Rae

I carry the last box from the U-Haul I rented, hating that it took almost 3 hours.

Oof I am sweating.

Determined, I carry the last box to the elevator where I press the button to lead me to the 8th floor. I use the railing where I let the edge of the box support some of the weight, allowing brief relief before the elevator doors open again.

I used the new key to get into my apartment, to which my building manager hesitantly gave me upon meeting me the first time.

I don't blame him, with my long hair usually left down, it's tied up in a bun, showing my mismatched 16 ear piercings. It probably doesn't help that I also have a silver nose ring. My tattoos are quite visible with only a tank top to cover partial torso pieces.

I got a job in my scrappy town as a grocery clerk, and I decided I to finally go for the look I've always wanted to get since I had the money for it finally.

I faked an ID when I was 16 passing off for an 18 year-old, which where I'm from is the legal age limit to get tattoos.

I waited until my actual 18th birthday to get a neck tattoo, proud of the fact that I waited 4 years to see if I still want it as an adult.

I gave my regular artist freedom in design asking him to at least match same aesthetic. When he was done with it, I remember being so pleased with it because it gave almost an elegance to it with the rose in the centre and the nice pattern of black work along the rest of my neck.

I still don't plan on stopping, but I do plan on slowing down as painfully as possible so that I don't run out of space. I don't care about aging with my tattoos, I've seen some badass photos of old people with theirs and I want to be just like them.

As for my piercings, I started piercing my earlobe ones at home starting at 12 with my first pair. My parents didn't want to spend money on one and I wanted it badly enough that I just bought a pair of cheap silver earrings and cauterized a thick gauge needle with a lighter.

By the time I was 15, I had 3 ear lobe piercings each and couldn't wait to get cartilage piercings at tattoo shops for my sweet 16.

Nobody in my school expected me to graduate, especially not with honours of 86%. My grades got me into most of the colleges I applied to, but I chose one that gave me the best scholarship.

I applied to accounting since I've always been good with numbers. I've even done my taxes when I started working part time in high school. I was determined to show these fuckers that despite how I looked, I am smart enough to do what I want.

2 years later, I graduated top of my class, and with a favour from one of my favourite professors and 3 shining letters of recommendation, I landed a job at a law firm in a big city located 5 hours away.

This was the fresh start I was looking for since I my preteens, even saving up as much money as possible along the way.

I am moving into a loft that I'll be able to afford on my own, in a not so terrible crime area compared to where I grew up. I start on the coming Monday, so I rented a U-Haul truck and moved my things in on the Saturday before since the offer was so quick.

My boss will be shocked to say the least, but at first I'll keep my makeup neutral and cover up most of my tattoos. My piercings luckily is easily hidden by my hair I kept natural since it's a lovely shade of brown. I can't cover up my neck tattoo, besides pretty soon they'll get used to it. I'm only an accountant, I'll be hidden away in some cubicle as I work on whatever they give me.

They can't fire me for my looks, especially since I already have a signed contract for 1 year with them. Until then, they're stuck with me and it'll look great on my application. I'm just going to have to continue to work hard at showing them that I belong there.

I walked in, shutting the door with my leg as I placed it on top of another box near the door.

I began to organize the boxes so that at least I know where everything goes before I take a break.

I used my phone to get Chinese food delivered since I'm too tired to go grocery shopping and cook lunch. While waiting for the food to arrive, I looked around my apartment, making a note on my phone on what to purchase. There's three open windows that needs sheer curtains enough for sunlight to be let in but no one can look in either.

With another 12 hours left on the rental truck, I decided to first eat and then shop at IKEA which is about half hour away according to my phone. Perfect, I can look up what I want on my phone allowing more time to find the rest in person.

The theme I went with is anything neutral, so black bed frame with drawers, black night side table, grey couch, and a white standing lamp. I decided any bathroom and kitchen stuff I'm missing I can take a look to see if I like, stopping by their food court for their known for their deliciously affordable prices.

I got a couch off a website that was holding a sale, after 3 searches and 6 pages I finally found one that's both affordable and the style I am looking for. It said it will arrive 3-5 business days.

My phone notified that my delivery driver was downstairs, so I got up off the floor and headed to meet them.

I practically ran back with the food, excited to eat this take out I saw many good reviews on. I ordered their most well liked noodles, ginger beef, teriyaki chicken, garlic broccoli, plain rice, some sweet and sour chicken balls, and like 5 more. I don't plan on cooking anytime soon with all the energy focused on work or the apartment.

I unpacked one of the boxes that held an old plaid blanket, placing all of the takeout across as I enjoyed an ebook I found on my phone, devouring a bit of everything in sight.

...

I unwrapped the mattress from it's plastic protective cover, placing it onto the bed I just finished putting together. I returned the truck a couple hours ago, taking the taxi back. I made it my goal to make sure I had a bed to sleep on my first night.

Finished with making the bed, the pillows all fluffed and the bed sheets smoothed out.

