The Masked Truth

The Masked Truth - Chapter 2

The Masked Truth

© All Rights Reserved – 2011

2.

Madge typed away as she watched Sean move swiftly out of the office earning a few glances from the other females in the office. As much as she tried to force the sight of him from her mind she knew it would be close to impossible to do.

The hours ticked by, and her agitation was noticed not only by Clark but almost everyone she came in contact with that day. Madge wanted nothing more than for the day to be over already.

“Madge, is everything okay?” Clark asked quietly as he scribbled in a file at her desk.

“I'm fine, Clark, why do you ask?” Madge pushed down her uneasiness and smiled, though she was sure it wasn't a very convincing one.

“You just seem to be a bit off today. Ready to go home already?” A smile quirked up on the corner of his lips. He was a handsome man, no doubt, but just not Madge's idea of sexy. Clark's hair was a light brown matched well with his clear blue eyes. His tall, muscular frame left everyone around him dwarfed in a sense.

“Yeah, my dad is having a rough morning, and I can't say it'll get any better.” Madge sighed as she remember his dwindling collection of beer and liquor in the refrigerator.

“Running out again, Madge?” Clark knew of her father's issues, he had now clue of their true past but knew Brandon had a drinking problem. More than once he had offered to pay for treatment, but Madge knew it was pointless. Brandon would never go into treatment, he would never his the elusive rock bottom.

“Among other things.” Madge was never one to complain, but today had topped her limit and the words just fell out of her mouth before she could filter herself.

“Madge, you need to seriously look into treatment for him. He won't last much longer if he keeps at it. How long has it been since he shifted?” Madge shrugged as she began to shut down the computer as she noted it was closing time. “I know it's been a very long time, and I'm sure his wolf is close to death already.”

Sighing Madge's head fell, “I know. I know all of this. But I also know my father better than he knows himself. Treatment isn't a choice, he would never agree to go, and I have no way of forcing him.” Reaching down, she pulled her purse up from the floor, as she straightened up she meet Clark's gaze head on. Not intentionally some of her own Alpha blood began to seep through, “So instead of hoping one day he'll get better I just prepare myself for the inevitable. He will die because of his drinking. I know this, he knows this, and by now you should too.”

Clark growled lowly before he could catch himself. Stopping instantly he straightened up wide eyed looking at Madge carefully. “Madge?”

“Huh?”

“What was that?” With brows furrowed, Clark pushed his chest out letting off more of his power as he took a dominating stance.

“I don't know what your talking about.” Madge dug through her purse trying to find her keys quickly as she rounded her desk and made a bee line for the door. She needed to get away, fast! Before Clark questioned anymore.

Stupid, she scolded herself once she was safely in her car. Madge's mind was clouded by the overload of the day to keep her true nature hidden. It wasn't always easy to keep not only her appearance masked but even her true position in life.

Glancing at the clock on her dashboard, she figured that she could get a small nap before she had to get to work at the diner. The drive home that was usually her last few minutes of sanity before stepping food in the door, weren't nearly as calm and collective as she wanted them to be.