One Final Project

*Selena*

Three years later.

"Mom, look at this game! I really want it," Austin exclaimed, excitement radiating from his young face as he proudly displayed the coveted game. However, my heart sank as I glanced at the price tag. We were already struggling to make ends meet, and splurging on such luxuries was far beyond our means.

"Oh, sweetheart, this game seems more suitable for older children. Let's find something else that's perfect for your age," I quickly improvised, attempting to shield him from the harsh reality of our financial limitations.

Deep down, guilt gnawed at my conscience. As a mother, I felt like I had failed in providing for my son. I worked multiple part-time jobs, often barely earning enough to cover our basic necessities, let alone indulgences. The burden of my shortcomings weighed heavily upon me, especially considering Austin's status as a young prince, blessed with alpha blood. It pained me that he had to endure a life of poverty due to my inadequacies.

"But, Mom, I already know how to play this game. Please, please buy it for me," he pleaded, his innocent eyes brimming with longing. My heart shattered into pieces at the sight of his hopeful gaze. How could I deny him, the light of my life?

Austin possessed a wisdom far beyond his tender age, and his physical stature surpassed that of his peers. As a born Alpha, he carried an air of authority, appearing older than his mere three years. Many mistook him for a child of five, drawn to his aura of maturity.

With his father's features mirrored in his appearance, Austin resembled an exact replica. His dark hair, pointed nose, sharp jawline, rosy lips, and sun-kissed skin mirrored his heritage, but his most striking feature was his piercing blue eyes.

"Alright, my sweetheart. I promise to get you this game on your upcoming birthday," I assured him, desperately attempting to appease his immediate desires.

"But Mom, my birthday is so far away," he whined, his disappointment evident in his voice.

"You have to be patient, sweetheart, and imagine how thrilled you'll be if you receive that game as your birthday present," I said, a warm smile gracing my lips as I tousled my son's hair, simultaneously flipping the omelette in the sizzling pan.

"Okay, Mom," he sighed, a touch of longing in his voice. "Will you be able to buy me that toy set I asked for last month?" he inquired, and a moment of hesitation seized me. I set the pan aside, carefully plating the fluffy omelette.

How much longer could I keep making empty promises that I knew I couldn't fulfill? I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath to conceal the pain simmering within, before plastering a smile on my face as I looked at my son.

"I promise, sweetheart," I whispered.

But how? My heart screamed in frustration.

"Now, finish your breakfast like a good boy," I urged him, a tender smile lingering on my lips, as I hurried to complete the remaining household chores.

When I left the Moonglow pack, circumstances forced me to abandon my education, leaving my dreams of pursuing higher studies behind. My uncle and the baby growing inside me relied on my support. So, I found employment, working shifts at restaurants and general stores. However, the income proved insufficient to secure a comfortable life, especially considering the additional expenses accompanying my pregnancy.

However, my talent for computers had always been exceptional, particularly hacking. In search of financial stability, I began working as a hacker on the secretive dark web. I limited myself to small-scale hacking assignments, avoiding high-profile and risky ventures. It allowed me to earn some quick and modest income. I was always cautious, wary of entangling myself in any dangerous situations. After all, I had my son, Austin, and my uncle who depended on me.

As time passed, Austin grew older, and I realized it was time to leave hacking behind. I made the decision to pursue my education by applying to a school and eventually enrolling in college.

However, the cost of education weighed heavily on me, and scholarships were not an option as I had dropped out of a previous course. With limited alternatives, I concluded that I had no choice but to acquire an education loan. 

But before I could embark on that path, there was one crucial task I needed to undertake.

I opened the dark web, intending to delete my account and sever ties with that shadowy realm. As I navigated through the depths of the web, a message caught my attention, arriving from an unidentified sender. It contained an enticing proposition—an opportunity for a significant hacking project, accompanied by a lucrative sum of money.

*I'm sorry, but I no longer accept new projects.* I sent a reply promptly, my resolve firm.

Despite the temptation of the immense sum before me, I knew I had to put an end to my life as a hacker. I hovered my cursor over the "Delete Account" button, preparing to sever my ties to this treacherous world, when a message box suddenly appeared on the screen.

