Zara’s POV
The Golden Gate Hotel was among the priciest and most opulent establishments I have ever visited.
Thick, pricey off-white curtains draped the tall windows, and the reception desk, walls, and floors were all constructed and covered in expensive white marble. Signature paintings by well-known painters lined the walls, and a massive fountain screamed wealth and prestige in the middle of the reception area.
“I am a little surprised, but that seems like a picture of a famous football player,” Kaya gasped.
“And it is signed,” I remarked, looking over the various objects hanging on the walls in astonishment. “What is the reason behind Nic showcasing such a costly item throughout the reception area?”
“Maybe Nicholas does not really care about expensive things,” Kaya remarked.
“Or he keeps excellent security,” I said, heading toward the reception desk.
I was hoping that someone at the front desk would be able to assist me and let me know where in this enormous hotel I could find Nic.
Ronan had dropped me off at the front door, told me to head inside, and gone off with Levi to some last-minute meeting at another hotel; the two betas would return a little later to have a drink with us.
“Good day,” a young woman in her early twenties who worked behind the reception desk greeted me icily as I approached it. She was about my height, with dark brown hair and hazel eyes. “Have you made a reservation?” She made no effort to look up and acknowledge me while tapping away at the keyboard.
“Well, no,” I replied. “I simply must-”
Her face went hostile, her lips drawing a thin line as her gaze snapped toward me.
“Therefore, I am unable to assist you,” the girl interrupted. “You need to leave immediately. This hotel only accepts paying customers who made their reservations months ago. You are not welcome here.”
“However, I am searching for Alp-”
“Be careful; she is human,” Kaya cautioned. “It is possible she is unaware of our existence.”
“Whom are you looking for?” The girl snapped and grabbed the phone. “I am calling security to remove you.”
“Mr. Dal,” I tried to say, but the girl waved me away like I was some random street dog.
“Rude!” Kaya lost her cool and growled inside my head. “Who does she think she is? The hotel’s owner?”
“Stop-”
“Cindy!” Nic’s angry voice cut through my thoughts, and I snapped my attention in the direction of where he was speaking.
Nic, wearing a gray suit and tie, was hurrying from the hallway. His fists clenched around his hands, and the girl sprang to her feet as she noticed him approaching.
“Mr. Dalton,” she said with a happy stammer as she saw him, shot him a cute, sickening smile, and fluttered her lashes. “What can I do for you, sir?”
“Looks like this Cindy girl is crushing on our mate,” Kaya growled as she struggled to gain control. “Let me have a go at her!”
I arched an eyebrow, glancing back and forth between Nic and the girl, seeing that Nic appeared more annoyed with her than fond of her.
“Calm down,” I growled at Kaya. “It seems like he is not into her.”
“But she is!” Kaya hissed.
I shoved Kaya aside and concentrated on Nic. His expression had turned deadly now. Was he going to tear this obnoxious girl to pieces?
“Miss Silverwood and I have an appointment.” With icy eyes, Nic halted at the reception desk and let out a growl. “She does not need to be signed in; she is a special guest.”
“But?” Nic’s eyes shot at the girl as she began to argue.
“How dare you contradict me!” he hissed.
I suppose he saw her impolite demeanor when I got there.
“My apologies, Mr. Dalton,” the girl said, her cheeks flushing red. “I was not aware that you had an appointment today.”
“Review the schedule of appointments!” Nic yelled as he grew impatient and lost his cool.
“I-I-,” The girl stumbled nervously as she attempted to type something on the computer’s keyboard.
“I will let Mr. Dangers know how inept you are and how improperly you treated my guests!” Nic warned. “Miss Silverwood is free to come and go as she pleases. She is welcome here. You are not entitled to treat her like a dog and drive her out.”
“But!” The girl let out a wide-eyed shriek.
With a commanding and icy stance, Nic raised his hand to quiet her.
“I have seen your work ethic in action from a distance. Are you claiming that I am lying? Do you want to pack your bags now?” His jaw tensed as he asked.
Was he going to blow up and throw the girl out on his own?
