Chapter 23
Erica
Thefirstraysofsunlight filtered through my curtains, warming my face and bringing me back to consciousness. I blinked into the light, taking a moment for the haze of sleep to dissipate. It was Monday morning, and despite the whole being-forced-into-working-for-the-pack-businesses thing, I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. My design side hustle had been fun, but this... this was something else entirely. A real business setting, with all its challenges and opportunities.
"Alright, Erica," I muttered to myself as I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, "Time to show them what you're made of."
I padded across the room to my closet, the carpeted floor comfortable beneath my feet. As I stared at the array of clothes hanging there, I couldn't shake the feeling that somehow, none of it would be good enough. I needed to make a strong first impression, not just because my position here was tenuous at best, but also because of the heavy weight of imposter syndrome pressing down on my chest.
"Ugh, why is this so hard?" I groaned, rifling through the hangers. Each outfit seemed to scream that I didn't belong, that I'd be found out as soon as I stepped foot in the office. But I pushed those thoughts aside, reminding myself of the strengths I brought to the table, even if they were different from those around me.
"Alright," I murmured, finally settling on a sleek black pantsuit with a dark green blouse that complimented my red hair and green eyes. "You've got this, Erica. You're strong, resourceful, and damn good at what you do."
As I dressed, I tried to focus on the positives. Sure, I might not be able to shift like everyone else. And yes, my past experiences with Alphas left me more than a little wary. But that didn't mean I had nothing to offer. And it certainly didn't mean I should let my fear define me.
"Okay," I said, taking a final glance in the mirror and smoothing down my hair. "Let's do this." Taking a deep breath, I left my room and ventured into the unknown, determined to prove that I belonged here, with or without the abilities of my fellow pack members.
Stepping out of my room, I was greeted by the sight of Gen, cheerful as always, sweaty from her gym session. Her enthusiasm seemed to fill the room, making it hard not to smile in response.
"Morning, sunshine!" she beamed, a towel draped over her shoulder. "Ready for your first day at the big, bad pack office?"
"More like nervous," I admitted, rubbing my palms on my pantsuit to dry them off. "But yeah, I think I'm as ready as I'll ever be."
"Great! You want some breakfast?" She gestured to the table, laden with an assortment of cereals, fruit, and toast.
"Uh, no thanks," I said, feeling slightly queasy at the thought. "I think I'll just... take a walk to clear my head before work."
"Suit yourself," Gen said, shrugging and scooping up a spoonful of yoghurt. "But you know what they say about breakfast being the most important meal of the day."
"Right," I muttered, grabbing my bag as I headed for the door. "Thanks, Gen."
The morning air was cool and crisp against my skin as I began my slow walk toward the main pack house. The grounds were still quiet at this hour; the sun casting long shadows across the dewy grass. It felt peaceful, almost serene, and I tried to soak up that tranquillity to quell my nerves. As I walked, I couldn't help but marvel at how different life had become since joining this pack. Sure, there were challenges, like my inability to shift and my distrust of Alphas, but for once, I felt like I could carve out a place for myself here. A place where I belonged.
"Who would've thought," I mused, watching a rabbit dart across the path in front of me. "Erica Hallows, working for the pack and… maybe even making friends." With each step, my anxiety seemed to lessen, replaced by a growing determination. This was my chance to prove my worth, to show that I had something valuable to contribute, and I wasn't going to let it slip away.
"Alright," I said under my breath as the pack house came into view, its imposing facade bathed in golden morning light. "Let's do this."
Hesitating at the entrance of the pack house, I took a deep breath and braced myself for whatever lay ahead. As I stepped inside, a guard stationed near the door nodded at me in acknowledgement.
"Morning," I mumbled, racking my brain to put a name to his familiar face.
"Good morning, Erica," he replied warmly. "You're looking for the pack offices, right? They're on the first floor."
"Thanks, um... sorry, I can't seem to remember your name," I admitted sheepishly. He chuckled.
"No worries, it's Wesley. But you can call me Wes."
"Right, Wes. Thanks again." With a small smile, I headed for the stairs as he wished me a nice day.
Reaching the first floor, I ventured into the main office. The open-plan space was filled with sleek, modern desks, all currently unoccupied. I couldn't help but feel a tad overwhelmed by the sheer size of the room, not to mention the responsibility now resting on my shoulders.
"Get it together, Erica," I muttered under my breath, feeling the weight of my own insecurities pressing down on me. "You've got this."
As I hesitated in the doorway, the sound of footsteps caught my attention. A dark-haired woman emerged from a side room, her confident stride making me feel even more out of place.
"Hey there," she called out, her warm smile doing little to ease my nerves. "You must be Erica. I'm Lucy, Alpha Anderson’s personal assistant."
"Hi, Lucy," I responded, trying to muster up some confidence. "Nice to meet you."
