Chapter 6

The next morning, Seraphina showed up at Adrian's office dressed to perfection.

"Sir, I'd like to report on the East District project," she said sweetly, deliberately trying to sound seductive.

Adrian did not look up from his documents. He said, "Go on."

"The budget overran by fifteen percent…"

Seraphina bent over to place the files, making sure to show off her figure, but Adrian still did not glance at her.

"Hold on," he said.

He pressed the intercom button and said, "Lyrik, come to my office."

Her smile instantly froze.

I pushed open the door and saw Seraphina standing there, stiff and embarrassed.

"What's your view on the East District project?" Adrian asked me, as if Seraphina was not in the room.

I checked the file quickly and saw the issues. "It should be suspended immediately. The risk assessment is flawed, and the budget report contains false information. The environmental review is fake, and the maintenance costs were hidden."

Adrian nodded and turned to Seraphina. "Do as she says. You may leave."

Seraphina looked pale in the face, but she did not dare to speak. She could only leave angrily.

She shot me a venomous look before she left.

Adrian and I were walking towards the underground parking lot by six that evening.

"Adrian!" Seraphina called out.

She suddenly appeared from behind a column to stop us.

"We need to talk. Do you remember last year's banquet? We met before," she said, her voice dripping with sweetness.

I was about to say something, but Adrian simply opened the car door and gestured for me to get in.

Her eyes widened when she saw me in the passenger seat. "Wait! Why is she allowed in your car?"

Adrian did not answer, and he started the engine instead.

"Do you know who she is, Adrian?"

She leaned against the window and her voice turned hysterical. She yelled, "She's Liam's ex-girlfriend! She was marked by a Beta! She's not worthy to sit in the passenger seat!"

Adrian finally rolled the window down to look at her in an unfriendly way.

"Security, take this woman away," he instructed.

Two guards walked over and dragged off the still-shouting Seraphina.

Then, Adrian turned to me and asked in a low and dangerous voice, "Do you need me to get rid of her?"

I looked at him and my heart raced. The look in his eyes made me realize he meant exactly what he said.

His tone softened when he sensed my unease. He said, "I meant if you wanted me to dismiss her. There's more than enough reason to fire her. Harassment at work, safety risks, and also, she just threatened you."

The car glided out of the parking lot. The night air rushed in, and for the first time, I felt safe.

"I know about your past with that Beta. You suppressed yourself for seven years, and he never appreciated it," he said quietly.

We stopped at a red light, and he turned to me with a shine in his eyes.

"I want you to know something, Lyrik. A Beta's mark means nothing for Alpha's mate. An Alpha's mark can fully replace it," he said.

I widened my eyes.

I had always believed my Mate Bond with Liam could not be undone because our kind valued lifelong loyalty.

I never thought it could be undone so easily.

"That's all in the past now. I want to take you somewhere tonight," said Adrian as he turned the car.

We went toward the Apex Tower. I asked, "Are we still going to work at this hour?"

He smirked and replied, "No. Tonight isn't about work."

Adrian led me to a hidden elevator in the underground parking lot. He said, "This is my private spot."

The elevator rose past the top floor until it stopped at a level I had never seen before.

The doors opened slowly, and the night wind hit my face.

Before me was a vast private helipad.

I saw skyscrapers when I looked out. The traffic down below looked like glowing rivers, and it was a breathtaking night view.

"This is the real rooftop of the Apex Tower. You can see the whole territory from here," said Adrian. He stood beside me.

I took a deep breath and enjoyed the crisp air at the top.

Adrian pointed and said with a quiet pride, "All of this… This land, this business empire, and the future of everyone in this city…"

He paused for a moment and turned towards me. His eyes were gleaming in the dark.

"Await for its Luna," he said.

The wind blew harder, whipping my hair and dress.

I did not know how to respond, so I murmured, "Adrian…"

"I won't force you to decide, but the pact exists. I really hope you'll consider me, I'm willing to give you everything," he said.

His voice was gentler. It was vastly different from how stern he was at work.

He stepped closer, the weight of his Alpha presence made me instinctively want to submit to him.

However, I also felt his restraint and tenderness.

"No one else in this world can sense and awaken your full potential like I can, and you're the only mate I've ever chosen," he said in a determined voice.

The restless power in my bloodline stirred stronger inside me, as if it was rushing me to make the choice.

Adrian waited for my answer without a hint of impatience.

His gaze showed a deep longing and respect.

"Lyrik, will you officially accept our bond, and become my Luna?" he proposed.