Chapter 29 Have dinner with me.

Chapter 29 Have dinner with me.
Elena Thorne

I looked up, an apology already forming on my lips, and froze.

The man holding me steady was someone I had never seen before. He was taller than Kieran by at least two inches, with dark auburn hair that caught the fluorescent hallway lighting and eyes that were an unusual shade of amber. 

His features were sharp, almost aristocratic, and there was something about the way he carried himself that screamed power even before I registered the expensive cut of his suit.

An Alpha. Definitely an Alpha.

“I’m sorry,” I managed, stepping back. His hands released me immediately, but his gaze didn’t leave my face. “I wasn’t paying attention.”

“Clearly.” But the irritation in his voice had shifted into something else. Something that made my skin prickle with awareness. His head tilted slightly, studying me with an intensity that felt invasive. “Though I can’t say I mind being collided with by someone so…”

He trailed off, and I watched his expression transform from mild annoyance to one that looked uncomfortably like admiration. His amber eyes widened slightly, pupils dilating, and a slow smile curved his lips.

“Beautiful,” he finished, and the word made me want to take another step back.

“Thank you,” I said stiffly, moving to walk around him. “Again, I apologize for bumping into you.”

“Wait.” His hand shot out to me, hovering near my arm. “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Rowan Raven”

I had heard that name from studying. If he was Rowan Raven then he was the Raven pack’s current Alpha who got into power after his father had stepped down two years ago. 

“Elena Thorne,” I replied, keeping my voice professional. “I work for Alpha Marcus Silvermane.”

“Thorne.” He repeated my name like he was tasting it. “From Thornwood Pack?”

“Yes.”

“Interesting.” His smile widened. “I’ve been hearing about Alpha Marcus’s new assistant. Brilliant mind, fluent in multiple languages, top of her class at Northcrest. The rumors don’t do you justice.”

The compliment made me feel uneasy, and I didn’t like it. “That’s kind of you to say. Now if you’ll excuse me.”

“Have dinner with me.”

I blinked. “What?”

Whoever met a lady and in the next second requested dinner?

“Dinner.” He said it like it was the most natural request in the world. “Tomorrow night. There’s an excellent restaurant in the city that I think you would enjoy.”

“I appreciate the offer, but I’ll have to decline.”

“Why?” He probed with a small curve on his lips. “Do you have other plans?”

“I—” I struggled for a reason that wouldn’t sound rude. “I’m very busy with work. Alpha Marcus keeps me occupied.”

“Everyone needs to eat, Elena.” He pulled out his phone. “Give me your number. If you change your mind, you can reach me.”

“I won’t change my mind.”

“Humor me anyway.” His smile was charming in that way that I was certain worked on most women. “Consider it networking. Pack relations and all that.”

I hesitated. Something about the way he was looking at me made my wolf stir uneasily, and not in a good way. 

“No,” I said firmly. “I don’t think that’s appropriate. But thank you for the invitation.”

His expression flickered but he covered it quickly. “Well. You can’t blame a wolf for trying.”

“Of course not. Now I really do need to get back to the conference.”

I moved around him this time, and he didn’t try to stop me. But I felt his gaze on my back as I walked away, and it made my skin crawl.

The conference room doors loomed ahead, and I slipped back inside as quietly as possible, making my way to my seat beside Kieran.

He was already looking at me with focused intensity that made my stomach flip. His gray eyes tracked my movement across the room, following me all the way to my chair.

I ignored him, pulling out my tablet and pretending to review my notes. Alpha Riverwood was discussing something about seasonal hunting quotas, and I forced myself to type meaningless words just to look busy.

Kieran shifted beside me. I felt the heat of him inches away, but I kept my eyes locked on my screen.

The conference dragged on for another forty minutes. I took actual notes this time, grateful for something to focus on besides the wolf sitting next to me and what we had done less than an hour ago.

When Alpha Riverwood finally called for adjournment, relief flooded through me. I gathered my things quickly, already planning my escape route. I would head straight to the car, back to the estate, lock myself in my room, and pretend this entire day hadn’t happened.

I was on this mini plan when my phone buzzed as I stood and a message came in from the driver who had brought me: Miss Elena, I apologize but Alpha Marcus called me back for an urgent assignment. You’ll need to ride back with Alpha Kieran. Sorry for the inconvenience.

I stared at the screen, feeling frustration build in my chest until it felt hard to breathe.

Of course. Of course, this would happen.