CHAPTER 17: CHAPTER 17 TURNING UP THE HEAT

Caroline’s POV

I grabbed a coffee and settled at my desk, my legs still trembling. Minutes later, an email from Alpha Draven arrived with tomorrow’s meeting preparations. I quickly got to work, and by the time pack members started arriving at the office, I had everything in order.

Clara walked in arm in arm with a woman and looked at me in surprise.

"Carrie, did you fall out of bed? Good morning!"

"Good morning, Clara! Alpha Draven asked me to come in early to prepare for tomorrow’s meeting."

"That Draven. Don’t let him make this a habit."

"I won’t, Clara. But it was good; I already have everything prepared." I looked at her and smiled.

The woman beside Clara was eyeing me with an intriguing grin. She was striking—tall, tanned, with deep brown eyes behind stylish glasses. Her black hair fell just past her shoulders, and she wore a perfectly tailored suit that screamed power and elegance.

"Clara, Beta Ryan mentioned the new assistant was cute, but damn, she’s gorgeous!" Her voice was warm and playful. "She’s going to have this office in a spin."

"Yes, Kyle, she’s very beautiful, and the stir has already begun," Clara replied with a smile. "But let me introduce you. Kyle, this is Caroline Bennett. Carrie, this is Kyle, Ryan’s assistant. You’ll be working together a lot, but don’t worry, Kyle is a serious professional."

"Carrie, it’s a pleasure to meet you. You can count on me, including chasing away the vultures that’ll be circling around you." Kyle extended her hand, and I shook it, feeling that she would be a good friend.

"Pleasure to meet you, Kyle."

We spent the morning working together, as Kyle and I needed to be in sync. Throughout the morning, my Alpha showed no signs of life. By eleven o’clock, we had everything adjusted, and from then on, we would work with the precision of a Swiss watch.

Kyle and I were going to have lunch together; Clara wouldn’t join us as she would spend the rest of the day in video conferences with the London branch. Kyle went to her office, and I finally got up to get some coffee when I heard a familiar whistle and looked up, smiling.

"Is it going to be like this every day, Ryan?"

"Well, Caroline, it wasn’t supposed to be, but what did you expect with that little dress? You know you’re beautiful. And your Alpha is in big trouble!" He replied with a mischievous smile. "Speaking of him, is he in his office?"

He had barely finished speaking when we heard the door open and my Alpha’s grumpy voice reprimand, "Ryan, I’ve warned you!"

When he looked at me, I saw fire in his eyes. He was devouring me with his gaze. I wasn’t going to miss this opportunity. "Alpha, would you like some herb tea to calm down your nerves?"

He narrowed his eyes and let out a low growl that sent shivers down my spine. Ryan watched the scene without understanding and asked his friend, somewhat confused, "Since when do you drink herb tea?"

"Since my assistant decided to test my patience," he replied without taking his eyes off me.

I smiled and, very politely, placed my hand on my chest and said, "I would never do that, Alpha Draven! Beta Ryan, would you like me to bring you some coffee?"

"Yes, Caroline, please."

I walked slowly to the break room, feeling their eyes on me. My wolf Rory was practically purring with satisfaction at how we’d managed to rile up the Alpha. He must have been regretting messing with me already.

I got the coffee and tea, arranged them on the tray, and just as I was leaving, Linda came in and approached me, reaching out to take the tray.

"Caroline, give me that, honey, it’s not your job."

"Linda, I don’t mind. Let me take the coffee to the Alpha this time." I smiled at her and left with the tray.

I reached the Alpha’s office door, gave a light knock, and entered. I walked gracefully, set the tray on the edge of the desk, placed the coffee cup in front of Ryan with a napkin, went around the desk, and in a rather provocative way, making sure my neckline was right in the Alpha’s face, placed the teacup in his hands. His eyes sparkled with understanding; he knew I was going to torture him, and with Ryan there, he couldn’t do anything about it.

When I turned to get the napkin, I "accidentally" let it fall to the floor. I bent down to pick it up, positioning my behind right in Draven’s line of sight, taking longer than necessary to grab the napkin and stand up. He growled, a deep rumbling sound that was pure wolf, and I knew I had put him in another awkward situation.

When I stood up, I noticed Ryan’s amused expression as he watched the scene unfold. I couldn’t care less. They were pack brothers, and I was sure my Alpha had mind-linked him everything.

But before I could say anything, Draven stood up, grabbed the napkin from my hand, and before I could let go, he spoke in that husky voice, his face close to mine, "Next time you stick that pretty ass out at me, I’m going to bend you over, forget you’re my assistant, and fuck you until you beg me to stop. Understood, she-wolf?"

I looked down and saw the bulge in his pants again. I gulped. Goddess! What is it about this Alpha? I was completely turned on again, my wolf Rory practically whimpering with need. But he was like a Norse god, a walking invitation to sin. I was totally screwed.

"Did you understand, Caroline?" he insisted.

"Y-yes, Alpha."

Across the table, Ryan burst out laughing at the scene. Looking at us both, he couldn’t hold his tongue.

"You two should just complete the mating bond and get it over with, because with the sexual tension between you, it’s inevitable. Save your energy and spare yourselves the stress of trying to avoid the unavoidable."

We both turned to glare at him simultaneously. He laughed, grabbed his coffee cup, and headed toward the door saying, "Don’t say I didn’t warn you!"

When our eyes met again, Draven closed his eyes and ran his hands over his face in frustration. I’d noticed he always did this when his wolf Alaric was pushing against his control. It was so disarmingly attractive!

Taking advantage of him sitting back down, I spun on my heels to make a quick exit.

I used the remaining time before lunch working at my desk. At noon, Kyle came in all excited, "So, Carrie, lunch? I’m starving."

"Sure, Kyle, let me just check if Alpha Draven needs anything first."

I used our phone to ask him; I wasn’t going into that office now. He cleared me for lunch.

We went to a small restaurant near the office that served delicious food. Kyle is very fun, talkative, and pleasant. She told me she’s mated to her childhood sweetheart but doesn’t have pups yet. She asked about me, and I told her I’m a single mom. We spent lunch talking about our lives. She’d definitely make a good friend.

She said her mate and I would get along great, and I was excited about the possibility of making more friends in the pack. We returned to the office and stopped at the bakery across the street. I bought a slice of chocolate cake to eat later.

At one o’clock, I was professionally seated at my desk. I wanted to buy underwear, but Kyle insisted on waiting for me at the bakery, and I felt awkward about ditching her, so I remained exposed.