*I can increase the offer and pay you even more if you're interested. But I really need your skills for this job.* The reply came swiftly, accompanied by an additional zero at the end of the amount.

He was offering me ten million for this project. It was an absurdly high figure, but the task at hand carried grave risks. If I were to be caught, my life would be forfeit. I wasn't foolish enough to willingly leap into a pit of death.

*Apologies, but I can't take on this job.* I texted back without a moment's hesitation.

*Don't rush into a decision. I can add one more zero to the amount and pay you the entire sum upfront. Take your time to consider. I'll be waiting for your reply.* His message came through, and he signed off.

Holy shit!

A hundred million!

With that kind of money, I could live a peaceful life, free from the chains of employment, and even start my own computer business. The person behind this offer must be immensely powerful and influential, seeking my expertise to breach the world's most intricate security system.

It felt like staring into an abyss with no bottom.

Incredibly dangerous.

Unbelievably treacherous.

Yet, I cherished the simplicity of my current life, despite its hardships. I had no desire for such perilous wealth.

With a frustrated groan, I forcefully slammed my laptop shut, distancing myself from the enticing allure of dangerous possibilities.

"What's troubling you, Selena? You seem agitated," Uncle inquired, his gaze filled with concern. He was elderly and had grown weaker after surviving the war. He couldn't assist me financially or with household chores.

"Oh, it's nothing, Uncle! I've decided to quit hacking. It's becoming too risky, especially with INTERPOL cracking down harder than ever. Getting caught would mean facing severe consequences, even death," I sighed, revealing the reason behind my irritation, and shared the tempting offer I had received.

In the dark corners of the web, I was known as C-tech.

Our identities and faces remained hidden, while payments were discreetly transferred to our dark web accounts. We could withdraw the funds in cash, maintaining our anonymity.

"But Selena, this last project could make us wealthy. We would never have to worry about scarcity again. Think about Austin's future," Uncle suggested.

"I am thinking about him, Uncle. That's precisely why I've decided to continue my studies and pursue a respectable job," I declared firmly.

"Are you planning to go back to school?" Uncle furrowed his brow.

"Yes, Uncle. I intend to complete my education and then pursue a degree. It won't be easy to secure a scholarship, so I'm exploring educational loans," I explained.

"Selena, you dropped out of school. Banks don't typically grant loans to dropout students," Uncle reasoned.

"I will explain my situation to them. Let me give it a try, Uncle. What if I manage to secure the loan? Just imagine how our lives could change if everything goes according to plan. I need you to look after Austin when I'm not around," I argued, hoping to convince him.

Uncle had been a pillar of support in raising my son, Austin. Whenever I couldn't be at home due to work commitments, he was there, ensuring Austin's well-being.

"Don't worry, Selena. You and Austin are the only family I have left. I will take care of him for the rest of my life," my uncle reassured me, his words a comforting balm to my weary soul. I nodded, mustering a faint smile in response.

Uncle reached for the remote control, an air of boredom evident on his face. "It's the same old news again! Let's switch channels and see if we can find something more interesting," he grumbled, flipping through the various options until he stumbled upon a set of headlines that caught his attention.

"Alpha King, Zander Blake, to wed next month. Preparations for the grand event are already underway," announced the news anchor, his voice capturing my full attention. Every fiber of my being became acutely aware of whom they were discussing.

My eager, yet treacherous, gaze fixated upon the television screen, and the sight that greeted me stole my breath away.

Alpha King, Zander Blake!

The very image that had haunted my sleepless nights and tormented my heart appeared before me. He was the architect of my wretched existence, the cause of my misery.

Despite the passing years, the despicable man still exuded an irresistible allure. In fact, during that three-year absence, he had only grown more striking and captivating. His sculpted physique emanated dominance, a mere glimpse of his imposing build enough to instill fear in anyone. His short, dark hair was slicked back, emphasizing his sharp features, while his piercing blue eyes seemed to penetrate the screen, as though he possessed the power to see through it.

