CHAPTER 1: CRUMBLED WALLS

KIRA

"You know what, Jace? I'm so glad you made me attend this wack-ass party," I said to my friend as we stumbled through the alleyway, faintly illuminated by the dying streetlights. "I enjoyed myself."

"Told you it'd be fun," he responded, tightening his hold on the arm I had slung over his shoulders.

"I didn't say it was fun, Jace, only that I enjoyed it."

He shrugged. "Same difference."

I remember cackling foolishly when we tripped on something and crashed into the dirty ground.

"You are so full of good… uh… what's the word?" I murmured, furrowing my brows as I tried to cut through the alcohol fog.

"Opinions?"

"No, not that... Ideas!" I giggled. "That's the right word."

Jace chuckled at my excitement, helping me up before wrapping his arm around my midsection as we resumed our slow walk back home.

"You are full of good ideas, Jace, except this one… I don't think we should've gone this way at all."

"It's a shortcut, Ki. We need to get you home soon."

I was only half aware of the echoes of my laughter and the loudness of my voice, yet I still didn't care. And except for a tiny bit of worry about us being the only ones walking through the dark alleyway, I felt great.

"Worry no more, lass, for we are almost home."

"You gonna spend the night at my place?"

He huffed out a laugh, and I felt him nod. "If you want me to."

"I do want you to… I'd want you to kiss me, too, but you're gay."

"What?!" he blurted out incredulously. "The fuck?! I'm not gay."

I nodded sloppily. "Yes, you are… I saw the way you were looking at Sonia's boyfriend tonight."

Jace scoffed, shaking his head.

"Hey… hey," I murmured, halting and patting his cheek affectionately, "it's okay to like boys. I like them too."

"Oh my God…"

"I'm serious. I won't judge… pretty women don't judge."

"I regret giving you those drinks… but at least you know you're beautiful."

I hollered again as we continued walking.

Our feet stumbled in sync for almost a minute before Jace suddenly stopped. I could feel all the muscles in his body tense up in alertness as I slowly began to care.

"What's going on?" I asked, my words as drunk as I felt.

"There was… something… over there," he replied, and I heard something in his voice that dissipated some of my tipsiness. I widened my eyes, peering into the darkness.

"There's nothing there."

We both stayed quiet, listening. Finally, he nodded and sighed. "I must've seen a shadow." He tightened his grip on my hand and started walking again. "Come on."

And then, it all fell apart.

A bone-chilling snarl tore through the night before a shape leaped out from the shadows and faced us.

"Kira!!" Jace yelled, shoving me behind him.

"What the fuck is that?!" I cried, marveling at how quickly the drunkenness left me.

"It looks like some kind of… dog…"

"That's a really big dog!!" I yelled as the animal began stalling toward us, jaws wide open.

"Run… run!!" Jace screamed, backing me away.

We spun around and tore toward the direction we'd come from.

Nothing I'd ever experienced compared to the terror I felt as my feet pounded against the ground, the cool night air whipping across my face, clearing what was left of my drunkenness.

A sharp scream tore from me as I tripped—perhaps on the same thing we'd tripped on earlier—and crashed to the ground with a painful thud.

"Kira! Get up!"

I scrambled to my feet just as the sound of Jace's blood-curdling scream rang through the alley, followed by the sickening sound of tearing flesh.

"Run, Kira! Keep running!"

"No!!" I screamed but was immediately cut off when a warm liquid splashed into my mouth.

I instinctively closed my mouth, but it only made it worse as I tasted my best friend's blood.

It was too much. I stumbled backward, gagged, and vomited everything in my stomach, the aftertaste of blood and vodka soda lingering in my mouth.

I gagged again as the vomit drizzled down the front of my dress.

"Please?! Help!!!" I shouted, trying to pick myself up, but all my strength had deserted me. My phone was gone, though I couldn't remember when I'd lost it.

In a matter of minutes, my world had narrowed to one focus: safety.

My life flashed before my eyes multiple times as the beast slammed into me from behind, knocking me to the ground.

"Help!!!" I screamed.

It's a hot breath whooshed against my face, its teeth snapping mere inches from my skin.

