Chapter1
"You should really go out more, let loose. It doesn't always have to be about business and obligations. When was the last time you acknowledged a beautiful woman, Chris?" says Reginald, deeply concerned for his friend.
After losing Marina to death, love hasn't been the same. I feel drained every time I remember how I lost the love of my life. It's easier to distract myself with business; at least, it never dies," Chris replies.
"We should go have drinks at my favorite spot and get a good meal. They serve the best chicken and have a great ambiance in the whole of Amarion," Reginald suggests with a nudge.
"You know I love good chicken. I'll be with you at eight. For now, I have some business to settle. Goodbye, my friend," Chris says as he quickly waves and walks out of his friend's office.
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"You never do anything right! Must I always complain? Just because you warm my bed at night, you think I'll let your silliness slide? You don't get such liberties, you stupid girl. I am warning you, do not get on my last nerves," Randy says out of irritation.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to break the cup. I was so tired because I barely got enough sleep last night. It won't happen again, I promise," Anna says, frightened by the outburst over a simple cup.
He storms out, and she's grateful he's out of sight. When did the man she loves become like this? It all started as a simple crush when she started working for him. She was interviewed by Dan and only met the owner when she started working. He appeared to be the nicest person, but he turned into an abusive mate.
She is twenty-one and works as a waitress at Randy's diner. Her father has a terminal illness, and her mother died when she was only three years old. Now she has to work to get the money necessary to pay her father's medical bills.
And has to survive with her mate turned monster, Randy.
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Randy was the sweetest, showing so much admiration for all her efforts. He was really smooth with words, so it didn't take long before she fell helplessly for him. They got into a relationship, and she started living with him. He took care of her and made her feel special, but then he couldn't give the love he has never known. His parents were always fighting, and his dad would never miss an opportunity to hit his mother. He must have believed it was the way to love, to correct with violence, and then apologize for it eventually.
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*Randy's*
I hiss after closing the office door. I really love Anna. I hate that I have to do this to her. It is almost like a demon comes over me as soon as I get angry.
"Fredrick has requested her for tonight. I forgot to inform Anna. She must be impressive as always, give him pleasure, and that gives me more money. It was strange when people started requesting Anna; I was outraged because I expected them to know she is mine. But hearing the offers, I no longer care that another man would touch her neck and kiss her the way I do. I know she hates that I do this, but I don't have a choice. I am a slave to my desires and my rage," I think audibly.
Suddenly, I hears my phone ring. Who could this be? I reach out and see it's Reginald Parker, one of my finest clients. Reginald wants to book reservations for himself and a potential client. I'm elated and promise top-notch customer service as always. Reginald assures me of his trust and the call ends.
I have to talk to Anna as she's the only waitress I trust not to mess up his business. A few minutes later, she enters my office after receiving an urgent call.
"Reginald Parker called, and he will be bringing in a potential client." I briefly tell her, not even a hint of emotion crossing my face
I instruct Anna to ensure everything is perfect, and she'll be their private waitress as soon as they arrive. I give her two to three hours to get everything ready and asks if it's too much to ask.
"I want you to make sure that the food from the kitchen is the best it can ever be, the ambiance is spectacular as always, and I want you to wear something better as you will be their private waitress as soon as they arrive. I believe you have two to three hours to make sure everything I just said becomes a reality. That is not too much to ask, is it?"
“No, it is not. I will get to it immediately, Randy,” Anna hurriedly says as she tries to avoid another scuffle between us.
I can see her trembling, but I tell her to leave as I have other things to attend to.
*******
ANNA
Anna checks in with the kitchen. She reminds the cleaners to ensure everything on table 12 is sparkling and in place. She is headed towards the changing rooms and goes ahead to put on the waitress's outfit reserved for special occasions.
By the time she is done, she realizes she only has ten minutes left before the special guests arrive. She checks her hair in the mirror and sees that she doesn't look too bad; the outfit fits perfectly. She takes a long breath and heads over to their table. She watches over the door and sees Reginald Parker and a dashingly handsome man walk in. He must be important if Randy has made all these preparations to welcome him. She goes to them, leading the way to their table. She is beyond excited, which she shows by smiling at them, especially at this stranger.
She shows them the menu, and Mr. Parker tells his friend, whose name is apparently Chris, to go for the signature Chicken stew. In a few minutes, she is back with their food. Mr. Parker asks his friend if he enjoyed the Chicken, and he admits to loving it so much that he wants to be added to the list of important clients. He gives his business card, and her jaw drops instantly. He is the famous Chris Tucker, the heir to the Tucker dynasty.
She thanks him with a glowing smile for his patronage and then proceeds to walk them to their car. She goes back in and heads to Randy's office to tell him the good news. Randy is overjoyed and expresses how he didn't expect the client to be such a big name.
*******
Chris is headed home as his parents have called for an emergency meeting. "What could be so important that they can't wait for tomorrow? I really do hope it is not the same thing as the last time. Well, I will find out as soon as I get there. I really enjoyed the Chicken Stew I had, and the waitress was beautiful and charming. Reginald didn't lie about a single thing, really. I would love to go again," Chris thinks to himself.
His thoughts are put on hold when he sees the gate to his parent's mansion begin to emerge. He goes through the security system, and he is let in. He is now headed straight to their lounge as he was earlier informed that was the venue for the emergency meeting.
They seem very prepared, but then a stranger emerges, and it is the girl that always thought she and Chris were meant to be together, off the simple fact that her parents did business with mine. Lauren, Chris's mother, wastes no time at all to say this meeting was their own way of fast-tracking the process of finding him a bride. She goes ahead to introduce Mandy as the proposed new Luna for the Tucker pack.
Chris patiently waits for her to finish, and then he objects. He will not be made to marry a woman he does not even know. He continues by saying he will appreciate that a wife isn't imposed on him. Ed, Chris's father, seizes the opportunity to say that as an Alpha, it is an obligation of his to find a wife and one of good reputation, as it is a requirement to take over the business and lead the pack. He says that both families have deliberated, and it will strengthen the relationship between them.
Chris strongly opposes, and then his father, the current Alpha of the Tucker pack, tells him the position will be handed over to his step-brother, Oliver, if he can't find his Luna before the next full moon, which is in thirty days.
An overly outraged Chris expresses his displeasure. He has never been opposed to his parents making decisions on his behalf, and he has always fulfilled his obligations as the beta of the pack, and now they are giving him an ultimatum? He tells them that he does not want to have this conversation anymore as he grabs his car keys with the intention of going to his favorite place, the lake Sapphire.
*****
"What do you mean I have to go see Fredrick? I was with Nathaniel yesterday night. I am tired, I was exhausted today, and you took it out on me. I am not going anywhere, I need to get some sleep. You can't keep doing to me as you like, I won't take it," Anna screams loudly, obviously outraged by the proposal.
"Woman, what did you say? Since when do you challenge me? Go get ready before I lose it," screams Randy.
"Do what you must, but I will not see Fredrick, not after what he did to me the last time. You say you love me, but you sell my body. You abuse me, and I will no longer accept it." As soon as she finishes the statements, a deafening slap sends shivers running down her spine, and it is followed by several more as she finds a way of escape, which finally comes as he tries catching his breath.
She pays no mind as she rushes into the streets, oblivious to the blaring horn coming from the driver of a car. Before she can collect herself and run to safety, she is sent crashing down on the cold streets as everything goes dark.