Taming My Ruthless Alpha

Chapter 1

It’s not every day that one finds themselves in a new town, leaving behind everything they’ve known since childhood. While some may see it as a daunting challenge to start afresh in an unfamiliar place, I found myself embracing the change with open arms.

In fact, the weight of relief washed over me as I bid farewell to my previous town. It may sound harsh, but the reality was that no one truly cared for me there; I was certain my absence would go unnoticed.

A shiver ran down my spine as I recalled fragments of old memories that I wished I could obliterate. I shook my head, resolutely pushing those thoughts aside, determined to forge a new path here.

Perhaps this new chapter would unfold differently. With a stroke of luck, I might even find friends who would appreciate me for who I truly am.

As I took a deep breath and stepped into the studio unit I had chosen to rent, a sigh of relief escaped my lips. I surveyed my new surroundings, pleased to see that everything looked exactly as the owner had depicted in the pictures.

Throughout my journey here, I had grappled with stress, my mind racing with anxiety over the possibility of being scammed by the owner.

However, as I began to explore the apartment, I felt my worries begin to dissipate. I unpacked my clothes, neatly organizing them in the wardrobe. Although the space wasn’t expansive, it was efficiently designed, featuring a small kitchen and a cozy living area. It was more than sufficient for my needs.

Having lived in even smaller spaces before, this felt like a significant upgrade. At least this apartment was furnished and radiated a warm, inviting atmosphere. I could easily envision myself curling up on the couch after a long day, finally able to unwind in my new home.

Suddenly, I glanced down at my watch, and my eyes widened in alarm. "Crap," I muttered under my breath, realizing I needed to be at work by ten. Without wasting another moment, I rushed to the bathroom and stepped under the soothing stream of the shower, letting the warm water envelop me and wash away the remnants of sleep.

Honestly, I never thought I would land this job. When they reached out to me with an offer to join their team, I was taken aback and thrilled. After a whirlwind of activity—booking bus tickets and securing a place to stay in less than four days—today was the day I finally embarked on this new chapter.

I was genuinely impressed by how smoothly everything had unfolded throughout this moving process, especially given the tight timeline.

As I prepared for my first day, I chose a cream blouse paired with a brown pencil skirt, determined to make a strong impression. I blow-dried my hair, styling it into a polished half-ponytail, and applied my makeup with care, eager to present my best self. With a sense of purpose, I grabbed my certificates and stepped out of the apartment, locking the door behind me.

The silver lining was that my studio unit was conveniently located just ten minutes away from the office. I had thoroughly researched the routes and local transport services, so I was well-prepared and knew exactly when the bus would arrive to whisk me off to my new workplace. Excitement mixed with a hint of nerves filled me as I anticipated what the day would hold.

My journey to work was a brief one, taking only a few minutes. As I approached the building, I pulled out my phone to confirm I was in the right place, my heart racing with anticipation. With a deep breath, I stepped inside, a bright smile lighting up my face as I made my way to the front desk.

The receptionist looked up, her expression curious, prompting me to clear my throat and introduce myself.

"Good morning! I’m Amelia Jacobsen. I’m here for—"

"The digital marketing analyst!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Sorry, it’s not every day we welcome a new employee." Noticing my surprised expression, she quickly added, "We’ve been expecting you! Let me show you to your department." She stood up and walked around the desk to join me.

"Uh, thanks," I replied, offering an awkward smile as she guided me through the office.

As we entered the elevator, she turned to me and asked, "So, where are you from?"

"Dallas," I replied.

Her eyes widened, just as I had anticipated. "Oh, that’s quite a distance! You traveled all the way from Dallas for this job?" she asked, her disbelief evident.

I nodded quietly, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves as we ascended to the eleventh floor.

"That is—adventurous," she remarked under her breath just as the elevator dinged. "Oh, we are here," she said, stepping out with me following closely behind. "I am going to introduce you to your department manager, and he will take the lead from there," she explained as we walked through the corridor.

I gripped my file tighter against my chest, hoping I would get along well with my new team. Back in my old place, they would practically drain my energy by piling paperwork on my desk, yet they would always leave me behind for team dinners.

I hoped that wouldn't be the case here.

"Mr. Harold, your new team member is here," the receptionist announced, gesturing toward me.

I looked eagerly at the man she was addressing and found myself facing a middle-aged man, likely in his forties, who greeted me with a warm smile. "Hello, you must be Amelia Jacobsen," he stated in a friendly tone.

"Yes, sir," I replied in a small voice.

