Clare Simmers knew that the only thing that was unique about her was that she was of Africa descent. She had no idea that being African was just the beginning. One night in a foreign clubs flips her ordinary life completely upside down. Clare finds herself at a crossroads of whether to hide and pretend her life hasn’t changed or to rise up to the life that she never knew she was meant to lead. Meeting the handsome Beta, Nigel De’ Bonare, next Alpha in line of his pack only complicates her decision making process. Will Clare jump into the life of folklore to be with him and forget herself? Or will she be too scared to plunge into the unimaginable awe and passion the unknown brings with it?
Chapter 1 I Begin My Story
I smiled as I looked at the wall clock. Thirty minutes left to head in for my long whimsical weekend. I organized the pages of myreport for the sixth time then stapled them together. I put them down, dug through my bag and retrieved my pocket mirror. My black eyes looked tired but sharp. My lip-gloss was a bit smudged from batting my lips together all morning. I lifted my black suede bag to my thighs. It normally my first choice but being a gift, I couldn’t just throw it at the back of my closet and forget all about it. I extracted my lip gloss and reapplied it.
Satisfied with the outcome I put away my mirror and make up and organized the articles on my desk. I wanted it to look neat for my meeting with the Robertson’s on Monday. Their case was really giving me a tough time. I couldn’t comprehend why someone would get married to a man she knew dreamt of having children when she herself wanted none. I sighed, then stared at the family photograph on my desk. We were truly a beautiful looking family.
I had always asked my parents why they had settled after just having one child and had never gotten a straight forward answer. They both seemed too keen on avoiding the subject altogether but I suspect that my mum’s pregnancy wasn’t exactly a bed of roses. She probably told my dad that she wasn’t having another child after me. But then again, I’d never heard her complain about her nine months carrying me.
As I sat there contemplating the reasons behind my being an only child, I barely noticed Suzanne knock at my office door and walk in. She was smiling her ‘I have something big to tell you smile’. Her red lipstick was brighter than ever. Her long straight dark hair secured neatly in a bun. Suzanne was smartly dressed in a beige pantsuit.
“Almost done for the day?” She asked as she got closer to my desk.
“Just about.” I replied.
“Guess what?” Suzanne leaned over my desk and handed me her phone. “We’re trending on Instagram.”
“What? How?” I ask, snatching the device from Suzanne tostudy the post on it.
“You do remember that we’re friends with Rose Reynolds. The fastest rising journalist of the century. She’s working for Vogue magazine now and yet many other magazine brands are still trying to porch her.”
“I explicitly asked her to not make our photos public. I don’t enjoy the extra attention.” I handed Suzanne her phone back.
“Obviously she was never going to listen. Anyways, pick you up at your place? Or are we just going to meet up at the club?”
“What on earth are you talking about? I’m not going out tonight.” I speak while I pick up my briefcase and load my laptop inside.
“Come on Clare. We promised to help our friend pick the perfect venue for her 25th birthday party. You can’t back out now.”
“Rose said and I quote ‘Two nights! It’s going to take two nightsof clubbing to find the perfect location for my birthday.’ It’s been four-week nights in a row. I don’t know about you Suzanne but hitting the ground running this entire week has taken its toll on me. I’m staying in tonight.” I stand up and slide my bag over my shoulder. Next, I carry my briefcase in my left hand with my report in my right hand.
“But its Friday. Standard partying night. Lots of cute guys hit the clubs tonight. You can’t stay home.”
“Watch me.” I retort. Suzanne twists her mouth and squints at me. She hates the resolve in my tone and is trying to think about a sassy come back that is going to change my mind.
“You know, for some who is only twenty two years old, you sure behave like a fifty year old woman.”
I look at Suzanne then smile before saying, “I know you meant that as an insult, but to me…..it’s a solid compliment.”
Neither of us gets to utter another syllable because just then my desk phone buzzes. I replace by briefcase onto the ground then pick up the receiver.
“Halo….” I speak into the phone.
Suzanne motions that she’s going to leave but doesn’t forget to mouth the words pick you up at eight before leaving my office.
“Clare!” A breathless voice calls out to me from the other end of the phone.
“Mum?” I recognize her voice instantly. I stare briefly at the phone at the desk to confirm that she’s using our landline to call me.
“We need to talk urgently. Are you busy?” Her words rush out of her mouth I almost fail to hear them.
“Is everything ok mum?” I settle into my chair again.
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