Claimed by the Alpha Beast

2 Days Before Christmas

Kerris POV

The Stone twin towers sit proudly across the street from my taxi. At half past four, the sunlight is already fading with the winter season. Decorative lights glow along the towers and neighboring buildings, giving the street an enchanting holiday charm.

Let It Snow plays from a speaker outside the coffee shop beside me as I hand the driver my fare.

"Keep the change. Merry Christmas."

"Thanks, miss. Enjoy the holiday," he calls back before driving off.

It's Tuesday, and the business district is as crowded as ever. Mostly humans move along the sidewalks carrying shopping bags and gift baskets. I wait at the crossing, staring up at the twin skyscrapers on the other side of the road.

More humans work here than members of the sixty-seven packs on the West Coast. To them, the company belongs to a young billionaire who made his fortune through medical technology and renewable energy.

But to us werewolves, that young billionaire is Zach Stone, ruthless Alpha King of the West Coast. The humans are only half right. Fifty percent of his wealth came from reclaiming our lands and mineral deposits from the southern tyrants.

I cross the street and enter the vast lobby of the second tower. It no longer feels as intimidating as it did when I was in high school. My stepsister works here now, and my fiancé, the new Alpha of our pack, is head of Stone Energy, one of the most important divisions of Stone Corporation.

Today is Alpha Tyrel's birthday. I took time off work to prepare everything for his party tonight. The only thing left on my list is to surprise him at work with his favorite fruitcake.

Adora waves when she sees me approach. She's the clerk at reception and a member of the Moon Shadow pack. I'm relieved it's her on duty instead of one of the many humans who work here. Not only are we from the same pack, we went to high school together. Convincing her to let me upstairs unannounced should be easy enough.

Thankfully, the lobby is nearly empty. According to Emily, business officially closed for the holiday today. But werewolves and a few top staff still have to work until Christmas Eve, which is tomorrow.

"You look ready to parrrtay," Adora says with a grin. "I thought the party wasn't until later at the Alpha's house?"

She reaches for the phone to call Tyrel, but I quickly press the end button.

"It is. I need him to be surprised," I plead.

"I just got this job, Kes. Are you trying to get me fired? I can't let you go up there without informing him."

"Yes, you can. He's not going to fire you. Come on."

She shakes her head. "Can't take the risk. Sorry."

"Come on," I beg. "I'll owe you. Hold on... I brought you something."

I reach into the basket, pull out the specially wrapped slice of fruitcake, and hand it to her. I knew she'd be difficult. I came prepared.

She takes it eagerly, but keeps protesting.

"It's almost five p.m., for Fate's sake. Why can't you just wait out here and surprise him? Or call your sister? She works in his division."

"Gee. What a brilliant idea. Why didn't I think of that?" I roll my eyes.

She shoots me a glare.

"Sorry," I say quickly. "Look, I talked to Em before coming, okay. She's in a meeting with her bosses. She said it could take all evening."

Adora frowns. "I thought that ended half an hour ago. Guess I'm mistaken."

She peels back the wrapper slightly and stares longingly at the cake. Her expression softens.

"I swear, if I get in trouble for this--"

"You won't."

She grabs a pass card and hands it over.

"You're the best."

"I know." I smile and head to security. After flashing the pass, I'm waved through toward the elevators.

I can't help smiling as I picture Tyrel's face when he sees me. I imagine him behind his desk, handsome features drawn into a frown, eyes glued to his computer screen. My fingers brush the engagement ring hanging from the chain around my neck.

I wish I could wear it proudly on my finger, but not yet. Not until we announce our engagement to the pack. Tyrel said we'd do it once he became Alpha, so it should be soon. Maybe tonight, at his party.

I think of his promotion and feel a swell of pride that he'll be my mate. Other Alphas competed for the position, but he won it, and not because his uncle owns the place.

I once applied for an internship here after graduation. I didn't get in, despite being the former Beta's daughter and dating Moon Shadow's Alpha heir. They said there were no openings in my field. Applications opened again months later, but by then I was already settled at the pack chemist.

Emily, on the other hand, had better luck. With her diploma in digital marketing analytics, she landed an internship here. Now she works at the biggest corporation on the West Coast, arguably in the world. I work at our local chemist. Sometimes I envy her. Especially now.

Still, I always remind myself that luck isn't everything. I have the new Alpha's love. Soon, I'll be his Luna.

The elevator chimes open. I smooth my dress and check my lipstick in the mirrored wall. I'm about to apply more when a man steps in beside me.

Minutes later, soft holiday blues drift from the corridor speakers as I make my way toward Ty's office. His assistant isn't at her desk. She's human, so she must have already started her holiday leave.

The silence pleases me. More privacy for the surprise.

Tyrel's office door is slightly ajar. I pause, wondering if he's even inside.

I lift my hand to knock.

Then I hear it.

The wet slap of flesh against flesh.

A woman's breathless cry.

"Yes, yes, yesss, Ty...fuck me!"

My hand drops.

No.

My pulse hammers as I push the door wider with trembling fingers, telling myself I'm mistaken. That there must be some explanation.

There is Tyrel. Hard at work.

Not at his desk.

Between another woman's legs.

He hasn't noticed me yet. His face is twisted in raw pleasure, almost unrecognizable, as he drives into her from behind. She faces away from the door, and I strain to see her.

Then she turns her head.

"Em...ily?" I gasp.

Both of them freeze.

"Shit!" Tyrel snaps, glaring at me. "What the fuck, Kes?"

He doesn't pull away from her.

Emily glances at me, rolls her eyes, and still doesn't move.

That image of them together, him gripping her waist, her bent over his desk, will haunt me forever.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Tyrel barks, hands still on my stepsister's body.

I can't speak.

His tone puts me instantly on the defensive, as if I'm the one who has done something wrong.

"I... I wanted to surprise you," I stammer.

"And you thought coming to my workplace uninvited was smart?" he snaps. "Shouldn't you be at the chemist finding a drug for your condition?"

My condition.

My wolf still hasn't emerged.

He has never thrown it in my face before. Never once acted like it bothered him. I only turned twenty-one recently. There was still hope. A few more months of hope, at least.

I stand frozen in the doorway, pain and confusion crashing through me.

Isn't he supposed to explain himself?

He's angry that I came here, yet his dick is still inside my stepsister.

My gaze shifts to Emily, and I can't look away. She looks bold. Impatient. As if she can't wait for me to leave so they can continue.

Tyrel finally pulls away and yanks up his pants.

Emily doesn't bother covering herself. She simply stands beside the desk, dress hiked above her naked hips and ass.

"Get out!" Tyrel roars. "We'll talk when I get home."