Alpha Kane's warmth was comforting, and his hand relaxed, stroking my skin slowly. The scent of his cologne slightly calmed my agitated heartbeat.
"Did he do this on purpose?" Nova asked.
"Or was it a spur-of-the-moment decision, simply because Ronald was asked to bring a coffee?" I suggested.
Whatever the reason, Alpha Kane and I were going to talk about it.
Alpha Kane can't just dump decisions like that on me.
"What great news," Ronald chuckled, pushing his blond hair back from his forehead.
There were murmurs of congratulations as I remained calm.
"I want everyone to show her the respect that befits her status. And under no circumstances is this news to leak to the press. I will announce it when I deem it necessary," Alpha Kane warned in a commanding, clipped voice.
Everyone in the room nodded, except Ronald. An irritating smirk played across his handsome face. He stood up and walked over to the coffee machine to pour himself a cup of coffee.
I was beginning to think he had done this on purpose, to anger Alpha Kane enough to make him announce it.
"Let go," I said quietly, and Alpha Kane let go of my hand.
I tried to look at him to see what mood he was in, but I couldn't. The darkness was drawing me in.
It felt strange: someone had called me a girl again. I was completely unprepared for a fake relationship, and even though this one was just a pretense, it still tormented my soul.
It brought back memories I had tried to suppress, but of course, could not control.
The meeting ended on a high note, with Alpha Kane passing on a few instructions and innovative ideas for the new winter launch.
Miranda stayed behind while we supervised the cleanup crew. She sensed my mood and said sympathetically,
"Are you okay? I understand if you're feeling down. Mr. Sterling can have that effect on others."
I shook my head, putting his cookies in the jar and closing it.
"It's not that, it was just a little unexpected."
She patted my shoulder understandingly. Her fingers were adorned with rings with all sorts of heavy stones.
"I understand perfectly."
I needed to talk to him, so after finishing my work, I headed to Alpha Kane's office.
When Alpha Kane's voice came over the speaker, I pushed the door open and walked in.
Alpha Kane was busy with his phone, facing the window and his back to me. I waited for him to finish the call.
Alpha finally turned, his steely gaze meeting mine. A single wrinkle on his forehead seemed to question why I was here.
"I have a few things I wish to discuss," I answered without hesitation.
Alpha stepped toward his desk and placed his palms on it, leaning slightly, like a wolf about to pounce on its prey.
With laser-like precision, his honey-colored eyes found me.
Unfortunately for him, I was not the prey.
"I'm listening."
I folded my arms across my chest and cut him off.
"Next time you make a statement like that, a heads up would be nice. I don't like being dragged into situations like that."
Alpha Kane simply blinked, as if I was making some unreasonable demand. Silence fell between us.
My heart was beating faster and faster until it was the only sound in my ears.
"Speak already!" I screamed at Nova.
Alpha Kane finally did it.
"No one should boss you around but me. I had an announcement to make, and I think now is as good a time as any. You need to be prepared for scenarios like this. It's part of your job."
Of course, what else did I expect? I sighed in disappointment, but that Alpha jerk wasn't done yet.
"Maybe you're more upset that I hugged you without your consent. But it should have been clear to you that this was part of your job description…"
Alpha Kane gave me another appraising look, slowly sliding down my body. Making me feel vulnerable and exposed, but not in the way I wanted. Something was unnerving and arousing about his gaze at the same time.
"I understand, sir. That's not what I meant…" I blurted out.
Why did his words suddenly make me angry?
"Then you have nothing to complain about, or do you have something to add?" He asked.
"Actually, yes. There was no need to attack your employees personally. I mean Charlie."
This time, it was Alpha Kane's turn to snort and shake his head.
"Charlie doesn't have such a fragile ego, and I always scold him like that. He knows and understands me. I simply warned you not to flirt with him, because that's his habit. Although he is harmless, I will not allow anyone to flirt with my fake girlfriend in the office. We have to be honest for this to work, and to do that, I will have to act like a bossy, possessive guy. Hopefully, that will clear things up," Alpha Kane concluded.
Seeing that my lips were still pressed into a thin line of displeasure, Alpha straightened up and shoved his hands in his pockets. He walked around the table and sauntered over to me, stopping a few inches away.
"You need to give me a tome of instructions on how to use you," I said, exasperated.
"What am I? A complicated machine?" There was a hint of amusement in his words.
"No, sir! More like a damn freezer with that attitude and behavior?" Nova's mind flashed with images similar to a freezer, and she had to push them away.
"No! But you are complicated."
Alpha Kane's posture seemed much more relaxed now, and his ebullient energy seemed to have slowed down a bit.
"Trust me, Zara. I know what I'm doing, and I care about my pack member. I may look like a dictator, but it's for the greater good. So go to the pack and relax."
"Damn, that idiot was so kind to me just now."
"Why was his voice so soft and raspy? Like a soothing symphony." Nova is in a trance.
Without realizing it, I nodded at him.
***