The Alpha's Claim

2

I watched the line of people with more than a hint of anxiety. There were three breakfast shifts. The first was for morning crew. The second was for overnight workers. The third was for anyone who came later: the alpha included.

As a line worker, I had to keep a constant supply of food in the line, ensuring we didn't run out of eggs, sausage, pancakes—essentially, if someone wanted anything, I had to make sure it was there. It was a job for a mind reader.

Charlotte and Chelsea had been through the line at first meal; they wasted a bunch of food. To my surprise, they showed up at second meal and were doing the same. I could almost imagine them in their pajamas last night, giggling as they planned to ruin my life today.

Second shift, they were more intentional with their waste. I could only cook so many eggs. The third time I went back to scramble more eggs, Jody whipped out a knife in a not-so-subtle gesture, shouting at me to stop stalling. I could hardly tell her that we were out of eggs—again. I soon realized that I had a bigger problem. We were almost out of eggs.

And the alpha loved eggs.

I had intentionally left a dozen eggs in a carton. The last thing I wanted to do was upset Alpha Maximus of the Redwood Pack.

The second breakfast shift ended, and I hurriedly reordered the line, praying fervently that no one but the alpha would ask about eggs. When he came, I had more than enough to make his breakfast.

I peeked into fridge to confirm my salvation. The carton of eggs was gone. To my horror, I turned to see that Jody was mixing the eggs into a giant batter.

I froze in horror. My three options were as follows: recover the eggs from Jody's batter, recover the eggs from the trash can, or die. Or, I could find someone who would get eggs from the general store and bring them up. I had no way to pay them, so what were the chances that someone would do it out of the kindness of their own—?

"What the hell are you doing? Get back to work, lazy wretch!" Jody shouted. I hurried back out. One of the fighters was piling bacon onto his plate. The third breakfast had begun. So, death it would be.

I stood by the line as each person filed past. No one asked about eggs. I tried to blend into the beige wall as much as possible, eyeing the clock. Soon, the shift passed. I could have cried with relief. The alpha hadn't come.

I bused the tables and began to clear the breakfast cart. My stomach rumbled, and I paused for a second, eyeing the food. Taking a cereal bar and sliding it into my apron would be incredibly easy. And, it wouldn't have been technically wrong; everyone could grab food as they wanted. But the last thing I needed was for Jody to think I was a thief. That punishment was far worse than a burn. My arms may have been an ugly mess, but at least my hands were intact.

I had just pulled the metal container of strawberry yogurt out of the ice when a familiar voice tickled my ears. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize a human had the authority to tell her alpha that breakfast was over." Panic flooded my veins. "Look at me when I'm speaking down at you, wretch."

That nickname had really stuck.

I slowly turned and faced the alpha. He lips were pressed into a firm line and his eyebrows were furrowed like he was trying to pop a pimple between them. He took a step closer, and I looked down in submission. Without warning, he shoved me backward.

I flew through the air, reaching back with my hands to try to stop my fall. In my fumbling, my shoulder clipped one of the tables, and I heard a popping noise filled the cafeteria. The alpha laughed and began serving himself breakfast and I slid onto the floor. The pain in my shoulder followed shortly thereafter.