I gave up. There was no use fighting the inevitable. Even when I felt its fangs close in on my upper arm and the pain exploded in my brain, I didn't flinch.

One second, I could feel the excruciating pain of being eaten alive, and the next, it was gone.

I blinked, my heart slamming against my chest with a speed that could've finished me off. I managed to push myself into a sitting position.

The snarling hadn't stopped. If anything, it had gotten louder. But it was coming from somewhere else.

I squinted into the dimly lit space ahead, trying not to focus on the throbbing pain or the fact that I was bleeding out.

That's when I saw him.

My messiah.

He was squatting over the animal, slamming his fist into its head repeatedly until the snarls turned to grunts, then silence.

Still, he didn't stop.

The smell of blood—and something else, something enticing—hung in the air as I felt myself slipping away.

"Jace..."

CHAPTER 2: FIRST DAY AT WORK

KIRA

It had been six years since the tragic incident that claimed the life of my friend. A lot had happened, but I was grateful to still be alive, especially after landing the job as Bryce Orion's assistant.

My phone rang while I got ready for my first day at work. Without a second thought, I knew it was my best friend, Vanessa.

I answered the call.

"Hey, are you at the office yet?" Vanessa's voice rang out clear and loud.

"Uh, not yet. I'm still trying to fix some light makeup," I said as I applied mascara to my lashes.

"You better not be late. It's your first day," Vanessa said, her tone firm.

"Yeah, but I'm unsure if I'll make it through the day."

"Why?"

"My new boss. I've already heard a lot about him—how he can be so difficult to work with and how everyone at the office despises him."

"Well, that shouldn't bother you much. You must do the work and try to avoid his grumpy side."

"I doubt that will be possible. I will be his assistant, so I'll deal with it regularly."

"You don't know that for sure."

"I do. I don't know my first day, but I'm certain it'll be tense. At this point, I feel like giving up. How can I even please him? Nothing I say today will make him happy," I said, glancing at my reflection in the mirror.

My face was bleak and expressionless as I considered how to handle my first day at work. Would I be able to stand Bryce's grumpiness?

"You don't have to please him," Vanessa continued.

"I have to. If I want to keep this job, my first impression matters," I said, cutting Vanessa off.

"I know how uneasy and scared you feel meeting your boss, but come on. You've got this. I've always known you to be bright and smart. Just let him see your abilities. You have nothing to fear. Show him you're the best, and everything else will fall into place."

"I'll try my best. I hope I don't see his grumpy side today."

"You don't have to worry about that. I bet you'll find him in a good mood. Just be at your best, okay?"

"I will. Thank you so much. I needed this call, and you've given me the motivation."

"You're always welcome."

"Well, I'd better get going before I'm late. I'll keep you posted on how things go."

"Alright, talk to you later," Vanessa said before I hung up.

After the call, I quickly finished my makeup, left my apartment, and headed to my new office.

When I arrived, I was amazed by the speed at which everyone worked. They all seemed focused and dedicated.

"Are you Kira?" a young lady asked as she approached me with a file.

"Yes, I am," I replied politely.

"Follow me," she said.

I followed her to an elevator. She pressed the button for the third floor, and we stepped in. The elevator went up smoothly, stopping with a soft beep when we arrived at the third floor.

"This way," the young lady said as she led me down the hall.

"My name is Hailey. I'll be taking you to meet your new boss. You know the position you're filling, right?"

"Yes, ma'am," I replied curtly.

"Just call me Hailey."

"Alright."

"You'll need to be ready to work with your new boss. He can be edgy and grumpy at times. As his assistant, you'll have to deal with his moods."

I nodded, taking in her words.

"We're here," Hailey said as we stopped at an office door.

"Sit here while I speak with him," she directed, pointing to a nearby chair. She walked into the office and closed the door behind her.

I glanced around the office space. It was large, well-lit, and air-conditioned—a great workplace.

"You can go in now," Hailey said as she stood at the door, gesturing for me to enter.

I grabbed my bag and stood up, entering the office.

"Good luck," Hailey said before walking off.

