6. THE EXECUTIVE FLOOR

“I’m getting dizzy just watching you pace,” Flynn said, clearly irritated. “If you keep this up, you’re going to scare her away.”

“And why are we even here this early?” he added.

“I’m always early,” Alaric shot back, offended by the insinuation.

Flynn raised an eyebrow. “You’re usually early. Today, you’ve been here since before the cleaning staff.”

“And?”

“And you’ve checked the time twelve times.”

Alaric’s jaw tightened. “I have not.”

“You just checked it again.”

Flynn pushed himself off the wall and wandered to the other side of the room before dropping comfortably into Alaric’s executive chair.

He reached for the paper bag he had left on the table earlier and pulled out a croissant, taking an obnoxiously large bite.

Alaric’s eyes narrowed.

“You’re getting crumbs all over my table.”

Flynn glanced down at the crumbs scattered across the polished surface.

“That’s the whole point.”

He took another bite, then deliberately slurped his coffee.

Alaric stared at him in disbelief.

“Are you trying to annoy me?”

Flynn smiled around his croissant. “Is it working?”

“Get up!” 

“How about no,” Flynn replied, grinning from ear to ear. 

“You know, you could just sit at the coffee table, right?” Alaric said, gesturing toward the small table beside the sofa. “Or the sofa.” 

“Well if I do that, I’d miss the whole show. From here I can see you pacing up and down in distress, and I can also see anyone who walks in through that door. It’s a win-win, I guess,” Flynn shrugged. 

“Maybe I should even record this,” Flynn smirked. “You know, for future purposes. It’s fun to see the great Alaric Blackwood lose his composure over a human girl.” 

“I am not.” 

“Yeah, right. Whatever helps you sleep at night,” Flynn scoffed. 

Silence settled over the office. Only the distant hum of Ravenwood City’s traffic and Flynn’s loud chewing and slurping could be heard.

Alaric stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing down at the busy streets with a distant look in his eyes.

A loud thud echoed from the hallway outside the office, followed by the faint string of words that sounded like curses.

Alaric’s head snapped toward the door.

Without a second thought, he charged towards the door and pulled it open.

The executive receptionist stood a few feet away, helping a courier gather the stack of files he’d accidentally dropped across the polished floor.

“We’re so sorry, sir,” the receptionist said hurriedly. “We’ll have this cleared up immediately.”

Alaric’s gaze swept past them, peering into the hallway.

Empty.

His shoulders tensed almost imperceptibly before he gave a curt nod to the receptionist and slammed the door shut.

The moment it clicked shut, Flynn burst into laughter.

“I’m definitely going to regret not recording any of this.”

Alaric shot him a flat look. “What?”

“You practically sprinted to the door.”

“I was making sure there wasn’t a disturbance on my floor.”

Flynn nodded solemnly. “Of course. A very specific disturbance with long dark hair and a Marketing Department ID.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Really?” Flynn leaned back in his chair, taking another bite of his croissant. “Because from where I was sitting, it looked suspiciously like you were hoping your new assistant had arrived.”

Alaric folded his arms. “Finish your breakfast before I have security escort you out.”

Flynn grinned, completely unbothered.

“What will you even say when she gets here?” Flynn asked. 

Before Alaric could muster a reply, a soft knock sounded at the door. 

Selene stood behind the door to Alaric’s office. Wiping her sweaty hands on her black pencil skirt, she awaited a reply from her boss, her legs bouncing in both a anticipation and a bit of apprehension. 

The trip from the ground floor to the executive floor had seemed much longer than it actually was for Selene. 

*****

Stepping in through the double doors of the company, even the air seemed different to Selene. 

Whispers followed her across the floor.

She didn’t catch the words—didn’t want to. She kept her head down and walked faster.

“Hey, girl.” Chloe greeted her enthusiastically as Selene reached her desk. “I didn’t think you’d stop by.”

“I had to say goodbye before I officially left.”

“We’re going to miss having you here.” 

“I won’t,” Regina cut in with a snort.

Choosing to ignore her, Selene proceeded to pick up her box of items which she had kept just beside her chair. 

After exchanging one last hug with Chloe, Selene ignored the renewed whispers and headed toward the elevator.

Inside the elevator, Selene finally allowed herself to breathe.

Unfortunately, the relief lasted only a few seconds.

The whispers from the Marketing Department replayed in her mind. Everyone seemed to have an opinion about her sudden transfer.

Promoted.

Demoted.

Favoritism.

She didn't know which one was worse.

What if I’m not cut out for this? she wondered.

Or maybe the CEO requested you because he likes you, Nyx teased.

Now is not the time.

It’s always the time.

Selene rolled her eyes.

The elevator climbed higher, floor after floor, until Selene was left alone with the increasingly uncomfortable silence.

It's just a job, she reminded herself. How bad could it be?

Nyx gave a doubtful hum.

Very bad, probably.

You're terrible at encouragement.

I'm realistic.

Straightening her back, Selene smoothed the invisible wrinkles from her skirt and checked that her shirt was properly tucked in. She tucked a few loose strands of hair behind her ear and took one final breath.

Ding. 

Holding her box closer to her chest, Selene stepped out of the elevator onto the executive floor.

A modern, pristine hallway stretched before her, leading directly toward the CEO’s office.