The girl became pale and began to shiver visibly.
“Nicholas certainly does not take any sh*t from his employees,” Kaya said, enjoying how Nic was handling the situation with the disrespectful employee.
“There are those who argue that his methods are brutal,” I retorted. “I am curious about his level of cruelty.”
“To be honest, I find it very appealing,” Kaya sighed. “At least we know that he will defend us.”
“N-n-no, sir.” The girl looked down at her hands and started crying. “I-I-I cannot afford to lose this job!”
“We will see about that!” Nic glared and shifted his focus to me.
His eyes softened as he met my gaze, and his posture eased. My stomach was filled with butterflies as he gently reached out, took my hand in his, and kissed me on top of it.
“Miss Silverwood, welcome to the Golden Gate Hotel,” he said, his eyes once more glowing. “As usual, you look amazing.”
“Did you see that?” Kaya mused from the back of my mind. “In one instant, he is furious and wants to tear people apart; in the next, he appears composed and endearing, as though butter would not melt in his mouth.”
“He makes me think of you,” I said with a laugh, turning back to Nic.
“Well, thank you,” I replied. “You do as well.”
“Shall we?” Nic enquired while extending his arm to me. I moved forward, and he clasped my arm around his.
As we made our way toward the hallway, I could feel the girl’s irate and hurt look burning into my back. I attempted to get rid of the uneasy feeling that it gave me.
“What is wrong?” Nic asked, picking up on my mood as we were out of earshot.
“It is nothing,” I lied. Nobody has ever died from a little rivalry, and I will not allow this human girl to get under my skin or stand in the way of my happiness.
“I am just curious as to why one of your upmarket hotels employs a human girl,” I said.
While humans worked for our companies too, the majority of them were mated with wolves.
It was not as if we were discriminating against humans; rather, we were taking precautions to keep them safe. It is impossible to predict when a pack member will lose control over his wolf.
“Ah, that,” he answered, his lips curving into a playful smile. “I employ a wide range of individuals. Cindy is just one of the many people that I employ. I favor werewolves, although humans are equally effective.”
“Except they have a mind of their own,” I replied. “And are far more difficult to manage.”
Humans usually went to the labor department when things got tough, and they got fired-not that it mattered. Usually, we can use money to get around it.
“True,” he agreed. “They certainly challenge authority. For that reason, Beta Ronan handles all labor relations matters and deals with those kinds of concerns. In contrast, I am more involved in managing the businesses and the pack.”
“Oh, so Beta Ronan is the one with the ruthless reputation after all?” I remarked.
“Reputation?” He asked, raising his eyebrows. “As far as I am concerned, Beta Ronan is a lamb in comparison to me. I only act ruthlessly and cruelly when necessary.”
“Like you did right now?” I teased, searching his gaze.
Nic rolled his eyes.
“She is very lucky she isn’t a wolf,” he replied, his eyes shifting black. “She insulted my mate and future Luna, more than just bringing the hotel’s name into question.”
“My mate,” I sighed inwardly, as excitement surged through me. Does that imply his acceptance of me?
My eyes snapped up to look at Nicolas when he abruptly stopped.
Nicolas laughed with pleasure.
“Looks like someone is lost in thought,” he remarked, gesturing with his finger to lift my chin and holding my gaze. “Hopefully it is just about me and me alone! I don’t share…”
Attempting to suppress a smile, I bit my lip.
Is it possible for him to read minds?
Nic lowered his eyes, and as he stopped his lips just inches from mine, I gasped. His minty breath was wafting across my face, and I could smell and almost taste it.
Was he about to kiss me?
I closed my eyes, cocked my head, and prepared for a kiss. I yearned to taste him once more.
However, his lips did not touch mine.
When my eyes opened, Nic’s face was just inches away from mine. His gaze fixed on my lips.
“We can’t,” he whispered seriously, shattering my heart. “Not like this. Not here.”
I felt embarrassed as I drew away, tears blazing behind my eyes and ready to spill over.
Nic gently lifted my chin to look at him. His blue eyes were tender and warm.
“I never claimed it could not be done inside…”
****