Claimed by My Ruthless Alpha Boss

Chapter 2

Lyra POV

I’ve always been the one to look out for us. It’s not like my father was going to do it. I’m the one who made sure Elowen had enough food, took care of her when she was sick, and blocked punches by our father. I’m also the one who came up with the plan for us to run.

There was no way out of the engagement, especially to malrik. It would be seen as humiliating, and we’ve both seen what happens to anyone who embarrasses the prophet and his men.

I waited as long as possible to give myself time to plan and save, then we ran the night before the wedding. We’ve been running ever since. malrik will have taken the rejection personally, and even though he already has nine other wives, he won’t be happy until he has Elowen. He’s the hunter and she’s his prey. Too bad I’m mama bear and I won’t let anyone touch my baby sister.

Which means I need to always stay alert. I’m sure malrik has people out looking for us, which is why we pay our rent in cash and try to keep expenses to a minimum. We don’t go out much, not only because we’re broke, but because it reduces our chances of being seen.

“I’m going to grab a bag of candy,” Elowen says as she finishes off her sandwich, and I roll my eyes with a smile.

She has a major sweet tooth and only allows herself a treat once a week. I wish we could afford for her to indulge more often.

“Did you want anything?” she asks.

But I shake my head. “No, I’m alright.”

She heads over to grab her candy from the vending machine, and I stuff the Ziploc bags from my food back into my lunch bag so I can reuse them. Elowen comes back, handing me a bag of peanut butter M&M’s, and I smile.

“Thanks.”

She nudges me with her shoulder, popping a Skittle into her mouth as we head back to the elevators. There are three on the ground floor. One for the real estate company, one for Leader of the Pack, and the last for Alpha Cybersecurity. My sister gives me a quick hug before she heads over to the one for Leader of the Pack, and I wave and head toward my office.

There’s a man waiting for the elevator, and I stand a few feet behind him. Something about him pulls me in, and I can’t help but study the broad, mysterious man in front of me.

He’s tall with pitch-black hair, wide shoulders, and a commanding presence. I take another tentative step forward, almost unaware of my movement. I’m inexplicably drawn to him, and the closer I get, my skin shivers and breaks out into goosebumps.

I’ve never been interested in men or dating. I’ve never so much as been attracted to anyone, aside from an appreciative glance every now and then. I’ve certainly never felt this dull, throbbing ache somewhere deep in my belly just by simply standing near someone.

The elevator comes, and I watch him step inside, quickly following after, trying to be subtle about checking him out. As I step past him, I notice him tense, his nostrils flaring as he takes a deep breath.

A shiver runs down my spine as I turn and press the button for the third floor. The man takes another deep breath and grunts something before he punches the button for the top floor with more force than necessary. A tiny gasp leaves my lips when I see he cracked the button. What the heck? I didn’t even know that could happen.

He must be some big-shot executive, or maybe he’s just here for a meeting. Either way, I can’t seem to look away. The dull ache I’ve had ever since laying eyes on him turns sharp, and I feel like I’m on a razor’s edge. Every part of me is attuned to him and his movements. It’s like I can feel each one of his breaths wash over my skin, prickling my nerve endings and causing my knees to tremble.

I tear my eyes away from him and try looking straight ahead instead of gawking at the man next to me. The shiny silver of the closed elevator doors does little to distract me from the confusingly sexy stranger. In the reflection, I see him turn toward me, his eyes roaming up and down my body the way I was just doing to him.

God, I can feel his gaze everywhere, almost as if he were touching me. I tilt my head back and close my eyes, trying my hardest not to imagine those large hands sliding up and down my body.

I swear I hear him growl, but the elevator doors ding loudly before opening. The spell is broken.

I clear my throat, stepping past him, but I can’t help but look back just one last time. A few other women are walking past, and they all slow and check him out, fluffing their hair and laughing loudly to try to draw his attention as they pass.

He’s only watching me, though. Sapphire blue eyes capture mine and refuse to let go. He doesn’t look away, and it’s like there’s just the two of us in the world. My heart starts to race as we stare at each other, and I could swear his eyes are glowing.

The man starts to take a step toward me, and I wonder if he’s going to grab me and drag me back into the elevator with him. I think I’d let him do whatever he wants to me. Who am I right now?

He stops abruptly, every muscle in his body tensing as he steps back into the elevator. I want to weep.

His eyes seem to glow even brighter, and I blink, wondering if I’m seeing things. That’s when the elevator doors close, blocking my view of him.

I shake my head, reminding myself I need to get it under control. I need to focus on my job. I can’t afford to lose it.

I head back to my desk, telling myself to forget about the mystery man in the elevator as I get back to work.

It takes me a long time to forget those eyes, though.