The executive floor was suffocatingly quiet compared to the constant ringing phones and clicking shoes on the other floors. 

The air here was also quite different, a mixture of parchment, cedar wood and winter air that raised goosebumps on Selene’s arms.

The whole place smelled expensive, making Selene increasingly aware of how out of place she looked with her hair currently fighting for its life, heels sounding a little too loud, and her box of items which looked cheap compared to her environment.

The whole floor didn’t seem like an office, it felt like she’d entered a territory she could not survive in.

*****

“Come in.”

The words had barely left Alaric’s mouth before he straightened his posture, smoothing an invisible wrinkle from the sleeve of his suit.

Flynn watched the entire thing with poorly concealed amusement.

The door slowly opened.

Selene took a step forward, clutching the small cardboard box that held the remains of her life in the Marketing Department. Pens, a tiny potted cactus Chloe had insisted she keep alive, framed sticky notes, and a coffee mug with World’s Okayest Employee printed across the front.

She hesitated just as she was about to step in.

The office was… enormous.

Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the entire city, allowing sunlight to spill across polished marble floors. A massive black desk dominated the room, accompanied by a sitting area furnished with a leather sofa and a coffee table that looked more expensive than her annual rent.

Everything screamed luxury.

Everything screamed wealth.

Everything screamed don’t touch anything.

For one terrifying second, Selene considered backing out and pretending she’d gotten the wrong office.

Nyx whistled.

See? I told you this place would look expensive. Even the air feels like it pays taxes.

Swallowing her nerves, Selene stepped forward.

“Good morning, Mr. Blackwood.”

Alaric looked up.

And for a moment, he forgot everything he had planned to say.

She was really standing right in front of him.

His mate.

He caught her scent, the same one he'd noticed the first time he'd seen her. Only now it was stronger—sweet and comforting, like a warm blanket wrapped around him.

His wolf stirred restlessly beneath his skin.

Mine.

It took every ounce of self-control he possessed to keep his expression neutral.

“…Morning.” 

Flynn blinked. Once. Then twice. 

That was it? After all the pacing, rehearsals, that was it? Just morning? 

Selene waited patiently. Her hand making continuous circles on the box in her hand in order to ease her nerves. 

The silence continued, long enough for it to become uncomfortable. 

“Well, it seems like I’d have to take it from here,” Flynn finally cleared his throat. 

“I can do it,” Alaric stared deadpanned. 

“You’ve been staring at the poor lady for close to a minute.”

Selene’s cheeks warmed up.

Did she do something wrong? 

Was there something on her face?

“I’m sorry,” she said carefully. “Is there something wrong?” 

“No,” Alaric said hurriedly. 

“I sincerely apologize for his current lack of words,” Flynn said. “He’s not always like this.”

Flynn hopped off the desk.

“Flynn Donovan,” he introduced himself, extending a hand.

A reluctant smile tugged at the corners of Selene’s lips.

The COO certainly wasn’t what she’d expected.

She had imagined someone just as intimidating as the CEO. Instead, he looked entirely too entertained.

“Selene Hart.” She carefully shifted the box into one arm before shaking his hand.

“Welcome to the Executive Floor—the place everyone downstairs is terrified of.”

Despite herself, Selene laughed softly.

The sound caught Alaric completely off guard. His gaze instinctively shifted toward her.

She had laughed.

It wasn’t loud. Just a small, genuine laugh.

But somehow…it made his heart beat a little faster. 

Flynn noticed the soft smile that crept across Alaric’s face. His grin slowly widened. He had known Alaric for many years and he could count the number of times he had seen him smile. 

This was interesting. Very interesting. 

“Well,” Flynn said, clapping his hands together. “Now that we’re done with the formalities, why don’t we give Miss. Hart a rundown of what she has to do.”

Alaric silently cursed him.

Then, forcing himself to focus, he walked around the desk until he stood directly in front of Selene.

She instinctively straightened.

Up close, he was even more intimidating than she remembered.

There was something unnervingly calm about him, something that made her feel as though he noticed everything. 

“I understand this transfer came as a surprise.”

“A little,” she admitted.

“The position comes with a demanding schedule,” Alaric said. “If something becomes unmanageable, you tell me immediately.”

Selene blinked.

“Understood, sir.”

“Good.”

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Flynn ruined it.

“Great. Now that everyone’s feelings are out in the open, can we finally show the poor woman where she’s actually supposed to work before she starts thinking we spend all day staring at each other.”

Alaric glared at him before finally turning toward the door.

“Come.”

Selene followed him out, clutching her box against her chest.

As she walked beside him, she couldn't help wondering if perhaps she'd been worrying for nothing.

Maybe the executive floor wasn't going to be as terrifying as she'd imagined.

And maybe working for Alaric Blackwood wouldn't be so bad after all.

She had no idea how wrong she was.

AUTHOR’S NOTE:

🎧 SPEAK UP! First day on the Executive Floor! How do you think Selene is going to survive Alaric? 😂

🎤 #Vote# Enjoying the story? Don’t forget to vote with your Moon Tickets! ❤️

🔮 PREDICTION: Do you think Alaric will be able to keep hiding what he feels for Selene? 👀

🎤 RANDOM QUESTION: If you could work anywhere in the world, where would it be? 🌎

Thank you for reading! 😍❤️ See you in the next chapter!