The Alpha’s Temptation

CHAPTER 10

AMIRA

Excited by the unexpected ease Alpha Jared seemed to be granting me, he is making my plan a lot more easier. I eagerly disembarked from the car and made my way around to the passenger side, eager to take Nix’s place.

However, as I attempted to pass by Phoenix, he abruptly grasped my arm, his grip firm and unyielding. Irritation flared within me, and I instinctively tried to pull away, only to find his hold tightening.

Frustration mingled with defiance as I lifted my gaze to meet his, my glare challenging him to release me. "Are you going to let me go, or should I start screaming until your father intervenes?" I threatened.

Phoenix's expression tightened, his gaze flicking briefly towards the closed window before he reluctantly relented, releasing my arm. "We'll discuss this later," he muttered tersely before resuming his stride towards the front seat.

As I settled into my seat and fastened my seatbelt, Alpha Jared's question caught me off guard. "What took you so long to get in?" he inquired.

Glancing towards Phoenix instinctively, I noticed Alpha Jared's gaze following mine, his expression shifting to a frown. "What did he say to you?" he pressed, his concern evident.

"Nothing," I replied hastily, a pang of guilt flickering within me as I skirted around the truth. After all, Phoenix hadn't uttered anything of substance—it was his actions that had left their mark.

Sensing someone's intense scrutiny, I turned to my left and found Alpha Jared's penetrating gaze fixed upon me. "What?" I blurted out, my discomfort palpable. "You're making me uncomfortable with your stare." Though directed at Alpha Jared, my words carried another message for Phoenix—I wanted him to be aware that his father's eyes were trained on me.

"What did you want to talk about?" Alpha Jared redirected his attention to Phoenix, breaking the intense scrutiny he had been directing towards me. "I have a busy day ahead, so I can't spare any more time than I am right now."

Phoenix turned to face his father, his expression bordering on annoyance, undoubtedly exacerbated by my presence in the car. "You could have left her at the office so we could discuss over breakfast, but you chose to bring her along," he remarked bluntly, his irritation evident.

Despite Phoenix's thinly veiled reproach, Alpha Jared remained unfazed, his demeanor calm and collected. "We had already made plans for breakfast before your unexpected arrival," he responded evenly. "I'm not going to alter my plans with her just because you decided to join us."

With folded arms and a scowl etched across his face, Phoenix shot occasional glares in my direction, clearly displeased by my presence. "So you're really going to make me discuss this in her presence?" he grumbled, his frustration evident.

Jared, seemingly unfazed by the tension, retrieved his iPad and began toying with it, his attention divided between the device and the conversation at hand. "Why are you making such a fuss, Phoenix?" he interjected casually, his tone tinged with boredom as he delved into his work. "You're here to ask for money, aren't you?"

Feigning interest in the exchange, I diverted my gaze towards the window, pretending to be engrossed in the passing scenery.

"Why do you make it seem like such a burden?" Phoenix retorted sharply, his irritation palpable. "You're my father, so I have every right to request financial assistance, don't I?"

The audacity of Phoenix's request left me momentarily stunned, prompting me to steal a glance at him to ensure he hadn't completely lost his senses.

"Pull over," Jared's gruff voice cut through the tension, commanding the driver to immediately bring the car to a halt. "Get out."

For a split second, I hesitated, wondering if Jared's directive was aimed at me. Instinctively, I reached for the door handle, but Phoenix's disapproving gaze made it abundantly clear that I had overstayed my welcome in their private conversation.

Jared's next action caught me off guard as he reached forward and firmly grasped my arm. "I was speaking to him," he clarified, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Get out of the car. I'll transfer the money to you."

Phoenix's incredulous reaction was almost comical, his brows shooting up to his hairline as he blurted out, "What?! How am I supposed to get home?"

Jared's response was devoid of sympathy, his gaze conveying a mixture of annoyance and exasperation. "We have cabs and trains for a reason," he retorted, his irritation palpable. "Don't tell me you don't have any money?" With a dismissive gesture, he reached into his wallet, extracted several wads of cash, and tossed them in Phoenix's direction. "That should cover it, right?"

