Chapter Five
946 Words
I stepped out after him.
“What’s your address? I’ll drop you off safely.” His deep voice echoed in the silent office.
“Oh, there’s no need…” I began, already walking toward the exit.
“I insist.”
I paused. A sleek, black Mustang was waiting just outside, engine humming low like it was alive. The back door was already open, and his four guards were positioned around it, alert and still. How did they get down so fast? Right. Were speed.
“I don’t think you’re going my way,” I said softly, brushing strands of hair behind my ear as the breeze danced with it. No bun today.
“I will.” His voice was firm. Unbending. Absolute.
Persistent Alpha, of course he is.
I sighed and slid into the car. He entered after me, his presence settling into the space as the door shut with a soft click.
“Address?” he asked, eyes on me.
I gave it to the driver, and the car moved.
Silence settled between us—not the awkward kind, just quiet. But I was restless. My mind spun.
What did he mean I’m different?
Who says something like that and then just stops?
My scent. Do I… smell?
I discreetly leaned toward my shoulder, sniffing. Still dove vanilla. Still me.
I turned to look at him. His head rested back against the seat, hand clenched loosely into a fist, eyes closed.
God, he was handsome. Ethereal, even.
What was I doing in the same car, in the same space, with him?
“I’m human.” I blurted out.
His eyes opened. He turned his head slowly toward me. Yikes. No going back now.
“It’s why I’m different,” I continued, forcing a small shrug.
“I’ve met humans before,” he said evenly. Of course he has.
“So?”
“None felt this way.”
What?
Felt? Felt how? Different how?
But before I could ask—of course—the car pulled up in front of my building.
“You stay here?” he asked, eyes scanning the worn exterior with something unreadable.
“It looks better inside,” I snapped quietly, more defensive than I intended. “Thank you for the ride.”
I stepped out, avoiding the uneven paving stones and not looking back.
Mr. Bolt still hadn’t cleared his lawn. Typical. I shut the door behind me.
Hopefully, our paths never crossed again.
I arrived at work bright and early. First stop: Stella’s office.
I placed a cup of coffee on her desk, and she practically lunged for it like a starving wolf.
“I love you,” she sighed, staring dreamily at the cup as she took big gulps.
“Me or the coffee?” I asked, raising a brow as I glanced at the mountain of paperwork on her desk.
“Both,” she said without hesitation, taking a slower sip this time.
“Hope you didn’t stay too late yesterday?”
No. The Alpha king gave me a ride home actually.
How do I even say that without her launching into full detective mode? Knowing Stella, she’d turn it into a headline. And it’s not a thing. Definitely not a thing.
“Nope,” I replied casually, sipping my own coffee. “What’s all the paperwork?”
“Oh, just a bombshell.” She sat straighter. “Apparently… Mr. Aurelian Moon owns the company.”
My eyebrows shot up. “What?”
“Yeah,” she nodded slowly, like she still couldn’t believe it either. “And from the look of things, he might be taking a more active role now.”
“Doesn’t he have, I don’t know… other ruling-things to do?” I asked, pretending my heart didn’t just jump at the mention of his name.
“Right?” she agreed, throwing her hands up. “But they’re all being super tight-lipped about it. So who knows?”
So much for our paths not crossing.
I stepped out of Stella's office and froze. Mr. Gordon was stepping out of mine. Was he… looking for me? He turned and spotted me.
“Oh, there you are,” he said. Yep, he definitely was. “A word, please.”
“Yes, sir.” My voice came out smaller than I intended. Am I in trouble?
I followed him into his office, timidly clutching my coffee like it might shield me.
“Please sit, dear. You’re not in trouble,” he chuckled, gesturing to the chair across from him.
I let out a quiet sigh and sat. “I’m not? It kind of sounded serious.” I folded my hands in my lap, trying not to fidget.
“Well, yes… but in a good way.” He leaned forward, hands clasped on the table. “You’re getting promoted.”
“I am?!” My voice shot up. “Sorry—I am?”
“Yes,” he said, smiling. “You’re a very diligent young woman, and your work has been recognized. It deserves to be appreciated.”
“Oh—I’m just doing my job,” I murmured, already feeling my cheeks heat up.
“And you do it very well. That’s why you’re being promoted to Executive Assistant.”
I blinked. Executive…? That’s a big deal. A huge deal. Better pay, more responsibility, a career level-up. It felt surreal.
“Oh—thank you, sir. I promise to help you even more and—”
“Oh, you’re not assisting me,” he interrupted gently.
My smile faltered. “Oh… who am I assisting?”
“Mr. Aurelian Moon.”
My heart dropped.
No.
Way.
- Writer
