Alethea (Zoe)
I follow him into his office, making sure my team waits for me outside. As soon as I step in, Asher’s scent surrounds me. It’s calming and familiar, but it doesn’t stop the anger bubbling inside me. He rejected me and chose Maya, my sworn enemy as his mate. That betrayal still stings.
Selena’s warning echoes in my mind: ‘Stay calm. Don’t give anything away.’ Easier said than done.
Standing here, face-to-face with Alpha Asher is overwhelming. His presence is commanding, intimidating, and too familiar for my liking.
If not for my organization’s insistence, I wouldn’t have stepped foot in Redwood Pack ever again. Personal feelings don’t matter to them, only results.
I force myself to breathe slowly, grounding my emotions. When Asher gestures to a chair, I walk over and sit, keeping a neutral expression. My heart races, but I refuse to let it show.
Asher sits before me, as stoic as ever. It’s as if he’s carved from stone, showing no trace of emotion.
But I wasn’t expecting anything different-he’s always been like this. His piercing gaze feels like it’s drilling into me, searching for answers I can’t afford to give.
I take a deep breath, steeling myself to break the silence. “Alpha Asher, thank you for taking the time to meet with us. I understand your time is valuable, so I’ll get straight to the point. My team and I are here to streamline your pack’s database with a new app that will ensure better efficiency and security.”
As I speak, He leans forward slightly, resting his elbows on the desk. His green eyes are narrow as if he’s assessing more than just my words.
I wait, expecting a curt nod or a simple acknowledgment but Instead, his gaze is as if he’s peeling back layers of my mask.
My pulse quickens, but I remind myself of Selena’s advice: ‘Stay calm. Don’t give anything away.’
Selena made me practice for hours to ensure I could keep my emotions in check.
“Zoe Carter,” his voice low and deliberate as he draws out my name. “You’re not from around here, are you?”
I meet his gaze evenly, not letting the nerves bubble inside the show. My fingers tighten slightly around the folder I’m holding.
“No, I’m not, but I’m here to do a job, and I intend to deliver the best results for your pack.”
The words roll off my tongue smoothly, It’s the response I practiced countless times before this meeting.
It looks like he isn’t convinced, and my heart skips a beat when I glance up to meet his eyes.
There’s a determination in them, a quiet resolve like he’s ready to uncover every secret I’m hiding.
“Efficient and professional,” his voice is smooth and commanding. “That’s exactly what I expect. But I like to know who I’m working with. Tell me, Zoe Carter, what made you choose TechSpark?”
I take a steady breath, my rehearsed response already on the tip of my tongue.
“TeckSpark is known for its innovative approach to technology, we’ve worked with other packs before, and our systems are designed to seamlessly integrate with werewolf dynamics. I was chosen to lead this project because of my experience in adapting technology to such environments.”
The words flow effortlessly, polished and precise like they’ve been practiced a hundred times-which, of course, they have.
But his intense gaze doesn’t waver. Instead, he studies me, with his sharp green eyes.
I hold his gaze for a fraction of a second before I look away, I notice something I’ve ignored before.
His eyes are mesmerizing, a shade of green so striking it almost takes my breath away. They seem to glow faintly in the dim light, pulling me in.
I never noticed them before. My mind betrays me as I take in the rest of him-his chiseled features, the sharp lines of his jaw.
He clears his throat and that seems to jolt me back to reality. I blink, realizing I’ve been staring. My cheeks flush slightly, and I tighten my grip on the folder in my hand.
“Impressive, and your team? Will more of them be joining you later?”
I blink twice, my response is a little too quick. “Yes,” I reply, giving a small nod.
“We work in phases. For now, I’ll be conducting the initial assessments and planning. The rest of the team will arrive as needed for implementation.”
He nods slowly, but the tension in the room remains thick. His gaze stays fixed on me. His wolf must be stirring because his energy is radiating like a storm hovering on the edge of breaking.
He shakes his head slightly and lets out a brief smile before his expression hardens once more.
“Very well,” he says finally. “You’ll have full access to the necessary resources. Liam, my Beta will show you to your quarters and provide anything else you need.”
I nod again, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, keeping my gaze somewhere near his shoulder to avoid his eyes. They’re too intense.
The silence stretches between us, and I expect him to dismiss me, but instead, he keeps staring.
My skin prickles under his scrutiny, and I can feel the heat rising to my cheeks. If I stay here any longer, I’m afraid I might lose control.
I push back my chair and stand, eager to leave and escape the intensity of his gaze. But just as I turn toward the door, his voice stops me mid-step.
“One more thing, Zoe.”
I freeze, my hand hovering over the doorknob. Slowly, I glance back at him, though my stomach twists into knots. “Yes, Alpha?”
His eyes travel deliberately from my face to my chest before locking onto mine again.
“Have we met before?” he asks, his voice low and steady.
For a brief moment, panic surges through me. He knows. Or at least, he suspects something. I quickly summon a polite smile and reply, keeping a light tone.
“I don’t believe so, Alpha,” I say smoothly. “If we had, I’m sure I’d remember.”
He nods slightly. I turn and try to open the door and walk out.
But then I hear it: “Zoe.”
His voice this time is softer, almost… seductive. A shiver runs down my spine, and my body betrays me, reacting to the way my name sounds coming from his lips. My breath catches, and for a moment, I consider ignoring him, but my legs refuse to move.
“Yes, Alpha?” I reply with a steady voice, but I stay rooted in place, knowing that if I turn too quickly, his presence might make my knees give out. I swallow hard and force myself to turn around, meeting his gaze.
“See you around,” he says, and for the briefest moment, a smile crosses his face. I almost doubt I saw it. Before I can respond, the smile is gone, replaced with his usual stoic expression.
I nod, and quickly leave, my heart pounding in my chest.
I freeze. Just as the door close behind me