Ruby's POV
"That check has to mean something," Cloe pressed, refusing to drop the subject.
"We're not having this conversation again," I said, exhaustion creeping into my voice.
"If he didn't care about you, why would he hand you a blank check? He probably watched you break down and couldn't handle it. You need to go back and talk to him."
"Absolutely not," I cut her off. "I had one magical encounter with a wealthy man. That's more than enough. I'm not going back there to embarrass myself again."
"But what if—"
"You two!" our supervisor's voice boomed across the store. "Stop chatting and get back to work!"
Cloe and I exchanged annoyed glances before returning to our inventory tasks.
Cloe had gotten me this grocery store position. The chain belonged to a major corporation, which meant decent wages and benefits. Cloe still believed the job was below my qualifications, but I felt lucky just to have steady employment.
After we completed our section, the supervisor moved on to harass other employees, and Cloe slid back over to me.
"Picture this," she said with a mischievous grin. "You write a few million on that blank check and... BAM! Welcome to the high life."
"I would never do that."
"Of course you wouldn't. You're too moral," she said with a mix of admiration and frustration. "So what amount are you actually considering?"
I wavered.
Initially, I thought about writing the cost of a replacement shirt. Nineteen dollars and ninety-nine cents. Because apparently, my pride still mattered to me.
But realistically, Elias wasn't just compensating me for torn clothing, or he would have simply given his assistant a twenty-dollar bill.
Maybe he felt guilty that I lost my employment as well.
"I'm going to write what I should have received as severance pay," I finally confessed.
Cloe's jaw dropped. "That's all?!"
"I understand it's modest, but it's what I'm actually owed. And it will cover my expenses for a couple months."
Cloe stared at me like I had lost my mind. But my decision was final.
I simply wanted to move past this disaster as quickly as possible. I still wanted to destroy Stanley's arrogant expression, but right now, the best revenge was surviving.
Six hours later, we finally ended our shift, completely drained and sore.
Everyone else clocked out and headed home, except me. I had signed up for the night shift and closing responsibilities.
The staff departed one by one, yawning and stretching, including Cloe.
Finally, I was alone in the massive store.
Here's my secret that nobody knew about, not even Cloe.
I actually lived here now.
She assumed I had found a new apartment and moved out, but I just couldn't impose on her hospitality any longer.
Her roommates were growing resentful of me occupying their living room and using their utilities.
And securing my own rental seemed financially impossible now.
So I stayed in this grocery store instead.
I locked up at night and opened early each morning. During the five or six hours in between, I created a makeshift bed from my jacket and slept on the floor near the refrigerated section.
Don't ask why I couldn't sleep in the employee break room. That space was stifling without air conditioning. At least the area by the freezers stayed cool.
Tonight I was particularly exhausted. The supervisor had forced us to move countless heavy boxes. I collapsed on the floor and fell asleep instantly.
It seemed like I had only been unconscious for minutes. My alarm hadn't sounded yet.
Then I was startled awake by someone shouting:
"What the hell is going on here?!"
I bolted upright, still disoriented.
And I froze in horror.
Before me stood an entire group of people.
Including the supervisor and several men in expensive suits.
They were all staring at me with wide, shocked eyes.
And I was wearing only a tank top and shorts. Practically naked.
Oh God.
What was happening? Was it already morning?
Why hadn't I heard my alarm?
I frantically grabbed for my clothes, my hands trembling uncontrollably.
The stares intensified. They became more invasive and judgmental.
"Ruby Ross! What the hell are you doing?!" the supervisor charged over and screamed. "Sleeping half-dressed in my store?! Are you some kind of degenerate?!"
My face burned with shame. "No! I was just staying here temporarily—"
"Temporarily?!" he bellowed, his face turning red. "I hired a worker, not a vagrant! How much electricity and water have you stolen?! Have you been taking food too?!"
"No, I swear! I turn everything off when I'm finished, I barely use the water... And I paid for every single thing I've eaten!"
