A breeder for the Alphas

02

***JASMINE’S POV***

"I can't believe you're still taking beer from my bar, Jas," my aunt, Mrs. Keller, says with a hint of exasperation in her voice.

She's standing beside me, her hands full as she carefully loads bottles into the fridge. A bead of sweat trickles down her forehead

I grip the damp cloth tightly, feeling the cool water seep into my fingertips as I begin scrubbing the worn wooden surface of the bar counter.

I scoff, flashing a mischievous smile at her. "Come on, Auntie," I reply, my voice filled with a playful tone. "You know I can't resist the temptation of the finest brews in town."

As I speak, I continue to scrub the counter with swift, circular motions, the cloth gliding effortlessly over the smooth surface.

She lets out a sigh, her eyes narrowing at me. "This is not a beer depot, Jas," she chides gently, a flicker of concern crossing her face.

"You've got to learn to control those urges. We can't afford to lose any more stock."

"I know, Auntie," I say, my voice softening as I continue my task.

"But you also know that this tavern is my haven. It's where I find solace, where I feel alive. And the beer, well, it's a part of that." I say grinning widely.

“Here she go again” she says

Mrs. Keller has been more than just an aunt to me. She practically saved my life, taking me under her wing when I was just a frightened child, alone and orphaned.

My aunt had found me in the woods, frightened and scared, after I had run away. It was late, and I had pushed myself until my legs couldn't move anymore. I lay crumpled on the forest floor, exhausted from the tears, the pain, and everything that had led me to that moment. And then she appeared, like a guardian angel in the darkness.

She had also managed to escape the raid that had claimed the lives of our loved ones.

When she saw me lying there, she cried. Her tears fell like rain, mingling with my own. She held me close, her arms a comforting embrace, and we cried together for what felt like an eternity.

Together, we had made our way to a new pack, where my aunt changed our identities, and gave us a fresh start leaving behind the painful memories and the shattered fragments of our former lives.

It was in this new pack that my aunt had opened a bar.

Business thrived in the bar, and I helped out whenever I could. It was from the profit she raised me.

The scent of aged wood, the laughter of patrons, and the clinking of glasses became my everyday sight. It was here that I learned the art of mixing drinks, of crafting concoctions that could bring a smile to even the weariest of faces.

“Here” she says, slamming a flier on the table in front of me, causing me to jump slightly in surprise. I glance at it, uninterested at first.

"Have you seen this?" she asks, her voice tinged with frustration and determination.

I shake my head, my eyes fixed on the task at hand. "No, Auntie," I replied absentmindedly, continuing to clean the counter.

"I haven't, I also don’t want to see it."

Mrs. Keller's tone sharpens. "Well, since you can't stop being a freeloader, it's time to find a job," she retorts firmly.

"And don't you worry, young lady, I found the perfect job for you."

I stare at her in disbelief, my curiosity piqued despite my initial lack of interest. "I'm not interested," I protest, flashing a playful wink her way. "I'm quite content here at the tavern, with you Auntie."

She fixes me with a stern gaze, her eyes glinting with a mischievous spark.

"Oh, you should be interested," she replies, her voice stern leaving room for no argument. "Open the flyer."

Reluctantly, I reach out and open the crumpled piece of paper.

My eyes scan the words printed on the page, and what I see shocks me to the core.

"A breeder is needed at... What the hell?" I exclaim, my voice filled with disbelief and a touch of outrage.

Mrs. Keller raises an eyebrow, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Language, Jas," she chides gently.

"But yes, do you see this?"

I stare at her, my eyes wide in shock. "But... the Midnight Pack?" I stammer, my voice barely a whisper. "They ... you know what they did.

She sighs, her expression softening as she reaches out to place a hand on my shoulder. "I know, Jasmine," she says softly, her voice laced with empathy

The midnight pack is the largest pack in the city. They are the same people that murdered my parents and siblings.

Now, my aunt wants me to work for them? The anger surges through my veins, making my heart race and my hands tremble.

"I know, Jas," Mrs. Keller says quietly, her voice filled with sympathy and pain.

"They're the ones that took everything from us. But sometimes, we have to make difficult choices in life, even if they go against our principles."

I clench my fists, the crumpled flier crushed within my grasp.

"I can't believe you're even suggesting this," I say through gritted teeth, my voice trembling with a mix of anger and hurt.

"After everything they've done, how can you ask me to work for them?"

My aunt's gaze softens, and she reaches out to gently pry the crumpled paper from my hand.

"Just... look at it, Jas," she urges, her voice tinged with a mix of hope and desperation. "Look at the weekly payment if you decide to take on the role of the breeder."

Reluctantly, I take a deep breath and open the flyer once more.

My eyes scan the page, and as I find the section detailing the payment, my breath catches in my throat. The figure that stares back at me is nothing short of shocking.

"What the hell?"