I began to assemble the bedside so that I can plug in my alarm clock. I know most people use their phones to wake them up nowadays but having a clock that I can easily see the time helps me not waste time in the mornings if you know what I mean.

I assembled my lamp lastly, just in time before the sky began to darken. I had to find someone to help install the curtains tomorrow since I do not have a ladder or equipment to do it myself. I'd rather pay someone else to do it than for it to kill me, you know?

I also thankfully bought a screen panel to be placed in the corner away from the windows for me to change into comfy sweats and an oversized t-shirt. I went through some of my carry ons to find my skin care products to wash my face of all the grime and sweat I sustained all day.

Walking back to the kitchen, I reheated some more Chinese food. I was careful not to spill my plate as I snuggled into the bed, settling in comfortably. I opened my laptop to watch Burlesque on Netflix, about the absurd amount of times I've watched it.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Lucian

"Please, no more," the prisoner begged.

"Not until you tell me where your alpha keeps his shipment of cargoes that he stole from me," I taunted at him as I removed his last mail bed. His screams sounded melodious as they echoed across the walls in this room.

He panted but sighed in relief, thinking that since all his fingernails have been taken there's nothing for me to do. If only he knew I was getting started.

With his arms and legs strapped to the wooden chair he's in, I walked over to the fireplace nearby where I have the poker waiting for me as it finished roasting in the open flames.

Grabbing the cold end, I walked over to him, not bothering to listen to his pathetic cries for mercy as I started my artwork on the first exposed arm. By the time I was done, I was pleased at the cauterized line work I drew on both his arms, colours ranging from pink to black.

When I turned to look at my prisoner again, I saw tears streaming down his beaten up face, washing away a bit of blood. I sighed, all he has to do is tell me where the containers are and all this will be over. I don't believe him when he says he doesn't know, he's one of the regulars Alpha Vincenzo used to do the dirty work.

While everyone does have their roles to play, mine is to lead and make sure there's money being put on the table. To do that, my great-great-great grandfather started a business that has now revolved to today's market trades good. Those shipments have costed me millions of dollars, which anyone would've been pissed too if they were in my seat. So until I get my cargoes back, blood will be paid in investment, to ensure that it will be paid back in full.

I'm trying to think of my next move when I heard a knock on the door behind me. Irritation ran through me as I walked towards the door.

"What?"

"Don't 'what' me, mister. I just came to tell you that your visitors have arrived and I suggest you clean up before meeting them," I look down to see Remy scolding me, her face scrunched up in malice. She's the only one who's allowed to use that tone with me, since she's earned both the respect and the rank.

"Okay then, get somebody to clean up this mess and put him back in his cell. I'll go up and shower, I'll meet you in a bit," I said before shutting the door to face my prisoner.

"Well, well. It looks like it's your lucky day, not to be a cliché. Looks like we're taking a break, we'll be continuing all this tomorrow. Enjoy your night of rest someone will be down to collect you shortly." Not caring for his response I turned to leave, shutting the door before he could mutter more than two syllables.

...

I finished buttoning up my shirt, heading down the stairs to meet our supposed important guests.

When I got to the main room, I spotted Alpha Trevor and Beta Gabriel, softening slightly when I saw my sister Jane. Jane is Trevor's mate, who leads a neighbouring pack called Red Dawn. I formed an alliance with him when we found out that the Moon Goddess paired the two together.

"Hey, what brings you guys here?" I asked as I went to shake his hand firmly in respect.

"What? Can't your baby sister visit without a good reason?" She asks, giving me her infamous puppy dog face.

"Not when you bring your Alpha and Beta with you, what's going on?" She sighs at my question.

"We've been getting a much larger number of rouges crossing our land lately and we've come to ask if you could spare 20 of your patrollers of choice to help cover," the news was slightly alarming, especially if they were desperate enough to come to me.

"I'll give you 30 of my men in two shifts of 15, and I'm going to look into the reason why there's an increase in rouges. That news could impact other packs including mine so I'd rather nip this in the bud while we can still contain it," their faces broke out into grateful expressions, but I wasn't lying when I said it would most greatly benefit me too so why wouldn't I help? Isn't this what alpha's are supposed to do? A thought started to plant a seed in my brain, wanting to rake the alphas in position who abuse their power.

"If that's all, I'm sorry to say that I have a few things I need to tend to. We should definitely schedule a dinner sometime soon, I just need to check my books. Take care of my baby sis," I lightly threatened Trevor, trusting him to take care of my sister while handling the rouges.

My sister hugged me goodbye like always before parting way, escorted by my trusted guards.

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My postings will be irregular as I'm currently working on publishing chapters for 2 books. I find if I work on one book only I tend to get writers block. I want to finish my books as quickly as possible to get them to you, so don't worry they'll be finished sooner than expected. But in the meantime I hope you guys enjoy what I post chapter by chapter :)

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Artlover241