Chapter 14
CHARLOTTE’S POV
Now she looked even more confused than I was.
“I’m so sorry, I think I made a mistake,” she said quickly, smoothing her brown skirt with shaky hands. Her cheeks flushed soft pink rose, clearly embarrassed.
I used the moment to actually look at her. She looked very beautiful with her ocean blue eyes. She’s a brunette like me, hair tied in a tight neat bun. She has these small pink lips that fit her face. Short and slim.
her
“I had a friend who looked just like you,” she said, clearing her throat. “Just a tiny resemblance, that’s all. Sorry, I’m talking too much. You’re Dr. Graves, aren’t you?”
I nodded.
“I’m the new secretary. My name is Kathryn.” She stretched her hand out for a shake, and I took it.
“I’m here to see your boss.”
“I’m sorry, but you can’t.” An apologetic look settled on her face.
A strange wave of déjà vu washed over me. It almost felt like the universe was mocking me. No way this was happening twice. I must be hearing things.
“I had an appointment for this evening,” I said. “You can check his schedule. I’m sure he’s expecting me.”
“I’m really sorry. The Alpha is indisposed at the moment. He can’t see anyone.”
Of course he can’t.
To hell with that Alpha. I’m seriously going to consider the other offers I’ve gotten these past few weeks. There was no way I would let this man keep tossing me around like I didn’t have a hundred places waiting for me.
Kathy gave me an apologetic bow, but I was too angry to even blink at her. I turned toward the elevator, ready to walk out and never look back, but something in me snapped.
Damn it! I would leave and partner with another company. But not before giving this asshole a piece of my mind.
I spun around and stomped straight to his office. Kathy rushed after me, whispering for me to stop, but I didn’t hear a thing. My hand twisted the knob with force, and I barged into his office without thinking.
The sight waiting for me inside froze my feet to the floor. Kathy, who had followed me in, let out a sharp gasp, her hand flying to her mouth.
“Lock the door,” I instructed quietly, she immediately ran to the door and locked it.
I took slow steps toward him, and he growled. It wasn’t his normal Alpha growl, this one sounded like something tearing inside him. He sat on the floor, his shirt soaked in blood, the fabric torn everywhere. His fangs were out, his claws dripping with blood. Those eyes weren’t green anymore. They burned like gold flames.
His wolf kept fighting inside him, growling and groaning, and Astra whimpered in my head.
“Please. Save him.”
1/4
4:34 pm
Chapter 14
Astra hated Ace. Why was she suddenly sounding as if she could feel every bit of his pain?
Ace looked like he was seconds away from attacking, but the closer I walked, the quieter his wolf became. Then, out of nowhere, he grabbed me. His hand shot out and dragged me into his body with so much force my breath vanished. I landed on his chest, and heat rushed through my skin.
His body was burning, like he could set the whole room on fire. A sharp tingling shot through my stomach at the contact, 1 tried to peel my body off him but my wolf pushed me to stay still.
He buried his face in my neck, breathing me in like air. His breaths caressed my neck sending tiny shivers down my back. His arms wrapped around me so tight my legs trembled. Then his tongue brushed my neck slowly, almost desperate, like the taste of my skin was the only thing calming him.
I tried to move again, but Astra held me in place.
“Please stay.” And for some reason I stayed.
I was lost in his embrace, and the comfort his touch brought me. I don’t know how long we stayed like that, his breath on my neck steadying both of us. When I finally pulled back, his eyes met mine and they were full of longing and something softer, almost devotion.
His eyes were back to their normal color. His claws were gone, his fangs too. His breathing had settled, like whatever storm was inside him had finally calmed.
I turned to Kathy, who was staring at us with wide eyes, fear mixed with something I couldn’t place.
“He does have a bathroom in this big ass office, doesn’t he?”
“Yes, he does.”
“Please fill the bathtub with very cold water. Add as much ice as you can get into it.”
She rushed off and came back almost immediately. We got the Alpha to his feet. Moving him was hell, the man was a
mountain.
I pulled off his ruined shirt, my hands brushing over wounds. Most of his cuts had become darker and worse than how they were the first time I saw them. His body was rock hard. His skin was burning. I left him in the tub, letting the ice water swallow some of that heat.
