THE ALPHA' HUMAN

THE INTERVIEW

NICOLE POV

My eyes flew open, my chest heaving as the remnants of the nightmare clung stubbornly to my skin.

There was no way that would actually happen.

There was no way I'd be late for my interview, get thrown out of the company before I even had a chance to prove myself, then return home only to find my belongings dumped outside because I'd been evicted.

...Right?

My hand shot toward the phone on my bedside table.

The bright numbers on the screen made my blood run cold.

"s**t!"

I practically launched myself out of bed, stumbling as my feet tangled in the sheets. I barely caught myself before crashing face-first onto the floor.

A groan came from my bed.

I ignored it.

She was the reason my nightmare was dangerously close to becoming reality.

If Natalie hadn't shown up at my apartment last night crying over yet another useless guy—and somehow convinced me to drink with her—I would've woken up on time.

What even happened to the alarm I set?

Did I switch it off in my sleep?

Or was I so drunk that I slept through it?

"Why are you shouting this early?" Natalie mumbled sleepily. I didn't even spare her a reply as I rushed into the bathroom.

There wasn't time for a proper shower.

I splashed cold water over my face, brushed my teeth at lightning speed, and stared at my reflection.

"You can do this," I muttered.

Please, God. I need this job. Desperately.

My landlord had increased my rent. Mom's hospital bills weren't going to pay themselves, and neither were the medications she needed every month.

Then there was Eric. My little brother's tuition deadline was fast approaching.

Failure wasn't an option.

I threw on the interview outfit I'd carefully laid out the night before, slipped into my heels, grabbed my hairbrush and a scrunchie, then rushed out of the apartment.

I'd fix my hair in the cab.

Right now, every second mattered.

~~~

I shifted uncomfortably beneath the receptionist's judgmental stare. My head throbbing, the adrenaline was no longer there and I felt the full aftermath of last night’s bad decision.

She sighed—again—and turned back to the computer in front of her.

I was the only person left in the waiting area.

Of course I was. Everyone else had probably completed their interviews and gone home hours ago.

Lockwood Worldwide was one of the biggest and most successful advertising companies in the world. People would kill for the opportunity to work here. So the fact that I was the only applicant still sitting here could only mean one thing.

I was embarrassingly late. And I had probably already lost my chance.

But I wasn't ready to give up.

Not until someone looked me in the eye and told me no.

Maybe...

Just maybe...

Heaven would smile on me today.

"Can you please stop tapping your foot?" the receptionist snapped, glaring at me. "It's incredibly distracting."

I immediately stopped. "I-I'm sorry."

Truthfully, I knew she didn't want me here. I'd practically begged her to let me wait.

She'd only agreed after several minutes of relentless pleading.

"It would honestly be better if you just left," she continued coldly. "You're wasting your own time."

Each word landed like another blow.

"Do you have any idea how many people came here today for this interview? I'm certain someone has already been hired." Her lips curled with disapproval.

"Someone who understands the importance of punctuality instead of treating this company like a playground."

I lowered my head. She wasn't wrong. No matter how harsh she sounded...

I deserved it. She hadn't asked me to oversleep.

"What is going on here, Trina?"

The deep masculine voice instantly drew my attention.

I looked up...

...and nearly forgot how to breathe.

Standing a few feet away was easily the most attractive man I'd ever seen.

Tall. Broad shoulders. Sharp jawline. Perfectly tailored suit. His features looked as though they had been sculpted by someone obsessed with perfection.

Who was this man?

"Mr. Knight." Trina's tone transformed instantly into one of respect. "It's nothing worth bothering yourself over."

She glanced at me with clear disdain.

"Just someone who's clearly unserious about her life."

Okay.

Now she was simply being rude. There was no reason for that.

Judging by the way she addressed him, though, I knew he had to be someone important.

Very important.

I swallowed my pride.

"Mr. Knight... good morning." I say, standing up.

His attention shifted to me.

"My name is Nicole. I…I'm here for the interview." My voice came out smaller than I intended.

"I'm really sorry I'm late. Some... unforeseen circumstances came up."

Unforeseen circumstances.

Otherwise known as getting drunk because my best friend couldn't stop crying over a man who probably wasn't worth the tears.

I forced myself to meet his gaze.

"Please." The desperation in my own voice made my cheeks burn.

"I really need this job." His eyes slowly traveled over me.

From my heels...

To my wrinkled blazer...

To my hastily tied hair...

Then back to my face.

He froze.

"Holy s**t," he muttered beneath his breath.

A strange smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Well..." He stepped aside. "Come on then."

Hope surged inside me so quickly my knees almost gave out.

"But fair warning." He chuckled.

"Ian hates lateness." His expression turned almost sympathetic. "He might lash out."

He studied me carefully. "Are you ready for that?"

I had absolutely no idea who Ian was. But if he was the one deciding whether I got this job...

"I am." The words came without hesitation.

His smile widened. "Alright."

He turned and began walking. I hurried after him, unable to resist glancing over my shoulder.

Trina sat frozen behind the reception desk. Her mouth had actually fallen open. A tiny wave of satisfaction warmed me. Served her right.

I only hoped that satisfaction wouldn't be painfully short-lived.

