Chapter 163: Mine

Amelia's POV

I heard the front door open, and my heart leaped into my throat. Without thinking, I rushed from the kitchen into the living room, my pulse racing with anticipation.

He stood in the entryway, all imposing six-foot-something of him, suit jacket casually draped over his forearm. His tie was slightly loosened, and his hair looked like he'd run his fingers through it several times during the day. The sight of him hit me like a physical force.

For a bizarre moment, I felt like some 1950s housewife eagerly awaiting her husband's return, and my cheeks flushed hot at the thought. I'd never imagined myself in that role, yet here I was, practically vibrating with excitement just because he'd walked through the door.

His eyes found mine across the room, and the corner of his mouth lifted in that barely-there smile that did ridiculous things to my insides.

"Mate," he said, the word little more than a rumble.

I completely forgot about Iris and the hovering maids. My feet moved of their own accord, carrying me across the room until I collided with his solid chest.

His free arm wrapped around me instantly, pulling me against him as I breathed in his scent—bergamot, cedar, and something uniquely him that my wolf recognized on a primal level.

"Mate," I breathed against his chest. "I thought you were already home when you called me."

Alexander's hand slid up my back, warm and possessive. "I had a company meeting to deal with first. It couldn't be avoided."

His fingers threaded through my hair, massaging my scalp in a way that made me want to purr like a cat.

The intimate gesture was interrupted by Iris's sharp voice directing the maids to "stop gawking and return to your duties." Her tone carried the subtle sting of disapproval, but I couldn't bring myself to care.

Alexander released me just enough to move toward the living room. He unbuttoned the top of his shirt as he sat down on the couch, looking every bit the powerful Alpha unwinding after commanding his empire all day.

I sat beside him, my fingers curling around his muscular forearm, and placed his suit jacket carefully on the armrest.

"How was your day?" he asked, his voice softer now that we were alone.

I leaned my head against his shoulder. "Better now that you're here."

He shifted, guiding me to rest against his chest instead. I closed my eyes, listening to the strong, steady thump of his heart beneath my ear. The rhythm of it calmed something restless inside me. His scent enveloped me, and I felt myself melting against him, the week of separation dissolving like sugar in hot coffee.

"Head Alpha, I've prepared water for you."

My eyes snapped open. A young maid—one I hadn't seen before—approached with a glass of water on a silver tray. She knelt down in front of Alexander, her head bowed in a display of submission that seemed excessive even for pack protocol.

"Indeed, I am thirsty," Alexander said, his voice low. But his eyes never left my face.

The maid remained kneeling, her posture tilting forward just enough that the neckline of her uniform gaped open, providing an unobstructed view of her cleavage. The calculated nature of the move was so obvious it might as well have been highlighted with neon signs.

I studied her for a split second—her flawless complexion, the perfect curves, the carefully styled hair. She was stunning in that manufactured way that screamed 'deliberate selection.'

My wolf bristled inside me, hackles raised. This wasn't just any maid. This was a carefully placed chess piece in Elaine's game.

Thoughts raced through my mind at lightning speed. Had Alexander seen women like her during our week apart? Had Elaine paraded an endless stream of perfect, submissive females through his home while I was away? The maid's scent carried subtle notes of expensive perfume—not the standard-issue soap the regular staff used.

My stomach twisted with an ugly combination of insecurity and territorial rage. The bond between mates was sacred, but Alexander was still a man. A powerful Alpha surrounded by women literally kneeling at his feet, offering more than just water.

The primitive part of my brain screamed at me to assert my claim—to show this perfectly polished intruder exactly who Alexander belonged to. But the human part felt suddenly inadequate, caught in sweatpants and a casual top while this woman looked like she'd stepped from the pages of a high-end catalog.

A surge of white-hot jealousy shot through me. I immediately pulled away from Alexander's chest, creating space between us.

"I see you're very thirsty," I said, unable to keep the acid from my tone. "Drink your water, then. I should go."

I moved to stand, but Alexander's hand clamped around my wrist, keeping me firmly beside him. His expression remained neutral, but his eyes had darkened dangerously.

"Do you dislike her?" he asked simply.

I didn't answer, but my expression must have said everything. Alexander didn't hesitate.

"You're fired," he said to the maid, his tone flat and final.

The woman's head snapped up, her eyes widening in horror. "B-but Head Alpha, I didn't—"

"You're fired," he repeated, cutting off her protest.

She collapsed fully to her knees, tears instantly streaming down her face. "Please, Alpha Westbrook, I need this job. I didn't mean to offend—"

"Iris!" Alexander called out, his voice easily carrying through the apartment.

The house manager appeared so quickly she must have been hovering nearby. "Yes, Head Alpha?"

"She's fired. See to it immediately."

Iris's eyes widened fractionally. "But Alpha, she was personally selected by Mrs. Elaine—"

"Do not make me repeat myself." Alexander's voice dropped to a register that sent shivers down my spine.

And there it was—confirmation of what I'd suspected. The new staff, the missing Maria, the cold efficiency of the house... Elaine had been busy during our trip, replacing Alexander's household with her own people.

Iris gave a tight nod and gestured for the still-sobbing maid to follow her. As they left, Iris shot me a look that could have frozen hell itself.

When they were gone, Alexander turned to me. "Satisfied now?"

I shrugged, feeling both vindicated and slightly embarrassed by my jealousy. "I didn't tell you to fire her."

Alexander reached out, tilting my chin up with his finger until I was forced to meet his gaze. The intensity I found there made my breath catch. He leaned in close, his lips nearly brushing my ear.

"She is merely a maid," he whispered, his breath hot against my skin. "You are my mate. My equal. My everything."