Chapter 168: Territorial Di…
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Chapter 168: Territorial Displays and Professional Boundaries
Chapter 168: Territorial Displays and Professional Boundaries
(Olivia’s POV)
“Are you doing this on purpose?” My face flushed crimson with embarrassment as the realization hit me like a lightning bolt.
The kiss had been an accident–a mere brush of lips when I turned my head! But now Adrian Sinclair would think we had been secretly intimate in my office.
It wasn’t that I feared Adrian would feel uncomfortable. I genuinely didn’t want anyone misunderstanding my relationship with Connor Rivers, regardless of who that person might be.
My wolf bristled with the awkwardness of the situation. I knew how werewolf society viewed such displays of intimacy.
“Did you intentionally create that kiss?” I demanded, my amber eyes blazing with accusatio… ‘And then deliberately let Adrian see your lipstick mark to provoke his jealousy?”
Connor’s ice–blue eyes sparkled with mischief as he feigned innocence. “I did desire the kiss, I’ll admit that much.”
He paused, his expression becoming almost boyish. “But I didn’t plan anything regarding the lipstick mark or Adrian’s reaction.”
I remained unconvinced, my arms crossing defensively. “You’re putting on an act! I saw that satisfied glance you gave Adrian afterward.”
Connor’s lips curved into that infuriating smile that made my heart skip beats. “I couldn’t help but smile out of happiness after kissing my Luna.”
“Don’t call me Luna in the office!” I grabbed a crumpled tissue from my desk and threw it at him with exasperation.
Connor caught the tissue effortlessly, completely unfazed by my irritation. “Alright, alright. I’ll leave now.”
He straightened his suit jacket with casual elegance. “But if you need any more errands handled around the law firm, I’m always available.”
His casual dismissal of my embarrassment made my wolf want to growl in frustration. The Alpha was impossible!
(Connor’s POV)
As I exited Olivia’s office, I encountered Emma Thompson in the hallway. She greeted me politely with a respectful bow of her head.
“Alpha Connor,” she said, her voice carrying the proper deference expected when addressing a pack leader.
Emma’s sharp eyes immediately noticed the lipstick smear on my lips. She paused mid–step, her eyes widening with dawning realization.
I could practically see the wheels turning in her mind as she processed what she had just witnessed. Her
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excitement was barely contained beneath her professional exterior.
I simply nodded in acknowledgment and continued toward the elevator. Behind me, I could sense Emma practically vibrating with excitement over the confirmation of her suspicions.
The elevator doors opened with a soft chime. As I waited for the car to arrive, measured footsteps approached from behind.
Adrian Sinclair appeared, his body language making it clear he had something important he wanted to discuss. His usual composed demeanor carried an edge of tension.
“Your enthusiasm for performing menial tasks at the law firm is quite remarkable, Alpha Connor,” Adrian said,
his tone laced with barely concealed sarcasm.
I retorted smoothly, my voice carrying confident amusement. “Olivia asking me to handle such chores must
indicate we have a very close relationship.”
The elevator arrived with another soft chime. Both of us entered the confined space, and the tension between
two Alphas became palpable.
Our wolves circled each other metaphorically as the elevator descended. Adrian’s jaw was set in grim lines, while I maintained my relaxed confidence.
“There’s a saying about matters of the heart,” Adrian said carefully. “First come, first served.”
I countered with equal smoothness. “A smart wolf doesn’t hunt in his own territory. Workplace romances are
inadvisable.”
Adrian’s gold–rimmed glasses caught the elevator’s fluorescent lighting. “How can a heart heal after being deeply wounded?”
“True love, once felt, can always be rekindled,” I asserted, my voice carrying absolute conviction. “Regardless
of past pain.”
The atmosphere grew increasingly tense as both our wolves pushed against human restraint. I fell silent, my jaw clenching as territorial instincts flared.
(Adrian’s POV)
The elevator reached the underground parking garage with a mechanical ding. Connor exited first with Alpha confidence, his broad shoulders carrying the arrogance of someone who believed he had already won. followed, my usually composed features set in grim lines. The territorial display I had just witnessed in Olivia’s office played repeatedly in my mind.
Friday evening approached with its usual bustle of departing employees. I waited in the lobby as Olivia gathered her belongings and locked her office.
She emerged looking professionally elegant in her light coffee-colored suit. Her honey–brown hair had come slightly loose from its professional clip during the day’s work.
“Adrian?” She noticed me waiting and approached with curious amber eyes. “Is everything alright?
I straightened my gold–rimmed glasses, choosing my words carefully. “I need to speak with you privately
Her brow furrowed slightly with concern. “Of course, What’s on your mind?”
“Would you take a walk with me in Silverleaf Park?” I gestured toward the nearby green space visible throug
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the lobby’s floor–to–ceiling windows. “There’s an important matter I need to discuss.”
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“Adrian, what did you want to discuss with me?” Olivia asked as we walked side by side through the moonlit paths of Silverleaf Park.
The cool evening air helped clear both our heads after the awkward office encounter. Street lamps cast gentle pools of light along the winding walkways.
My expression was serious as I gathered my thoughts. “I need to address the situation regarding my aunt’s attempts to arrange a potential mating between us.”
Olivia’s steps slowed slightly, her amber eyes reflecting understanding. My wolf was clearly uncomfortable with the forced proximity our families had been pushing.
“I want to clarify that I have no romantic intentions toward you,” I continued with careful honesty. “I view you strictly as a business partner and friend within our professional werewolf community.”
Relief flickered across her delicate features. “I appreciate your directness, Adrian.”
“I don’t want our working relationship to become awkward because of my family’s meddling in pack alliance matters,” I explained further. “If my aunt attempts to arrange meetings between us again, you can reject the proposals directly.”
“Without concern for offending you,” I added with a slight smile. “I completely understand the position you’re
in.”
Olivia nodded readily, visibly relieved. “I’m grateful we’re on the same page regarding our platonic relationship.”
“Pack politics shouldn’t complicate our professional partnership,” she agreed warmly.
I shifted the conversation to a lighter topic, my demeanor becoming more relaxed. “Do you have a younger sister around the same age as my young cousin?”
“Sophie Turner is turning seven soon,” I explained with genuine fondness. “I thought perhaps she and your half–sister could become playmates.”
Olivia’s expression softened with consideration. “Grace is about eight years old, so they’d be close in age.”
“However,” she continued more carefully, “Grace recently experienced some traumatic events during her k********g ordeal.”
Her amber eyes reflected protective concern for her young half–sister. “She needs time to recover emotionally before meeting new people.”
I nodded understandingly, respecting the need for the young pup to heal. “Of course. When she’s ready, perhaps we can arrange an introduction.”
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