~~~

By the time we reached another hallway, my feet were screaming.

Whoever invented high heels clearly hated women.

Finally, Mr. Knight stopped in front of a large wooden door. He glanced back at me. That amused smile was back.

"Ready?"

Again? Why did he keep asking me that? A tiny knot formed in my stomach.

Still...

I nodded.

He gave a single nod in return before pushing the door open.

The office was enormous. Elegant.

Everything was dressed in shades of gray with subtle touches of gold.

Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, casting warm light across polished marble floors so spotless they practically reflected the room.

Money.

Power.

Control.

The space practically breathed all three.

"Ian."

Mr. Knight's voice broke the silence.

My attention shifted toward the man seated behind the massive desk. His head remained lowered, his attention fixed on the paperwork in front of him.

The moment he heard his name...

His shoulders stiffened. Slowly...

Almost mechanically...

He lifted his head. And my heart completely forgot how to beat.

Dear God.

This man...

He was devastatingly beautiful.

If Mr. Knight was handsome...

This man was something beyond human. Dark hair. Strong, impossibly sculpted features.

Glasses resting perfectly on a face that belonged on magazine covers.

An involuntary gasp escaped me. His eyes met mine.

Everything happened in seconds.

One blink. That was all it took.

The chair screeched violently against the floor. A deafening growl ripped through the office. Before I could even react—

My back slammed against the wall. A hard body pinned me there. Strong hands wrapped tightly around my waist.

His face buried itself against my neck.

"MINE." The word came out as a savage growl.

It vibrated straight through me. My entire body froze.

Then—

I felt it.

His tongue swept across the sensitive skin of my neck. A shocked gasp escaped my lips. What—

The pressure disappeared just as suddenly.

Mr. Knight tore him away from me. "Ian!"

He struggled to hold him back. Ian fought like a wild animal. His muscles strained violently as another feral growl erupted from his chest.

Yet his eyes...

His crazed, golden eyes...

Never left mine. Not even for a second. With one powerful shove, Ian broke free.

Mr. Knight immediately tackled him again to the table before he could reach me.

"Nicole!" Mr. Knight shouted. His voice echoed through the office. "Get out of here."

His eyes were wide with urgency. "Now!"

My pulse thundered in my ears. I looked at Ian one last time.

His breathing was ragged. His entire body trembled as though every instinct inside him was screaming to reach me. Those terrifying golden eyes remained locked on mine.

I didn't wait another second.

I turned, yanked the door open, and practically ran out of the office.

Only after I slammed the door shut behind me did I realize I was shaking. I leaned against the wall, struggling to catch my breath.

My fingers drifted to the spot on my neck where he'd touched me.

My skin still tingled.

What...

The heck...

Just happened?