<h4>Chapter 287: Arranged to be mated</h4>


    Katelyn looked at her identity card, feeling happy after taking the first stepping stone toward her newly built life. Though the hiring happened because of her father, she still was excited about it.


    Sliding the card through the entrance, she walked toward the elevator behind many employees. However, as the elevator got full, she stopped outside.


    Tapping her heel against the floor, she looked around when her eyes fell on a maning with a line of executives from thepany. The man was dressed in a tailored suit.


    "That’s the new director of ourpany."


    Katelyn heard a whisper from one of the employees standing next to her.


    Katelyn tried to look in that direction, but couldn’t see his face. By then, the elevator opened, and she walked in along with the other employees.


    Upon reaching her department, Katelyn was warmly weed and introduced to the team. Everything seemed to be falling into ce, until the manager handed her a folder and shared an unexpected update.


    "To your surprise, Your Highness," the manager said with a knowing smile. "You’ve been appointed as the secretary to the Executive Director."


    Katelyn’s eyes widened slightly. Until yesterday, her role had remained undefined. She had assumed it would be something independent role. But she ended up being someone’s secretary. That thought itself irritated her. But she couldn’t evenin about it.


    "Please don’t use the formal title here. I’m simply an employee here. Dad must have told you about it," Katelyn stated.


    "Of course!" The manager replied. "Katelyn, I hope you won’t give the Executive Director any reason to be upset. He expects precision in everything. One small mistake, and he won’t overlook it."


    Katelyn nodded, clutching the folder a little tighter. She could feel the weight of expectation settling on her shoulders.


    "I understand, ma’am," Katelyn replied, her gaze dropping to the file in her hands. Her fingers brushed over the embossed title as she read it again.


    "You should get started, then," the manager said with a small nod before walking off, heels clicking softly against the floor.


    Taking a deep breath, Katelyn flipped through the file, reviewing the details as she made her way toward the Executive Director’s office. Her footsteps slowed slightly as she reached the door.


    Steadying herself, she knocked gently before pushing the door open.


    Inside, the room exuded understated luxury, which was minimalistic. The Executive Director stood near the floor-to-ceiling window, speaking into his phone with his back turned to her.


    Katelyn stepped forward and offered a polite greeting.


    ’That voice,’ he thought and slowly turned to face Katelyn.


    "You!???" Katelyn eximed in shock as the file from her hands dropped to the floor.


    Sage smirked to see the reaction.


    "I’ll talk to youter," he said into the phone before ending the call and finally giving her his full attention.


    "Kate, you’ve genuinely surprised me with your presence," Sage said as he approached her, a flicker of amusement ying in his eyes.


    "Don’t tell me you begged my dad to make me your secretary," Katelyn snapped, her voiceced with irritation.


    Sage bent down, picked up the file she had dropped, and casually dusted it off.


    "Actually, the opposite happened," he replied coolly. "The Alpha King insisted I take care of his daughter in thepany. But I didn’t expect you would be assigned as my secretary. Still, I must admit, I think I’m going to enjoy this arrangement."


    Katelyn’s eyes narrowed. "Well, I already know I won’t. I’m resigning," she said sharply, turning on her heel to leave.


    But Sage was quicker. He reached out and caught her by the elbow, pulling her back with a firm grip.


    "Where do you think you’re going?" His voice dropped, hardening. "Running away before even facing the challenge? I didn’t think the princess, an alpha she-wolf, would be so weak and cowardly."


    Katelyn struggled against his hold, trying to yank her arm free. "Let go of me," she hissed.


    Without dy, Sage released her.


    Katelyn turned to face him fully. "I will ask my father to change my work," she stated.


    "Yes, go ahead," Sage said.


    Katelyn suddenly remembered she had left her phone inside her handbag on her desk.


    Without a word, Sage extended his phone toward her. She snatched it without hesitation and quickly dialed her father’s number.


    After a few rings, Raidan picked up. "Yes, Sage?"


    "Dad, it’s me," Katelyn corrected with a deadly re in her eyes. "Why did you assign me as his secretary? I don’t want to work for him. Please, Dad, change my department. I’ll do anything else, just not this."


    "Kate," Raidan sighed. "Don’tin. You’re there to learn, not to run away from challenges. Sage is professional when ites to work, and you’re going to gain a lot under his guidance. I’m busy right now, so we’ll talkter."


    "But Dad—"


    "Kate," Raidan cut her off gently. "You’re a grown-up now. I have high hopes for you."


    Thosest few words silenced her.


    Katelyn stared at the screen as the call ended, her hand slowly lowering the phone. She handed it back to Sage.


    "You should treat this as work," Sage said. "Here, we’re not a couple. Just a boss and his secretary."


    "We’re not a couple," Katelyn snapped, folding her arms.


    "Well, technically, we are," Sage replied casually, his eyes gleaming. "You’re forgetting that we’re arranged to be mated in the future."


    Katelyn let out a short, mockingugh. "I already told you, even if you were thest man on this, I wouldn’t mate with you. And as for this job? Do your own work. Since my dad wants me to ’y’ secretary, I’ll make sure you kick me out."


    She stepped closer with a defiant gaze. "Let’s see how long youst."


    Sage’s grin widened. "Oh, I won’t kick you out. I’ll fire the manager who failed to train you. That way, I still get to keep my secretary... and watch her try to sabotage herself every day."