THE ALPHA' HUMAN

HANDS OFF HER

NICOLE POV

Ian closes the distance between us in long, purposeful strides, each step radiating a terrifying kind of authority.

The director jerks his hands off me as though he's been burned.

But too late.

My ears are still ringing from Ian's thunderous voice.

Before I can even process what's happening, Ian reaches me, grabs my arm, and moves me firmly behind him. The protective gesture steals my breath.

His attention never leaves the director.

Neither does his fury.

In one swift movement, Ian wraps a hand around the director's throat and drives him backward.

A deafening c***k echoes through the office as the man's back slams against the wall.

The impact is so violent that the drywall caves inward, leaving a visible dent.

The director's polished shoes leave the floor, his legs kicking helplessly in the air.

My heart stops.

Oh my God!

Ian is actually lifting him with one hand.

"How dare you?"

His voice is quiet.

Too quiet.

The kind of quiet that carries far more danger than shouting ever could.

A violent shiver races down my spine.

The director claws frantically at Ian's wrist, his face already turning an alarming shade of red.

"I... I..."

No words come.

Only panicked gasps.

"Oh, shit."

I whip my head toward the doorway.

Mr. Knight stands frozen at the entrance, his usually composed expression replaced by outright panic.

Behind him, curious employees begin gathering outside the office, trying to peek inside after hearing the commotion.

Mr. Knight reacts instantly.

He pushes the door shut before anyone can see what is happening.

The muffled voices outside continue, but at least no one can witness what looks dangerously close to murder.

He walks toward me quickly.

Not too close.

Just close enough that Ian won't misunderstand his intentions.

"What happened?" he asks in a hushed voice.

His eyes flick anxiously between me and Ian.

"I... I came to get my salary advance form signed." My words tumble out faster than I can think. "He started touching me. I was trying to get his hands off me when Mr. Lockwood walked in."

Mr. Knight curses under his breath.

"Fuck..." His hand drags down his face. "That's bad."

He looks at Ian again. The director's struggles are becoming weaker.

"You have to calm him down."

I blink. "What?"

"He'll kill him." Mr. Knight says.

I stare at Ian.

Every muscle in his body is rigid. His jaw is clenched so tightly I think his teeth might c***k. The veins in his forearm bulge beneath his rolled-up sleeves.

He doesn't look angry anymore.

He looks...

Feral.

Like something inside him has snapped beyond reason.

I look back at Mr. Knight. "You want me to go near him?"

"Nicole." His voice is urgent. "Please."

I shake my head immediately. "Have you seen him?"

"I'm looking at a dead man if you don't stop him."

I swallow. "I don't think he'll even hear me."

"He will." Mr. Knight says it with absolute certainty. "He'll hear you."

"Why?"

"I don't have time to explain."

He glances toward Ian again. The director's movements are slowing. His face has turned an ugly bluish-purple.

"Please. Only you can reach him."

Only me? Why?

Nothing about that makes sense. I barely know Ian.

We've only met a handful of times.

Yet Mr. Knight sounds utterly convinced that I'm the only person capable of pulling him back from whatever darkness he's drowning in.

I look between the three men.

Mr. Knight's desperate expression.

The unconscious director hanging helplessly in Ian's grip.

And Ian. Standing there like wrath itself.

I don't understand why he's so angry. I don't understand why he defended me with such terrifying intensity.

But I know one thing.

I don't want him becoming a murderer because of me.

Taking a shaky breath, I force myself to speak. "Mr. Lockwood."

Nothing.

Not even a blink.

Mr. Knight leans toward me. "His first name."

He whispers it so quietly I almost miss it.

I try again. "Ian."

His entire body goes rigid.

My heartbeat quickens. He heard me. His grip doesn't loosen. Not even slightly. But he heard me.

"Ian..." My voice comes out softer this time.

"Please."

His shoulders rise and fall with one deep breath. His fingers flex. Just once.

Hope flickers inside me. I take one careful step forward. "Ian..."

I ignore the fear clawing at my stomach. "Come here."

No response.

Mr. Knight subtly motions for me to continue.

I bite my lip. I have no idea what I'm doing.

"I..." I hesitate.

Then the words leave my mouth before I can stop them. "I need you."

Silence.

For one endless heartbeat, nothing happens.

Then—

The director crashes onto the floor with a loud thud.

Ian doesn't even look at him. His eyes remain fixed on me. They're still burning with anger. Still wild.

Yet underneath all of it...

There's something almost desperate.

He walks toward me slowly.

Every instinct tells me to run. Instead, I stand perfectly still.

He reaches me. His hand slides around my waist with surprising gentleness.

The contrast leaves me dizzy.

Just moments ago, those same hands looked capable of crushing someone's throat. Now they're holding me as though I'm something precious.