I took a glance at my wrist watch and ran a frustrated hand through my hair. It was almost eight and Liam would probably still be waiting for me. I dug through my bag for my phone and finally found it. I dialed the house number, and after a few rings, Liam’s tiny voice came through.
“Mummy, where are you? Are you outside the gate? I’m already dressed and waiting for you. You’re still coming right?” His tiny voice rushed out all the questions at once, full of excitement.
“Baby,” I said, smiling even though I felt terrible for breaking my promise to him.
“Are you okay? Did something happen at the hospital?” He always worried too much about me for a child his age.
“So I went to the Virel Holdings to sign grandpa’s contract and something happened that delayed me. I don’t know if we can still make it today.”
He went silent for a few seconds, and guilt rushed through me. But then his voice came back, carrying that small spark of excitement again.
“You went to see Uncle Ace? Can I speak to him? Tell him I want to talk to him.”
2/4
4:34 pm
Chapter 14
“Baby, he’s sick right now and can’t talk.”
“Heal him, mummy, you’re a big and powerful doctor. You’ll heal him right?”
“I’ll try my best.”
“Please do, I don’t want him to be sick. I’ll leave you to treat him now. Take your time. Don’t come home if he’s not fine” #le hung up and I heard Kathryn chuckled softly beside me.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to cavesdrop but your son sounds so cute on the phone,” she said, trying to hide her smile.
“Yeah, he is. His name is Liam,” I replied, still holding the phone like I could hear his little voice again.
“And Liam said you shouldn’t come home if the Alpha is not healed,” Her eyes were wide like she couldn’t believe a small boy said something like that.
We went back into the bathroom. The water had already changed color from the blood. I touched his forehead and his body was still hot, the ice had melted and the water was turning warm.
After the first time he came to the hospital, I had been doing some serious research on curses and working on some medicine, but finding the herbs has not been easy. It’s not complete yet, but I was certain that the ingredients and herbs I had put together would help him.
“I have something that could really help him, but it’s in my house. I don’t think I can drive home and back at this hour.”
“Then you can take him home with you tonight. He spent the night here yesterday, but I didn’t know what was happening to him. Seeing him now, if you leave him here, he might get worse in the middle of the night.”
I thought about her suggestion for a moment before I nodded. That seems like a better option.
He stood up from the tub, water dripping down his chest and arms. I felt my body tingle at the sight. He reached for my hand, gripping it, making sure I didn’t pull away.
He held my hand as we stepped out of the bathroom. His eyes locked onto mine. Even when he got into the car, he didn’t let go. Our fingers stayed entwined until I started the engine.
It was a quiet drive from his company to my mansion. The black gate opened, and I pulled into the driveway.
“You brought me to your house,” he said, amusement in his voice, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
How could he sound playful when he looked like he might collapse any second?
“You prefer I left you at your office? ‘Cause I can definitely drive you back. I don’t mind…”
He placed his forefinger on my lips, cutting me off. “I enjoy hearing you talk, but I have a headache tonight.” He leaned closer, his warm breath brushing my cheek. “Your lips, they’re so soft. I would love to spend the night in your house.”
I tried to stop my heart from beating too fast, forcing myself to act like his hand on my lips didn’t affect me. “You’re a patient, not a guest, so don’t get any funny ideas.”
His warm gaze held mine. “This patient wants to sleep with you tonight.”
My eyes widened so much I thought they were going to fall out of their sockets. “How dare you…”
His voice, low and teasing. “Where is your head at? I meant that I would love to sleep beside you.”
@ 14 pm
Cheaping 1
1 hissed in annoyance. The nerve of this old man! 1 stormed out of my car, my frands fisting at my sides.
“Fin not old. I’ll be thirty–one soon,” he called out, stepping out of the car
Does he read minds now?
He laughed, the sound teasing. “Maybe. If your mind’s voice gets too loud”
“Damn you!” I snapped, spinning on my heel.
He burst into a fit of laughter, his eyes glinting as he followed me inside to my room, where I had the medicine ready,
His huge body sank into my bed. It was a king–sized bed, but with him lying there, it suddenly looked small. I helped him drink the medicine, and after a few minutes, the big Alpha finally drifted into sleep
I decided to sleep in Liam’s room, I was about to leave when I heard him murmur softly, almost inaudible.
“I’m sorry.” A single tear slipped from his eye.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
