Lurgard.

I knew it— no matter how much she denied it, no matter how many times she claimed she wasn’t Theresa...There were things the body could not forget.

She had always loved Leonard.

And even now... even with her memories gone, she still leaned into him so naturally, so effortlessly, as though it was instinct. As though some part of her still belonged there.

A dull ache spread slowly across my chest, unwanted and unwelcome.

I had told her we were lovers.

Wasn’t that enough?

Didn’t that mean something?

Shouldn’t that alone make her keep her distance from the others?

Damn it.

She was driving me insane.

My gaze drifted back to her lips, almost against my will. They were still slightly swollen...from earlier of course. The sight alone sent a wave of heat through me, sharp and consuming. I found myself imagining things I shouldn’t, wondering how they would feel again, how it would be to take them, to claim them without interruption this time.

I wanted it badly.

And then the thought came again...her working with us, right there in the office, so close, within reach.

Every single day.

A surge ran through my body at the mere idea, dark and possessive. I could already picture it, her beneath my control, her voice breaking as she called my name, again and again, the sound echoing through spaces that were meant for work but would become something entirely different.

Mine.

She would be mine.

But just as quickly...My eyes lifted to hers and I saw it—the hesitation, the resistance forming, she was about to refuse.

I knew it.

And there was no way in hell I was going to allow that.

"It’s decided, Theresa." My voice cut through the silence before she could speak firm and final.

She turned toward me immediately, her lips parting as she prepared to object, but I didn’t give her the chance.

"Your opinion doesn’t matter." The words came out cold, deliberate, leaving no space for argument.

And as if sealing it completely...My brothers spoke at the same time.

"Yes, Theresa. From now on, you will work with us."

The synchronization was effortless and unquestionable. A decision already made.

She went still.

For a moment, she didn’t say anything.

Her face had gone pale, the color draining slowly as though something within her had shifted. There was a fragility in the way she stood, a subtle unsteadiness that didn’t go unnoticed.

My eyes narrowed slightly, as she moved her hand to her stomach again.

Once.

Then again.

At intervals.

A faint frown formed on my face.

Was she unwell?

A stomach ache, perhaps.

But she said nothing about it. Instead, she lowered her gaze slightly, her posture composed despite the visible strain.

"Thank you so much for your offer," she said softly, her voice controlled, as she bowed her head just a little."I will take my leave."

I gave a small nod, silently acknowledging her request to leave, but Leonard’s expression told a completely different story.

He didn’t want her to go.

There was something in his eyes, something lingering, almost mischievous, that made it obvious. He wanted more time, more moments to toy with her, to pull reactions out of her the way he always did.

And for some reason...that didn’t sit well with me.My hands clenched tightly at my sides, my jaw tightening as I forced myself to remain still.

Across the room, I noticed Lawrence.

His gaze hadn’t left her either.He watched her retreating figure with an intensity that was hard to ignore, slow, deliberate, almost predatory. His eyes moved over her like he was committing every inch of her to memory, like a beast patiently waiting for the right moment to strike.

It stirred something dark within me—a possessiveness I didn’t bother to suppress but one thing was certain...I wasn’t going to sit back and watch.

I would beat them to it.

"I’m leaving too," I muttered, almost absentmindedly.

I didn’t wait for a response, nor did I ask for permission. I simply turned and walked out, my steps steady, purposeful.

There was only one destination in my mind—Theresa’s room.

I caught up with her halfway on the stairs and before she could react, before she could even question it, I bent slightly and lifted her into my arms in one swift motion, holding her in a bridal style as I continued up the stairs without breaking pace.

"Alpha Lurgard... what are you...?" she stammered, her eyes widening in shock as she looked up at me.

"Shhh," I cut her off quietly. "It’s late, Theresa. You wouldn’t want to disturb the others."

My tone was calm, but firm enough to silence her and it worked.

She went completely still in my arms, her protest dying before it could fully form.

Within minutes, we reached her room.

I pushed the door open and stepped inside, walking straight to the bed before carefully placing her down.

But even after letting go, my gaze didn’t, It lingered, tracing her slowly. Taking in every detail as something within me began to stir again, hotter, stronger than before.

Damn it.

It was getting harder to control.

The heat in my body rose sharply, my wolf reacting, pushing, demanding. Impatience surged through me, thick and overwhelming.

Without thinking, I reached for my shirt, unbuttoning it hastily as though it might somehow ease the tension building inside me.

But it didn’t, nothing did.

I leaned in again, closing the distance between us, capturing her lips in another possessive kiss, driven more by instinct than restraint.

Her hands came up immediately, pressing against my chest as she tried to push me away.

But instead of stopping me, it only made something snap. The resistance fueled the fire instead of extinguishing it. My wolf stirred more aggressively now, restless, insistent, craving release.

I pulled back slightly, breathing heavily, my chest rising and falling as I struggled to regain control... 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

And then...

*Smack.*

Her hand struck my cheek hard. The sound echoed in the room, sharp and undeniable.

I froze.

Completely stunned.

For a moment, everything went still.

In all my years as an Alpha...no one had ever dared, no one had ever raised their hand against me. Not once and certainly not a woman.

It was weird but...