I was startled when I saw my new boss, Bryce Orion. He was even more attractive in person than in pictures. The magazine covers hadn't done him justice. I felt my insides tighten as I took in the sharp features of his face.

"Are you going to stand there staring?" Bryce said, his gaze lifting toward me.

"I'm sorry," I muttered, lowering my head slightly.

"That's okay," Bryce said, looking me over keenly. His gaze lingered on me long enough to make me uncomfortable.

"Take a seat," he said, motioning to the chair opposite him.

I pulled out the chair and sat down, avoiding eye contact.

"I want to marry you," Bryce blurted out suddenly.

"What?!" I exclaimed before I could stop myself.

"Yes, I said I want to marry you."

I didn't know what to make of this. A marriage proposal on my first day at work? My mouth fell open in disbelief.

"But this is my first day at work…"

"It doesn't matter. Just think about it, okay?"

I nodded, unsure of how to respond. How could I be getting proposed to on my first day? What was I supposed to say? Was he testing me? Only time will tell.

CHAPTER 3: REJECTING THE ALPHA PRINCE'S PROPOSAL

BRYCE

"I'm sorry, Mr. Orion," Kira shook her head vigorously, stepping back a little, her eyes wide.

"I cannot accept your proposal," she yelled incredulously.

"I mean," she shrugged and looked around.

"Come on, this is a workspace," she hurriedly said.

"Who cares, Kira?" I shrugged, frowning slightly as I stood up from behind my desk.

"You're going to get a lot of money from this," I assured, walking toward her.

Kira swallowed hard as she stared at me nervously.

"This is my first week here, sir," she hurriedly, picking at her fingers.

I chuckled, nodding at the same time.

"Same thing, dear." Standing close to her now, I could smell her cologne.

"McGregor's. Classy lady," I thought, caressing her cheek.

"Who cares that you're my assistant, Kira?" I began.

"No one does." I shrugged matter-of-factly.

"We can get married and still work together, provided we both respect the contract."

Kira stared at me incredulously for a while, debating the possibility.

"I care," she finally said forcefully.

"I'm here to do my job diligently, and if you won't let me do it in peace, maybe I should leave, " she said, gesturing toward the door.

I turned around unconsciously, my face widening at her audacity.

"It hasn't come to that, Kira," I finally said calmly, sitting on my desk.

"Don't worry, we'll talk later." I gestured toward the door, and she picked up two files from my table and hurried away.

I couldn't help but notice that her feet were weak, and she walked unsteadily.

"I scared her," I muttered angrily, banging my hands on the desk.

"Damn it," I cursed, staring blankly at the closed door.

"This lady is just different. I can get any girl I want, but this girl is just something else."

As I sat atop my desk musing about my assistant, the door swung open, and my head snapped toward it in a hurry.

"What the f—" I was already saying when my father walked in slowly, his eyes scanning the entire office as he walked majestically to the center of the large space.

"Hey, Dad," I quickly straightened up.

"I wasn't expecting you today." I looked around nervously, wondering what he was examining.

"I wasn't expecting to be here either," his deep baritone voice echoed through the office.

"I was in the neighborhood, so I decided to stop by," he smiled, helping himself to the chair opposite mine.

"Neighborhood?" I did a double take, eyeing him suspiciously.

"You've got friends here?" I questioned incredulously.

He stared at me for a while as though weighing my question.

"Bryce, I have friends everywhere," he finally said, picking up a file from the top of my table.

"I can't doubt that," I muttered, at a loss for words.

"And they have plenty of young daughters you can marry," my father said hurriedly, glaring at me.

"We've talked about this, Dad," I stomped my foot hard on the floor, walking toward the widow.

"I'm trying my best to find a mate," I muttered, my eyes darting toward the door.

"I wish Kira could see how much of a powder keg I'm sitting on," I whispered.

"Yes, we have," my father muttered musingly.

"A countless number of times."

"Now tell me, what is the result of all those talks?" he asked, opening his palms dramatically.

"Dad," I finally turned to face him, a deep frown etched on my face.

"Even though I still don't understand the correlation between getting married and taking over as Alpha—"

"You don't?" my father cut me off calmly. "Then you're still a kid."

