06

The attractive redhead steps inside, making a point of hitting on me with her flirtatiousness. She thinks she's hooking me, but in reality, I'm the one doing the catching—no one traps me. Her expressive greenish-gray eyes waste no time looking at me with double intentions, batting her eyelashes seductively. Her methods are ridiculous—an old-fashioned interlude that fails to capture my interest. The brief affair we had should remain just that: a simple fling, but she can't get over it.

"Alek, I brought you your favorite tea. Thought you might need it. How are you?" she inquires, placing the cup containing the steaming liquid on my desk. Am I supposed to say thank you? "And here are the documents. Sorry for the delay, but I wouldn't be this overworked if you had an assistant too."

She has a point, but if she focused solely on her work, she'd be more productive. I cast my eyes toward the hot beverage and take a sip. It's just the way I like it; no doubt she wants something. I intuit she's after the usual: sex and money, or just sex. Grizela is nothing more than a common whore. I take another sip, skimming the files she brought. Looks like I'll have to stay until nightfall reviewing everything.

I look back up at her. She says nothing, waiting for me to finally speak.

"What do you want, Grizela?" I cut straight to the chase. She looks hesitant. I've hit the nail right on the head; her nervousness is a symptom that personal interests lie behind her actions. "Speak now, or get out."

"I... Aleksander, I'm pregnant," she blurts out.

The news overwhelms me. With a dropped jaw and wide-open eyes, I stand up from my chair.

"What the fuck are you saying, Grizela?" I question in disbelief. The confidence has drained from her being; I'll bet she'll start crying any second now. I can't imagine dealing with that. Fuck. "Speak! Is this a joke?"

"No, Alek," she can't even look at me. She looks terrified and can't hide it. "I didn't believe it either. I swear I protected myself—always—but I'm expecting a baby."

She breaks down in tears.

I'm not going to hug her; her act stuns me. I pause to reflect. I can't transform into a monster right here, but I won't let that baby set foot in this world. That would tie me to this opportunist who surely planned the whole thing to reap rewards.

"Grizela, try to calm down. Sit down. Everything has a solution," I assure her.

She sits, and bit by bit, the impertinent whimpering subsides.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean you're going to get rid of the baby. I'll give you the money, and we'll keep this between the two of us. Alright?"

"But..."

"No buts," I warn harshly. "It's what you'll do if you want to keep your job and a normal life."

She nods slowly.

***

It's been a week since I last saw his eyes—seven days of apparent tranquility, one hundred and sixty-eight hours where the wolf's absence has left me swimming in growing suspense.

That's why whenever someone enters, I fear it might be him. Relief washes over me every time it turns out not to be that man. I've been stuck in this room not knowing what to do, so I start reminiscing about my quiet life in New York City—moments with my dad and Elena, and Grace's mischief that causes so many headaches.

I think recalling family moments helps me forget I'm trapped here, until it inevitably triggers the exact opposite effect. I'm acutely aware of how much I miss them, how desperately I need them.

I need a hug from Dad, a kiss on the cheek from Mom, and my little sister's mischievous smiles. All of that squeezes my chest; it's nostalgia, melancholy, a feeling dominating every part of me.

Veronika, the maid, walks in. She's taciturn too—at least with me, because she's strictly forbidden from being friendly or chatty. I sigh on the floor, sitting cross-legged, trying to pay attention to the movie, but I don't like it. With the remote control in my hands, I spin it over and over, bored with the same routine.

"The master has arrived," she speaks suddenly. I stop playing with the device and look at her, feeling my heart gallop hard. "Keep this between us. He'll be coming in at any moment."

"I won't say anything, I promise."

"Good. I also heard he plans to have some fun with you. Please, Luna, don't resist, or it'll be worse," she says in a low voice. Her words break me.