Alpha Dax's P.O.V.
"Did you secure the rest of the contracts?"
My Beta's voice crackled through the speaker. "Yes, Alpha. The last two companies sent confirmation this morning. No one's going to touch her résumé."
"Good."
My fingers tap the desk in a steady rhythm, each sound echoing in the room.
"Keep it that way. I don't want her distracted by. options."
She'd come here. Only here.
"Understood, Alpha."
I heard the tension in his voice-the unspoken question. I didn't soothe it. That's not my job. Fear whets loyalty.
"And what about the Pack?"
"We're all excited to meet our Luna, Sire."
A growl rumbled in my chest. Mine. Not theirs. Not yet.
"Anything else?"
A pause. "Your mother. She's still attempting to arrange the mating banquet with the Moonvale daughter. Should I-"
"Tell her I'm occupied."
"She'll insist-"
"With more pressing matters," I snarled.
The line went dead. The office falls silent again. It's how I like it. No noise, no interruptions-except for the one that's coming.
Elena.
Her name was honey and fire on my tongue. I leaned back, staring at the ceiling.
Five years. Five long years. Not a day passed that I didn't see her face-the curve of her lips, the wildfire in her eyes. I thanked the Moon every night for leading me to her.
Even when the pack business tore me away. Even if she fled the city.
I hadn't worried.
She could never truly leave.
Not after I'd marked her that night.
Glorious wasn't even the word. My wolf had nearly shredded my skin just to claim her. Of course, she didn't know. Every breath she'd taken since belonged to me. Every heartbeat. Mine. And no one else's.
A low growl escaped me. Across the room, my secretary flinched.
"S-sir?" Her voice trembled through the intercom. "Should I bring your coffee?"
"No. Stay quiet."
"Yes, Sir." Her voice shakes. Good.
I couldn't wait to see my little queen again. Couldn't wait to watch her stride in, all stubborn pride and sharp edges. She'd fight me. And I'd relish every second of breaking her down all over again. Piece by delicious piece.
It was all going according to plan.
Right on schedule, the intercom buzzed.
"Mr. Valiente? Elena Rivers is here."
For a heartbeat, the world stood still. My wolf fell silent-then erupted into a deafening howl.
Mate.
The word echoed through my skull like a drumbeat.
'Mate here! Mate is here!'
"Send her in." My voice dropped an octave.
I turned my chair away from the door. I wanted to feel her before I saw her.
Her scent hit me first-that intoxicating sweetness of wild strawberries crushed under sunlight. Beneath it, the warm spice of cinnamon and vanilla made my palms itch to touch her skin.
The door creaked open. I heard her hesitant footsteps, the nervous catch in her breath.
Good.
I turned slowly, drinking in the shock on her face.
"Dax?" Her whisper sent heat coiling low in my gut.
Just hearing my name on her lips again made my cock twitch. Five fucking years I'd waited to bury myself inside her. But nof-I couldn't rush this. Couldn't scare my little queen away.
I smirked, taking my time swiveling to face her fully. "Hello, Elena. Miss me?"
Her eyes-those fucking honey-brown eyes that haunted my dreams-widened. "What the hell..."
"Sit." I pointed to the chair opposite me.
She crossed her arms. "I didn't know you owned this company. I'm leaving."
My grin sharpened. "Sit. Elena."
A shiver ran down her spine, and she obeyed, dropping into the chair with barely contained fury. "Still on your god complex, I see."
I almost laughed. Almost.
"Let's get this over with," she snapped, but I caught the way her fingers clenched around her resume.
I leaned back in my chair, fingers steepled. "Let's discuss your education. You took a. gap year during college."
Elena's shoulders stiffened. "Personal reasons."
"Vague." I tapped her resume. "This isn't a coffee shop application, krasavitsa. Elaborate."
Her jaw clenched. "I needed time to reassess my priorities."
"Ah," I smirked. "So you chose business administration after your epiphany? Fascinating pivot from. what was your original major?"
"Literature," she muttered.
"Romantic." I let the word drip with mockery. "Yet here you are, begging for a corporate job. Why Valiente?"
She lifted her chin. "Reputation. Growth opportunities."
"Liar." I chuckled. "You applied because we're the only ones who haven't rejected you yet."
Her fingers twitched. "This was a mistake." She stood abruptly. "I'm withdrawing my application. Goodbye, Mr. Valiente."
"There are no other applications, Elena." I flipped a page lazily. "Not anymore."
She froze. "What?"
"You heard me."
"You-you've been sabotaging my interviews."
"Ensuring you'd come here."
"You're insane."
"Possessive," I corrected, grinning. "There's a difference."
"You're a monster."
"I've been called worse." I snapped the folder shut. "Tell me, Elena-has there been anyone else?"
Her lips pressed into a thin line.
I tilted my head. "Let me rephrase. Last week. That accountant at the bistro. What did he taste like?"
Her eyes widened. "You're stalking me?"
"Protecting. Monitoring." I shrugged. "Call it what you want."
"None of your business."
"Everything about you is my business."
I was behind her before she could blink, my breath hot on her neck. She shuddered-good.
"Every inch of you belongs to me," I growled. "Even the parts you've let others touch."
She whirled, shoving me back. "I don't know what fucked-up drug you're on, but I'm no one's-least of a bastard like you!"
I laughed, low and dark. "Such a bad girl, princess."
Her breath hitched.
"How dare you let another man kiss these cheeks?" I traced her jaw. "Mine. Always mine."
"Dax-"
"Stand up."
"No."
"Stand. Up."
She gritted her teeth. I watched the war in her eyes-defiance wrestling with desperation. Slowly, trembling, she rose.
"Bend over the desk."
"You're insane."
"Do it, Elena." I circled her like a shark. "Or walk out. But we both know no other doors will open for you."
Her fists clenched. For a second, I thought she might set me on fire with her glare. Then-a sharp exhale. She bent forward.
The sight nearly undid me.
"Good girl," I murmured.
My palm cracked down on her ass. She gasped, the sound searing through me.
Again. Again. Her breaths turned ragged. My vision tinted red, memories of that night five years ago flooding back-how she'd writhed beneath me, how she'd screamed.
"Bad girls get punished," I growled.
"Dax-"
I yanked her upright, crushing my mouth to hers. The kiss was brutal, claiming. She tasted like fire and fury.
My other hand slid under her skirt. Fuck. Soaked. My cock throbbed at the discovery. Her body always did betray her.
"You'll behave now," I whispered against her lips, fingers thrusting deep. "Because I don't share. Ever."
Then-
She wrenched free like I'd burned her. "You're sick!"
"Keep your job, Elena-"
"Stay the hell away from me!" She grabbed her bag, heels slamming against marble as she fled.
The door crashed shut.
For a moment, the room was silent again. Then I smiled.
She'd be back.
I'd make her come back.
And when she did, I'd ensure she stayed.
Office life was about to get very interesting.