I half-expected Phoenix to exhibit some semblance of dignity and refuse the cash, but to my dismay, he stooped to pick up the money and stuffed it into his wallet with a disgruntled grumble. "You didn't have to throw it at me like that," he muttered sullenly before shooting me a pointed glance. "Remember what I told you." With that, he opened the door and exited the car, leaving behind an awkward silence in his wake.

Dumbfounded by Phoenix's behavior, I watched through the rearview mirror as he hailed a taxi, while Jared, ever the nicest father, patiently waited until Phoenix was safely inside the vehicle before instructing the driver to proceed.

Even in Phoenix's absence, the car seemed suffused with tension, an obvious reminder of the uncomfortable atmosphere he had brought with him. How had I failed to notice this aspect of his character before? I had always been aware that his father provided for his daily expenses, but the extent of his entitlement and arrogance when it came to demanding money he hadn't earned was truly unsettling.

"What did he say to you?" Jared's baritone voice broke through my haze, pulling me out of my thoughts. "Don't lie to me, Amira," he added sternly, his gaze penetrating. "I detest dishonesty."

"He just wants to talk," I insisted, meeting Alpha Jared's gaze with a mixture of defiance and frustration. "But why do you indulge him?" I couldn't help but question, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. I had witnessed firsthand how Alpha Jared handled situations in public, his authority and assertiveness evident as he ensured that people showed me the respect I deserved.

Alpha Jared's response was disappointingly nonchalant. "Because he is my son, and it's my responsibility to take care of him," he replied with a dismissive shrug, seemingly oblivious to the implications of Phoenix's behavior.

Unable to suppress my mounting concern, I pressed further. "You do realize he's capable of earning his own money, right?" I pointed out, my tone edged with exasperation. This wasn't merely about controlling the flow of funds to Phoenix; it was a matter of fundamental principles. "You have just one child, and you're the head of a successful company. Why isn't he working for your company, especially with a degree under his belt?"

He glanced at me momentarily, his gaze penetrating as he delivered his blunt assessment. "You should have advised him while you both were still together," he pointed out, his words carrying a subtle accusation. "But instead, you chose to spend the money with him."

My eyes narrowed at the insinuation, a flash of indignation rising within me. "Nix didn't spend much on me," I retorted firmly, my tone leaving no room for doubt. "Everything I own, I've worked hard for it."

There was silence in response to my assertion, the weight of Alpha Jared's contemplation hanging heavily in the air.

"Really, Mr. Snider, you should consider what I just said," I pressed on, determined to drive my point home. "Make him work for his money, and you'll see the positive effect it will have on him."

Exhaling wearily, Alpha Jared leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes as if considering my suggestion. "I'll consider that," he finally conceded, his tone reflecting a willingness to entertain the notion. "But only if you promise me one thing."

His willingness to negotiate caught me off guard, a glimmer of admiration flickering within me. "Sure," I replied, eager to hear his terms.

"Promise me that you won't stay out late and you'll avoid dark alleys," Alpha Jared implored.

His words struck a chord, sparking a flicker of unease within me, but I chose to lighten the mood with a teasing remark. "You sound like a mom right now," I quipped, masking my own apprehension with a touch of humor. After all, my own mother had never been one to worry about my safety.

Jared's response was sobering, his gaze piercing as he met my eyes. "I'm being serious, Amira," he insisted earnestly. "New York isn't as safe as it used to be, and I want you to be safe."

Sensing his sincerity, I nodded in acquiescence. "Sure, I promise," I reassured him.

He offered me a small smile before closing his eyes once more. "But I want you to promise me something in return," I continued.

“Yeah, sure.”

“I want you to promise me that you will get Nix into an office in the company.”

He grunted in response to my request, his skepticism evident even with his eyes closed. "Why does it feel like you just want to be close to him?" he questioned suspiciously.

I scoffed at the suggestion. "My wolf isn't even talking to me thanks to Nix, and you think I want to go back to him?" I shot back, my tone laced with bitterness.

He shrugged nonchalantly, his eyes remaining closed. "I just wanted to make sure," he muttered dismissively, as if to brush off any lingering doubts.

Just as I thought the conversation had reached its conclusion, he unexpectedly opened his eyes and fixed me with an intense stare. The intensity of his gaze was disconcerting, as if he was peering deep into my soul. "Call me Jared," he said, his voice soft yet firm, breaking through the tension with a simple yet significant request.