Page 1 of Alpha’s Fake Marriage

ONE

IRINA

Nervous energy crackled through me as I stood outsideOctavio’s Head Shop, my heart pounding a chaotic rhythm against my ribs. Despite my efforts to appear composed, the truth was that my insides churned with anticipation and anxiety.

I smoothed down the fabric of my blouse, the crisp material doing little to ease the turmoil within me. In theory, I was dressed smart and mentally prepared for the interview. But theory often faltered in the face of reality, and the reality of this moment felt overwhelmingly intense.

Taking a deep breath, I reminded myself of the importance of this opportunity. This job could be my ticket to a fresh start, a chance to carve out a new life away from the suffocating grasp of the past. But with that potential came a weight of uncertainty, a fear of the unknown that threatened to paralyze me where I stood.

The sound of my own name being called snapped me out of my reverie, and I turned to see who I could only assume was Octavio striding towards me with a warm smile. His presence was a comforting anchor in the sea of my nerves, and I found myself drawing strength from his unwavering confidence.

“Hey, Irina,” he greeted, his voice a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. “Are you ready for the interview?”

I nodded, mustering a smile of my own despite the churning turmoil within me. “As ready as I’ll ever be,” I replied, my voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty.

“I'm glad you could make it,” Octavio continued as we walked to his office. His smooth and friendly voice sent a rush of warmth through me. I’d heard through the grapevine in this strange new town—that I hoped to call my own very soon—that he was nice, and I could see why.

“Thank you for considering me for the job,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady despite the turmoil of emotions swirling inside me.

Octavio motioned for me to take a seat across from him, and I did so, trying to ignore the way my heart raced at his proximity. There was no denying that he was handsome, with his sun-streaked hair and hazel eyes that seemed to hold a world of secrets. But it was more than just his looks that drew me to him; there was a kindness in his demeanor, a warmth that made me feel instantly at ease.

“So, Irina, tell me more about yourself. Have you ever worked in a head shop before?”

“Irina Sanchez, from San Francisco,” I said, the words leaving a bitter taste on my tongue as I presented him with a false identity. My last name, a hastily chosen pseudonym, felt like a heavy burden, a constant reminder of the deception I was weaving. “And yes, I have worked in many environments just like this one in the past.”

But even as guilt threatened to overwhelm me, I knew that this was what I needed to do to survive. The specter of my past loomed over me like a dark cloud, a constant reminder of the dangers that awaited me if my true identity were ever discovered.

As he began to ask me questions about my experience and qualifications, I found myself struggling to concentrate. My mind wandered to thoughts of him and the undeniable attraction that simmered between us. No matter how hard I tried to focus on the interview, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was going to be more than just a professional interaction.

But as much as I tried to push those thoughts aside, they lingered, casting a veil of awkwardness over our conversation. Octavio seemed oblivious to my inner mayhem, his friendly demeanor never faltering as he listened to my answers with genuine interest.

As I sat across from Octavio, weaving a web of deceit with every fabricated detail about my background, guilt gnawed at my insides like a relentless beast. Each word I spoke felt like another brick in the wall of falsehoods I had constructed around myself, distancing me further from the truth.

To my astonishment, Octavio’s face broke into a warm smile as he leaned forward, his eyes alight with genuine enthusiasm. “Irina, I must say, you’re exactly what I’ve been looking for,” he said, his voice filled with genuine warmth. “Your experience and skills are exactly what we need here at the shop.”

Relief flooded through me like a tidal wave, washing away the lingering doubts and fears that had threatened to consume me. For a moment, I could scarcely believe what I was hearing, the words ringing in my ears like a sweet melody. Octavio’s approval was like a lifeline, offering me a glimmer of hope in the midst of my darkest hour.

“Thank you,” I said, my voice trembling with emotion as I reached out to shake his hand. “I won’t let you down, I promise.”

As I stepped out of Octavio’s head shop, a glint of sunlight caught my eye, drawing my attention to a long scratch running down the side of the building. My heart skipped a beat asI approached the mark, my mind racing with a torrent of questions.Could it be...?No, it couldn’t be possible.

Unable to contain my curiosity, I turned back to Octavio, my voice hesitant as I spoke. “Octavio, what... what happened to the side of the building?” I asked, my gaze flickering nervously between him and the scratch.

To my surprise, Octavio chuckled softly, a knowing smile playing at the corners of his lips. “Ah, that? That’s just a little souvenir from one of my late night runs. My wolf can get a little… out of hand,” he explained casually as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world.

My heart pounded in my chest as his words sank in, a chill running down my spine.A shifter. Octavio was a shifter. The realization hit me like a bolt of lightning, sending shock waves of fear and uncertainty coursing through my veins.

But even as panic threatened to overwhelm me, a strange sense of acceptance washed over me, a quiet voice whispering that there was no turning back now. I had made my choice and accepted the job, and now I had to face the consequences, whatever they may be.

With a shaky smile, I nodded, forcing myself to appear calm and composed. “I see,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. “Well, I suppose I’ll have to get used to a few surprises working here, won’t I?”

As if sensing my unease, Octavio offered a reassuring smile before his expression shifted into one of determination. Without another word, he stepped back, his form beginning to blur and contort before my eyes. My breath caught in my throat as I watched in awe and trepidation as the man before me transformed into a magnificent wolf.

Somehow, now he looked even more beautiful than he had before as a man.

I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the sight, mesmerized by the graceful shift of his body and the raw power emanating from him. Despite my fear, there was something undeniably captivating about him in this form, a primal allure that drew me in like a moth to a flame.

Octavio’s wolf form was breathtaking, with sleek fur the color of burnished bronze and piercing amber eyes that seemed to see right through me. For a moment, I forgot all about my fears and uncertainties, lost in the mesmerizing gaze of the creature before me.

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