Claimed Twice

Chapter five

The Deal

The woman's name was Selene. I learned that fast, because she did not waste time on small talk.

"The Kade pack is pulling their support unless we finalize terms by Friday," she said, tossing a folder onto the table like it was a weapon. "And now I hear you fainted in front of half the executive team, Miss Whitfield. Word travels fast in this building."

I felt my face go hot. "I'm fine."

"You're not fine," Alpha Alexander said, too quickly. Selene's eyes flicked to him, sharp and curious, like she had just noticed something interesting.

"You two know each other," she said. It was not a question either.

Neither of us answered. That was answer enough.

Selene crossed her arms. "Great. Just great. Alexander, my office, now."

He stood up slow, like he did not want to leave, like leaving the room meant leaving something unfinished between us again. He paused at the door and looked back at me.

"This isn't over," he said. "I mean the conversation. Not—" he stopped himself. "I need to explain some things to you. Please let me."

I did not answer him either. I was not ready to answer him.

He left. Priya came back in two seconds later, arms crossed, glaring at the closed door like she wanted to follow him and start a fight.

"Okay," she said. "You need to tell me everything. Right now. Who is that man, and why did you almost pass out the second he said your name?"

I opened my mouth to explain, but before I could say a word, my boss walked back in, holding her phone like it was something fragile.

"Nora," she said carefully. "I just got off the phone with the Voss Group HR office. There's been a request."

"What kind of request?" I asked.

She looked at me with an expression I did not like at all.

"They want you assigned as the lead researcher on the partnership project," she said. "Full time. Working directly with Alpha Alexander Voss until the merger closes."

The room went very quiet.

Five years, I had built a life far away from that name. Four hundred miles, a new job, a new city, a new me.

And now, somehow, without me choosing any of it, I was about to be stuck in a room with him every single day.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. A text, from a number I did not recognize.

It's Alexander. I got your number from HR, I'm sorry. Please don't quit. Give me a chance to explain. I never stopped looking for you.

I stared at the screen, my heart pounding so loud I was sure Priya could hear it too.

Five years of silence, and now this.

I had no idea what I was supposed to do next.