CHAPTER TWO

JORDAN

Alaric Wren is the heir to the Wren Empire, and he’s been my father’s favorite comparison since I could talk. 

He’s the one I was raised to idolize. The gold standard. The perfect alpha.

I hate him.

I’ve spent years avoiding being in the same room as him. But now, it looks like I won’t have a choice.

He’s exactly what an alpha is supposed to be: tall, broad-shouldered, sun-bronzed like he’s been sailing yachts or scaling mountains. His shirt doesn’t hide much. That ripped, powerful build probably comes from a mix of discipline and luxury.

Meanwhile, I have to eat like hell just to look a little bigger than the average omega. I train every single day. No breaks. No excuses.

It’s not even about being jealous of what he has. Not really. I’m an omega… biologically, I’ll never look like that.

What pisses me off is that he’s everything my father wants me to be. And no matter how hard I work, I’ll never be him.

He’s not even supposed to be here.

His assistant usually handles negotiations, and I’ve always been thankful for that. I’d built a quiet routine around his absence. It was safe. Predictable.

So what the hell is he doing here today?

There he is, seated calmly among the other alphas, his expression unreadable as they try to make conversation with him. I already know how he treats people: aloof, cold, never impressed.

If someone like him ever found out the truth about me, I’d be doomed.

Then, as if he feels my gaze on him, he lifts his head.

His eyes…steel gray and sharp… lock with mine.

I freeze.

Startled, I drop my gaze immediately. But something about that look... I glance back. He’s still watching me.

His lips curl into that irritating, slow smirk. “Is there something on my face, Mr. Hans?”

“Yes,” I reply instantly.

The smirk deepens, but I don’t let him have the upper hand.

“There’s smugness all over it. Thought you might want to wipe that off before the meeting starts.”

A few of the alphas around him glance between us. The room dips into that brief, uncomfortable silence that always follows a public slap across the face, verbal or otherwise.

Alaric doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t blink. He just holds my stare like he’s trying to see beneath my skin. Like he’s peeling me apart in slow motion.

Then, finally, he speaks.

“Good to see you haven’t lost your charming personality, Jordan.”

I smile tightly. “Likewise. Though I was hoping I wouldn’t have to see yours at all today. And it’s Mr. Hans to you.”

I break eye contact and walk past him, refusing to let my shoulders slump. I can feel those gray eyes still pinned to my back.

I take my seat at the far end of the long table. Before I can breathe, the alpha next to me leans in.

“You’re brave,” he mutters, half impressed, half horrified. “Talking to Mr. Wren like that. You’re going to get in serious trouble.”

I shoot him a sideways glare. “Why? Because he’s an alpha?” I scoff. “So am I. Or are we suddenly not the same just because his shoulders are wider?”

The alpha stiffens. His mouth opens slightly like he wants to respond, but I cut him off with a cold look.

“Focus on the meeting,” I snap.

He shuts up immediately.

A ripple of whispers breaks out across the room…soft, barely audible, but I catch enough:

“Jordan Hans really only cares about work…”

“…he doesn’t even react unless it’s business.”

“He’s too intense. Doesn’t know how to breathe unless it’s a deal.”

I hear all of it, but choose to ignore all of it.

One of my team members stands and begins the presentation, clicking through the first few slides with smooth confidence. I nod occasionally, keeping my eyes on the charts. This deal is critical. If it fails, I won’t just be humiliated, I’ll lose ground I’ve clawed to earn.

Halfway through, just as I reach for my glass of water, I feel it again.

That gaze.

I glance up. Alaric is watching me.

Not the slides. 

Not the numbers.

Me.

My stomach coils. I force my hand to stay steady as I set the glass down.

He’s still staring. Not blinking. Not smiling. Just looking.

I glare right back. Shake my head. Lean forward slightly.

“Focus on the meeting,” I whisper, cold and low enough for only him to hear.

His eyes widen just slightly. Then he grins.

An hour later, the meeting ends with scattered handshakes and forced smiles. Alaric disappears behind a cluster of board members, and I use the chaos to escape.

My head is pounding. The suppressant is wearing off too fast. My body’s warming again. My pulse, loud in my ears.

I need to leave.

I push through the crowd, ignoring greetings and outstretched hands, weaving toward the corridor that leads to the private elevator. Almost free.

Until someone steps directly in front of me.

Tall. Male. Sharp suit and an easy smile. His hair’s styled to perfection, but I’ve never seen him before. Not at a meeting. Not even in passing.

“Mr. Hans?” he says smoothly, like he already knows me. “I’m new to the Wren-Hans partnership team. I just joined today. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

He leans in. Too close.

I tilt my chin, keeping eye contact. “Good for you. Now get out of my way.” But he doesn’t move.

His smile widens like I just said something adorable instead of lethal.

“You’re even more beautiful in person,” he murmurs. “I didn’t expect the Hans heir to look like this. You’re more… more delicate than the rumors say.”

That word. Delicate.

It makes my stomach churn.

My hand itches to slap the smirk off his face. Instead, I clench my jaw and take a slow, lethal step forward.

“Are you blind?” I snap. “Do I look like an omega to you?”

His smile falters. Not enough.

“Not exactly,” he says. “But you smell… different. It’s interesting. Unique.”

He did pick up something. My scent’s slipping.

My heart stutters.

I step closer again, enough that he can feel the heat radiating off me, even if he thinks it’s just confidence.

My voice drops to a near-growl. “Back off. Or I’ll show you just how alpha I really am.”

His expression changes from confusion, embarrassment, and then finally, understanding.

He lifts both hands, backing off.

“No offense meant,” he says quickly. “Just thought we could… get to know each other.”

“We don’t,” I say flatly. “And we won’t.”

I push past him. The elevator doors slide open just in time, and I step inside without looking back.

My hand shakes slightly as I press the button.

The doors close.

I lean back against the mirrored wall and shut my eyes.

I can’t keep this up much longer. Not with Alaric in the same room. Not with my scent cracking. And not with the heat building like a storm beneath my skin, hungry and ready to devour me whole.

However, just as the elevator doors opened and I stepped out, I came face-to-face with that bastard who had been waiting for me before I even got into the elevator.