LOGINCharlotte's POV For a brief moment, I simply stared at Dalton, wondering where this conversation was going. He had dragged me all the way here claiming he needed to explain himself, yet every answer he gave seemed to raise even more nerve-racking questions.What exactly was he trying to tell me?I raised an eyebrow suspiciously."What does that mean?""It's a contract," he stated, his tone bearing a serious edge."Of course it is." I sneered, taking his words as a joke."I'm serious," he insisted firmly.Then he lowered his voice to a hushed tone."The marriage was arranged for business reasons. Her family needed something from mine, and my company needed access to their resources.""So you married her for money?" I exclaimed, shock written all over my face."Not exactly." Dalton shrugged casually."You just described exactly that," I argued.His jaw clenched, and his gaze hardened like cold marble stone."Things were complicated.""Everything seems complicated when you're trying to
Charlotte's POV Standing in the kitchen, I prepared to make chicken fajitas for lunch. I sliced the chicken breast into thin strips, seasoned it with chili powder, cumin, garlic, salt, and a squeeze of lime, then set it aside.Next, I turned on my ThermaSense Smart Induction Hob and placed a large skillet on its smooth black surface. Once the automatic display indicated that the pan had reached the right temperature, I drizzled in some olive oil and added the chicken.While it was cooking, I turned to the vegetables. I grabbed a red bell pepper, a green bell pepper, and some shallot onion and began slicing them into smaller pieces.Just then, my phone pinged.Again.It had been going off nonstop since morning, ever since I'd run into my ex-boyfriend, Dalton Hunter, at the grocery store.At first, I ignored it.Then I turned on Do Not Disturb.But curiosity eventually got the better of me. Why had Dalton been texting me so persistently?Deactivating the setting, I watched as my screen
Charlotte's POV The moment Melissa had mentioned throwing me a party, I almost choked at my breath. She seriously wanted to throw a party? For me?The idea felt strange. After everything that had happened recently, celebrating wasn't exactly the first thing on my mind. I had spent the past few days dealing with an illegal pharmaceutical company, an assassination attempt, and a six-year-old boy who had somehow managed to worm his way into my thoughts.I wasn't even sure I deserved a celebration.But knowing Melissa, she probably wouldn't take no for an answer. She had always been like that—stubborn, overly enthusiastic, and completely incapable of letting me wallow in my own thoughts.A small smile crept across my face.As ridiculous as her idea sounded, a part of me couldn't deny that it was nice having someone who cared enough to make a fuss over me. However, I still declined her offer."No Melissa. I don't need a party" I said, trying to dissuade her."What's wrong with spoiling my
Charlotte's POV Sunday mornings have always been my favorite day. The reasons were there: no deadlines, no frantic phone calls from editors, no rushing through breakfast while mentally preparing questions for an interrogation. Just me, the road, and several peaceful hours before the rest of the world became noisy.I stirred up dizzily from bed as the warmth of sunlight brushed past my face. For a minute, I remained beneath the sheets, staring lazily at the ceiling. Then I turned my head toward the window.The morning outside was beautiful.The sky was a clear, pale blue, which was gradually brightening as the last traces of dawn thinned beyond the horizon. Patches of white clouds sailed lazily across it, while the rising sun cast a warm golden glow over the surrounding landscape.Beyond my window, Asheville looked almost untouched by the chaos of everyday life.A thin layer of mist hovered over the distant Blue Ridge Mountains, making their green slopes appear softer and farther away
Charlotte's POV I gulped uneasily as a realization washed over me. This cold, unfeeling Alpha, still seemed to care deeply about me–about my safety. However, I refused to let it break down the icy walls I'd build around my heart."Thank you," I murmured reluctantly.His fierce eyes softened as he gazed at me, a tenderness I hadn't seen in years shimmering in them."But that doesn't mean I'm coming back to the pack," I added curtly. "You have no right to decide where I belong."With that, I walked toward the door and opened it."You've said enough," I gestured for him to take his leave.Michaelson stood motionless for a short while. His expression fell as the hope in his blue eyes gradually faded away.Then he strode toward the exit.As he passed, he reached inside his coat and pulled out the small pearl necklace. The same one I had thrown away earlier this morning."I picked this up from the trash."He held it out."If you won't accept me..."His voice mellowed down."At least accept
Charlotte's POVFor several seconds, I just stood there, staring at him in disbelief. Michaelson sat casually in my swivel chair as if breaking into my apartment was the most normal thing in the world. But then, I couldn't deny one thing about him. He looked infuriatingly good.Dark blue denim jeans hugged his long legs, paired with a fitted black turtleneck that outlined his broad shoulders and muscular frame. A dark leather coat rested over him, making his already powerful presence even more intimidating. His dark hair was slightly tousled, and the warm light from my desk lamp highlighted his chiseled jaw.I wouldn't lie. Michael had entirely changed over the past seven years. But apparently, not enough. The strangest thing was that my traitorous heart somehow still yearned for him, and that irritated me more than anything."What are you doing in my apartment?" I snapped, my voice cold and devoid of any warmth.Michaelson slowly rose from the chair."I came to talk," he said calmly,







