After stripping off my clothes, I picked up the shorts she’d lent me. The fabric was soft and stretchy; it smelled pleasant, like her.

I pulled them on, adjusted them at my waist, and they fit snugly. I tightened the ties, zipped them up, and slipped into the comfortable bed, pulling the frilly bedspread over me.

I felt like a gloomy Disney princess.

Everything in the apartment screamed girlishness and smelled of flowers.

Taking out my phone, I sent Olfie instructions to bring my car home in the morning, along with fresh clothes. I also instructed him to install new cameras in the parking lot so every inch would be visible.

Taking out the folded note, I reread it and wondered if it was written in real blood.

The handwriting, though shaky, was written very firmly, and the words were underlined to make it seem more terrifying.

After reading the note, I decided to look for information about Zara’s parents.

From how upset she looked and the way she refrained from revealing anything about her parents, I realized there was some dark history connected to them.

As I skimmed through several articles, I was puzzled to learn the secrets hidden behind Legans. From a forced porn actress and escort to the CEO of the most successful clothing brand, this wolf was a legend in his own right.

Furthermore, his late wife had a truly unique life story. Thanks to domestic violence, she not only became a successful businesswoman but also became renowned as a writer and philanthropist. She ran an organization that helped women victims of violence.

It must have been to this organization that he asked me to donate. I decided to donate anonymously in the future as well.

It’s no wonder they raised a strong, beautiful daughter who knew how to make decisions and stand up for herself. She wasn’t even as spoiled as a rich woman of her stature.

I still read their story in old newspaper articles back when newspapers were still around. Now everything’s digital.

I fell asleep, but woke up because I was thirsty. Slipping out of bed, I headed to the kitchen to join her. I knew she’d already be asleep, and I’d quickly grab a glass of water and be back before she noticed me.

But when I turned around, I almost froze, finding her standing behind me, trying to hold back her laughter. Her eyes danced with the mischievous glint of a teenager who’d just caught her teacher in her underwear, and such a risqué one at that.

She tried not to laugh out loud, but I could tell this troubled girl wouldn’t hold back for long. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

I narrowed my eyes and, for the first time, felt a woman’s gaze on me. She covered her mouth with her hand and doubled over, bursting into laughter at the sight of me half-naked in just that risqué outfit.

"What?" I snapped at her, frowning, but she only laughed even harder, not caring in the least that I was her boss.

That was the simplicity of Zara: she didn’t cower before me like other women. She certainly knew how to create light moments and savor small pleasures, even if it meant lending her clothes to her Alpha and then laughing her head off at how he looked like a cartoon character.

Taking giant strides forward, I towered over her, closing the distance between us until I could inhale her floral scent. My hands moved to my hips, trying to appear intimidating.

"Crazy, we will never talk about this. If I hear you gossiping about this to anyone, and I mean anyone in the pack and in the office. It won’t end well." I raised my finger and threatened her in the most menacing voice I could muster.

She quickly straightened up and pressed her lips together like a mime, and at that moment, I noticed her fiery hair cascading around her like the wolf she was.

Her hair was so soft, like velvet, between my thumb and forefinger, and I didn’t want to let go, knowing how beautiful she looked in it as I immersed myself in her tenderness.

Instinctively, I looked down and noticed she was wearing no bra under her nightgown; her nipples were protruding, enticing, and tense.

The sight instantly sent a rush of blood to my balls, making me harden down there.

Damn! Why did she have to be so sensual?

Without realizing it, I greedily gulped in oxygen, inhaling as much of her essence as my greedy heart demanded.

As always, she had no intention of backing down; the challenge in her eyes spoke volumes, as she had asked.

"Can you not tell anyone?"

I tilted my head slightly and watched her take a deep sip. There was barely any distance between us; another step and my bare chest would brush against her heaving bosom.

I touched her, though she tried not to show it, always maintaining a defiant facade.

"We usually say ’please’ when making such a request," I replied sarcastically, not taking my eyes off her deep eyes, the depth of which was like a boundless ocean.

"Please!... Sir," she paused dramatically, her lips curling. This girl and her dramatics.

"Looks like we have an agreement. You won’t say anything about those disgusting shorts you offered me."

Her brow furrowed in irritation, and her brows drew together.

"Terrible? Those are my favorite shorts."

She was holding the pitcher and phone; otherwise, she would have placed them on her waist, glaring at me.

"I don’t see the point," I said, pursing my lips, still unwilling to let go of her hair.

"Of course not. All you like to wear is black, bland, dull colors, lifeless." She shrugged, clicking her tongue.

That wolf and her saucy little mouth. The strand of her hair was still in my hand.

"Sorry if I don’t like wearing anything with strawberries," I countered, and her eyelashes fluttered.

"Says the guy in the strawberry underwear," she snorted, causing me to explode with anger. She hadn’t even finished yet. "What’s wrong with strawberries? They’re so delicious."

Every word she said not only fueled my anger but also gave me an erection. I’d just been discussing how I’d take her in my bed and then fuck her senseless, and now all this intimacy and her persistent talk of strawberries weren’t doing me any favors.