Alpha Ryder, You Have Lost Me Forever

Thirteen

Chapter Thirteen

Seraphina’s POV

“What are you being paid for if you can’t even do a simple job?” Gary yells, and I shut my eyes and shiver slightly as his shrill voice reverberates in my ears.

“I’m so sorry I mixed up the orders.”

“Of course you are!” He says, slamming his hand against his desk.

“Look, Seraphina! I don’t care what the hell it is that’s been troubling you lately. You signed up for this, and I expect utmost attention to detail. If you’re tired of your job, you can walk away.”

“No, Gary. I…I’m not,” I say, balling my fist behind me, and I swallow. “I need the job. I promise not to cause a scene next time.”

“You don’t have to promise anything because the next time you make a silly mistake, you’re fired! Now, get out of my sight!” As I leave Gary’s office, I let out a deep breath I’d been holding since I stepped into his office.

Ever since I walked out of Silver Ridge Pack, about a month ago, my life has taken a turn—in the worst way possible. I’m barely surviving here in Idaho. I’ve been working multiple jobs just to sustain myself. The coffee shop during the day, the bar at night, and other times, I’m a mascot performer at kid parties. I’ve been barely hanging on in all of the jobs I work. I’m barely hanging on at the place where I entertain kids only because they enjoy my performance. I almost screwed up things there too when I scared a kid.

If my co-workers hadn’t been covering up for me at this coffee shop, I would have lost the job. Sally, a kind teenager who works here, often tells me to take a break, but I just can’t, not when I have a lot of bills to pay. She once offered to lend me some money, but I couldn’t take it.

“I’m not going to let you handle anything here today. You need to take a break, Seraph. I’ll take care of things here. Just take care of yourself. Please,” she says as soon as she spots me. I grab a glass of milk, downing it. I can feel sweat coating my forehead. I wipe it with the back of my hand.

“I insist,” she says when I try to protest.

“Thank you.”

“How did it go with Gary?”

I shrug. “It was just Gary doing his thing. I didn’t expect less. I’ll just do what I can to avoid getting into trouble with him.”

“Take care of yourself, Seraph,” she says, and I nod. I grab my things and head out of the coffee shop. I’m only a few steps away from the door when a wave of dizziness hits me, and in the next minute, I’m on the floor. The world goes into oblivion, and darkness envelops me.

By the time I open my eyes, I’m in a car. My vision is still a little blurry.

“You’re awake.” It’s an unfamiliar voice. My head is still spinning. I turn in the direction of the voice, and I almost flinch when I stare at a face that looks a little familiar.

“Seraph!” It’s Sally. “Oh my goodness. I was so worried about you!” She says.

“I told you she’s going to be fine,” the woman says, and Sally heaves a deep breath.

“You caused quite a scene back there. Are you good now?” Sally asks, and I sit upright.

“Just a little headache.” I turn to the woman. “I’ve seen you somewhere,” I say, scrutinizing the woman’s face. “A customer?” I ask, and she gives me a nod.

“I come here on some occasions,” she answers.

Sally’s phone begins to ring. “It’s Gary. I need to head back.” Sally turns to the woman. “Will you drive Seraph home, please? I need to cover up for her, or else Gary will not let this slide.”

“Take care of yourself, Seraph. I’ll check on you later.” Before I can protest, she dashes off.

“You’re safe. You’ve got nothing to worry about,” the woman says.

“Who are you?” I ask, feeling a little bit uneasy.

“I think it should be a “thank you” first before anything else.”

I blink.

“Well, you’re in my car. I helped you here. I knew there was no reason for you to go to the hospital even though everyone else thought otherwise,” she says casually, and I squint. It’s then that I observe her well.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, finally understanding what she is. She’s a werewolf. Just like me.

“Exactly what you’re doing here. It’s a safe space here,” she says with a smile. “I’d been watching you for a while today, and I noticed that something was amiss with you, although I couldn’t place it. Thankfully, I didn’t let you out of my sight; otherwise, things might have gone really bad.”

I’m still a little wary of her.

“By the way, I’m Callista,” she says, offering a hand, but I don’t budge.

“Well, we can do the introductions later. There are more pressing things that you need to know.”

“What are you talking about?” I ask.

“Aren’t you curious as to why you suddenly collapsed in the middle of work like a mere human?”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but I’ve been really stressed lately,” I say. I’m not about to start telling this stranger about what I’ve been going through these past few weeks. She might seem nice, but I’ve learned not to be too quick to trust anyone. Learned that the hard way, by the way.

“You can handle a whole lot more than humans, Seraphina.”

“How do you know my name?” I ask, immediately guarded, my hand on the doorknob of the car.

“Well, your friend mentioned it more than once.”

My tension slowly eases. “Thank you,” I finally say.

“That’s a good start. You shouldn’t be too quick to get agitated because it’s not good for the baby.”

I blink. Once. Twice.

“What?”

“You’re pregnant, Seraphina. From what I can sense, I think you’re about three weeks pregnant.”