“I thought I was hacked,” I grumble as I twiddle my thumbs.“Apparently not.Everything just hit at once, and my planning didn’t account for it.I- I budgeted.I swear.I- I-.”My throat clogs as I motion toward the papers.“I don’t know what happened.”
“It’s a mess,” he agrees as he taps some things out on his keyboard.“And the account isn’t all that old.”
“No.I switched over to here because the fees were less.I’d hate to think what they would be at another bank.”
“I wish I could help you.It’s just far too new to grant any clemency.Until you can cover the fees, your account will continue to accrue charges with each purchase.”
Blood drains from my face.“You can’t be serious.There’s nothing?Nothing?I- I don’t understand,” I shriek, unable to temper my voice.It’s as if everything crashes in on me without the ability to stop it.
“Miss,” he soothes as he stares at me, his eyes widening as if I’m some sort of threat.“I need you to calm down.”
“Calm down?You want me to calm down?”It’s as if the dam finally breaks, releasing all the stress, all the anguish, and all the painful rage I keep locked inside, for Daniel’s sake.“How can you tell me to calm down?Christmas is about a week away.I have no money.In fact, I owe y’all more money than I can ever make and still pay my bills.And you want me to calm down?”
“Please,” he murmurs again as he motions toward the people on the other side of the glass.
Somehow, I don’t care that they can see me.What’s the worst they can do?Judge me?They’re not thinking anything I haven’t already said to my face in a mirror.
“This doesn’t make sense.Shouldn’t the card just stop when there’s no money?How in the hell did I get all these fees?”
“If you’ll just sit down-”
“No!”I yell as I slam my palms against his desk.“I can’t sit down.I have to fix this.You have to fix this!”
“He doesn’t have to do anything,” a deep voice booms out behind me.“Now settle.”
His words slither into my brain, short-circuiting my thoughts until my body simply complies.An Alpha command.Fuck.
Chapter2
Jason
My nose tinglesas the scent of fear, despair, and anger washes over me as I step into the small room.Andrew fairly quivers behind his desk as the omega slumps forward, desperation lined in every inch.Though my heart goes out to this woman, I can’t continue to have her carry on like this in my branch.
“Escort her to my office,” I tell him as I turn on my heel and make my way toward the stairs.“I will deal with this from here.”
I don’t bother waiting to see if either will obey, since I know it’s in her best interest if she wants whatever this issue is to be solved.A soft, tense hush descends on the lobby where there was once ease and merriment.She did that.She caused the energy to shift, and I will not stop until I know why.
When she finally shuffles in, I point to a chair and slide a hand down my tie.At least she has the wherewithal to look ashamed of her behavior.Andrew steps over and hands me her paperwork and information, then leaves as if hell-fire is chasing him.
Unable to stop myself, a gentle smirk tilts the edges of my lips.Frightened by an omega.But then, as a beta, I suppose it makes sense.
“I’m glad you find this amusing,” she snaps out.“Then again, it’s my livelihood on the line.Not yours.So, that tracks.”
“Miss,” I look down at the papers, then back at her tear-stained face.“Hayes.I can assure you, nothing about this matter is amusing.You’re lucky I was in the office today.If I hadn’t stepped in, I’m sure the authorities would have intervened.I don’t think you understand the seriousness of this situation.”
For a moment, she blinks up at me, her face devoid of emotion.Then, something shifts, and she crumples forward, permeating the air with her sorrow.
“Sorry,” she says mournfully as her voice cracks and sniffles punctuate the end of her apology.“I’m not like this.I swear.I’m-”
“An omega.I know.So something has to have gone very wrong for you to snap like this.Give me a moment to assess the situation.”Out of the corner of my eye, I note the grimace screwing up her lips.
“You’re saying that because I’m an omega, I can’t have feelings other than simpering and sighing?As if I’m some weak, docile creature that cows before a man?”
“You mean like you did with me?”I can’t understand why I vex this woman so.
It’s not like I know her.This level of teasing is meant for those I’m familiar with and not strangers in a financial bind.Yet, with every defiant quiver of her lips, I want to throw everything off my desk and pin her against the polished wood while I force her to submit to me.
“Right.Because I can just fight past an Alpha command?Are you crazy?You talk about the authorities coming for me.What about you?You used your power over me to force me to comply.”