"I don't look like one," I strolled back to my desk, taking a seat behind it.

"Not finding a mate is a glaring sign of your incapacity to rule," he exclaimed, raising his voice.

"Which doesn't make sense," I thought, staring at him intently as he continued speaking.

"My father was a weak Alpha," he spat.

"Mainly because my mother wasn't by his side."

"If you don't find a mate in the next week," he paused and stared at me, his fingers drumming noisily on my desk, "the mantle will fall to your cousin."

My eyes widened instantly.

"You can't do that, Dad," I exclaimed.

"You can't give that fool the Alpha-hood just because I haven't found a mate yet."

"I'm the Alpha," he stood up as though to drive the point home.

"I can do anything, Bryce," he said, walking toward the door.

"Including giving my birthright to that fool of a cousin?" I yelled after him.

"He has a mate," my father answered curtly.

"That's what tradition demands, and it's final," he said as he reached the door.

"You have one week to find a mate, Bryce," he walked out, slamming the door behind him.

****

As the door closed with a bang, I couldn't help but keep staring at it.

Finally, I leaned back in my seat, staring out the window.

"Are you okay, Mr. Orion?"

My head shot up at the question. Kira was standing before me, her glasses perched professionally on her face.

"I saw your dad walk out. He seemed angry."

"Next time you see him coming to the office, just tell him I'm not around," I muttered, half-wondering why I hadn't smelled her when she walked in.

"Your dad?" Her voice was low, carrying a hint of surprise.

"Yes, my dad," I nodded absentmindedly.

"Although he can smell me from afar," I shrugged.

"What did you say, sir?" Her eyes widened, and I could see confusion on her face.

"Nothing. Just musing," I waved her off.

She smiled thinly and began to walk away nervously.

"Do you want to know what he told me?" I asked calmly, watching as she stopped in her tracks

CHAPTER 4: CONVINCING ME TO TAKE AN OFFER

KIKA

"Vanessa, dear, come down for dinner," my aunt called as I helped her prepare the dining table.

"I'll be right there," Vanessa answered from upstairs as she switched off the music she was playing.

"Come on, Vanessa. I'm famished," my uncle's voice echoed around the room, and I smiled.

"With your big appetite, if you're not famished, then we're in trouble," I thought.

"I'm famished, too," I muttered.

"Yeah, you should be," Vanessa's voice said behind me. She was grinning from ear to ear as she sat beside me.

"You're working for that big corporation now. They must be overworking you."

"Are they?" my aunt's eyes widened in concern.

"Here, eat these vegetables." She shoved a lot of veggies onto my plate.

"You need enough strength if they're overworking you."

"I'll eat them," I said, digging my spoon into the vegetables and biting. The taste was too salty, and I squeezed my eyes shut as I swallowed, my thoughts wandering.

"So, how was your first day, Kira?" my uncle asked amidst a mouthful of pasta.

"I heard it's a nice corporation."

"Fine," I nodded curtly, my mind drifting to Bryce and what he had asked me to do.

"Fine, I guess," I repeated, shrugging.

"Fine?" my aunt asked. I didn't need to raise my head to know she was staring at me with wide eyes.

"Oh, my goodness, they are overworking you, aren't they?"

"No, no," I shook my head repeatedly, frustrated by the questions.

"They're not overworking me, okay?" I made it clear.

"I'm just a little tired from today's stress." I shoved a spoonful of pasta into my mouth.

"Maybe I should just go upstairs," I excused myself.

"Vanessa, tell me when you guys are done so I can help in the kitchen," I said as I walked away.

I had barely laid my head against the wall when Vanessa knocked on my door and walked in.

"You're done eating already?" I asked.

"Yeah, I'm done," Vanessa nodded. "Mom and Dad are still eating, though. They're worried about you."

"They shouldn't be," I chuckled. "I'm just tired."

"Tired?" She smiled, sitting beside me. She held my hands affectionately, and when I turned to look at her, she asked calmly,

"How was your first day at work? You look sullen like you never want to go back."

I reached for her hands, placing them on my chest. "There was no real 'first day.' It was boring."

"Boring?" Vanessa frowned. "That's surprising."

