Kane

"Okay, keep me updated, and quickly," I ordered, before ending the call and turning to Zara.

Disappointment washed over me like an avalanche crashing into the valley below. She stood and adjusted her dress. Giving me a shy smile, her cheeks were like rubies.

She said, "I need to sleep... tomorrow will be a busy day."

Stroking her hair, she tried to smooth it down, tucking it behind her crimson ear, and muttered again, "I fulfilled my bet, and I think you’re satisfied."

Striding forward, I reached her before she could escape. She watched me approach her; her shyness intensified as I approached and reached out to touch her disheveled hair.

Slowly, I began to remove the pins and beads that held her beautiful hair together. She didn’t need any embellishments; it was already beautiful.

She merely looked at me shyly, but didn’t move or say a word until she had let all her hair down.

Lifting it, I slowly tossed it over her shoulder, feeling the shiny strands in my hand.

Then I lowered my lips, kissed her tenderly on the forehead, and whispered, "Goodnight, Zara. Your hair looks better this way; let it stay that way."

***

Zara

Asbela knocked on the door, asking permission, as I emerged from the bathroom in my robe and slippers. I let her in, letting her in.

"Good morning, Zara," she greeted me.

"Good morning, Asbela." I waved my hand through my damp hair.

"Tell me what you’d like for breakfast; I’ll let the chef know and help you with your hair," she said calmly, moving closer to the wall phone.

"Orange juice, cheese sandwiches, and a boiled egg."

She nodded pleasantly at my request. After ringing to place her order, she returned to me and grabbed a comb and a cordless hair dryer.

I settled in front of the mirror while she dried, combed, and pinned my hair.

Alpha Kane’s words from the previous evening still echoed in my head, and the urge to let my hair down was overwhelming. But I had to act professional; I couldn’t go to the office with it down.

I put on my peach pantsuit and grabbed my purse, ready to go downstairs.

To my disappointment, I didn’t find Alpha Kane at the dining table. I sneaked a look to see if he was nearby. Asbela must have noticed my wandering glance and explained it.

"Alpha doesn’t eat breakfast and usually just has a smoothie or a cup of coffee before heading to the office."

"I see." I settled into a chair and finished my breakfast when Asbela announced that Alpha Kane was waiting for me in the car.

Thanking her for the delicious dinner and for helping me get ready, I stood up and left.

Olfi was waiting for me when I left the villa. My eyes still wandered, trying to fully appreciate the beauty of Alpha Kane’s pack house. He nodded respectfully and walked me to the car.

My heart beat slightly at the prospect of seeing Alpha again, and the events of the previous night flashed before my eyes.

Opening the door, he allowed me to get in, and Alpha Kane’s intoxicating scent enveloped me.

"Good morning, sir," I greeted him, turning my head to get a better look at my icicle-like boss. With each passing day, he grew less cold and more radiant.

The darkest shade of blue in existence was used for the suit Alpha Kane wore today. The smooth fabric clung tightly to his hips, and he sat with the graceful elegance typical of Kane Sterling.

Freshly shaved, with the citrusy, oceanic scent of his aftershave, I inhaled more oxygen than I intended.

The smooth skin of his face felt so soft that I wanted to run my finger along the edges of his chin and those Cupid lips, as if a moon goddess had spent extra time creating them.

"Please! Don’t bring up last night."

"Please! Don’t bring up last night." The mantra echoed in my head. "Good morning, Zara. I hope you slept well," Alpha Kane demanded.

Alpha spoke in his smoky, soft voice.

’Yes! That knee-buckling kiss kept me up most of the night, and when I did, it was on the couch, so now my neck hurts.’ I rolled my eyes.

’Where can you find Alpha’s fault?’ Nova rolled her eyes, too.

’My wolf has sympathy with her Alpha?’ I yelled at Nova.

’You told the Alpha to pick up your phone.’ Nova amused.

I looked at him.

Damn! I looked at him.

At first, I smiled warmly at my asshole Alpha to hide my embarrassment.

"Thank you, thank you."

The car pulled away.

"Good, because today is going to be a busy day. The meeting with the board of directors must go smoothly. Find out as much about them as you can. Especially their names, the names of their partners, spouses, and girlfriends. Remember, none of them will have daughters, even if women that age happen to be around."

I cringed so much at this information that Alpha Kane didn’t even try to hide his smirk.

"Noted, they’re all perverts. I hope they’re not pedophiles; otherwise I won’t be able to control myself."

"Relax! Some of the girls may be young, but they’ll be adults. I just warned you so you wouldn’t be surprised," Alpha Kane snorted, drumming his fingers on his knee.

"The behavior of some humans scares me to the bone, but I can be restrained as long as they don’t harm anyone." I kept my eyes on his hands, my mind spinning with the thought of the pleasure they could bring.

Alpha always wore the watch I’d given him, and that quote spoke volumes about his cheerful disposition.

"I trust you, so you’ll be with me," Alpha Kane replied casually. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

’Our Alpha trusted us to behave appropriately at such events, and we weren’t about to disappoint him, ’ Nova was determined.

’Now, we are on the same page.’ I rolled my eyes.

’I believe there were no fucking humans,’ Nova prayed.