MINE

“I smell mate here”.

“It’s impossible. That's just you hallucinating.” Ethan replies to Xander harshly and shuts him out.

“Kael, inform everyone that there will be a board meeting at the conference in 20 minutes time. No lateness.”

“I will do that right away”. Since no one else is allowed to the CEO’s floor aside Ethan himself and Kael, the only one who could pass the message across to every department is the assistant himself, Kael.

“A mate among humans and that in my company? Seems Xander is going crazy!”

**************

2 hours later…

The meeting with the CEO was a tense one. This is the first time Ethan Woods is meeting physically with his staff and the heads of most departments have been relieved of their duty including the senior account manager who has been arrested when found guilty of theft. That is a warning to everyone else present to tread carefully.

Victoria, who began work here a few months ago couldn't believe that the senior account manager is capable of the allegations on him. Since the meeting lasted longer than expected, Victoria decides to have her lunch at the company's cafeteria.

As she was about to leave the cafeteria for her office, she saw the boss coming into the cafeteria and wait! He is coming towards her direction?

“Who are you?” Ethan Woods suddenly asked.

“Me? I…I am Victoria Parker.”

“Do I care about what your name is?” Ethan snarled at her because in all honesty, his wolf is on the verge of forcing itself out just because he has been perceiving some smell that belongs to his mate from this particular human lady.

Kael is also confused about his Alpha's sudden interest in knowing who an employee is. A new one at that. Or could she be their Luna?

But Ethan had earlier said he would reject a human mate and it is impossible that the moon goddess paired him with one right?

“I’m sorry sir. I am from the human resources department, and I was only employed 5 months ago.” Victoria said, very confused on what exactly the boss wants from her.

Ethan was not having any of it. There is something off about this lady. He could also perceive a sweet scent of roses and candies from her but he could tell that the smell isn't hers.

Does she probably have something that belongs to his mate?

“Alright. It's fine”. He said while turning towards the exit of the cafeteria with Kael tailing behind him.

“Hey girl. What's up with you? Yes, it's few minutes left to the end of lunchtime and I am on my way back to the office”

Natalie's call came in just as Victoria watched her boss leave the cafeteria.

“Wait, let me check it out. Oh my goodness! I didn't notice since I have something in this color too and I was in so much rush while leaving this morning.”

While leaving this morning, she only paired up her brown color blazer with a black pants. She and Natalie had gotten a brown blazer each for themselves but of slightly different designs. Due to the similarity in color, she ended up wearing the one meant for her friend since they wear the same size and keep their clothes together.

“Of course Talie. Alright, let's make it a date at 6pm then. Bye!”

***************

(Inside Ethan's Bentley)

“Boss, should I do a background check on Miss Parker?”

“That’s not necessary. It's just a mix-up.”

Kael is worried about Xander, his Alpha's wolf. He had seen firsthand how feral he could be when he burst out. The last time Ethan lost control to his wolf, he was held down by silver chains coated with wolfsbane for weeks and it seems that the wolf might gain control soon again.

“By tomorrow evening, we shall return to the pack. I don't have the time to waste on these pathetic humans”.

“Okay boss”. Karl said as he turned on the ignition while making a mental note to check every single detail about Miss Parker later.

*************

“Talie, are you sure these are all we need? I feel we are leaving something out.”

It is a few minutes past 6pm already and both girls are now having their grocery shopping date. Although Toria is exhausted from the day's activity, she has to make it up to her best friend. Aside from cheering her up, they are really out of most things.

“Oh! We forgot the strawberries. I think it's over there.” Natalie pointed to the section meant for strawberries after checking the list she made earlier before leaving home.

“How was it at work today? Did your mysterious boss finally reveal himself?” Talie asked teasingly.

It is something she finds surprising that a man as wealthy as Ethan Woods is only popular in papers and media without a face to match with. What exactly is he hiding that makes him not only off the camera but his own company as well? His visit today must be really important and probably entertaining that she can't wait for the full gist of everything that happened.

“Girl, he's so hot! Although, he has a bad temper and this aura that cannot be described around him but he's like the most handsome man I have ever seen. That reminds me, I had a little chit chat with him.”

“Really? Toria, you had a conversation with your mysterious boss on your first encounter with him? Is it perhaps a love at first sight?”

Natalie asks her friend teasingly because she knows how her friend rejects most guys that ask her out with the excuse of meeting the man she wants and falling for him first. Who knows? Ethan Woods might just be the “man”.

“Come off it Talie. It's not something serious.” Victoria waved it off immediately

“But it's something right? Tell me about it.”

“There was a report of fraud and the parties involved were either sacked or arrested. Remember I told you I had lunch at the cafeteria today?”

“Yes?” Talie's brown eyes are now creased in a questioning gaze.

“Just before you called, Ethan Woods walked to me after my lunch and demanded who I was. You need to see his face, Talie, It was so scary that I had thought I was about to be sacked too.” Victoria explains with a serious expression.

“You don't mean it! Why would the almighty Ethan Woods approach you at first sight and to demand who you are? Not to forget he is your boss also.”

“Honestly, I was confused and scared I would lose my job. Maybe he mistook me for someone else because he walked away angrily when I told him what my name is”

“I just hope it is honestly a misunderstanding. We would not want you to get in trouble with the mysterious Ethan Woods after all.”

It seems they had indeed picked everything that they ran out of into their cart. Natalie checked the list over again for certainty.

“Toria, I think we are done. Let's …”

“MINE.” A large hand held Natalie's small one accompanied by a husky voice ringing in her ears before she could complete her sentence.