The Alpha’s Temptation

CHAPTER 9

JARED

Walking into my office, my gaze immediately sought out Amira, who was seated behind her desk. "Follow me for reports," I instructed, and Kate stood up. "I meant Amira," I corrected, and she promptly resumed her seat while Amira followed me into my office.

As I removed my jacket and settled into my chair behind the desk, I gestured for her to begin. "Go ahead, I'm listening."

She clicked on the tablet and began detailing the schedule for the day. "Your first meeting is with Mrs. Joker at eight, followed by Mr. Zill at eleven, and then with the investors from China at twelve..."

I tuned out the rest of her words, focusing instead on her expression. I searched for any signs of discomfort or redness on her face, but found none. "I suppose you were extra careful while running today," I interjected, unable to resist making a comment.

Disoriented by my interruption, she blinked rapidly, her gaze shifting uneasily. "I'm not sure I understand what you mean by that, sir," she replied tentatively, her voice betraying a hint of nervousness.

I pointed to her cheek, a faint frown creasing my brow. "You said you fell while running yesterday," I reminded her, though I knew her claim was false. "I'm simply pointing out that the redness isn't there anymore, which means you didn't fall."

She cleared her throat uncomfortably, avoiding my gaze as she shifted her attention back to the tablet in her grasp. "No, I didn't fall today," she admitted quietly, her voice barely audible over the din of the office. "You also have a meeting with YAWA by two o'clock this afternoon, and..."

"Have you had breakfast?" I interrupted once again, my stomach growling in protest. Without waiting for her response, I grabbed my jacket, signaling my intent. "I'm hungry, so let's eat first, and then we can continue this meeting."

Amira hesitated for a moment, her eyes darting nervously around the room. "But I have eaten, sir," she blurted out, her voice tinged with unease. "And I'm not hungry."

I flashed her a reassuring smile. "I am, so you can watch me eat if you don't feel like eating," I countered, my tone light and teasing. As I moved closer to her, I noticed her tense up, a reaction that both amused and intrigued me. It was clear she was uncomfortable, but I couldn't help but find her reaction endearing.

Amira swallowed nervously, her gaze fixed on me with a mixture of apprehension and curiosity. "What are you doing, sir?" she asked, her voice betraying her uncertainty.

"Getting my car keys," I replied casually, reaching past her to grab them from the table. Despite her apprehension, I couldn't suppress a small grin at her reaction. Perhaps I enjoyed teasing her a little more than I cared to admit.

I caught the scent of his wolf even before he pulled the door open, I knew he would misinterpret the situation, yet I did not pull away. I allowed him to catch us in such a comprising position.

“What is going on here?” Phoenix asked snappishly and Amira jerked with surprise, pushing me away involuntarily. Despite being the one who pushed, she staggered back and I quickly grabbed her hand to steady her.

She mumbled a thank you before putting some distance between us.

“I asked what is going on here.” Phoenix demanded. “why were you standing so close to her like that?”

Pocketing the key I reached for earlier, I stared at my son who was clearly turning into a prodigal son. I can bet my last card on the fact that he is here for money.

“I DON’T KNOW WHY YOU TOLERATE HIS BEHAVIOUR.” Flame, my wolf muttered.

Ignoring him, I kept my attention on Phoenix. “I didn’t realize I owe you an explanation on how I treat my staff.”

“She is not…” he paused then glared at Amira.

“She is not what?” I asked, leaning against my desk, “My staff? She is my secretary in case you missed that point.” That’s by the way. “What are you doing here?” he continued to glare at Amira. “Phoenix?!”

Finally tearing his gaze away from her, he moved it to me. “I want to talk to you,” he glanced at her again, this time briefly. “in private.”

He is here to ask for money, nothing else. “We were on our way to having breakfast,” I informed him, leaning off the desk and gesturing to Amira to follow me as I made my way to the door. “We can discuss whatever you want to discuss over breakfast.”

Phoenix stood frozen. “You want to have breakfast with Amira?” he blurted out, “when did that happen? I thought you were uncomfortable dining with people.”

“People I do not feel comfortable and familiar with” I corrected. “I have dined with Amira a few times you both were together, so I got used to eating with her, besides, this isn’t the first time.”

He scoffed. “You have been sharing tables and personal spaces with her, what else will you be sharing?” he spat, “Your bed?”

Flame fumed at his insult, his furs puffing out to make known his Alpha aura and I made no attempts to stop him.

My eyes turned from grey to a very light shade of blue. “You will not speak to me in that manner!” Flames roared at him, “I am your Alpha.”

Phoenix recognized that I wasn’t the one speaking, he bowed immediately. “I apologize for the disrespect Alpha, it is a mistake that won’t happen again.”

Flames moved his furious gaze to Amira, expecting her to cower in fear like Phoenix was at the moment, but she simply stared at him with fascination. “You look beautiful,” she complimented, catching Flames off guard and for the first time, I saw him speechless. “I wonder what your full wolf would look like.”

“WHAT THE HECK IS SHE?” HE ASKED ME AND I SMILED.

“You look even more beautiful when you smile.” She added, mirroring my smile.

“what is wrong with you?” Phoenix snapped at her. “Can’t you see the Alpha’s presence?” he retorted. “even if you can’t see it, can’t you feel it? Don’t you know you are expected to bow in the presence of your Alpha?”

Flame's gaze moved so quickly to Phoenix that my heck hurt. “SPEAK TO HER IN THAT MANNER AGAIN AND I WILL RIP YOUR TONGUE OUT OF YOUR MOUTH!” HE BELLOWED AT HIM.

Phoenix lifted his head and stared at Flams with confusion for a while. I was equally confused because tell me why he was defending her. “I was only trying to teach her basic manners Alpha.”

“TEACH YOURSELF BASIC MANNERS PHOENIX BECAUSE YOU CLEARLY LACK THEM. YOU HAVE REFUSED TO WORK AND MAKE A MEANING OUT OF YOUR LIFE INSTEAD YOU ONLY REMEMBER JARED WHEN YOU ARE OUT OF CASH.”

“Okay, I think you have said enough,” I informed him before pulling him back in. My eyes went back to its usual shade of grey. “Are you still having breakfast with me?” I asked Phoenix whose head is still bowed.

At the sound of my much calmer voice, he lifted his head. “Sure, I still need to have that conversation with you.”

Nodding, I gestured for Amira to lead the way and she did.

“How about we talk about it on our way instead of the restaurant?” Phoenix requested and I nodded, not seeing anything wrong with it.

We got to the car and Phoenix hastily took the back seat. Amira quietly accepted to get into the passenger seat.

“Amira will sit with me at the back,” I informed Phoenix whose eyes widened with shock.

“What did you say?” he muttered, probably shocked that I actually said that to him.

“You heard me,” I deadpanned. “switch seats with Amira ASAP.”