Chapter 9 The Unmistakable Bond
A cold chill ran down my spine as the image of Alpha Warren catching me replayed in my head, his hand around my waist, the way my heart leaped to my throat, and how my whole body reacted in a way I didn’t want to name.
“What’s wrong with you, Diana?” I groaned inside me, practically warning my wolf to behave around him. But instead, whenever he was close, she acted like she wanted to roll into his arms like a dog welcoming its owner. “This is your boss, for fuck sake. He has a mate, and he’s an alpha. Not your league.”
I bit my lower lip and turned toward the window, resting part of my head against it as I stared at the woods. The urge to run into the forest or howl until this feeling left my system kept getting stronger.
“Are you okay?” Warren suddenly asked, looking at me like I was about to faint, and that was when I realized I actually was. “If you’re going to throw up, do it out of my car. I can’t put up with another of your—”
I clutched the hem of my skirt, my nails digging into the fabric. I inhaled deeply, trying to steady myself. “I’m fine, Alpha,” I murmured before he could finish.
He didn’t say anything after that, and silence settled between us. When the car finally pulled into the parking space, I waited for him to get out first before stepping out. I took my place beside him ensuring I was too close to him.
I don't understand the way I was feel around him and until I figured out what was wrong with me and why my wolf kept clinging to him when he already has a mate, I had to be careful.
A few staff at the entrance bowed to greet him as he walked down the lobby. I tried to keep up with his pace, but he suddenly stopped by the door, making me almost bump into him.
“Get me a cup of coffee. Make it right this time,” he said, and when our eyes met, I noticed a shift in his expression… something in him flickered before he stepped into the elevator.
I exhaled the moment he was gone and turned to get the coffee, but instead I came across Jane. She stared at me with disgust. “Where do you think you’re going?” she asked, folding her arms across her chest.
“Alpha Warren asked me to get him coffee,” I replied.
Her eyes widened for a second before she masked it with irritation. “I see,” she said slowly, raising a brow at me. “You seem to be getting on the alpha’s good side despite your disturbing behavior.” She stepped closer. “Let me make this straight, if you try to seduce or do something stupid around the alpha, you’re going to lose this job.”
She threw me one last glare before brushing past me.
I scoffed under my breath as I watched her leave. “Seduce the alpha?” I muttered. “What makes her think I’d even want to do that?”
Ignoring whatever nonsense she believed, I walked to the café to prepare his coffee. This time I handled everything with extra care. When I was done, I carried it to the elevator and waited patiently.
Alpha Warren was typing on the keyboard, focused on the monitor in front of him. When I opened the office door, he looked up briefly before returning to his work.
I walked to the desk and set the coffee down. “Alpha, here’s the coffee you asked for.”
Without looking at me, he picked up the cup, took a sip, and set it down again.
“Take those files to Jane. Tell her to go through them,” he said, gesturing at the stack of papers before turning his eyes back to his screen.
I took the files and left the office. As I walked down the corridor to Jane’s office, I took out my phone and tried calling Layla. Ever since I started working, I hadn’t seen her. She had never stayed this long away from her mate before, and it made me worry.
“Sis, are you okay?” I typed quickly before shoving my phone into my pocket and knocking twice on the door. I pushed it open.
Jane was standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, staring out at the city. She turned when she heard me enter, and that was when I realized she was on a call.
“Alpha Warren said I should give you this,” I said, stretching the file toward her and placing it on the table. “He wants you to go through them.”
“Okay. Come back to pick it later,” she said, eyeing me with so much hate that I wondered what exactly I did to her.
I turned and was about to open the door when I heard Layla’s voice. I froze. I looked at my phone, thinking maybe I had accidentally picked her call, but it wasn’t coming from my phone. Slowly, I looked back and saw Jane bringing her phone to her ear.
I hurried out of her office, deep in thought. Was that really Layla’s voice? Or was I missing her so much that I was starting to hallucinate?
I checked my phone again, she hadn’t replied. I typed another message.
“Sis, call me when you get my message. I have a lot to tell you.”
The rest of the day dragged by painfully slow. I worked more than I ever expected, first running errands that were obviously meant for Jane, then trying to keep up with Alpha Warren’s meetings.
By the time it was evening, my legs felt like they had no bones. I stepped outside the building and sat on the pavement near the small fountain. The cool breeze brushed against my hair as I stared at the flowing water and tried to calm my mind.
I didn’t even hear anyone approach until a shadow stretched beside me. I looked up and saw Alpha Warren standing a few feet away, watching me with an unreadable expression.
“You look tired,” he said flatly, but there was something softer underneath it. Something his voice didn’t carry earlier today.
I quickly stood up. “I’m fine, Alpha. I was just—”
“You’ve worked enough for today,” he cut in. “More than enough, actually.”
I blinked, unsure if he really meant that. “I thought I’d have to follow you home,” I said quietly, immediately regretting saying it out loud.
His brows pulled together. “No. You need to rest. Go home.”
I nodded quickly, trying to avoid his eyes. “Thank you, Alpha.”
I turned slightly, hoping he wouldn’t notice how my cheeks grew warm. I hated how aware I was of him, how even standing close to him made my chest feel tight.
But as I glanced at him one more time, something inside me whispered what I didn’t want to hear.
He really was handsome. Strong jaw, sharp eyes, broad shoulders… everything an alpha should be. His mate must be really lucky to have him.
I swallowed hard and looked away before my wolf embarrassed me again.
“Go on,” he said, his voice deeper now. “Before you decide to faint or trip over something again.”
I pressed my lips together, trying not to react, as I picked up my bag. “Yes, Alpha.”
I started walking away, but I felt his eyes
on me until I reached the end of the pavement… and even then, my wolf refused to settle.