Chapter 2 Kiss

SELENA 

“What did you mean by who sent me?” I asked, confused and trembling. “Sir, I don't understand what you are saying. And please can you move back? you are hurting me.” What's going on? 

His eyes suddenly shifted to glowing gold. My breath caught, and he looked even angrier as if my answer didn't satisfy him.

“Don’t play smart with me,” he said, and a low, unfamiliar growl rumbled from his chest, vibrating through the air and making my skin prickle. His muscles tensed beneath his shirt as if he were struggling to hold something back, something wild. For a moment, it didn’t feel like Marcus was the one standing in front of me. It felt like something or someone looking at me through his eyes, evaluating me, judging me, wanting something from me that I couldn’t understand.

“For goodness sake, answer the damn question, who sent you? Why am I attracted to you from the first moment I saw you? Why can't I stop thinking about you? And now I felt the spark one I was only supposed to feel with my mate. And you are clearly not my mate, I would have know the first time we met if you are, you are a human” 

He asked. His grip tightened. Pain shot through my arm, It hurt so much and tears spilled down my cheeks.

“I don't know anything. Please stop. You are hurting me. I don't know what you are talking about” I said, my breath hitched, panic clawing at my throat. I’d never been this close to anyone, let alone someone radiating raw power. My mind spun, trying to make sense of his strength, his sudden anger, the way his voice didn’t even sound human anymore. I wanted to scream, but the shock locked my voice inside me. Why was this happening? Why me? I was just an employee, a nobody. None of this made sense, and the more I tried to understand, the more terrified I became.

His body froze for a moment, then slowly relaxed little by little. His expression softened when he saw my tears. He wiped them gently, almost tenderly, as if confused by his own actions. Before I could move, or realized what was happening, he leaned down and kissed me.

The moment his lips touched mine, the world blurred. I didn’t understand what I was feeling—fear, desire, confusion, all crashing together in waves that stole my breath. His mouth was warm, firm, overwhelming, and for a terrifying second, I felt as if I were melting into him. My heart hammered so loudly it drowned out every other sound.

I tried to resist at first, still shaken, but the kiss, it was so unexpectedly soft, so warm, so consuming. I gave in. My heart raced. My hands slid into his hair on their own running through it.

I’d never kissed anyone before. This was my first kiss, no one ever told me it could feel like this. I didn’t even know that something as simple as a kiss could feel so fulfilled. I should have pushed him away, but instead I clung to him, drawn by something I couldn’t name. It was like my body recognized him even when my mind screamed at me to run.

For a moment, I forgot everything: the fear, the questions, the pain.

Suddenly, the door burst open.

“Alpha Prince, your—” Lyra’s voice cut off as she stared at us, shocked and hurt. I pushed Marcus away immediately. She looked at me, eyes wide with disbelief, then turned and slammed the door. What just happened? Oh my god. From hurting me to kissing me?

My stomach dropped. The look on Lyra’s face burned into my mind shock, fury, betrayal. I knew instantly this would mark the beginning of a nightmare for me at work. She’d already hated me before; now she’d destroy me if she could. My hands shook as I touched my lips, still tingling from Marcus’s kiss, and guilt twisted inside me even though I hadn’t done anything wrong. Everything felt like it was falling apart, and I didn’t know how to fix any of it.

“I’m sorry,” Marcus muttered, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” Then he rushed out of the office, leaving me all alone. Was he going after Lyra? To explain or what?

I stood there, trying to process everything. One thing was clear now: Marcus wasn’t human. He had to be a shifter, probably a werewolf. And what did he mean by the earlier word mat… I have to find out 

But what's wrong with me? Why did I let him kiss me? And why did I kiss him back? This is a mess. He’s my boss. I don’t want a relationship with him or anyone. 

I’m not like this. I just met this man two days ago, and I let him kiss me worse, I enjoyed it. I feel drawn to him in a way I can’t explain, feelings coming naturally, too easily. This isn’t normal. You don’t fall for someone in two days. Even if it is normal, I can’t fall in love. I won’t.

I’ve always hated the idea of relationships. I’ve never even held a man’s hand, let alone talked about love. The only solution is to leave this job. But I need this job. I can’t quit.

I walked to the couch and sat on it. I looked around the office and couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. I stared blankly at the wall and remembered the way he looked at me, the way he touched and kissed me. It all felt too good, too intense and too natural, I loved it. I don't think I am ready for anything like this. I am not ready to open up to someone in, someone who could potentially hurt me. 

All men are creatures that think with their lower half, they could hurt and betray a woman in numerous ways. Especially a woman in love with them and ready to do anything. That's why I have decided to never be in a relationship, never marry or fall in love.

Men can destroy a woman without even trying. I’ve seen it. My adoptive mother still suffers from the pain of loving my father. She cried every night when he didn’t come home, yet she pretended everything was fine. Some women in our community broke completely because of men, some even ended their lives. I refuse to become like them.

I can’t let myself love anyone.

But I felt a spark of attraction and connection I can't deny. But no matter how strong it is, I must remember that I cannot trust or fall for him. It has to stop at attraction. Even if I truly fall for him, I must keep it to myself, never be with him and stay away. That is the only way to protect myself.

Just like that my mentality changed. It's normal to feel attracted and love someone. But you get to decide if you want to be with him and suffer or just love him silently since it can't be avoided. After sorting through my thoughts and emotion, I felt strangely lighter, as if a weight lifted from my chest.

I walked out of his office, and walked to mine and immediately grabbed my bag and left the building. I needed to go home and rest. The walk out of the building felt unreal, as if I were moving through fog. 

Every step echoed too loudly, every face I passed seemed to stare at me even if they weren’t. The elevator ride was suffocating; my own reflection in the metal doors looked pale and shaken. By the time I finally stepped outside, the cool air hit my skin like a slap. I inhaled sharply, grateful for the brief clarity it brought. But no amount of fresh air could erase the ghost of Marcus’s touch lingering on my skin

I ordered a ride and soon it arrived at the entrance of the office building and I entered.

I can't help but start processing what happened today. How did all this begin, I know something has changed since I lay my eyes on Marcus. And it all began two days ago when I received the email.