Fated

ELENA

"Drat!"

As if my day weren't shitty enough because of how late I had woken up, an idiot decided to splash muddy water on me with his sleek red Audi.

So freaking annoying!

I didn't envision my first ever interview to be this exhausting since I have never had a real job before. This could be my first job, which solely depended on the outcome of the interview at the end of the day.

Luckily, the bastard that sped by me had only splashed water on my legs, which could be resolved.

I brought out the flask filled with water I always carried about and made use of some of the liquid in it to rinse my legs before stepping to the front of the company's gate.

My jaw slackened, and a smile brightened my face as I gazed at the magnificent glass-walled, seven-story structure that stood in front of me.

Aiden Inc. was situated in the heart of West Vale, and it was hard to miss. It stood near another grand building that was a bank.

This side of the town, commonly known as District One by the locals, was filled with grand corporations owned by individuals, or so I was told.

"At last, I am in Aiden Inc.," I breathed out, grinning.

The most reputable company in West Vale and the place I had fantasized about working in since after I had graduated from college in business management. It was a big feat as I wasn't that smart to begin with.

I was ushered in by the concierge without many questions.

"Top floor," he murmured, pointing in the direction of the elevator.

Shutting my eyes, I stepped into the lift, and I counted at least up to ten as my stomach did a flip-flop. I inhaled deeply, shoving down the nausea that threatened to spill out.

Eventually, the elevator ceased, and I stepped out with ten other people I didn't notice had entered. They all had a brown envelope with them, like the one with me, and strode in the same direction I did.

I brought out a mint from the black bag with me and popped it into my mouth before stepping to the receptionist area.

The soft clicking of heels sounded throughout the rectangular hall with a glass partitioning it as I walked towards the two girls who stood at the far end in large cubicles, not far from each other, with the inscription “receptionist” boldly written on it.

Both had fiery red hair, blue eyes, and burgundy lipstick on their full lips.

Both wore the same tight black dress that showed their ample chest.

Though it appeared professional, it was revealing.

Still, I thought Aiden Inc. was known for its strict dress code because I had heard from several individuals, Renee included, about how strict the interviewer was.

A wrong outfit would disqualify a person from getting an interview. Hence, the reason I was in this drab suit Renee had picked out.

Perhaps it was a ruse to make the company appear decent since the two girls in front of me had dressed like they were going for a party rather than for work.

"How may I help you?" the one whose name on her badge read Claire inquired.

A wide smile was painted on her lips as she stared at me. The other girl, Carol, was conversing with someone else, and she appeared to be nicer than Claire.

They looked like twins: round face, pointed chin, full lips, and a wide smile. The only difference between them was Claire's hair was slightly lighter than Carol’s, whose was a deep shade of red. Also, Carol's nose seemed a bit broader than Claire's, or perhaps she had flared it.

Two sharp canines that resembled a fang pierced out of Claire's mouth as she continued strangely grinning at me. Her crystal blue eyes flickered to red for a brief moment, or maybe I had imagined it while she assessed me as if she knew me from somewhere. She then went ahead to crinkle her nose, and I noticed a vein popped out in her neck.

"Claire." Carol let out a low inhuman sound that sounded more like a growl, then smiled innocently as I gawked at her.

Weird girls.

I did an eye roll, then listened in the direction of where the interview was being held. Even with my attentiveness, I knew I would get lost since I was bad at directions.

"Follow me," a gorgeous blonde ordered as she stepped towards the cubicle.

She was the only blonde I had seen so far. She had on a pale blue gown that reached below her knees, with cap sleeves and a sweetheart neckline that modestly highlighted her cleavage. Her blonde hair was in a high ponytail, and her eyes, a crystal blue, smiled kindly.

I returned the smile, then scrambled after her as she moved. Surprisingly, she had a long stride despite her petite frame, and she moved quite fast too.

Our journey to the interview room was silent, and the blonde was somewhat nice as she had told me to refer to her as Ellen.