His perfectly tailored suit clung to his form, emphasizing his chiseled chest and showcasing the defined contours of his rock-hard eight-pack abs. It was no wonder women yearned to throw themselves at the feet of this cruel and heartless Greek God. The first time I laid eyes on him, he captured my heart effortlessly. Little did I know then that it would be the worst decision of my life, a stark reminder that appearances could be deceiving.

He appeared blissfully content in his new life without me. Of course, he would be ecstatic with his chosen mate, the one he was now preparing to marry. I tore my gaze away, my attention drifting from the news. The anchor delved into intricate details about the extravagant wedding and the opulent ceremony that would seal their bond as Alpha King and his future Luna. A twinge of pain gripped my chest, and I attempted to push the thoughts aside. Perhaps three years had not been enough time to erase him from my memory.

****************************

*Avery*

"Zander, did you see the news? We looked amazing in those pictures," I exclaimed to Zander, my excitement bubbling over. However, his attention remained fixed on his laptop screen, seemingly uninterested.

I set his laptop aside and positioned myself on his lap, attempting to capture his focus.

"What's going on, Avery? Can't you see I was engrossed in important work?" he snapped with a scowl. 

Oddly, I even found him hot when he was angry. Truth be told, I loved every aspect of him. Yes, I was head over heels in love with my best friend.

"You're leaving for a week, and you're still glued to your dull laptop?!" I complained, adding a touch of sensuality by fluttering my eyelashes.

"Would you spend some quality time with me?" I leaned in closer as I whispered seductively. 

"Have you lost your mind, Avery? You remember the agreement between us," he retorted sharply. "I'm not interested in getting intimate until after the wedding," he reminded me in his icy tone.

I let out a sigh of exasperation. Zander's self-control was truly remarkable. No matter how hard I tried to seduce him, his reaction remained disappointingly unaffected.

"We're engaged, darling," I purred, my finger tracing a path along his lips as I closed the distance between us. However, just as our lips were about to meet, he suddenly pulled away, setting me down on the couch before standing up.

"I'm running behind schedule. I need to leave," he stated formally as he left abruptly and briskly.

A soft chuckle escaped my lips. It was merely a matter of a few more days, and then he would be bound to me forever. I could sense the excitement in my wolf, Leah, as her growls of anticipation echoed in my mind. She shared my desires, my aspirations.

Despite having admirers who appreciated my beauty from all corners of the world, my heart longed for only one man: Zander Blake. Men were ready to kill and die for me. But I only wanted Zander. I had wanted him all my life. He had been with me since our childhood. He was my first crush, my first kiss, and my first in everything in my dreams. I sighed hopelessly.

I knew he only had eyes for me. I wanted to be the only woman in his life. Only me. So, I had never let a woman come close to him. He was mine. Our fathers were friends, and they wanted us to marry and choose each other as mates. Everything was going so perfectly, and marriage was in the cards.  I was so happy and was on cloud nine. The ruthless Alpha King Zander Blake was mine until... that bitch, Selena, came between us.

I had loved him since we were children and always wanted to marry him. I even rejected my fated mate just to be with Zander, and I believed Zander also loved me as he agreed to marry me. But then, he met that ugly bitch, and all the hell broke loose after that.

I didn't know what kind of spell she and her father had cast on Zander, that he had forgotten everything after seeing that whore. He forgot about our love, friendship, and promises and wanted to marry that wolfless filthy daughter of a useless Alpha of the world's weakest pack.

That cunning witch took everything from me; my Zander, my love, and my position. I always dreamed of being the Luna Queen of the North. But my dream was shattered in a blink of an eye when Zander announced he was going to marry Selena in a pack’s alliance. I swallowed the lump of insult down my throat and waited for the right time to come. It was tough to manipulate Zander. But how long could he resist my beauty?

I threw my head back and laughed smugly as I remembered. 

That ugly bitch couldn't hold a candle before me. She was useless in the name of a woman and Luna. She was a mistake. When Zander saw it, he kicked her out of his life.

Nevertheless, finally, the day had come for which I had been waiting for so long. Zander would marry me and mark me as his Luna and mate.