Tears clouded my vision as I tried to defend myself, but he wasn't listening. Saliva sprayed from his mouth as he continued his tirade.
"Of all days—you had to choose today when corporate arrives to inspect my pristine store. You filthy, pathetic little—"
"Ruby Ross?"
A different voice interrupted. It belonged to one of the suited men.
I looked up. My stomach dropped.
I recognized him. His name was Leon. A former colleague from Zenith.
"Incredible, it really is you," he smirked with cruel amusement. "Almost didn't recognize you initially."
"What are you doing here?" I whispered.
"Zenith owns this grocery chain. We're conducting site visits today," he explained with a nasty grin, his gaze sliding down to my exposed legs. "Wow! Most people struggle after getting terminated from Zenith, but you crashed harder than anyone."
"I'm employed. Earning an honest living," I said, my voice shaking. "There's nothing shameful about that."
"Really?" he sneered. "Does your position include lounging around half-naked on the floor? What is this, some new prostitution scheme?"
The suits erupted in laughter. My angry tears threatened to spill over.
"I apologize, sir. I'll terminate her immediately," the supervisor groveled.
"Wait," Leon drawled with malicious pleasure. "This woman got fired from Zenith for destroying a seven-figure contract. You might want to audit your inventory. She's probably stealing."
Rage consumed me. "You know that's false! Stanley fabricated everything. I never made a single error at work—"
"Please," he interrupted. "Everyone in the business knows about your failure. Stanley was so humiliated he had to apologize to all our clients because of you."
The supervisor seized my wrist. "Then you're definitely stealing from this store too. That's it. You're going to prison. When I discover what you've taken, you'll repay everything!"
My heart hammered against my ribs.
I knew without doubt that the supervisor would invent theft charges against me, just like Stanley had framed me before. It wasn't difficult for men like them.
But I couldn't go to prison.
My grandmother had nobody else to depend on. I couldn't abandon her.
I knew what I had to do.
The wolf inside me erupted. I snarled at the supervisor, wrenched my arm free, and ran.
"Stop her!" someone yelled behind me.
I had no destination in mind. I just ran desperately.
Terrified and humiliated.
At the entrance, I crashed directly into someone entering.
"Stay back from Alpha!" a bodyguard commanded.
I stumbled backward in panic. But a strong hand caught my wrist, steadying me.
"Ruby?"
I looked up, still trembling uncontrollably.
It was him! I couldn't believe Elias was here.
There was a deep crease between his brows as he examined me. Then he quickly removed his coat and wrapped it around me, covering my exposed body.
"You're safe now," his voice was deep with unmistakable fury.
I gripped his shirt, struggling to breathe.
But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get enough air. Tears poured down my face.
"She's having a panic attack," a woman observed nearby.
"Alpha, if I may—"
I silently begged him not to turn me over. And he didn't.
"It's fine, Lyanna. She remains with me," he refused. "Ruby. Breathe."
Frantic footsteps approached behind us. Leon's voice called out, astonished:
"Alpha Elias! What's happening here?!"
"Lyanna," Elias said in a cold, menacing tone, "Stay here. Nobody leaves."
"Yes, Alpha."
He lifted me effortlessly, one arm supporting my legs, the other around my back. I instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck.
Then he carried me through the stunned crowd, into the store, and located a private office.
"You're protected here," he said after closing the door.
That's when I completely broke down. Sobbing uncontrollably.
Terror, shame, panic—everything poured out in a chaotic, helpless torrent.
I clung to his wrist like it was my only anchor. He didn't pull away.
I cried for ten straight minutes. He waited patiently for my sobs to subside.
"Thank you... I'm okay now," I finally managed through my sniffles.
He brushed a tear from my cheek with his thumb. I shivered at his gentle touch.
"You're always in crisis when I find you," he observed. "Why is that?"
"I don't know... Bad luck?" I choked out.
He released a dark laugh. "This isn't good."
"Why?" I didn't intend to be constantly miserable.
His voice was low, rough, and strained.
"Because it's becoming increasingly difficult for me to walk away from you like this," he said.