My eyes surveyed several of the applicants that sat on the long bench outside the office door waiting for their turn to be called in. Most were red-haired and dark-haired; I was the only blonde present, aside from Ellen, which I didn't mind. Also, I noticed the lack of male applicants, which wasn't weird as it had been boldly written that only women were needed.

When it got to my turn, I stepped into the dimly lit office. I shivered at the coldness the room exuded.

I blinked twice before my vision got accommodated to the room's dimness. A chandelier hung above the room, but it did little to brighten it. Still, I could make out a two-seater at the side, a floating bookcase beside it, and two potted flowers at the four corners of the room.

A man sat behind a writing desk. He was facing the only window in the room and did not seem to notice I was inside.

He didn't turn, neither did he say anything to acknowledge my presence.

Was this what he did to the other applicants?

I counted to thirty seconds, then decided to break the silence when he didn't.

"Good afternoon, sir," I said out of formality, whereas all I wanted to do was slap the phone he was staring at away from his hand.

After waiting for another thirty seconds, another thought came to my mind, and I cleared my throat because he didn't respond to my greeting.

"Don't do that anymore," he grunted yet didn't turn.

You didn't reply to my greeting. What else did you expect from me was the retort at the tip of my tongue, but I swallowed it.

"Start talking," he ordered, still facing the window and his phone.

I stepped a bit closer, and he inhaled sharply.

"Don't come nearer," he growled, tensing up. He ran a finger through his already tousled hair, making it messier.

Dear me, I never knew a boss to be this grumpy.

I halted, rolling my eyes, and smoothed the nonexistent crease on my skirt. "I can't just start blabbing. You should ask me a question. I mean, that's the reason I'm here, right?"

"Your hair color," he rasped.

"What?" My brows furrowed as I stared at his messy brown hair illuminated by the light from the window.

"What's the color of your hair?" he repeated.

"Blonde, and that isn't even an interview ques—"

"We’re already maxed out on blondes, and I don't want another airhead," he said, cutting me off.

"Excuse you?" I let out an exasperated sigh at how he generalized all blonde girls.

I was done with people that behaved as if the world revolved around them.

"You know what, I've been having a shitty morning because of trying to arrive here on time. If I had known the person in charge of this interview was a selfish idiot and a bastard, I wouldn't have bothered! I'm sure you wouldn't know how stressful this is since you only need to sit behind a freaking desk to question whoever comes in!" I ranted. I didn't stop there, though. I was pissed at his nonchalant attitude towards me.

"This company is highly esteemed because of how considerate the interviewers are, but you, you are..."

The swivel chair he was on turned at my outburst, and his head lifted. My hands went to cover my mouth, and I gulped down the rude comments threatening to spill out as his azure eyes met mine.

Good gracious, it's him!

My heart ceased beating as my gaze fixated on the man in front of me. He even looked more gorgeous in person than in the numerous pictures I had seen of him.

His angular face tilted while surveying me. My skin prickled as he lifted his hand to the five o'clock shadow on his cheeks, and he smirked. A dimple peeked out, making me weak in the knees.

It was rare to see people with dimples on their cheeks, especially men, and I was a sucker for it.

Ugh, I shouldn't be thinking about his cuteness.

How could the person I had been running my mouth about be my boss-to-be and the freaking interviewer! No wonder he had been uninterested and obnoxious. It was exactly how I had classified him before today's meeting.

I hadn't even linked his name together with the company. I was preoccupied with how I would get the job and the questions anyone in charge would ask.

I was sure I had lost my chance at this job because of the insults I had hurled at him. Indeed, he was arrogant and insensitive as I termed him to be.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" His thin lips stretched out in an amusing smile. He was enjoying how irritated I was.

His eyes reminded me of the forget-me-nots I adored so much, and they glinted as they trailed me from head to toe.

"You can't run from me. Didn't I warn you?" He smirked.

He had indeed informed me in his numerous messages that filled my phone, and I despised that he was freaking right!

