Filthy rich werewolves by Taylor Caine

Chapter 55

LILY

Do I think I am better than anyone else there!?!

I don’t think. I KNOW I am.

Of course, I can’t say that out loud.

What’s worse, the crowd keeps growing.

I’m angry. My wolf is snarling and barking in my head at the injustice of this situation. Like we should be

inconvenienced. Ugh. This is the worst!

But on the the surface, I maintain my composure.

I have to.

It’s not long before more Sanitation Service Center workers, along with people sent by the police, arrive

to help look for the ring.

It’s ridiculous!

It’s freezing cold and me and Annabelle are surrounded by onlookers as we’re interrogated by the

police, all while standing next to piles of garbage and breathing in waves of noxious fumes.

Needless to say, the ring ultimately is not found. When the police finally allow us to leave, I’m on the

verge of vomiting from the stench.

"Lily, what do we do? This incident has been blown way out of proportion. They’re deeming it a criminal

case.” Annabelle’s nervous.

She gets in my car and buckles her seatbelt.

I don’t mind the occasional prank or joke, but having the police involved is never a good thing. I can’t

imagine my father will be okay with this. As Alpha he is adamant about only garnering positive media

attention.

”Who on earth reported the case?” Annabelle asks. “Even the police came."

"I'll handle it. It’s not like the case can be resolved," I tell her.

Inwardly, I’m feeling very unsettled by this.

Although I’m less worried about the criminal case and more concerned about my self-image. As a

celebrity who was often photographed in high-class venues, to be seen spending the last hours beside

piles of garbage… that will make for salacious headlines.

Between the fans, workers, and police, there were plenty of people at the scene recording me and I’m

really worried this is going to start trending. That was all I needed. A viral video of me besides steaming

piles of garbage. Ugh!

I call my agent then my publicist.

Finally, I call my father.

He’s going to be pissed.

* * * * * * * * *

GRACE

I’m engulfed in the stench of garbage. It’s permeated my clothes, my hair, my hands. Although I wore

gloves and had washed my hands multiple times, a faint odor still lingers.

Shame mounts in my stomach.

Jay will smell it.

There’s no way his wolf will miss it.

As for my body, even after changing out of my uniform into my street clothes and jacket, the smell’s still

there.

"These rich people are too much. They just lose a ring and suddenly, we’re the ones tortured for it!? If

it's such an expensive ring, why didn't they look after it more closely themselves?" Claire grumbles.

I’m too tired to say much. But I manage a few encouraging words for Claire before grabbing my bag

and heading out.

It’s really late.

I’ve been on my feet working for sixteen hours straight. The street lamps are bright and the wind is Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

blowing something fierce.

On the bright side, maybe that will blast some of the stench away.

Today, I am once again hit with the stark difference between what my life used to be and what it is now.

It’s pathetic, really.

I had no power.

Not as a wolf.

Not even as a human.

I was at Lily’s mercy in both worlds and I hate the way that makes me feel.

I wanted to argue so badly. To call Lily out for her bullshit and to insist if she lost the ring then for Lily to

search for it.

But I never said a word.

Because I need this terrible job. No one else will hire me.

And how pathetic is that?

My past self could have given up on this kind of job and still have found plenty of other opportunities,

but it was extremely hard for my present self to find even this one posting.

My past self would’ve flashed fangs and dared Lily to do something about it.

Though fights were uncommon in my grandfather’s pack, I’d still been taught to fight and I had some

scraps coming up. It’s just the way of wolves.

Dating Sean had only shown me that battles could be waged in boardrooms or bedrooms.

Ava. I whisper.

I wait, hoping for some grumble or growl. A yip to show me she’s alive.

Nothing.

Dejected, I resign myself to my existence. Really, I need to stop complaining. People the world over are

suffering and struggling and I’m not so special.

If I wanted to survive, stay warm, and eat well, I could only continue on.

Suddenly, I see something in the road ahead and I stop in my tracks.

I stare dazedly at the nearby figure standing by the gate of the apartment complex.

Jason!

He waited for me to come back!

The light from the street lamp shines on him and his handsome face is the balm I needed.

My present self is different from my past self, at least. I'm no longer alone.

"Jay." I run the steps toward him but then stop hurriedly.

His brows draw together in confusion. "Sister?"

"I... There's a strong stench on me now, so don't come too close to me.” I hold up my hands. I’d rather

not try to explain. “It’s been a hell of a day,” I admit. I laugh because it beats crying.

His frown deepens.

I force a smile to lighten the mood. “Bah, these are silly things. I work in sanitation.” I shrug. “Today I

stink. Let’s go in. It's cold out here."

I start toward the building, thinking if I get there quickly enough, I can jump into the shower and wash

my clothes before I stink up the room.

But a pair of arms loop around me from behind and in the next moment, I’m pulled into a tight embrace.

“Jay!"