Tempting The Alpha

"I'm sorry, sir, but could you drive faster? I don't want to be late," I said, looking at my watch.

I was scheduled for an interview with Estelman & Associates, an international law firm owned by billionaire typhoon Christian Diaz, the wealthiest man in the world. Rumor had it that his law firm was expanding and needed twenty new employees to fill its vacancies.

The company contacted me after my best friend, Lisa, pulled some strings to get me an interview. The thought of working didn't appeal to me at all. Unfortunately, since my mother and sister could not make ends meet, I needed to find a job. The thought of it made me shudder. The idea of sitting in an office was not something I saw myself doing, but sometimes, a girl has to do what she has to do.

Since I was a kid, I have always felt like I was meant for something more. Maybe it was my stubbornness or intuition, but I knew I wasn't cut out for my current lifestyle. My father skipped out on us shortly after I was born, leaving my mom to care for my older sister Julie and me. When my father left, my mother became more in touch with her human side; according to her, being a werewolf is a curse. Growing up, she considered being a werewolf nothing but trouble, so whenever I would ask her about our abilities, she would just divert the conversation to something else. I, on the other hand, had always been fascinated by the idea of being a werewolf. The thought of having heightened senses and the ability to transform was thrilling, a stark contrast to the mundane life my mother seemed to prefer. Yet, it was also a constant struggle to balance my human side with the wild instincts that came with being a werewolf, leaving me feeling torn between two worlds.

The love I have for my mother is undeniable. Nevertheless, her association with humans and disassociation from our kind aroused my suspicions. My mother and I always bumped heads over this, and when I finally shifted for the first time, I knew I wanted nothing more than to embrace my abilities, so she had to move us into a pack. However, despite living among our kind, she allowed herself to be dragged along by a mediocre life that I despised and found frustrating.

We lived in a small two-bedroom, one-bath apartment in the Lightborne pack, and we were not on the best side either. Residing in the Lightborne pack presented its own set of challenges. Our small apartment was a constant reminder of our limited resources, and the pack hierarchy often left us feeling like we were on the outskirts, both socially and economically. Despite being surrounded by others like us, the sense of belonging that I craved was elusive, as many within the pack were wary of outsiders and clung to traditional views that my mother and I did not share.

I know it sounds like I'm being a b*tch, but in all honesty, who doesn't want more in life? In my opinion, giving up on your goals or dreams has never appealed to me. I scraped my way through college to get degrees in business management and business administration; the goal was to have some kind of backup plan. Ultimately, I wanted to be rich, powerful, and wealthy. Even though it sounds wrong, I would betray my family and pack in order to achieve what I wanted.

As I stared out the window, I saw old, decaying bodegas crumble away and be replaced by brand-new, shiny buildings, and my mother's voice echoed through my mind.

"Rubi, the simple things in life mean more than big houses, fancy clothes, and jewels. Materialistic stuff often brings pain, not happiness; trust me, I should know." 

Growing up in an environment where resources were scarce, and dreams seemed just out of reach only fueled my determination to succeed. My mother's words, though well-intentioned, often felt like chains holding me back from the greatness I envisioned for myself. Her contentment with simplicity clashed with my hunger for more, pushing me to strive relentlessly for a life beyond the boundaries of our modest apartment. Watching the neighborhood transform filled me with a mix of envy and hope. The gleaming new buildings symbolized the progress and success I yearned for, yet they also reminded me of the distance between my current reality and the life I desired.

As I sighed, I thought of Lisa. The fact that some people are born into wealth is hard to understand. Couldn't the moon goddess see how having a lavish lifestyle would benefit everyone? Honestly, I was envious of Lisa's life in many ways, except for her looks. This was the only thing I had in my favor. The girl wasn't that unfortunate; her shoulder-length hair was always neat and shiny, and her brown eyes were always warm and caring. Lisa stood five feet six inches tall with a petite, athletic body.

I was grateful to the moon goddess for blessing me with long, black hair, gorgeous blue eyes, and a figure unlike any other. While I was five feet five inches short, I didn't care when every guy wanted my attention, and every she-wolf was jealous of me. You might have heard that s*x sells. Well, I made sure my appearance and sexiness worked in my favor. Therefore, I would use all my assets today to get the job, even if it wasn't what I wanted.

"We have arrived, Miss," said the driver, pulling me from my thoughts as he pulled up to a five-story building.

"Thank you," I said as I exited the car. "For driving so fucken slow," I muttered under my breath as I shut the car door. Looking up at the building, I couldn't help but sigh and shrug my shoulders. 'Here we go,' I thought as I walked up the steps to the double doors and entered.

I stepped inside the building and took a moment to look around before approaching the reception desk. The lobby was grand and modern, with sleek marble floors and high ceilings that seemed to stretch endlessly above me. Large glass panels allowed natural light to flood in, illuminating the contemporary art pieces adorning the walls. A plush seating area with elegant furnishings invited visitors to wait in comfort, and the air was filled with the subtle scent of fresh flowers arranged tastefully throughout the space.

"Excuse me," I said, smiling brightly.

"How can I help you?" she asked without looking at me as she continued to type.

"I'm interviewing with Estelman & Associates," I replied.

"Name?" she asked.

"Rubi Salvatore," I answered.

"You're interviewing Erin on the third floor. The elevators are on the left," she said, pointing to the elevators.

Keeping a smile on my face, I thanked her and hurried to the elevator. The moment I stepped inside the elevator, I took a deep breath and tried to relax. As I straightened my blazer jacket, I wondered, 'How did I end up failing miserably in life to the point where I had to interview for a job at a law firm? Law wasn't my thing.'

In an effort to clear my head of all that, I shook my head. Now was not the time. It was vital for me to stay focused. Looking at my reflection in the elevator doors, I tugged my hair behind my ear and nodded to myself. After the doors opened, I smiled and headed straight for the reception desk. Just as I was about to greet the receptionist, my name was called.

"Rubi Salvatore?" a woman asked.

Turning around, I saw a woman in a gray pinstriped suit walking toward me. Her blonde hair was neatly combed into a low bun, and her brown eyes were hidden behind reading glasses.

"That's me," I replied politely.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," she said as she extended her hand. My name is Erin. I'll be conducting your interview; please come this way," she said, turning and walking down the hall toward the interview area.

"Great," I responded while mentally facepalming to disguise my frustration. So much for weaseling into this place,' I thought as we entered a conference room.

"Have a seat, and we'll start," Erin said, sitting down.

Taking a deep breath, I tried to remain calm and professional as Erin cleared her throat.

***Three months later***

"Rubi, are you done yet? I have to go to work," Julie shouted as she banged on the bathroom door.

"Just a moment, I'm almost done," I yelled, rolling my eyes as I continued to apply my makeup.

One of the things I hated most about the apartment was having only one bathroom. When three women live together, getting ready is challenging. Most mornings, Julie left for work early, which allowed me to soak in the tub. But today, she was running late. As a result of a power outage, the alarm clock didn't go off. It was yet another inconvenience of living in a shithole.

"Rubi, I cannot be late!" Julie shouted.

"Alright, geese," I said as I opened the bathroom door and stepped out, glaring at her. "Happy!" I sneered.

"Maybe if you had a job, you would understand the importance of time management," she replied as she entered the bathroom.

'Fucken B*tch!' I thought as I returned to