"And weird," I added.

She was looking at me as though I were drunk, so I continued, "My boss proposed to me."

"What?" She blurted incredulously, her face flushing.

"Exactly what I said when he proposed." I sighed and sat up on the bed.

"What?"

"I don't understand," Vanessa laughed lightly, eyeing me expectantly. "Are you kidding?"

"He wants us to get married—what don't you understand?" I snapped. "He wants us to get married, but like a contract marriage."

"Wait, what?" Vanessa was laughing properly now. "Contract marriage?" She repeated, shaking her head in disbelief.

"Did he mention a figure?" She asked.

"No, why?" I folded my arms, frowning.

"Oh, shit," Vanessa suddenly stopped laughing. "You're not kidding, are you?"

"No, I'm not." My face softened. I exhaled; happy she was finally getting it.

"So, what did you tell him then?" Vanessa asked, her tone getting serious.

"What else was I supposed to tell him?" I shrugged.

"A flat 'no,' of course." I raised my voice. "He's my boss, not some random guy I met on the street."

Vanessa nodded, listening intently. "How much is he proposing?" she suddenly asked.

"I don't know," I tilted my head to look at her. "And I don't care," I added, stretching the words to catch her attention.

"Enough to make you a movie star?" Vanessa asked hurriedly.

I paused, staring at her.

"What's your angle?" I thought to myself.

"He's rich, I guess," I answered.

"Kira!" Vanessa suddenly yelled, gripping my hands tightly.

"What?" I disentangled my hands from hers, curling up on the bed.

"And why are you looking at me like that?" I chuckled, staring at her dramatic expression.

"Because this is the opportunity we've been waiting for," she said incredulously, hitting the bed repeatedly.

"Marrying my boss?" I whispered stupidly, doing a double take.

"No, dumbass," Vanessa shook her head. "The money." She stretched out the word' money.'

"If you play your cards right, you can get enough to be a movie star."

"Come on, Vanessa," I shrugged, looking at her stubbornly. "You can't seriously expect me to marry someone I don't even feel—"

"You don't need to feel anything," Vanessa cut me off mid-sentence. "Don't you know how contract stuff works?" she asked, inches from mine.

"You just need to sign; you get the money," she said, slapping her left hand onto her right.

"And after a while, you both divorce and get another check. Easy peas." She concluded.

"Easy peas for you," I shrugged my shoulders.

"Don't worry, I'll tell him tomorrow that I have a hot sister interested in him." I chuckled.

"They should be done eating now. Let's go do the dishes already."

"He wants you, not me, Kira," Vanessa muttered, standing up grumpily.

"Do it, and you'll never have to do dishes again," she stood at the door, waiting for me to pass.

"Oh, you'll do them for me?" I teased, walking down the stairs quietly as she kept talking.

"No, dumbo," she snapped playfully. "You'll be in Beverly Hills, where you'll eat a thousand-dollar meal per plate."

"That sounds like spending too much," my uncle said as we reached the middle of the stairs.

"Dad!" Vanessa covered her mouth.

"Did they hear what we were talking about?" she whispered.

"Who's going to Beverly Hills?" my aunt asked.

CHAPTER 5: THE KISS

BRYCE

"He's so intense. Handsome but terrifying," someone whispered, her voice low.

As I stepped into the elevator, my hand automatically reached for the button to my office floor. It was early, and the usual crowd was already trickling in, muttering in hushed tones.

Two women stood in the corner, whispering animatedly as I entered, their eyes occasionally darting towards me, clearly unaware of my presence.

"Yeah, but honestly... I wouldn't mind being on his bad side if it meant spending some time alone with him," the other added, her voice teasing.

I stood still, pretending not to hear them. My lips tightened, my brow furrowing slightly as I shifted my weight to the side. They didn't notice me until the doors slid shut with a soft hiss.

The moment their eyes fell on me, both of them went rigid. The gossip evaporated from their lips like steam. I could practically see their throats tighten, their bodies stiffening under my gaze.

"Good morning, Mr. Orion," one of them stammered, her voice suddenly an octave higher. Her cheeks flushed bright red, the heat of embarrassment rising to her face like wildfire.

