The Alpha’s Forbidden Mate

Chapter 4

I felt my whole body tense. My breath caught. That same gaze, this time there was something different. Something he tried to hide behind his calm, but it was there.

A few seconds later, his gaze moved away and he walked toward the lecturer’s table at the front of the room.

“Good morning.”

His voice was heavy, deep, and calm enough to silence the entire class instantly.

“I am Lucan Fiermox,” he said slowly but firmly.

“Starting today, I will be your lecturer for Introduction to Psychology and Human Behavior.”

His demeanor, his way of speaking, and his authority made everyone reluctant to relax in front of him.

I was still seated. My hand on the desk trembled gently, trying to write something in my notebook but failing. The pen I held nearly fell.

“This introduction will not last long,” he continued flatly. “I have no interest in small talk. You came here to learn, not to impress me. Whoever cannot keep up with the pace of this class is invited to leave now.”

His voice was cold, yet laden with a complexity that was hard to describe.

Risa leaned toward me, whispering softly, “Oh my God, he’s so intimidating, isn’t he? But he’s also cool.” I could not answer.

Lucan looked back at the entire class, then returned his gaze to me.

That gaze pierced. Intense, but full of warning. As if he wanted to make sure I wouldn’t speak about what happened between us.

And under the gaze of the whole classroom, he said without shifting his gaze even a fraction,

“I don’t like students who come to class with unfocused minds. If any of you come without mental readiness, I suggest you fix it immediately before I handle it myself.”

Suddenly the whole room felt frozen.

I knew that wasn’t just a general warning. It was a warning for me.

The bell signaling the end of class rang, and the lecture hall immediately filled with the sound of chairs scraping and footsteps rushing toward the door.

But before I could join them, that deep baritone voice echoed from the front of the room.

“Student named Lira Althea, see me in the faculty office.”

The entire class fell silent at once.

A few students exchanged confused glances, while I froze in my seat.

Risa turned toward me with a worried expression.

“Lira, did you do something?” she whispered.

I shook my head slowly. “I don’t know,” I answered quietly, forcing a small smile even though my heart was pounding fast.

Lucan did not wait for a response. He walked out of the room with calm, confident strides, leaving behind the faint shadow of his authority.

I took a deep breath before finally following the direction he had gone, toward the faculty office.

When I arrived, the room was quiet. Only Lucan stood near the wide window, his back to the door. The soft afternoon sunlight streamed through the glass, casting light across part of his face, making him look both cold and dignified.

“Sit down,” he said without turning around.

I obeyed, sitting carefully in the chair in front of him.

The atmosphere felt heavy, as if an invisible wall separated us.

For a while, he said nothing, until finally, in a calm voice, he spoke. “You seemed surprised earlier.”

I lowered my gaze slightly. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

The corner of his mouth lifted faintly. “I told you that night, didn’t I? That we would meet again.”

I fell silent. His words from that night still echoed in my memory, and now, everything felt like a cruel twist of fate.

Lucan walked slowly toward the desk, leaned against its edge, and looked at me intently. “And now, here I am, standing before you. It seems fate favors me.”

I lowered my head, holding my breath. “I don’t know what to say, sir. This feels too…”

“Too coincidental?” he interrupted smoothly. “There are no coincidences, Lira. I always get what I seek.”

I took a slow breath, trying to steady my voice. “What is it that you really want from me?”

His gaze didn’t waver, still as calm as ice. “The offer still stands.”

I frowned. “Offer?”

“Money,” he replied flatly. “Or, if your pride refuses that, perhaps a job would sound more respectable.”

I froze. “A job?”

Lucan’s expression was nearly unreadable. “You need money to survive, don’t you? For rent, for your tuition.”

His words made my blood run cold. How could he know that?

I straightened my posture, pretending to stay composed even as my heart raced. “You’re mistaken. I’m fine.”

“Is that so?” His tone was low, yet sharp.

“Of course,” I replied quickly.

He opened the desk drawer, took something out, and handed me a card. “Then take this. In case you ever change your mind.”

I hesitated before finally taking the card.

On the elegant black surface, it read: Lucan Fiermox – CEO, Fiermox Holdings Corporation.

I stared at the writing, hardly believing it. So… the man who had offered me money three nights ago, who now stood as my lecturer, was also a CEO?

I looked back at him, searching for some kind of explanation, but Lucan only met my gaze with calm, sharp eyes.

