Alpha and the wallflower

Chapter 3 Crossed Paths

Hayden’s POV:

I sat in the sleek, modern waiting area of Brackwood Tower’s finance department, my fingers nervously tracing the edge of my folder. Despite being late, I’d been told there were three candidates ahead of me, which gave me a bit of time to calm down. The initial panic had subsided, replaced by a quiet determination. I had worked too hard for this opportunity to let my nerves get the best of me.

As I waited, I couldn’t help but observe the other candidates. Two men and a woman, all impeccably dressed and radiating confidence. I felt a sharp pang of self-doubt. But I quickly pushed it aside, reminding myself that I had earned my place here, just like they had. My degree, my hard work, my resilience—they all counted for something. I wasn’t going to let a few fancy outfits or polished attitudes intimidate me.

By the time my name was called, my nerves had settled. I stood and walked into the interview room with my head held high, determined not to let my usual shyness get in the way. The interviewers, a panel of three, greeted me politely before diving straight into questions about my experience, my skills, and my career goals.

I answered each question thoughtfully, my voice steady despite the occasional flutter in my chest. I even managed to c***k a small joke, which earned a smile from one of the interviewers. By the end of the session, I felt a quiet sense of accomplishment. I hadn’t been perfect, but I had given it my all, and that had to count for something.

As I left the office and headed home, I allowed myself a small glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, this was the start of something new.

Back at my apartment, I stepped inside and immediately felt a sense of relief. Fara, my best friend, was sitting on the couch, her laptop balanced on her knees. She looked up as soon as I walked in, her eyes lighting up with curiosity.

“How did it go?” she asked, her voice filled with excitement.

I dropped my bag by the door and flopped onto the couch beside her. “It went… okay, I think. I was late, but they still let me interview. There were three people ahead of me, so I had time to calm down. By the time it was my turn, I felt pretty confident.”

Fara grinned. “That’s my girl! I knew you’d kill it. What did they ask you?”

I recounted the interview, my excitement growing as I talked. Fara listened intently, throwing in encouraging comments and the occasional joke. By the time I finished, I was smiling, my earlier nerves a distant memory.

“I’m really hoping I get a callback,” I said, my voice tinged with hope. “This could be it, Fara. The start of everything I’ve been working for.”

Fara reached over and squeezed my hand. “You deserve it, Hayden. You’ve worked so hard. If they don’t see that, it’s their loss.”

I smiled, grateful for her unwavering support. Fara had been my rock for as long as I could remember. She was the one person who had always believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself. No matter what happened, I knew I could count on her.

As the two of us talked late into the night, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something big was on the horizon

Meanwhile, in the penthouse of Blackwood Tower, Silas Blackwood stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows of his office, his gaze fixed on the city below. His mind was far from the bustling streets, though. The scent he’d caught earlier still lingered in his thoughts, a tantalizing reminder of something—or someone—he couldn’t quite grasp.

He tried to focus on work, but it was impossible. His wolf was restless, pacing within him, urging him to act. Finally, he turned to Lucas, his beta and closest confidant, who was seated at the desk, reviewing documents.

“The woman in the elevator,” Silas began, his voice low and measured. “Who was she?”

Lucas looked up, a mild surprise flashing across his face. “Oh, her? Just some human girl. She dropped her files and looked like she was in a hurry. Why do you ask?”

Silas’s jaw tightened, unease gnawing at him. “Nothing,” he said curtly, though his tone betrayed his frustration. “It’s just unusual for a human to be coming to our floor.”

Lucas raised an eyebrow but didn’t press further. He knew better than to question his Alpha, especially when Silas was in one of his moods.

Silas turned back to the window, his thoughts racing. A human girl. The words echoed in his mind, filling him with a sense of dread. It couldn’t be her. His destined mate couldn’t be human. It was unheard of—forbidden, even. Wolves mated with wolves or witches even; that was the way it had always been. The idea of a human mate wasn’t just rare—it was dangerous, a threat to the delicate balance of his pack.

And yet, the scent had been unmistakable. It had stirred something deep within him, something primal and undeniable. Silas clenched his fists, his wolf growling in frustration. He couldn’t afford to be distracted, not now. His pack needed him to be strong, focused, unwavering.

But as the hours passed, Silas found it impossible to concentrate. The scent haunted him, a constant reminder of the connection he couldn’t—wouldn’t—acknowledge.

By the end of the day, he was more unsettled than ever, his usual composure frayed at the edges.