Aria’s POV

Arge hand grabbed my arm and pulled me baway /bfrom HR’s grip.

I looked up and my heart almost stopped.

Even I couldn’t believe he just showed up here. It felt like a dream.

“A–Alpha Grayson,” HR stammered, her bface /bfrozen with shock and fear.

“I don’t need employees who think they can make decisions for their boss,” he said freezingly while wrapping his arm around my waist. “If I see something like this again, you’re fired.”

“Y–yes, Alpha. I’m terribly sorry…”

HR’s expression was priceless, but I was in no mood to enjoy it. His icy pine scent consumed me again, making my body weak and hot. My wolf let out a soft purr, urging me to lean into him. But before I could even move, he let go.

A pang of disappointment hit me in the chest.

“Come,” he said shortly, striding toward the private elevator.

I shot HR and the stunned security guards ba /bsmug look, then hurried after him.

He swiped his card and the elevator doors closed. We started going up to the 58th floor.

It was dead silent. My heart was beating so wildly that I was afraid he’d hear it. I snuck a nce at him—he just stared straight ahead, emotionless, keeping a distance, like he wanted to be anywhere but here.

Unease twisted my stomach.

“So, um… what brings you here today?” I broke the silence.

He sighed softly. “I owe thispany.”

“Oh, Oh…Right.”

I wanted to punch myself in the face.

The awkward silence lingered until the elevator dinged open. The 58th floor was a wide–open space with no cubicles bor /bdividers–just massive floor–to–ceiling windows and a sweeping view of the entire city.

“Wow,” I whispered under my breath. Grayson was already walking ahead.

I jogged to catch up as he led me into an office at the far end of the floor. A stunning female assistant closed the door behind us, and

my throat. once again, it was just the two of us. My heart rocketed back into

He casually unbuttoned his jacket. It was amazing how he made even that look sexy.

“So you insisted on seeing me?” he asked.

He didn’t ask me ito /isit. He didn’t even move closer. That distance stung a little.

“I worked here till a week ago when I found out I was let go for no reason…” I quickly told him the story of how I was fired. “This is clearly illegal in iso /imany ways…. can you help me get my job back?b” /b

“Unfortunately, no,” he replied, barely hesitating.

My heart dropped like a stone. “Why not?”

“I’ll have the hiring department look into whether your termination followed proper protocol. But this isn’t something a CEO handles directly. Anything elseb?/bb” /b

9:18 AM

The hiring department?

That could btake /bbweeks/bb–/band I didn’t bhave /bbweeks/b.

“No… you don’t get it,” I stepped forward, my voice trembling. “My grandma’s in the hospital. Her bills bare /bgetting insane every month. And I’m already deep in debt… If I bcan’t /bmake money, I don’t even know- I really, REALLY need this job.”

I knew bwe /bcame from two different worlds, butying out the most desperate parts of my life in front of him still made me feel horribly exposed. I bjust /bhoped–begged–that he’d understand.

But he didn’t.

His gray eyes stayed emotionless.

“I’m sorry, Miss Collins,” he said quietly.

Tears rushed into my eyes. I couldn’t even breathe.

All I could think about were the bills, the debt, the mountain of shit waiting for me the second I left this building.

“If there’s nothing else, my assistant will show you out.” he said, reaching for the inte.

I rushed forward and pressed my hand down on his before he could call anyone in.

His whole body stiffened–but he didn’t pull away. He just stared down at me. I stepped in closer, tilting my head up. His gray eyes darkened like a storm brewing in the distance.

His pine scent wrapped around me again, thick and intoxicating. As werewolvesb, /bour scent only spikes during a fight or sexual arousal. It was damn obvious which bcase /bthis was.

“You clearly feel something for me,” I whispered.

He said nothing. I ced my hand on his chest and felt his heartbeat. It bwas /bracing bas /bwell. His breathing had also turned shallow.

“What are you doing, Miss Collins?” he asked tightly. “Trying to seduce your way into a job?”

“bYou /bcan do whatever you want,” I locked eyes with him. “I won’t stop you.”

His Adam’s apple bobbed. God, I wanted to lick it.

And… well, I did.

I leaned up and pressed my lips ito /iit. He let out a growl.

The next second, I was pinned on his desk. He stood between my spread legs, one hand by my head. I whimpered, mping my thighs together–the heat between them bwas /balmost unbearable. Just like in the backseat of his car.

J

His hand slid from the desk to my throat. It was so big, he could probably snap my neck if he wanted,

“You shouldn’t keep tempting meb, /bMiss Collins.”

His body was pressed against my thighsb–/bI definitely felt the effect I bwas /bhaving on him.

“Why?” I whispered, licking my lips. “Because your self–control isn’t as strong as you thought?”

“Because I don’t fuck virgins.”

What the actual hell???

The next second, he had pulled away. I scrambled off the desk, face red, eyes wide.

“What did you just say?!” I snapped. “Why–How the hell do you even know-b?/b”

“I know who you are. And I know about your rtionship with my sister’s husband.”

And just like that, everything clicked.

9:18 AM

It was Jace.

That bastard didn’t just dump me–he ran his mouth about my virginity to everyone, including Grayson.

Humiliation crashed over me blike /ba bwave/bb. /b

“Jace is a fucking asshole,” I snapped shakily.

Grayson shrugged. “Obviouslyb. /bBut Brielle likes him. And bhe’s /bfamily now. I’m sorry but I just can’t get involved in this.”

I climbed off his desk with my whole body red and shaking.

He didn’t want me. And he bwas /btaking his bsister /band Jace’s side.

bI /bbwas /bso damn stupid to think that one kiss in the car actually meant anything. But this was Grayson Hart for Christ’s sake. He could have anyone he wanted.

“I’m sure you’re a very capable employeeb, /bMiss Collins. But seducing me won’t help your career. bI /bwish you all the best.”

He finally pressed the inte button. His assistant appeared at the door, waiting for me to leave.

Bye,” bI /bwhispered without even look back. I didn’t want him to notice my falling tears.

bI /bwalked out of that office, numb, and rode the elevator down like a ghost. My mind was a storm of bills, debt, and Grayson’s ice–cold stare. Now I desperately needed a new job.

“Miss Collinsb!/bb” /b

I turned and saw his assistante rushing out again, holding an envelope.

“Alpha Grayson asked me to give you this,” she said, handing it over.

“What is it?” Why didn’t he give it to me earlier?

“He didn’t say. Maybe you’ll know once you open it.”

She gave me a mysterious smile and walked away.

I opened the envelope. A nk check slid out first–I held my breath in shock.

Then I found a crumpled note. His handwriting, rushed and messy.

Haven’t repaid you for the shirt. Hope everything works out for you Aria. Stay strong. -Grayson