"I don't want your job anymore!" I said, stepping to the door. I twisted the knob violently; however, it was locked.

I turned back to him. He was still relaxed in the chair behind his brown desk, and he didn't make a move.

"Open this damn door,” I screeched.

"Or what?" he murmured, quirking a slender brow. He lifted his body from the chair, and I became aware of the huge difference in our height. He took a step away from the desk towards me, and I took two back with each step.

His nostrils flared when he was a few meters away, his blue eyes now turned icy as he scowled. I trembled as my core tingled under his scrutinizing gaze. His pupils dilated, and he tilted his head upward, sniffing.

Please, touch me. I'm all yours, and I'll be good, my subconscious shrieked, but I pushed down the annoying voice.

What was wrong with me and my stupid thoughts?

I should be running out of his office this instant since that was what I had been doing—fleeing from his presence. However, my feet seemed stuck to the ground, and I could only helplessly stare at his gorgeous face and sinful lips.

"I'll scream rape," I blurted out.

I should think before talking next time. I grimaced while making a mental note.

He tossed his head back and chuckled at my assertion. His Adam's apple bobbed up and down as he laughed, and, oddly, I found it sexy. My cheeks reddened as my eyes drifted to his parted rosy lips.

"No one would believe you." He snickered.

"Just watch and see!"

"Love, all my employees know you are my betrothed except perhaps the new ones to come," he stated.

How is that possible!?

We didn't know each other, we haven't gone on any dates, and today was my first time seeing him in person. How would anyone know I was given to him to pay a debt I knew nothing about?

"Aside from you being traded to me, which they didn't know of. They, however, know we will be getting married in two weeks," he asserted.

Getting married?

Startled, I gaped at his face, hoping to see that he was bluffing. But, no trace of amusement was on his face as he stared back. Also, he seemed rather pleased at my dismay.

How could he set a date that I wasn't even aware of? Or was it because he had every right to? Since my father had given all my rights to him and didn't even care to let me in on the developments.

"I'm not getting married to you, you… you sick, pompous dumbhead! I don't want anything to do with you. You can choose from your numerous workers to fucking wed," I raved, yanking the knob with force.

I swerved to him again, huffing after some minutes. "Just open this damn door already!"

"Fine, but you can't run anywhere. If I were you, I'd accept my fate since it's the best choice and thing your family has offered you," he pointed out.

His words stung as they hit home.

I darted out of his office, stopping only at the elevator and the exit double door.

Claire smirked at my distraught expression.

"We hope to see you soon,” she sing-songed at my retreating back.

Bitch!

A very nasty one, just like her boss.

I flagged a taxi down, hopped into it, and thought of the other alternatives I had at getting a decent job here. I was going to do it even if that was the last thing I saw myself doing. I would pay the debt that led me into this mess so that I wouldn't marry him. Though it seemed impossible, I was sure I would pay him off.

AIDEN

“Is that all?" the girl whose name tag read Kate asked. Her eyebrows puckered, and a small smile played on her lush lips. Her brown eyes darted here and there as if she were frightened I would pounce on her any moment from now.

People often have that expression whenever they come close to me. Except for people that know how harmless I am.

Perhaps it was my 6’2” height or the scowl I often sport when I notice girls throwing a suggestive wink my way.

Whichever it was, I didn't care.

What I loathed the most was conducting interviews with any applicants interested in the company because the people I frequently left in charge, especially Ellen, were too soft-hearted and tended to be very sympathetic. Thus, they accepted the wrong people.

It had always been like this since I opted to take care of the family business. I was the oldest of five children, making me a good choice to take the reins.

Naturally, I was business-oriented, whereas my other siblings had ventured into something else.

Kellen and Liam were twins and desired to be mad scientists, much to dad's chagrin, because he believed it to be worthless for people from an aristocratic family. Whereas, Sparkles, the last daughter and fifth child, had gone into modeling.

Only Ellen, who came after I had, stayed close by. At least she had better knowledge of business than the rest of the three.

