CHAPTER 30: CHAPTER 30 THE AUDIT BEGINS

Draven’s POV

I sat in my chair, answered on speakerphone, and heard the shrill voice coming through. "Draven, what the hell is this about renovating the finance floor without my authorization?"

"Lower your voice, Howard. I’m not your subordinate for you to yell at. I’m your Alpha and your boss. And I don’t need your authorization to do whatever I want in my company or my territory!" My wolf, Alaric, growled in agreement, bristling at the disrespect.

"This is outrageous! I had just left the building when I got a mind-link from Clara saying that starting Monday, finance will operate on the sixteenth floor, on the same floor as marketing. It’s completely absurd for finance to share a floor with another department, especially marketing! I tried to go back, but the elevator won’t stop on our floor. What the hell is going on?"

"Exactly what the message says is happening," I replied, my voice carrying the subtle hint of Alpha authority. "The finance floor will undergo renovation. Follow the instructions sent in the email. Starting Monday, you’ll work on the sixteenth floor. Finance and marketing will share the floor temporarily—we don’t have another empty floor in the building."

"That’s not how things work, Draven. Who decided the floor needs renovation out of nowhere?" Howard’s tone was bordering on challenging.

"It wasn’t out of nowhere, Howard. I was on the floor yesterday, remember? I noticed repairs needed to be made, including electrical work. So I, as both the Alpha of this territory and the owner of this company, decided to renovate." I heard him huff on the other end of the line and smiled. I loved making Howard’s life hell, and I knew he must be furious, especially about having to share the floor with marketing.

"Draven, if finance has to share a floor, it should be with the executive office. We deal with sensitive matters. You need to make this change immediately."

"And disrupt my space, Howard? No way am I going to put up with you on my floor! The decision has been made by your Alpha, so deal with it!" My voice dropped to a dangerous tone.

"Draven, don’t treat me like some omega!"

"Then don’t act like one. Anything else, Howard?" My patience was wearing thin.

"I need to go back with my team and move the files and computers, Draven. Have them release the elevator."

"No need, Howard. Clara has already organized the move. It will all be done over the weekend, so it won’t disrupt the department’s work. When you arrive on Monday, everything will be ready."

"No way, Draven. There are important and confidential documents there that can’t fall into just anyone’s hands." I sensed desperation in his voice, putting both Alaric and me on alert.

"Exactly why Clara will coordinate everything. You and the rest of the team report to work on the sixteenth floor starting Monday. Until then, none of you have anything to do in the building. I’m even going to have security block your entry so you won’t be tempted to show up and interfere with Clara’s work. Anything else, Howard?" My voice carried the unmistakable weight of an Alpha command. "I didn’t think so."

I slammed the phone down hard when I hung up. That Howard really ticked off both me and my wolf! I picked up the phone again and called my head of security. "Daniel, block everyone from entering the building until Monday—no employees, not even directors. Until then, only people explicitly authorized by me, Clara, and Ryan are allowed in. This is a direct order from your Alpha."

I hung up and looked at my beautiful assistant sitting there. I immediately calmed down, but that primal fire inside me ignited again. What is it about this woman that gets both me and Alaric so worked up just by looking at her? Even without being able to scent her, she had a powerful effect on us.

She had already composed herself, sitting elegantly with crossed legs and her professional demeanor. But she wasn’t fooling me or my wolf—I knew she was burning with the same fire I felt.

As I walked toward her, I heard knocks on the door, followed by Ryan’s foolish remarks. Damn it! These cockblockers!

"Alpha Draven, open this door, or I’ll assume you’re claiming your gorgeous assistant on the couch!"

I saw Caroline turn red with embarrassment and smiled at her. I went to the door and opened it, rolling my eyes at Ryan, who walked in saying sarcastically, "Just a quick private meeting, huh?"

When he saw her sitting on the couch, he deflated and started apologizing.

"Shit! Carrie, I’m sorry, I was just messing with Draven, please don’t be upset..."

"Relax, Ryan. When your Alpha finally manages to claim me, it won’t be on this couch with you interrupting the bond," she replied boldly.

He was shocked. But I already knew my bold and clever assistant. I burst out laughing and went to her, gave her a kiss on the cheek, and said while looking into her eyes, "No, it definitely won’t be. It’ll be on a nice big bed where I can take you in every imaginable position without any pack members disrupting us."

I saw the fire in her eyes and knew she was aroused. Looking at her breasts, I noticed her nipples had hardened. This woman was going to be the death of me and my wolf. Unable to contain myself, I put one knee on the couch and captured her mouth in a passionate kiss, holding her face with both hands. Alaric howled in pleasure within me.

When we pulled apart, she was panting, and Ryan cleared his throat behind me. I was already hard again, my wolf demanding more. But I spoke calmly, "We’ll continue this later. Unfortunately, my Beta here decided to interrupt us."

"I think he’s jealous of you," she said playfully. "If you guys don’t need anything else, I’m heading home to see my son."

"Won’t you wait for me? I can drive you," I said, wanting to keep her close a little longer.

"No, thanks, but I need to relieve the babysitter. See you tomorrow."

I helped her up and gave her a quick peck on the lips.

As she passed by Ryan, she placed her hand on his shoulder and said with a smile, "Right now, I feel like ripping your throat out!"

I started laughing. Man, I was head over heels for this woman! There was no turning back for either me or my wolf. Even without the traditional mate bond, I knew she was meant to be mine.