Chapter 1 New Neighbor

Carol’s POV My life was perfectly ordinary until today. I thought today was no different. I woke up on time, drove to work with little traffic, and even dressed in my normal attire. Even now, I’m making my coffee in the breakroom like I always do. It’s all part of my perfectly comfortable routine. “Hey, babe.” The sound of a familiar voice brings a smile to my face. I turn and I am greeted by the sight of my boyfriend, Zack, entering the break room. No one else is here, I think with a mischievous grin. Closing the small distance between Zack and I, I lean in to give him a gentle but passionate kiss. “Someone’s having a good day,” Zack smirks. I laugh. “Maybe. I’m just… Thankful, I guess.” Thankful for some stability at last, I think, but I don’t say it out loud. Zack never likes it when I get too sappy. I start up a typical conversation with Zack as we prepare our coffee. I hope the quick moment of PDA isn’t too obvious. I straighten out my blouse and pencil skirt and glance over his clothes, as well – he looks the same as always with his button down and gray slacks. Looking at him, you might not even realize that he’s a werewolf. Standing in the break room, I can’t help but fondly remember the moment almost two years ago when he boldly announced he wanted to court me. I’ve always been nervous about office romances, since the breakups can be awkward — but once he let me know that I’m his fated mate, I became curious. I already knew about werewolves. Still, they always seemed so separate from the life I live. Many werewolves keep within their packs and don’t have much need to branch out. As a human, of course, I didn’t realize Zack was my fated mate – but as an Omega werewolf, Zack says he instantly knew. That bond can’t be broken. For werewolves, fated mates are forever. But why not start forever today? A voice in the back of my head grumbles. I try to ignore it like usual. With our two year anniversary approaching, it does feel strange we’ve never seriously discussed marriage or even moving in together. I force down the negative thoughts as I sweeten my coffee. Who knows, I think, maybe he’s waiting for our anniversary to propose! Zack and I make our way out of the break room. We’re greeted by the sight of our boss, Daniel, approaching with an unfamiliar woman beside him. “Carol, Zack, just the two I was looking for!” Daniel says. “I wanted to introduce you two to Sophia, the newest member of our team. Please welcome her with open arms.” For some reason, I feel uneasy as soon as I look at her. I try to shake off the feeling. What has gotten into me? I think. I am in the middle of scolding myself when Sophia and Zack‘s eyes lock. Zack breaths in deeply and his eyes widen. “Mate,” Zack says suddenly. I turn to him, thinking he’s calling to me. Instead, he rushes toward Sophia and pulls her into a passionate kiss. My world immediately crashes down around me. Too many emotions rush through my body for me to do anything other than stare in shock. My boss Daniel is watching, too, looking just as baffled as I am. It isn’t until they finally separate that I am able to collect myself. “What’s going on?” I demand. The question is pointless, really. I saw exactly what happened. “Huh?” Zack says dryly. Sophia leans up against his chest with a fawning expression as he speaks casually. “Sophia is my fated mate. Good thing you’re here — now we can just break up. That makes things easy.” This can’t be happening, I think. “But I’m your fated mate,” I say. Zack laughs, and the sound cuts to my core. “Are you serious?” He jeers. Sophia is laughing, too. “No human is worthy enough to be chosen by the moon goddess as a werewolf’s fated mate. Besides — what werewolf would love a lowly human, anyway?” This is a nightmare, I think numbly. That’s the only possible explanation. “You — but you told me,” I manage weakly. Zack sneers. “You’re so naive. You actually fell for that?” Zack’s words feel like a slap to the face. That might be the reason my arm is winding back without thinking. I strike him across the cheek, hard. He stumbles a few steps and lets out a cry of pain. I hear a chorus of gasps erupt behind me. Oh great, I think dryly, we’ve drawn a crowd. I turn to Sophia with what little sense I have left. “And you’re just going to accept this?” I exclaim. “He was dating me minutes ago. We’ve been together for almost two years!” Sophia shrugs nonchalantly, not even looking bothered by Zack whining over his bruised cheek. “So what? Plenty of werewolves have relationships before they meet their fated mate.” She bats her eyelashes at him. “But now he has me.” I can feel the tears stinging the backs of my eyes. Everywhere I look there are people staring. I need to leave, I think desperately. I turn to face my boss. “I need the day off,” I force out. Daniel coughs awkwardly into his fist and nods. I don’t stick around to see if he says anything else. I run toward the door without a backward glance. I slump into the front seat of my car and choke back a sob. I pull up my phone. My fingers are trembling as I type out a message to my best friend Fiona: ‘Zack cheated. Drinks?’ The surge of emotions becomes more violent as I drive home. I thought he was my fated mate, I think numbly. Two years of my life, wasted. I step out of my car on autopilot and my feet carry me to my apartment. I notice that there’s a pile of boxes outside of the apartment next to mine. That apartment had been vacant for some time, but it looks like my privacy is over. If my new neighbor can’t handle hearing me cry myself to sleep tonight, they can come and comfort me themself, I think dryly. As soon as my door shuts behind me, I burst into tears and collapse onto my couch. The rest of the day passes by in a blur. I’m not sure how long I spend crying my eyes out, but I can’t help it. I thought I finally had what I was looking for. Stability — love. But it was all a lie. I’m shaken from my self pity by a knock. I know who it is before I even open the door. “That fucking asshole! I knew he wasn’t right for you,” Fiona declares. She pulls me into a tight hug. “He said he was your fated mate!” She exclaims. I lift my head from Fiona‘s shoulder just long enough to mumble “He lied. He met the real one today.” “Who was it?” Fiona demands. “Sophia. New hire. Werewolf. He kissed her right in front of me.” I know I’m speaking in fragments, but I’m afraid that if I keep talking, I’ll start crying again. “I just wish…” “No wishing right now.” Fiona cuts me off. “Tonight, we’re going to get wasted and look at cute boys. We’ll sort everything else out later.” She wipes away my tears and smiles confidently. I’m not sure if I believe Fiona, but I know I need to get out of the house. I smile. “Thanks, Fiona. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” Fiona smirks. “Probably drink a lot less.” “God forbid,” I laugh. Fiona tries her best to distract me as we get ready to go out. Fiona insists I wear my new black mini-dress to try and boost my confidence. We wipe away the rest of my tears and head out the door. As Fiona and I head down the hallway, I notice my new neighbor’s apartment door is open. I spare a glance as we pass by. I freeze in place. Standing tall and broad just on the other side of the door frame stands the most drop-dead gorgeous man I’ve ever seen in my life. He’s tall and lean with a mop of light brown hair. Even from the other side of the doorway, it’s obvious he’s ripped. All he wears is a simple black t-shirt and grey sweatpants -- somehow, that only makes him hotter. However, something bizarre catches my attention. The stranger is glowing a faint, sparkling pink.