They all wanted a normal life and loathed to be referred to with any titles, just like me.

I would rather be at the Superbowl that was going on right now than here.

“That's all. A message will be sent to you if you are offered the job," I said, and I watched her face light up with a smile.

“Thank you," she beamed.

I swiveled on the chair I sat on, facing the only source of light in the room as the black-haired beauty left. She reeked, and I was glad the interview was over with since I wouldn't last another minute with the perfume she had on.

The food I ate before leaving the house regurgitated in my throat, and I had to shove it down to avoid barfing all over my office.

Snatching my phone off the table, I chuckled as the video I took earlier popped on the screen.

My princess, my world, my darling.

Her cherub face glowed as she gripped the edge of her crib, her lips a nice shade of pink, parted while mumbling baby words and a dimple peeking out from both cheeks, making her all the more adorable. Her eyes were a grey that reminded me of the storm and her.

Ever since she had left, I had never been the same. Though I had many affairs, they weren’t like her. My heart and soul would belong to her forever. Heck, I didn't find any of the beauties in this company even the least attractive.

The only person that wasn't shy to make a move was Claire. She had been bold; despite how over her I was, she didn't back down.

Claire was an Omega, and they were the lowest-ranked in the pack. Still, she didn't attempt to conceal how she felt towards me, even if I came off coy most of the time.

There was one time, due to her never-ending advances, Ellen and Sparkles had fought her. The three were strong; however, Ellen was strongest. She had been cautious not to break Claire's bones in the process of the brawl.

Though they weren't fans of each other because of the pack, they had to stay cordial. Also, they worked for me, and I had often told them to keep their differences aside when they were in private.

The door opened, and an intoxicating scent wafted in. Despite the hundreds of girls that had stepped in today, this was different.

It was a scintillating aroma of vanilla mixed with strawberry. My gut churned, and desire scorched within me due to it.

This was weird as I had only been drawn to a mint fragrance all my life which was rare. And the only person I knew that wore mint was Sienna.

Sienna, my precious, and the only woman that ever understood me. The strongest woman I knew and had ever seen.

I had pledged to cherish and never be with another woman on her grave. However, it seemed the presence of this creature in my office was bashing me for making such a vow.

This had only happened to me once, and it was because I founded my one true love. Yet, feeling this way in the presence of a total stranger was unnerving.

Even her voice as she said her greeting was music to my ears and not like anything I had ever heard.

Another familiar emotion surged through me as I felt a wave of protectiveness towards the owner of the voice. My heart palpitated, whipping painfully in its ribcage as it urged me to take her far away, so she wouldn't be harmed.

I groaned as she shifted closer, and it made something snap in my core.

“Don't," I muttered, clamping my hands down on my leg to halt me from swooping in on her.

Seems you've gotten a new mate for yourself!

My mate?

Was the moon goddess giving me a second chance to love again?

Love.

My lips curled up in disdain at the thought of it, for love wasn't on my bucket list. Not even at the bottom of the list.

“What's the color of your hair?" I grunted as the impatient tapping of her feet was beginning to irk me.

This was the question I often asked most people whenever I wished to discard them. That was what I felt: to discard her, for I didn't want whatever her presence was stirring in me.

I couldn't place my finger on how different she was, but I knew she wasn't like the everyday kind of human I was used to.

“Platinum blonde, and that isn't even an interview ques—"

“We’re already maxed out on blonde, and I don't want another airhead," I interrupted.

“Excuse you?" She let out an exasperated sigh, perhaps at how I generalized blonde-haired girls.

"You know what, I've been having a shitty morning because of trying to arrive here on time. If I had known the person in charge of this interview was a selfish idiot and a bastard, I wouldn't have bothered! I'm sure you wouldn't know how stressful this is since you only need to sit behind a freaking desk to question whoever comes in!"

Dear me, how could my mate be this insulting?

Even if she wasn't my mate, she was here for an interview, not a rant show!

