangely captivating.

Confusion engulfed me. "Out partying, Alpha?" I questioned, my head lowered to avoid his penetrating gaze.

I never attended parties or had enough friends to engage in such activities.

His impeccably arched eyebrow showcased his disbelief. "You returned home quite late and famished, clad in that dress last night," he commented, his voice carrying a husky undertone that sent pleasurable shivers down my spine.

In that very moment, I couldn't help but become acutely aware of the raw magnetism emanating from Alpha Ace’s sculpted physique, his muscular features accentuated by the snug fit of his shirt against his broad shoulders. A newfound admiration for his captivating allure washed over me, leaving me yearning for more of his intoxicating presence. I couldn't fathom why I was drawn to a man who harbored such animosity towards me.

"Oh, of course. My apologies, Alpha," I replied, my words laced with deceit as I concealed the truth about my other job. Revealing it to Alpha Ace seemed unwise at the moment. "Rest assured, nothing would ever come between me and my responsibilities. Last night was simply a momentary indulgence, nothing more."

His displeasure was evident as he huffed, leaving me to wonder if he had caught onto my deception. Nervously, I inquired, "Is there anything else, Alpha Ace?"

"No, leave," Alpha Ace snapped angrily. Without wasting a moment, I hastily retreated from his office, my legs carrying me out as swiftly as possible.

As I closed the door behind me, a surge of mixed emotions flooded my senses. The anger in Alpha Ace's voice lingered in my ears, through the empty hallway. But beneath the hurt and frustration, an unexpected realization began to take root within me.

It was in that dismissive command, in his sudden outburst, that I caught a glimpse of a different side to him. The intensity of his anger, the sheer power radiating from him, only served to amplify the attractive qualities that had previously gone unnoticed.

As I walked away from his office, my steps slowed, my heart torn between the sting of rejection and a newfound attraction that blossomed within me.

I couldn't deny the undeniable magnetism he possessed, even if it was shrouded in anger and distance. It was a sudden change, an unexpected twist in my perception, leaving me grappling with emotions that I hadn't anticipated.

As I walked through the hallway, Gloria approached me with a warm smile spread across her face. "Hey, we've been assigned to clean the kitchen, dining room, and common room today," she informed me cheerfully. "There was another party, so we have our work cut out for us again."

Relief washed over me, knowing I wouldn't have to bring the Alpha the rest of his meals. Nodding in agreement, we made our way towards the Alpha's dining room, where he entertained his guests. As expected, the room was a complete disaster. The guests had left their mark, and it was far from pleasant. Determined, we dove into our cleaning duties, working diligently to restore order to the chaotic space.

Amidst the cleaning frenzy, the topic of getting a phone came up. Gloria turned to me in excitement. “We are getting you a phone today! I'm so excited for you.”gloria said.

Curiosity gnawed at me, and I finally mustered the courage to ask Gloria a question lingering in my mind. "Why are you always so nice to me?" I inquired, my voice filled with a mix of fear and curiosity.

Gloria turned towards me, her expression softening. "You're kind, and you've always been there to help me. How could I not be nice to you?" she replied, her words carrying a genuine warmth. "And as for your parents' debt, I think it's unbelievable that you must shoulder that burden. It's unjust."

Her nonchalant shrug only emphasized the sincerity of her words. In that moment, I felt a surge of gratitude for our new friendship.

We diligently tackled the other rooms, presenting the same chaotic scene as the dining room. The mess seemed never-ending, but we persevered, determined to restore cleanliness to every corner of the pack house.

Finally, as we finished the last room, Gloria's face lit up with excitement. "Okay, now it's time for something fun," she bounced happily. "Go change into something nice, and we'll spend the rest of the day together."

I couldn't help but feel embarrassed as I replied, "I don't have anything nice except for the dress I got from the bar. And even that feels too extravagant for me."

Without missing a beat, Gloria reassured me. "No worries," she said, still smiling. "We'll grab your cash from last night, and then we can go shopping for some simple, nice clothes that won't break the bank."

"How are you today, Ava?" Beta James greeted me kindly as I walked past him.

Unlike Alpha Ace, Beta James always treated me with kindness and expressed gratitude whenever I delivered his meals.

"I'm doing well, Beta James. And yourself?" I replied politely, maintaining my manners as I continued on my way.

"I'm doing good," Beta James responded, allowing me to continue towards my destination of collecting cash and meeting Gloria by her car.

Soon enough, I stood by Gloria's car, ready for our impromptu shopping spree. As we started driving, a thought nagged at the back of my mind, and I couldn't help but voice my concern. "If I spend all this money on clothes, I won't be able to pay off my debt as quickly," I explained, a hint of worry in my voice.

Gloria turned towards me, her eyes filled with determination. "Trust me," she began, her tone confident. "You'll make plenty of money. But right now, you must start living and doing something for yourself. Investing in a new wardrobe and a phone is essential for moving forward. You can save the rest for your debt, but right now, you deserve this." Her words left no room for argument, and I couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope for the future.