GINA
“Oh my God!” I gasped when I opened my eyes, crying even harder when I saw my reflection in the mirror.
I looked like Shrek’s Fiona if she had a bad hair day, I don't know what the hell I expected considering I had no experience in cutting my own hair.
I clamped my lips shut when I heard footsteps coming towards the bathroom, wiping my tears and forcing a shaky smile at my red-faced reflection in the mirror.
I obviously could not return to class looking like this, especially with freaking Damon sitting by my side! One of the four hottest brothers in all of Wolf County!
I had an expectation to live up to for moon’s sake, however ratty it was.
“That's it,” I decided to miss class when I came out looking like I was just drafted into the military with my luscious red hair shorn low enough that my white scalp peeked through the tufts.
I was about to make my way through the big double doors of the academy when the speakers crackled and Mr. Thorn’s weary voice announced my name on his intercom.
I froze, so did my heart.
What now? What has happened?
Did anyone die? There wasn’t anyone left to die after my Ma.
The thoughts running through my mind were unstoppable. I didn’t move until I heard the Dean call for me one more time and my legs pushed forward and I was in the Dean’s office in no time.
“Mr. Thorn? You called?” I croaked, stopping halfway when my eyes landed on the exceptionally tall man that had been standing in the corner.
I must have made an embarrassing croaking sound as my mouth hit the floor because the man who was none other than King Alpha Stone himself turned to face me with eyes that felt like molten lava on my exposed skin.
“Y-Your Majesty,” I managed to squawk out as I stared at his chiseled tan face, the hard muscles of his shoulder that seemed to pop from his suit. A silky purple that seemed to bend around his hard body perfectly.
Goddamn he was tall! Taller than his first son Atticus even! And not in a slender man sort of way.
I swallowed heavily when the Alpha’s fine eyebrows bowed over his hawkish green eyes and he motioned me to sit. Like it was his office and I was late for an appointment.
I paused to look at the other man and recognized the look on the Dean’s white face. It was a look from someone being intimidated.
“Gina,” the Dean sounded a little shaken.
“I’m sure you are familiar with our distinguishable Alpha Rivera.” He croaked and bowed again to the stern man again who just exuded grace and power. Dark power. The type that would snap your neck if it was angry.
It was fun watching the Dean try to appease the Alpha but the fun was sucked away when the Alpha turned to me. My breath caught in my throat and I nodded frantically, responding to the what the Dean had said earlier.
“Gina Stewart.” Alpha Rivera didn’t flinch as he said my name. I froze.
Was this about my father? Was I going to have to repay him for what my father stole from the treasury?
I hoped not. I bowed my head, unable to look the alpha in the eye.
“I remember your father,” His deep baritone was cold and demeaning as he spoke.
“However, Miss Stewart, that is not the reason I am here. I have heard good word of you from the people at the mines. I’m sure you’ve heard of my sons and their reputations. Due to their inability to keep their hands off of women, we’ve been unable to have anyone around to clean. The job is yours now. Starting tomorrow.”
“What?” I blurted, resisting the urge to bark a harsh laugh
“Try not to be late, I rather dislike tardiness.” Alpha Rivera deadpanned and I felt the moisture dry from my mouth.
I opened and closed my mouth wordlessly, feeling my chest seize up in panic.
“ Goodbye, Mr. Thorn.” The Alpha said in a voice devoid of emotion and with that, he was on his feet and gone, leaving the Dean to stammer after him.
“WHAT?” I wheezed in the Dean’s face. “What just happened?”
The Dean shrugged. “You got a job without applying. Thank the moon goddess.”
“Crap!” I croaked, clutching my chest and stumbling backward.
“What happened with your hair, Gina?” The Dean asked and I mumbled something about a bad hair day and stumbled out of the room.
#
My room was messy by the time I got back. My roommate had torn the place apart; I sighed and started arranging my space.
Picking up all her flashy clothes and tucking it in the right place and thinking about how my day had gone. Occasionally, when I walked past the mirror, I stopped to stare at myself.
I wasn’t bad to look at, if I kept my eyes well away from my head.
A lot of people used the adjective “beautiful” for me but I often thought they were pulling my legs.
I had long curly red hair that looked not so good now, blue eyes, and a curvy body.
Whenever I took her time to do my hair and my makeup, I looked like something from the front cover of a magazine.
But each time I walked past a mirror now, I sighed. My shoulders slumped and my eyes got dull.
I looked like what people referred to as shabby. My hair looked like I got into a fight with a mad woman. My eyes looked a bit swollen from crying so much earlier today.
After cleaning up my room I fell to my bed and dozed off.
In what felt like minutes, I felt the warm yellow light of the sun scorching my eyelids.
I groaned when I heard my roommate and her muscular boyfriend going at it again, her obscene moans making my clit throb and quiver with need so that I ground my teeth in jealousy.
How the hell did she manage to get all these men? When I couldn't even get one damned boy at school to look at me?
The bed stopped squeaking suddenly. They both glanced and me. I held my breath, trying to still the flutter in my eyelashes. They were both quiet for a few seconds then resumed their s*x.
“I thing you should go,” my roommate said to her lover and I felt my heart beat faster in my chest as more shuffling sounded around me.
“You can leave too Gina, it's rude to peeve at couples having sex.” My roommate hissed and I damned near bolted from my bed when I realized she had been talking to me.
I swallowed and nodded gathering my s**t before muttering a hasty; “right, sorry.”
I was nervous as it would be my first day working in the castle, living with the royal family!
How did my life take such a scary turn?
Hell, how the f**k was I supposed to cope with catering to not just one but four of the Stone brothers? And I still hadn't met two of them! Caden and Atticus!
I swallowed audibly, limping into the sleek limousine that stopped on cue in front of our small house, breathing a hasty thanks to the unsmiling chauffeur and taking one last look at the run-down cottage house I was staying at before the car zoomed off.
At least at the castle, I wouldn't have to wake up to two people having s*x.