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So when I got the request to be present for Cory’s alpha ceremony, I decided I would see if I could find a job around the pack or a remote steady gig. My only problem was I didn’t want to leave Zi. She had become my best friend, and I wanted her with me, but I knew she wouldn’t willingly join the pack. When Dad approached me before Cory’s ceremony for tips on an interview process for a new division, I hatched my plan to stay home for good.
I almost changed my plan the night before the first interview. When I bumped into a half-naked Cory looking for sweets in the kitchen. I was away for too long and wasn’t ready to protect myself from the effect his body had on me. I had seen the changes in him when I came home, but one thing was to see him from afar, and the other was to be so close that I could feel the heat from his chest. Chatting with him for the first time in a long time that night, I could feel the way my body wanted to react with every movement he made. I could feel my eyes wanting to wander down his chest and abs.
Feelings I told myself were only there because he was my best friend’s brother came back in full force, and it worried me that Tozi was as attracted to him as I was. I doubted my decision even more when I saw girls trying to flirt with him, and it was only his clear disinterest that held Tozi back from lashing out.
I’ve had so many arguments with her since we came home and I was getting tired of doing it. Cory was out of our league, but the moment I saw him covered in blood and looking so full of concern and sorrow, I hadn’t been able to help myself. I rushed into his arms, wanting to assure myself that he was safe. That was when I knew I was in trouble. I was the head of the new defense technology department, and I was in love with my alpha and CEO. I was stuck here now, doomed to watch him find his mate or choose another she-wolf as his luna.
I should just date Paolo again and hope the feelings go away, I thought.
I will never accept him, Tozi warned.
We can’t have the one we want.
You don’t know that, she said stubbornly.
An alpha of his caliber could never be for us. He’s got double alpha blood, and his family is related to literal gods. We’re just nerds that play with computers.
We are the best at what we do, and he cares for us.
Yes, because we’re little Evie, childhood friend, I countered.
She whimpered in my head and retreated. She hated whenever I talked like this. I tried not to. I knew my worth, mostly, but I also knew Cory’s worth, and he was way above my station.
“Good morning! I brought breakfast,” Cory told me the next morning while Zi and I were discussing what we were doing for the day.
“Oh, I didn’t bring coffee. Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked, looking at the Tupperware he was holding.
“That’s alright. I still brought food. You don’t need to bring me anything.” He smiled, making my heart stop for a beat.
“Did you bring enough for the class, Alpha Cory?” Zi asked, a breakfast bar in her hand.
“Of course,” James answered from behind Cory, another container in his hands. I watched carefully as Zi blushed and took the container from him.
She’s been blushing a lot in his presence, Tozi mentioned. I agreed, but I was going to let her be. If she had a thing for James, she deserved it. James was a good guy. He would treat her right, and after her last encounter, he was just the guy to show her how a man should treat a woman.
I grabbed the container from Cory, wondering if I was blushing too. I looked up at him and gave him a small smile.
“Thank you,” I said and opened the container to find some crescent rolls filled with scrambled eggs and ham, one of my favorites, with a little container of salsa on the side. I sighed happily, and it made Cory’s smile widen.
“This definitely beats the cereal bars we were planning on eating,” Zi agreed between bites. These last few days of Cory bringing us food were essentially the most Mexican food she’d eaten.
“Do you guys not eat at home?” James asked. “What about Molly? What does she eat before daycare?”
“Oh, she gets frozen pancakes. They’re her favorite, but we rarely have time to cook, so we grab whatever we can find,” I said.
“I feed my child. I’m a good mother,” Zi snapped, suddenly angry. She dropped the container on the desk and walked away.
“Hey, I didn’t—” James started to say and deflated when she slammed her office door shut. “I didn’t mean it like that,” he finished quietly.
“I’ll talk to her. Don’t take it personally. She’s been on her own for a long time. Just... have patience with her,” I told him.
“We’ll let you be,” Cory said, putting his hand on James and leading him away. I sighed and watched them leave. I grabbed both containers and took them to her office. I found her with her face in her hands, so I pushed the container over to her, hoping to entice her with the smell.
“I overreacted, didn’t I?” she asked, finally looking up at me.
“A tiny touch,” I answered sympathetically.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I know he was just concerned and being nice, but my hackles rose. I just... I thought if they thought I was unfit, they’d take her,” she said miserably.
