Xena''s POV
The gravel crunched beneath the tires as we pulled up to Ryder''s pack house. The massive stone and wood structure stood imposing against the afternoon sky, windows gleaming in the sunlight. Members of his pack moved around the property like they always did-some training in the yard, others carrying supplies or talking in small groups.
A cluster of men, including Magnus, were standing near the entrance, stuffing their faces with donuts. Their eyes followed us as we got out of the car, Ryder carrying the samples I''d brought to show him.
"Don''t want to break a nail, Ms. Harris?" Magnus called out with a sneer, his eyes raking over me with undisguised contempt.
I met his gaze directly, feeling that familiar fire building in my chest. "I''m not the one who should worry about breaking nails. Last I remember, you son of a bitch were the one
who couldn''t—"
"Magnus, go run someps," Ryder interrupted, his voice carrying the unmistakablemand of an Alpha.
"Yes, Alpha," Magnus muttered, shooting me onest re before jogging away. We continued walking toward the main entrance, Ryder''s hand brushing against the small of my back in a way that sent unwee tingles up my spine.
"Since you''re so good at motivating young people now..." Ryder sighed as we entered his office, a spacious room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the forest beyond.
"Technically, I''m still young myself. Just connecting with my peers," I shrugged, dropping into one of the chairs in front of his desk. I crossed my legs, tapping my fingers against the armrest impatiently.
Ryderughed softly, the sound doing strange things to my insides that I refused to
acknowledge. "Let''s start with theyout," he said, pulling out a piece of draft paper. He drew a rectangle and marked the existingyout of the space. "What do you want to change?"
I leaned forward, focusing on the task at hand rather than the way his scent-pine and
something wilder-seemed to fill the room.
"I want to add a private office behind the reception area. Keeping the bathroom in its current position would save money, but it needs to be slightly bigger. I need a separate room for imported goods, but it doesn''t have to be huge. The customization area needs to berger than before."
Ryder''s green eyes studied me intently before shifting back to the paper. "What about adding another customization station so you can hire someone else to work? Expand your
business?"
I''d never considered that before. The idea rolled around in my mind, unexpectedly
appealing. "I suppose so. The west wall would only need another bracket, and we could
paint lines for a work area."
Ryder''s phone kept buzzing with iing messages. He responded to some and ignored others. My curiosity burned, but it wasn''t my business. Still, I couldn''t help wondering
who was so desperate to reach him.
Just then, there was a knock at the door. Ryder pressed a button, and the door buzzed before swinging open.
"Damn, that''s cool," I said, genuinely impressed by the setup.
"Lunch, Alpha," a kitchen staff member entered, carrying trays of food.
"Thank we''d be
eating.
you. Please set it on the coffee table." I stood and walked over to see what
As the kitchen staff turned to leave, another figure stepped into the doorway. "Oh good, the bitch isn''t here. Now we can continue what we were doing earlier." Helen walked in wearing nothing but a trench coat, her voice sickeningly sweet.
The kitchen staff''s eyes widened, gaze darting between me and Helen. I casually plucked a few blueberries from the lunch tray and popped them into my mouth, watching with morbid fascination as her little performance began to unfold. Ryder leaned back in his chair, an amused smirk ying on his lips.
"What are you doing here?" I asked calmly, the ice in my voice barely concealing my disgust.
"You told me toe to your office. But every morning you''re either not here or too busy, so I finally caught you." Shepletely ignored me, her voice taking on a whiny quality
as she addressed Ryder. "Do you like what you see?" She opened her trench coat slightly, shing Ryder a glimpse of stockings andce.
"I can''t see clearly. Turn around," I suddenlymanded, my voice sharp as a de.
Helen jumped, her act faltering. She quickly closed her coat, ring at me with naked
hatred.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, her lip curling in disgust.
“Taking measurements, seeing where my desk will go when I be your Luna
tomorrow." I let the lie hang in the air between us, enjoying the way her face contorted
with rage. "Now, I want to see what you''re wearing."
I released a burst of my aura, letting it envelop her. Ryder simply watched, saying nothing
as I calmly ate another blueberry. Helen was forced to open her coat, revealing the lingerie she''d chosen specifically to please Ryder. Another fucking woman desperate to
please a man.
"Looks a bit big for you. Doesn''t seem to fill out the top," I remarked, popping another
blueberry into my mouth.
"Ryder liked it just finest time," she shot back, her voice trembling slightly.
"Hmm, let''s see what others think." I moved toward her in a sh, grabbing a fistful of her hair. The burst of strength I released made it impossible for her to break free. I dragged her like one would drag a disobedient dog, straight through the pack house and out to the group of men standing near the entrance. I threw her forward, and she stumbled, falling
to her knees.
"What''s going on, Ms. Harris? Need any help?" they asked, eyeing Helen with confusion.
"Indeed I do. She seems to think she looks good in this lingerie. Good enough to sh Alpha Ryder in his office. What do you think?"
The crowd immediately erupted in whispers.
"What a disgrace," one boy said.
"I pity whoever might be mated to you," another added.
"Nobody wants a slut for a mate."
I felt Ryder''s arm slide around my waist, his heat seeping through my clothes as
he pressed against my back.
"Had enough, Helen?" he asked, his voice booming across the yard for everyone
to hear.
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