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Chapter 61 - Return To Work
Chapter 61 - Return To Work
The first day after a Black Moon could be difficult for most wolves. Yet, the heavy emotions of the night slowly started to disperse.
The wolves seemed to wake up from a long sleep, and Lara almost chuckled, noticing how things were almost back to normal.
For the wolves. Lara still was on her period.
Yet, it was no excuse to slack off.
She focused on her job, trying not to irk the other girls with any of her motions. She knew how her cubs acted the day after. Adults should have been the same.
That day was a special morning after a Black Moon.
There were two people in a high mood. Two who used to be untreatable before.
One was Samantha. Even if she felt uncomfortable with the absence of the underwear, she didn't mind anything. She even smiled at her colleagues while walking into the office.
The second was Nate. He got a hug from his mate, so he didn't have any complaints about the world. He used to spend the nights drinking alone and sighing after her. And now, she was there. So close he could touch her.
He forgot all about the rest of the problems. Even the pups were a cute distraction on the way. Not an issue to solve, but a link to Lara. A link no one could ever cut.
In such a mindset, he couldn't fathom that problems could arise. The world was a beautiful place, and he had a family.
In the secretarial department, the first part of the morning flew away in peace. The girls were recuperating after the Black Moon.
When the effects were off, they took a coffee break at one of the lower tables in the hall.
Lara was still sorting documents. Even if she had been ordered to finish by the day before, it was impossible. She didn't have the nerves to worry about that, so she continued her work as if nothing had happened.
The woman who ordered her forgot about it, for Lara didn't receive any complaint.
The girls were sighing out loud, wondering about what a human woman was doing there.
«How could she get in?»
«I don't know. We don't hire. And, certainly, not humans.»
«Do you think she slept with someone to get the job?»
«No, wait... She lives with two wolf pups! I heard she comes and picks them up from the kindergarten soon after work.»
«But why are they in our pack? The Alpha is too kind-hearted to take in two strays. Because they have to be strays if they're not in their father's pack.»
«Who's the father?»
«It's unknown. Also, I can't sense any other wolf on her... Except for the Alpha.»
«You know the Alpha's scent?»
«Yes, of course! I was close to him once... I met him in the hallways when the woman came here for the first time, and she had only two scents on her. The two pups, I suppose...»
«Are you sure, though? I can't believe the Alpha would touch a human.»
«You see her? She looks so delicate... It must trigger some protective instinct in wolves.»
«He should open his eyes, right? A woman like that shouldn't work among wolves.»
«We should show Alpha Nate what kind of person she is. She already has pups with one wolf, and she's shamelessly clinging on to another one.»
«We should tell her this is no place for her.»
Without realising a thing, Lara did her job and delivered the documents to the chief secretary.
«There's another block to reorder. But first, someone should bring tea to the managers. The others are still on break, so you should help me out.»
«Yes, sure!» Lara said. «How do we proceed?»
«We go up to the last floor and come back while delivering the drinks. When it gets cold, we come back here and prepare another serving for the following department and so on...»
The two started arranging the cups and treats. When the rest of the girls saw it, they stormed in with fury painted on their faces.
«So, now she's going!» one of them shouted. «This woman wants to hook up with a manager now?»
Lara stared at her with her mouth open, pain in her eyes. She never thought someone would say it to her so directly. She never hooked up with anyone, except for a single, wild night. And she didn't get anything out of it!
She believed in the power of her hard work, and she never took a shortcut. Not even while waiting in line!
And then, that girl accused her of something so stupid.
«Why?» she inquired, waking up from her thoughts.
What has she done to make her believe that?
«Do you want to be in my place?» Lara rebuked. «So that you could hook up with a manager.»
She even crossed her arms to confront the other. She didn't notice immediately how the girls were ready to cover for each other.
They were a pack, after all, and Lara was the stranger.
«You dare say that?» another girl answered. The head of the department silently stepped back, finding no reason to butt in in the argument.
«Why shouldn't I dare?»
«You have two kids with an unknown man, don't you? I bet you don't know who he is, so much for your innocence!»
«What?»
Lara frowned, wondering if the gossip was so fast to travel.
«You had a one-night stand, didn't you? Or you were dumped by your lover... An easy girl like you shouldn't be allowed close to the managers.»
«You know what?» Lara said, her voice cold and low. «You're right. I have no reason to stay here.»
She turned on her heels and left.
Once in the elevator, she pressed the HR department's floor number.
She had no reason to stay in that company if people would judge her for having kids. And her cubs for having a human mother.
As much as she could be desperate, she still had her dignity.