Chapter 36 36
Maisie's Pov
Clyde sent me a text about the meeting with Xavier and preparations for our next line of action. Instead of acting on it, I spent the next 20 minutes replaying that moment in my head.
The memory of my kiss with Roman stayed with me as did the phantom brush of his touch. With one kiss, he’d awoken more heat in me than Xavier had with actual sex. I’d suppressed it after he left with Xavier but the heat blossomed again when I saw his text.
What is wrong with me today?
I left Roman's office with my chin up and my dignity barely intact.
First things first — I fixed my makeup. The bathroom mirror stared back at me like it knew too much. I dabbed concealer beneath my eyes, reapplied lipstick, smoothed my dress, and practiced my “I'm fine” smile. Once I was satisfied, I stepped back into the hallway and ran straight into trouble.
Kylie.
Again.
“Well, well, well,” she drawled. “if it isn't the office decoration.”
I didn't stop walking.
“That's funny,” I said lightly. “I was just thinking the hallway looked darker. I think you should leave so light will come in.”
She scoffed and stepped into my path. “Do you really think dressing up and batting your lashes will change anything?”
I tilted my head. “No. I think confidence usually does that.”
Her jaw tightened. “No matter what you do, Jason won't look at you the way he looks at me,” she snapped. “You're just a temporary distraction.”
I smiled. “Funny. Because men don't usually kiss distractions.”
That did it. Her mouth opened, closed it and for a brief, beautiful moment, Kylie was speechless. Finally.
Then a small voice cut through the tension.
“Mommy?”
I turned to see it was Howard. He is here too.
He walked towards her then he frowned, then said too loudly. “Ugh! What is she doing here?”
“I'm not surprised. Like mother, like son.” I glared at him.
“Yeah. I love my mother. What about you? Are you a mom? Ugh. You're just like Maisie.” Howard hissed.
“Right?” Kylie smirked. “She talks exactly like that stupid woman who lost her baby girl.”
“What?” I whispered.
Howard frowned harder. “Maisie? I'm sure you must've heard about her. The Alpha's former mate. She's this woman who acts righteous but she actually killed her own daughter.”
I couldn't hear anything else after that. My ears rang. Is that what they think of me? A woman who killed her killed her own child? My chest constricted and my hands went numb.
Kylie leaned closer, her eyes glaring at me. “Stay away from Jason.”
Then she turned and walked away with her son like she hadn't just shattered something inside me.
I stood there. Frozen.
Aria, my baby.
The hallway blurred, memories crashing in like broken glass. Her small hands wrapped around mine as we walked down the street, the smell of the baby lotion she loved to wear, her laugh. God — her laugh. Then the hospital, the silence, the white sheets. All of a suddenly my lungs refused to work.
I turned blindly and stumbled toward the elevator.
Breathe, Maisie. Breathe.
The doors closed behind me and I slid down the wall, clutching my chest as my vision tunneled. Each breath felt like drowning.
I couldn't breathe.
The elevator doors parted and someone entered. I couldn't see his face. I was fighting for air.
“Oh shit!” he cursed, then knelt in front of me. “Hey. Hey, look at me.”
His strong hands steadied my shoulders. “Breathe with me. In. Out.”
His voice was calm, grounding. I tried to breathe and failed.
“You can't die here. Come on.” He pulled me into his chest without hesitation. He palmed soft circles on my back, whispering “It's okay” and “You'll be fine”.
I clung to him, shaking. I had to breathe. I needed to breathe.
Slowly, painfully, my lungs obeyed. When I could finally breathe, I realized where I was — sitting on the cold, elevator floor, in the arms of a man I didn't know. Embarrassment flooded in without warning.
“I — I’m sorry.” I croaked.
“Don't be,” he said. “You did great.”
I pulled back and froze. He was… wickedly attractive. Dark hair that swept across his forehead, a jawline sharp enough to cut glass, and the kindest eyes I'd ever seen.
“Do you want some coffee?” He offered. “My treat.”
Part of me wanted to say no but I needed the calm so I nodded before my pride would intervene.
A few minutes later, we were sitting in a small building near the office.
“Are you okay?” he asked, sipping his coffee.
“I'm better now. Thanks ” I said with a small smile.
He checked his watch. “I’m glad you're okay. So… I have to go but it was nice meeting you.”
He paid and left before I could protest. He didn't even tell me his name.
Still stunned, I eventually returned to work.
I texted Clyde that I'd arrived and took the stairs instead of the elevator.
Halfway up, a man passed me carrying a box of A1 paper. His sleeves were rolled up and I noticed the tattoo wrapped around his forearms. They were as attractive as Roman's. Wait. Why was I thinking?
I shook my head and walked to Clyde's office.
I arrived at Clyde's office and sank into my chair. Emma leaned closer and I leaned back.
“What's wrong with you?” I pushed back on her shoulder to get away from me.
Emma narrowed her eyes. “Is that … a hickey?”
Clyde arched his brow. “A what?”
Emma nodded. “Yeah. Boss’s got a bitemark on her jaw. Who kissed you, more like bit you?”
I blushed.
“Is it Roman?” she teased.
Clyde scoffed. “That’s ridiculous. Boss doesn't do random hook ups. You're seeing things again. Besides, she and Alpha Roman will never work. Right, boss?”
My stomach sank.
‘She and Alpha Roman will never work.’
“Y - yeah.” I rose to my feet and excused myself for air.
On my way, I collided with someone.
“Oh my God. I'm so sorry.”
I looked up. It had tattooed arms. But when our eyes met. I froze. It was the same man from the elevator. The same one from the staircase.
He smiled slowly. “Well,” he said. “Hello again.”
And just like that, everything changed.