Alethea
Why did he have to call me by my name in front of the entire board?” I think as I fight to keep a neutral expression.
I’ve worked tirelessly to climb the ranks, and the last thing I need is anyone whispering that I’ve been given special treatment.
“Yes, sir,” I reply, with a steady voice as I turn to face him, my face carefully schooled into professionalism.
“I’d like a word with you,” he says, with a calm voice.
The moment he says the words. Chairs scrape against the polished floor as everyone starts gathering their belongings.
I stiffen, heat creeping up my neck. Why does he have to make me the center of attention like this? I feel every pair of eyes on me.
Within seconds, the conference room is empty.
When it’s just the two of us, he gestures to the chair across from him. “Sit.”
I almost roll my eyes, but I stop myself just in time. He may not be my beta anymore, we’re not even in pack territory, but he’s still my boss.
And if there’s one thing I know, it’s how to keep my emotions in check when the stakes are high.
So I settled into the seat, with a stiff posture, my hands clasped neatly in my lap, waiting for him to speak.
“Alethea, I must commend you, you aced the presentation. It’s clear you know your onions, and I want to say, from the deepest part of my heart, that I’m proud of you.”
“Thank you, sir,” I say, bowing my head slightly in respect.
I glance up, curious. His eyes are fixed on me, with a whirlwind of emotions. Awe. Surprise. Admiration. It’s a mix that leaves me breathless.
“Seriously,” he continues, leaning forward slightly, “I don’t know how you did it, but I love the woman you’re becoming. There’s something… different about you. Something I can’t quite put into words.”
I swallow, my pulse quickens, unsure how to respond to such raw honesty. Finally, I found my voice. “I hope it’s a good thing.”
His lips curl into a faint smile.
“I can’t reconcile the girl I knew back then with the woman sitting in front of me now,” he says.
He raises his hand slightly, almost in defense, as if to soften the blow of his words. “Don’t get me wrong. I don’t mean it in a bad way. It’s just… the way you were so defensive last night-it’s different.”
“Thank you, sir,” I replied. The words feel inadequate but that’s all I can say.
He pauses, his eyes on me. I can tell he’s trying to piece something together, perhaps working up the courage to ask a question I’m not prepared to answer.
I keep my face composed, but inside, my chest tightens. But the truth is, I don’t have an answer. I don’t even have a memory of my life before. And the last thing I need is for him to know that.
“I’m so sorry about last night,” he says softly. “I guess I got carried away with everything about you.”
My head snaps up, my eyes locking onto his. Why is he apologizing? I was the one who let him in. He sought my consent, and I gave it willingly.
“It’s in the past now,” I reply. “Especially since it’s clear you’re now my boss.”
But instead of accepting my words, he suddenly stands, moving closer as his familiar cologne wraps around me. The same scent I’d breathed in just last night.
His gaze is intense, studying me as though trying to piece together a puzzle, his nearness making my pulse quicken in a way I can’t put into words.
“And what if I want more?” he says, in a low voice, his hands sliding into his pockets, his eyes locked on mine.
I shake my head slowly, forcing myself to remain steady. “I’m sorry,” I said firmly, pointing between us.
“This-whatever this is-can’t happen. You’re my boss, and I don’t do… boss-and-employee dynamics.”
For a moment, neither of us speaks, and I pray he’ll take a step back. But his eyes remain fixed on me, unreadable as if he’s considering every possibility.
“That’s a good principle, Ally,” he says, “but I’m on a mission to make you mine.”
His eyes flash, shifting to something glossy and untamed, a sign that his wolf is closer to the surface.
A shiver runs down my spine as his words settle over me. Heat pools in my core, my clit throbbing, and I clench my thighs in a desperate attempt to fight the growing arousal.
He smirks as if he knows exactly what his presence is doing to me. The confidence in his expression makes him pull me closer. But I keep my face neutral, determined not to give him the satisfaction.
“Will that be all, sir?” I ask, rising to my feet in a bid to escape. With a clipped tone, I know I’m being rude, but I don’t care. He is someone I almost slept with last night, I might have handled this differently, And I can’t afford to lose control.
“Ally, sit,” he commands, with a sharp tone laced with a Beta’s authority.
I freeze for a moment, my body reacting instinctively. I mutter under my breath, “What the hell,” realizing too late that he’s used his Beta aura on me.
Slowly, I lower myself back into the chair, with stiff movements. His expression softens slightly.
“I won’t stop until I make you mine, Ally,” he says, his voice dropping to a whisper as he leans closer. His breath brushes against my ear, sending a shiver through me.
I close my eyes, squeezing them shut as I fight the pull of temptation, every nerve in my body screaming to give in. But I can’t-won’t-let him win.
I squirm slightly in my seat, already dreading how I’ll manage to behave now that he’s my boss-someone I’ll have to see almost every day.
“Go on a date with me,” he says suddenly, his voice breaking through my thoughts. “I’d like to hear you talk more about the app.”
I raise a brow, a slow smile tugging at the corners of my lips. “You want me to go on a date with you, and you had to throw in the app just so I wouldn’t refuse, huh, sir?”
“Oh, please, cut the ‘sir,'” he counters smoothly, leaning forward slightly.
“I love the way my name rolls off your tongue. It makes me want to close the distance between us and steal the air from your lungs with a kiss you’ll never forget.”
My face flushes at his words, and I immediately look away, the heat spreading down my neck.
“See? I love it,” he says, pointing at my reddened cheeks with a grin that only makes it worse.
I roll my eyes, trying to play it cool. “Fine. To help you sleep better at night, I’ll go on a date with you only because you want to talk about the Wellify app.”
“At least we have something in common,” he replies with a smirk, leaning back as though he’s already won.
I stand, with the effort to keep some distance between us. “I’ll take my leave now,” I say quickly. I need to get away from him before my self-control shatters and I give in to the inappropriate thoughts swirling in my head.
As I walk to the door, I feel his eyes on me, following my every step. My hand grips the doorknob, and I take a deep breath, ready to make my escape.
But just as I turn it, his voice stops me cold.
“Why did you leave the BloodMoon Pack?”
The question freezes me in place, the air suddenly heavy in the room.