Aria’s POV
I couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t do anything except stare at those long fingers pressed against the paper.
"Director Black." His voice was calm. Controlled. Nothing like the monster from last night. "Leave us."
It wasn’t a request.
Director Black rose imdiately. "Of course, Alpha."
She gathered her things. Walked toward the door. Didn’t look back.
The click of the door closing echoed through the room like a death sentence.
We were alone.
I still hadn’t turned around. Couldn’t bring myself to face him. If I looked at him, I might scream. Or cry. Or do sothing equally pathetic.
"Aria."
His voice sent shivers down my spine.
I hated that. Hated how my body still responded to him. After everything. After last night.
"Look at ."
No.
I kept my eyes fixed on the desk. On his hand still covering my letter. On anything except him.
Silence stretched between us.
Then he moved.
He walked around . Slow. Deliberate. Until he was standing in front of Director Black’s desk. Leaning against it casually. Arms crossed over his chest.
Like we were about to discuss the weather.
I forced myself to lift my gaze.
And froze.
He looked... normal.
Not the red-eyed monster from last night. Not the raging Alpha who’d lost all control. Just Kael. In an expensive suit. Hair perfectly styled. Expression completely neutral.
The only sign of what happened was the faint bruise on his cheek.
Where I’d slapped him.
Good.
"So." He tilted his head. Studied like I was a particularly interesting specin. "You’re resigning."
I said nothing.
"Because of last night?
Couldn’t find the words to explain how terrified I was. How trapped I felt. How every cell in my body was screaming at to run before he destroyed again.
"Please don’t force anymore." My voice dropped to a whisper. "I don’t have any special feelings for you. Not anymore. Whatever we had... it’s gone. Dead. Buried."
I t his eyes directly.
"I have nothing left to give you."
The words hung in the air.
Heavy. Final.
I waited for the explosion. For the anger. For the possessive rage that had consud him last night.
Instead, he laughed.
Actually laughed.
The sound was soft. Almost amused.
"Special feelings?" He uncrossed his arms. Placed both palms on the desk behind him. "Aria, I’m not here to talk about special feelings."
I blinked. "What?"
"You said I’m forcing you. That you don’t have feelings for anymore." He shrugged. One shoulder. Casual. "That’s fine. I’m not asking about your feelings."
My brain struggled to process.
"Then... then why won’t you let resign?"
"Because you’re good at your job."
I stared at him.
"What?"
"Your work." He gestured vaguely. "It’s excellent. The organizational systems you implented. The efficiency improvents. The way you handle correspondence." He paused. "Director Black showed the reports. You’ve accomplished more in a few weeks than most assistants do in years."
My mouth opened. Closed. Opened again.
No words ca out.
"I don’t want to lose a talented employee." His voice was matter-of-fact. Businesslike. "That’s all this is. I appreciate you as a worker. Is that so hard to believe?"
"But..."
"Last night I made a mistake." He cut off smoothly. "I let my emotions get the better of . It won’t happen again."
I searched his face for any sign of deception. Any hint that this was a trap.
Found nothing.
Just calm. Professional. The Alpha managing a staffing issue.
"Here’s what’s going to happen." His voice was calm. Almost gentle. "You’re going to stay at this company. You’re going to continue doing your excellent work. And we’re going to have a strictly professional relationship."
"I refuse."
"You don’t have a choice."
"Of course I have a choice!" My voice rose. "This is MY life! MY career! You can’t just—"
"I’m moving my office."
The sudden change of topic threw off.
"What?"
"My office." He spoke slowly. Like he was explaining sothing to a child. "I’ve been working out of the Alpha mansion. But starting today, I’ll be working here. In the CEO office."
My blood ran cold.
He continued like I hadn’t spoken. "And since I’ll need a personal assistant, your desk will be relocated. To the secretary’s office. Adjacent to mine."
"That’s not—"
"You said you don’t have feelings for anymore." He shrugged. "Fine. I’m not asking for your feelings. I’m asking for your professional skills. Can you do that? Be professional?"
The challenge in his voice was clear.
"From now on, we’re just colleagues." He spoke over . Calm. Final. "Superior and subordinate. Boss and employee. Nothing more."
I stared at him.
Searched for the catch.
This had to be a trick. So elaborate sche to get closer to . To break down my defenses. To—
"Unless..."
The word hung in the air.
My heart stuttered.
"Unless what?"
Kael tilted his head. That ghost of a smile returned.
"Unless you want the special relationship you ntioned." His eyes glead with sothing I couldn’t read. "The feelings you claim to not have anymore. If that’s what you’re really worried about..."
He stepped closer.
I stepped back.
My shoulders hit the wall.
Trapped. Again.
"Unless you want to be my Luna?"
The word hit like a slap.
"Your... your WHAT?"
"Luna." He said it casually. Like he was discussing lunch options. "The position is open. Has been for three years, actually. If you’re interested—"
"I’m NOT."
He studied for a long mont.
Then stepped back.
The sudden absence of his presence left dizzy.
"Fine." His voice was casual again. Businesslike. "Then we have no problem. You’ll continue as my assistant. We’ll maintain a professional relationship. And your personal life is your own."
I blinked.
That was it?
He was just... giving up?
"Your first assignnt." He straightened his cuffs. "I need you to organize a mating ceremony."
The words didn’t register at first.
"A... what?"
"Mating ceremony." He walked back toward the desk. Picked up my resignation letter. Studied it briefly. Then tore it in half. "You attended one three years ago, if I rember correctly. Sa format. Sa scale. Invite all the eligible wolves in the territory. Single n and won."
He looked at over his shoulder.
Those black-gold eyes locked onto mine. He dropped the torn letter into the trash. "An Alpha needs a Luna. And since you’ve made your position clear..."
He turned to face fully.
That calm, collected expression.
That hint of sothing darker underneath.
"I’ll be selecting a suitable Luna candidate at this ceremony."
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