She sounded cute at first, like a gorgeous damsel waiting for her prince in shining armor to rescue her. Now, she sounded harsh, like a filthy old hag that had eaten all her children.

Turn and take a glimpse at your beloved!

She isn't my beloved! I slammed back because if she were, she would have learned how to bridle her tongue and never talk back to anyone above her.

Perhaps she wasn't trained by her parents, or she had been dumped at birth because of how hideous she looked and was brought up on the street.

Nonetheless, my curiosity got the best of me, and I turned to face her.

Her pale complexion made her seem like she detested going out in the sun. Her hair was platinum and in a high ponytail. Her head was a nice oval shape with an upturned nose that exuded defiance, with full kissable lips coated with a light pink lip gloss.

The brown suit she had on revealed nothing and did nothing to help her slender build. However, I could make out long legs where her skirt ended.

She drew herself up to her full height, which was absurd. Even with the stilettos she wore, she was still 5’5” as I assessed her.

She was gorgeous, and what I found interesting the most were her grey eyes. As she glared, a hurricane of emotion was turning in them as they latched onto mine.

I grinned as I watched the stunned look on her face. “I told you, you can't run. Didn't I?”

Her jaw slackened, and she shut her eyes while jiggling her head in a frenzy. I was about to stop her because I thought her head would roll off her neck as she was nodding, but then her eyes snapped open.

“No, this shouldn't be!" she shrieked.

“Well, it already is,” I stated.

I smirked, staring at the look of horror on her face. She seemed like she was about to murder the person that put me in this predicament, including me.

She glared at me fiercely and stalked to the door. She twisted the doorknob violently, but it didn't give way as I had locked it the minute my eyes collided with hers.

She whirled around. “I'm not marrying you! Get that? Not now, not ever!"

“You can't escape from it." I chuckled while she sent me a dirty look.

“Open this damn door!"

“Or what?" I hoisted my body off the chair I was on and moved towards her. She shifted backward with each stride I made. I halted some meters away and stared at her.

Despite the distance, the jolt of electricity that sizzled in the air couldn't be ignored. Her startled eyes trailed to my face, and an intense hunger pierced through me.

Despite how headstrong she was, she seemed frightened as I walked towards her.

“I'll scream rape," she retorted, scowling.

I tossed my head back and laughed at her assertion. I believed she would do it because of the seriousness of her expression. However, who would believe her?

No one. Save for the journalists who would want to make money out of it by making disreputable headlines.

“Everyone knows we are getting married in two weeks," I lied, observing her reaction. It was just like I had envisioned.

Her stormy grey eyes stilled as they fixated on mine, unblinking.

“Married?" her voice echoed a few seconds later; still, she looked alarmed.

“Yes," I murmured while she searched my face to see if I was bluffing.

“I'm not getting married to you, you… you sick bastard! I don't want anything to do with you. You can choose from your numerous workers to fucking wed and even fuck if you want!" she seethed. Twisting back to the door, she yanked the doorknob with force.

She swerved back again, huffing as the door didn't give way. “Just open this damn door!"

“Fine, but you can't run anywhere. If I were you, I'd accept my fate since it's the best choice and thing your family has offered you."

Hurt flickered in her eyes for a brief second before she concealed it.

“I'm not getting married to you, not now or ever!" she screeched again. Then she darted out of the office.

I didn't try to stop her because she needed to process the words I had just said. Despite it being a lie, my daughter needed a mother figure, and she was the right choice.

Even if I hadn't thought it before, today's encounter confirmed it.

This might be hard due to her stubborn nature. Eventually, she would cave in when she realized she had nowhere to go because I would make sure she wouldn't flee from my presence anymore.

Despite how out of control I always was with my urges, I seemed to be in control of everything with her.

Yet, I knew not for long. If she had stayed another hour here, I would have leaped on her.

Regardless of me marking her now or not, she was mine. Even if I had to spank her to remind her, which I would happily do if given the chance.