“Do not tell anyone about this,” he said then, his tone low but firm. “If you wish to keep your life peaceful, keep that knowledge to yourself.”

I gripped the card tightly in my hand.

There was something in his voice—not exactly a threat, but more like a warning.

Lucan turned toward the window again, his back to me. “You may go now.”

I rose slowly, looking at his back for a moment before turning toward the door.

But just as I reached it, his voice came again, quiet but clear.

“And, Lira,” he said without looking, “remember what I told you that night. The world is small. Sooner or later, you will return to me.”

The sky had turned orange when I stepped out of the faculty building.

I looked down at the black card still clutched in my hand. “Lucan Fiermox,” I murmured softly. The name felt both foreign and dangerous.

I wanted to ignore it, to pretend the meeting earlier had never happened, but his words lingered stubbornly in my mind. Sooner or later, you will return to me.

I sighed deeply and slipped the card into my bag.

I planned to go straight back to the apartment I shared with Risa, but my steps stopped when I saw her sitting alone on a bench in the small garden behind the main building. From afar, her shoulders were trembling. Her head was bowed, and I could faintly hear the sound of her sobs.

“Risa?” I called softly as I approached.

She turned quickly, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. “Lira,” she said, her voice shaky, trying to sound normal, but her red eyes betrayed her.

I sat beside her without asking anything at first. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”

Risa was silent for a moment before taking a deep breath. “I just got news from home. My mother is sick. Very sick. The doctor said she needs immediate hospitalization.”

I froze. “Oh no, Risa. What are you going to do?”

She bit her lip, holding back another wave of tears. “The problem is, I don’t have enough money. My savings are gone because I just paid our rent this month. I… I don’t know what to do, Lira. I have no one here.”

My chest ached hearing that.

Risa was the only person who had taken me in after I was kicked out of my apartment. She shared her food, even bought me small necessities without complaining. And now, when she was at her lowest, I had nothing to offer her.

“Risa,” I said softly. “I’m so sorry.”

She looked up quickly. “Why are you apologizing? You did nothing wrong.”

“But I’ve been living off you, eating your food, while you’re the one struggling. I should be the one helping you, but I can’t even do that.”

Risa shook her head weakly, trying to smile through her exhaustion. “Don’t say that, Lira. You’re my friend. I know things are hard for you too. We’ll find a way, together.”

I lowered my head. Her gentle voice only made my heart ache more.

And at that moment, without meaning to, Lucan’s face appeared again in my mind—his cold eyes, his deep voice, and the offer he had made with calm certainty.

“If you ever need a job, come to me.”

I clenched my hands tightly in my lap. That evening, the decision came to me—not because I wanted to, but because I had no other choice.

A few minutes later, I stood in front of the faculty office where Lucan usually worked.

The sky outside had darkened, the only light coming from the lamps along the garden path.

The door was half-open, revealing Lucan still seated at his desk, wearing a black shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He was writing something on a file and didn’t look up when I knocked softly.

“Come in,” he said, without raising his head.

I stepped inside slowly, then stood before his desk. “Mr. Lucan.”

He finally looked up, his gaze locking on mine. Calm, sharp, and unreadable. “You came sooner than I expected.”

I took a deep breath, summoning my courage. “I’ve been thinking about your offer.”

One of his brows lifted slightly. “And?”

“I accept,” I said quietly. “I want to work for you.”

For several seconds, the room was silent.

Lucan studied me, as if trying to read something in my expression. Then, slowly, he leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms.

“Interesting,” he said softly. “I didn’t think you’d agree so soon.”

I stared at the floor. “I’m not doing it just for the money. I don’t want my life to be bought. So working feels like the better choice.”

Lucan gave a faint smile, one that was impossible to interpret. “Of course. I can appreciate that kind of reasoning.”

He picked up his phone, typed something briefly, then looked at me again. “You can come to my office tonight. Eight o’clock sharp. I’ll explain what your responsibilities will be.”

“Tonight?” I asked hesitantly.

He nodded. “Yes. My office isn’t far from here. Fiermox Tower, twenty-first floor. I want to see for myself if you’re truly as brave as you claim.”

The tone of his voice made my heartbeat quicken uncontrollably.

I swallowed hard, then answered softly, “Alright, Mr. Lucan.”

Lucan held my gaze for a moment longer before turning toward the window again. “You may go now. But remember, Lira. Every choice comes with consequences.”

I looked at him one last time before turning and walking toward the door.