MasukAuthor’s POVThey stepped out of the building together, the quiet, curated elegance of the space fading into the more functional hum of the building below. The shift was subtle, but real—the kind that reminded everyone that what existed upstairs was reserved, controlled, and not easily accessed.Nike walked ahead, relaxed as always, while Jayden moved beside him, his presence calm but watchful. A step behind them, Liora followed, her posture straight, hands loosely held in front of her, every inch the composed professional she had trained herself to be.And then—Kael.He stood a little ahead, already engaged in conversation with the CFO, a file in his hand, his tone low and precise. He didn’t need to raise his voice. Authority sat naturally on him, woven into every word, every pause.Behind him stood Jared.The moment Jared’s eyes landed on Liora, he froze.For a heartbeat, he simply stared.Then he pushed himself forward, leaving his place behind Kael without hesitation, walking str
The minute my vision fell on her silhouette, something in me stilled—and then unraveled.Desire didn’t build. It struck. Sharp. Immediate. Unforgiving.My eyes followed without permission.Every curve. Every subtle shimmer of that fabric against her skin. The way the dress clung to her like it had been made for her and no one else.I couldn’t look away.Didn’t want to.And worse—I didn’t try.That dress…My jaw tightened.That fabric was a lucky bastard.Touching her like it belonged there. Tracing lines I had no right to even think about. Settling against her skin in ways that made something dark and possessive rise in my chest.A slow breath left me, controlled, but not calm.She was a vision.No—she was a problem.And all I could think about was tearing that perfection apart just to see what lay beneath it. No barriers. No restraint.No.I shut it down instantly.You cannot afford that.Not with her.Not ever.“Huh… weak.”Kilian’s voice echoed in my head, amused, sharp, entirely t
The car slowed.I looked up instinctively.We had stopped.I blinked as I looked out the window.In front of us stood a towering glass-fronted building, its name displayed in clean, bold lettering.BW.A Blackwood (BW) flagship.My brows lifted slightly.Of course.I had heard about it. Everyone had. A luxury fashion label under the Blackwood Group—favored by celebrities, influencers, the elite crowd. The kind of place where a single piece could cost more than a year’s salary for most people.And now—I was here.The door opened.I stepped out quickly, adjusting my posture without thinking.By the time I turned—Kael was already out, the files neatly folded in his hand.Effortless.Composed.Like nothing about the last hour had happened.I fell into step behind him.Instinctively.Maintaining distance.Maintaining form.A group of managers rushed forward to receive him, their movements quick, respectful, almost… rehearsed.“Sir.”“Good evening, sir.”He acknowledged them with the slig
Kael stepped out of the building without a word, and I followed, matching his pace almost instinctively. The evening air felt different after everything that had just happened—quieter, heavier, like the world hadn’t quite caught up yet.The car waiting outside caught my attention immediately.A Mercedes-Benz S-Class.Even standing still, it carried a presence. Sleek black finish, polished to perfection, the kind of car you don’t just own—you arrive in. My steps slowed for half a second, just enough for me to take it in.I had always loved cars like this.Not in a loud, showy way—but as a goal. A quiet promise to myself. One day, I’d build something of my own, something big enough that I wouldn’t just admire from the outside.One day, I’d drive one.Kael opened the door and slid in without breaking stride, like it was nothing, like this was just another part of his routine.I snapped out of my thoughts and walked to the other side, reaching for the front passenger door.“Come back.”Hi
The door shut behind us with a soft click.Too soft.After everything that had just happened outside—the shouting, the fear, the crack of power in the air—this silence felt… wrong.He didn’t look at me.Didn’t say a word.Kael walked straight in, past the seating area, past the glass panels that overlooked the city, and stopped at the edge of his desk. His back faced me, broad and immovable, like a wall I had no intention of trying to break.I stepped in slower.Measured.Carefully.Like one wrong sound would set something off again.My throat felt dry.Still—I cleared it.“Was there anything, Mr. Blackwood?”My voice came out steadier than I expected.But inside—it wasn’t.Not even close.Because no matter how much I tried to focus on the present—on work, on composure, on distance—my mind kept circling back.To that one sentence.*For touching what’s mine.*My fingers curled slightly at my sides.Did he mean—No.I shut that thought down immediately.Too dangerous.Too… indulgent
Kael stepped forward.Not fast.Not loud.But the moment he did—the air shifted.It wasn’t just tension anymore.It was pressure.Heavy. Commanding. Absolute.Liora felt it before she saw it.The rise of something far more dangerous than anger—control stretched to its limit.She didn’t turn.Didn’t move.For the first time since this began—she allowed herself to be still.“Beta,” Kael said.His voice was low.Measured.Unquestionable.“I request an audience.”Every gaze moved to Jayden.Jayden didn’t nod.Didn’t speak.He simply stepped aside.And the room understood.Authority had shifted.Silence deepened.Not waiting.Not watching.*Bracing.*Kael didn’t immediately step ahead of Liora.He stood beside her for a second.Close.Grounding.Claiming—without saying a word.Liora’s expression didn’t change.But something in her steadied.Then—Kael moved.One step forward.The sound echoed.Nicole flinched.He didn’t rush.Didn’t crowd her.Not yet.“Three questions.”His voice was c
I take a step, then another, each heavier than the last. It’s as if the night itself clings to me, urging me to stop, but I refuse.“Stop.” His voice follows, closer now, commanding. I ignore it.Another step, and suddenly, my hand is seized—firm, unyielding. A sharp breath escapes me as I’m pulled
I wake up slowly.Not the usual jolt, not the chaotic scramble of thoughts and alarms and unfinished dreams—but a soft, unhurried drifting into consciousness. For a moment, I just lie there, eyes still closed, wrapped in a strange sense of calm.I slept well.That alone feels… rare.A small smile t
Liora’s pov:Ms Martha’s movement is like a prey encountering any possible predator but the minute her eyes land on us, “Oh dear. Apologies alpha.” She says immediately straightening. Swiftly move my hands away from his grip, instantly feeling empty. The room’s silence lifts in seconds, awkwardness
Sleep refuses to come to me tonight.It lingers at the edges, teasing, but never settling. Every time I close my eyes, his voice pulls me back.“Don’t give yourself too much credit.”The words echo again.And again.And again.I turn to my side, gripping the pillow as if I can bury the memory into