"Oh please, call me Mr. Harold," he said. "Welcome to Zahn Innovations. We are thrilled to have you on board!" He smiled at me, "Let me show you to your cubicle and introduce you to your teammates." He gestured for me to follow him.

I turned to the receptionist with a grateful smile, "Thank you for your help. I don't believe I've caught your name yet—"

"I’m Claire Green," she interjected cheerfully before I could finish, "If you need anything, feel free to find me in the lobby. I'd be more than happy to assist you." Her warm smile radiated positivity, and she added, "Good luck on your first day," giving my shoulder a gentle pat before walking away.

I quickly realized I had been keeping Mr. Harold waiting, and I apologized. However, he merely grinned at me and gestured for me to follow him into the department.

The office was impressively spacious, and my cubicle was large enough to accommodate three people working together comfortably. Mr. Harold introduced me to my teammates, and they all seemed genuinely friendly, making me feel at ease right away.

In my team were Andrew, Leo, and Emma, and I quickly sensed that we would get along splendidly.

"You look really young, Amelia," Emma remarked, her curiosity evident in her eyes. "How old are you?"

"I’m twenty-one," I replied.

"That’s quite young for your position!" she exclaimed. "Let me guess, you must have skipped a few grades in school." I nodded in confirmation. "Wow, we've got a genius on our hands!" she said, turning to Andrew and Leo with an impressed smile.

I chuckled softly at her compliment. "I'm still new to this, though. You guys have way more experience than I do, so I think it's you three who are the real geniuses here."

Leo looked at me with a playful grin. "And she’s humble too. We really hit the jackpot with this one!" He gave me a thumbs-up, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging already.

"We should go out tonight," Andrew suggested, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "How about a welcoming party for Amelia?" He added, casting a glance at the rest of us, who were all suddenly captivated by the idea.

My eyes widened in surprise. Just as I was about to voice my objections, I noticed Leo and Emma nodding their heads eagerly in agreement.

"I think we should definitely do that!" Emma exclaimed, her face lighting up with a bright grin.

"Count me in as well," Mr. Harold chimed in from behind us, his voice cheerful yet authoritative. "But before we dive into the festivities, let’s make sure everything is sorted out, alright?" He scrutinized each of us with a knowing look. "You know how Mr. Zahn is. He won’t tolerate even a single mistake."

Suddenly, the color drained from my teammates' faces, and I could sense the tension in the air. "Yeah, we know," Leo replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "I’d rather not face his wrath today," he muttered under his breath. "Or any other day, for that matter."

Curiosity piqued within me. "Why? Is Mr. Zahn really that short-tempered?"

"Short-tempered?" Emma chuckled, a hint of amusement mixed with apprehension in her voice. "He’s more like a walking dragon who spits fire as a hobby!" She shook her head, a grimace forming on her beautiful face, as if the mere thought of him was enough to send shivers down her spine.

The atmosphere shifted slightly, our excitement tempered by the reality of what lay ahead. Yet, despite the looming threat of Mr. Zahn’s infamous temper, the idea of celebrating my arrival as their teammate sparked a flicker of hope and anticipation in me.

It was my first time being celebrated, and the excitement was palpable.

Taking a deep breath, I glanced at the files that awaited organization today. A renewed sense of determination surged within me as I dove into the file I needed to submit. After meticulously working through it, I printed the document, ensuring every detail was perfect. I carefully placed sticky notes on key sections that required extra attention, stapling the file together with a sense of pride.

As I stacked the papers neatly, I turned to Mr. Harold, "Should I hand the papers to you or—"

"Yeah, you can. I don’t mind sending it to Mr. Zahn since I’ll be meeting him anyway," he replied casually, as if it were no big deal for me.

In that moment, I felt a wave of accomplishment wash over me, a reminder of the importance of every small victory along the way.

I cleared a few more files before finally glancing down at my watch. A sigh escaped my lips as I realized it was almost time to clock out. A wave of dread washed over me at the thought of heading home to face another evening of solitude. I would much rather be at work, keeping myself busy, than returning to my empty new apartment.

"Don't forget tonight! We’ll meet at Ronald's Pizza. It’s a fun spot to dine in," Emma said with a playful wink as I walked past her.

How could I have forgotten? Perhaps I had grown so accustomed to my solitary meals that I overlooked the fact that someone had actually invited me out to dinner.

"Sure!" I replied, a genuine smile spreading across my face as I left her.

Maybe moving to this town was the best decision I’ve ever made. It feels like there’s a chance for connection, and perhaps, a brighter outlook ahead.

I’ve decided to lower my guard this time and place my trust in the process, believing that everything will turn out just fine. It’s a moment of vulnerability, but I’m hopeful for positive outcomes.