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LILA POV

I woke up to the shrill sound of my alarm.

Fuck!

How the hell did I end up sleeping yesterday?

I grabbed my phone and turned off the alarm, squinting against the harsh screen light. Just as I exhaled in relief, a beeping call from Ava had me picking up immediately.

"Where the hell have you been, Lila? I searched everywhere for you! Called your number several times, but you weren't picking up," she snapped, frustration and concern present in her voice.

What? Where the hell was I?

I... I was at home the entire time. Right? What the hell was she talking about?

My voice faltered as I glanced down at myself. The gown I was wearing, this wasn't mine. It wasn't Ava's either. As a matter of fact, this was the latest edition of one of the most expensive designer gowns.

How did I end up in this?

"You what?" Ava's voice pulled me back. "Derrick needs to be in the surgery room! The doctors say the longer we keep him waiting, the more prone he is to dying. We need to do something, Lila!"

My chest tightened.

Lora whimpered inside me at the thought of her cub slipping away. No. Derrick can't die. Derrick won't die.

"Ava, please handle things for now. I need to rush to work and see how much I can loan. I heard the company gives loans to employees in distress. Maybe I can sign a contract, work my ass off, and pay it back."

I could hear the relief in Ava's voice as she agreed and hung up.

I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair. But then... my gaze dropped back to the gown. The ache between my legs.

And damn...how the hell did this clothes ended up on my body. I'm going insane right? 

'i walked into a store, purchase this gown and put it on,' I assured myself, I'm trying to be positive like my therapist said.

But how the hell would I buy an expensive gown when Derrick was lying on a hospital bed, and I needed all the money I can.

This is me going insane?

Fuck.

My pussy felt raw. Sore.

Like I'd been-

No. No way.

Was it just from fingering?

Panic clawed at my throat as my eyes landed on a well-folded note and a bouquet of roses lying by my bed.

My heart stopped.

Rafael.

Alpha fucking Rafael.

My fingers trembled as I snatched the flowers and shoved them into the nearby bin. A scream ripped from my throat.

"What the fuck do you want from me?! Fucking leave me alone, you monster!" My voice bounced off the walls, my entire body trembling with fury.

Tears burned in my eyes, my breath coming in sharp gasps. This was a nightmare, a fucking nightmare I couldn't wake up from.

Every single day, I tried to be normal. I fucking tried.

But Rafael... wouldn't let me.

My gaze flickered back to the note lying on the table. I contemplated before grabbing it, torn between tossing it into the trash and reading its contents.

Curiosity won.

I unfolded it with unsteady fingers.

"Roses are red, violets are blue. Your pussy is the sweetest thing I've had in years."

My heart fumbled.

Wait-what?

Heat pooled between my thighs, and I clenched my legs together, horrified at my body's reaction.

My throat is salivating. My eyes are watery. And my pissy was dripping water.

Good. Just nice enough.

When? How?

How the hell did he-?

I shook my head violently. No. No way.

Then it all explains the gown. He had worn it on me.

I let out a sigh, stripping off the gown, my decision made. I was going to sell this damn thing and make enough money to at least cover a quarter of Derrick's medical bills.

I marched into the bathroom, turning the water on full blast. The icy spray hit my skin, washing away every trace of him. The scent of Rafael. The feeling of him. 

I allowed the water to cool the heat under my legs.

He was my nightmare.

And I was going to wake the fuck up.

After having a warm bath, one I wished I could stay longer, I walked out, and towel dried myself, and then prepared for work.

Once done, I hit the door, driving my car,.my destination to my working place.

The office was filled with its usual morning chaos as I walked in, gripping my bag tightly. My heart pounded. I needed that loan. I had just submitted my request earlier this morning, hoping-praying-it would be approved.

"Lila!" A familiar voice called.

I turned to see Anna rushing toward me, her face pale with something between excitement and panic.

"You won't believe this!" she whispered, grabbing my arm.

"What?" My nerves spiked.

"The old CEO resigned," she blurted out. "We have a new one. And guess what? He's already making changes. He just summoned all employees for a meeting in the main conference room."

My stomach twisted.

A new CEO? Now? Just when I needed to secure that loan?

Shit.

Without another word, I followed Anna and the rest of the employees as we filed into the large conference room. The tension in the air was heavy, everyone whispering amongst themselves.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. This was just a meeting. I'd get my loan. Everything would be fine.

But the moment the doors swung open, and the new CEO stepped inside, my heart slammed against my ribs.

No.

No fucking way.

My gaze met those familiar eyes, those jaws... That shiny suits. His demeanor alone made my heart pummeled.

Alpha Rafael?

The air in the room thinned. My breath hitched. His cold, piercing gaze swept across the crow

d, lingering on me for just a second-long enough to send a shiver down my spine.

My body locked in place, panic crawling up my throat.

He was here.

He owned the fucking company.

And he was staring right at me.

My nightmare is finally here.