Erin’s POV
“This card will buy everything you need,” b
reputation.”
I shook my head. “No, I can’t accept this.”
said coldly. “As my personal secretary, your appearance directly reflects on my
Derek’s eyes narrowed. “This isn’t a request, Erin. Return it after you’ve made your purchases. There’s no room for refusal. It’s only right for an Alpha to reward his subordinates.”
“So this is the reward you meant?” I looked at him in confusion. “No, I really can’t-”
Heat rushed to my face as I realized what he was implying–that I had been expecting something else, something more intimate.
“I–I didn’t mean- I stammered, unable to form a coherent sentence. “I just want to do good work for you, Alpha.”
Derek’s lips curled upward, almost imperceptibly, possibly in amusement. But there was something else in his expression- a flicker of heat in his eyes that made me hold my breath.
I took the card with trembling fingers, our skin brushing for the briefest moment. Even that momentary contact sent a current up my arm. “Thank you, Alpha. I promise I’ll work even harder to deserve your trust.”
I said nothing more, hurrying from his office with my heart drumming in my chest, my wolf whimpering with a confusing mixture of relief and disappointment.
“Erin, are you alright? Why is your face so red? Did you eat something you’re allergic to?”
I looked up to see the administrative assistant watching me with concern as I entered my office.
“Maybe,” I mumbled, sinking into my chair.
She hesitated for a moment, clearly curious, but eventually returned to her desk, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
Was I dreaming? What had gotten into Derek? He was acting like a completely different person! Was he finally feeling the pull of our Soul Bond too?
I pressed my hands to my burning cheeks, trying to cool my skin. I needed to focus on work, not interpreting Derek’s confusing behavior. I opened my laptop, attempting to concentrate on the Silverpine Pack files, but my thoughts kept drifting back to the moment Derek had leaned so close, his breath warming my ear and skin.
Just as I finally settled into a productive workflow, my phone vibrated with another text from the unknown number:
[Are you avoiding reality? Don’t you know hiding your feelings is the act of a coward?]
I stared at the screen, completely bewildered. Who was this person, and what did they know about my feelings? Had someone from school seen me with Derek at the club? Or worse, someone from the office?
1/2
Chapter 113
After a moment’s consideration, I decided not to reply. Engaging with anonymous messages would only encourage them turned off my phone and refocused on work, determined to get through the rest of the day without further distraction.
When I had completed my tasks for the day, the office was beginning to empty as employees headed home. I gathered my things, eager to go home and thank my mother for covering for me last night. Whatever Amy had told her had worked perfectly.
I walked toward the elevator, surprised to find Derek already there, his finger hovering over the button. He glanced at me, his expression unreadable, but something in his eyes made my pulse quicken.
“Why are you lingering here?” he asked, his deep voice echoing in the empty hallway. “The VIP elevator requires my permission to use, as you should know.”
My cheeks flushed again, and I lowered my head slightly in a gesture that was both respectful and shy. “I was just leaving, Alpha. I wanted to finish those files you requested first.”
Derek gestured toward the elevator. I stepped inside, trying to make myself as small as possible in the confined space. He followed, his tall frame seeming to consume the remaining air. He stood close enough that I could count the stitches on his perfectly tailored suit if I dared to look directly at him.
The elevator began its descent, the silence between us thick enough to touch. The slight swaying of the elevator occasionally caused our shoulders to brush, each contact sparking along my skin.
His energy seemed to fill the small space completely, pressing against me from all sides, silently claiming ownership of everything inside, including me. I felt both trapped and protected, frightened and thrilled.
My wolf stirred within me, not just circling but almost dancing with excitement, responding to his dominant presence. Her eager reaction only intensified the heat pooling in my stomach.
Chapter Comments
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they’ve never mentioned knowing each other from childhood. in fact you made a point of introducing then to one another at stone industries
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again she hadn’t met him at this point
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