I gave them a glance, my gaze narrowing. "Ladies, I suggest you keep your fantasies for after-work hours," I said flatly.

My voice was controlled, but there was an undeniable edge to it. "That is if you want to keep your jobs."

Their eyes widened, fear and humiliation flashing across their faces. One of them gulped visibly, her Adam's apple bobbing with the effort.

They both nodded quickly, muttering hurried apologies as the elevator finally reached my floor.

I stepped out without another word, the weight of their stares burning into my back. The doors slid shut behind me.

The office was immaculate as always—pristine and organized, and nothing was out of place. My desk gleamed under the soft lighting, and a steaming cup of coffee sat on the edge, waiting for me.

My eyes narrowed slightly as I scanned the room. It wasn't often that things were done this smoothly without my direct instruction.

I was barely seated when the door opened, and Kira walked in. Her expression was neutral, but her eyes hid something deeper.

She was undoubtedly beautiful, with her long, wavy hair framing her face and her blue eyes sharp yet warm. She carried a stack of files, her fingers pale against the dark manila folders.

She placed them on my desk with delicate precision, like she was trying too hard to be careful.

"Good morning, Mr. Orion," she greeted, her voice steady, her posture rigid, her eyes sharp as she rattled off my schedule like it was a military briefing.

I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my temple, trying to focus on her words, but my thoughts drifted. My gaze flicked to her lips—she was still here, still doing this after refusing my proposal.

"Your meeting with Mr. Phillips is at two," she started, her voice steady and businesslike.

"You've got a marketing meeting with the staff at four, and the IT team is doing a presentation on their project at six."

I glanced at her with a smirk.

"Kira," I said, my voice low, "I didn't think you'd return."

Her lips pressed into a thin line, and she raised an eyebrow, tilting her head slightly. "It's my job. Unless you're firing me, I don't see why I wouldn't be here."

The corner of my mouth twitched into a smirk. "I don't recall asking you to stay either."

Her eyes flickered with something—annoyance, maybe? It was subtle, but it was there. She stood straighter, her chin lifting just slightly.

"I wouldn't expect a man like you to ask nicely," she replied, her tone light but sharp.

I chuckled softly; the sound almost foreign to my ears. "You've got guts. I'll give you that."

She said nothing, just nodded stiffly. My eyes lingered on her a moment longer, taking in the set of her jaw and the way her hands fidgeted slightly by her sides. Something about her presence always stirred something in me—irritation and something deeper—something I didn't care to examine too closely.

I noticed movement outside my glass wall as I shifted in my chair. My father, Rowan, stood in the hallway, his imposing figure unmistakable even from a distance.

His sharp, black eyes were trained on me, cold and calculating, like he was waiting for something—perhaps a slip-up. My pulse quickened, the sudden rush of irritation flooding my veins.

I reached for Kira's wrist and yanked her towards me. Her eyes widened in shock, a gasp escaping her lips as she stumbled forward, her body colliding with mine.

In one swift motion, I lifted her onto the desk, my hands gripping her hips. Her breath hitched, her chest rising and falling rapidly as her eyes searched mine, confusion etched into her delicate features.

"W-what are you doing?" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson, and she instinctively tried to pull back.

I didn't answer. I couldn't. My father's gaze burned through the glass, and for a split second, the weight of his expectations crushed my chest.

I acted on impulse, closing the distance between us. My lips crashed into hers, fierce and unyielding, the taste of her soft, warm lips sending a jolt of electricity through my body.

She gasped against my mouth, her hands flying up to my chest, pushing weakly as her mind caught up with what was happening.

But her resistance faltered almost immediately. The heat intensified, her lips softening undermine as I deepened the kiss.

Her breath came in ragged bursts, and I could feel the rapid flutter of her pulse under my fingers as I held her in place, the heat of her body seeping into mine.

Her lips were soft, impossibly soft. I could feel her hesitation; her body tensed and relaxed in cycles like she was battling between pushing me away and pulling me closer.

Her fingers curled into the fabric of my shirt, her nails grazing my chest lightly. I groaned softly into the kiss, my hand sliding up her back, pulling her even closer.