Chapter 2

(Emi’s POV)

I pick some favorites and pack them up nicely. Sylvie promises to call if she runs into any problems. I should be back before she gets off her shift to head to school.

I tell Iris that I’m on my way to drop off the samples. Iris shoots a texts back letting me know she sent one to Alpha Lucian letting him know that I was dropping off samples.

As I look up at the giant luxury casino-hotel complex in awe, I finally force myself to move. I walk inside and was struck by the overtly luxurious atmosphere. Glancing down at my box of samples, I wonder if I’ll even compare to what is being offered here. Why don’t they just use one of the shops here?

Nervously, I shuffle over to them corporate sector of the hotel. Eyes drift upwards when they realize I’m in front of their desk. Surprise in their eyes but with practiced friendliness, the two ladies and the gentleman greet me politely.

“I don’t mean to bother you,” I tell them and try muster up some courage. “I was told that I could drop off some samples for the Alpha King Lucian by his event specialist, Iris Marcel.”

They quickly look at their computer screen and one of the ladies nod their head, obviously finding whatever she needed to confirm it. She grabs her phone and makes a call. After a few moments, she frowns in confusion before she hangs up.

“Okay, Ms. Faux isn’t picking up, but you can go up and drop off the samples for Alpha King Lucian with her,” she tells me brightly. Her eyes flick to the logo on the packages. “Hey, are you from ‘Sylvie’s Sweets’?”

I nod my head with a little smile. “Yes, I’m the owner.”

“Oh! I love your shop!” she gasps. Her eyes instantly light up. “We always stop by to get your coffee and some muffins. I’m sure Alpha King Lucian will choose you. Oh, I hope so. Having your baked goods in the staff room would be a dream!” She points to the elevators across the lobby. “Just go up to the top floor.”

My face feels hot. I must be blushing, but I just smile as I turn towards the elevators. I swallow hard while I walk across the lobby. Iris said I just needed to drop it off at the main entrance. She never said I had to go up there.

As the elevator doors open, I walk inside and nervously wait for them to shut. I’m a bundle of nerves as the elevator goes up. My eyes go to my reflection and I cringe. I’m so not ready for this. I nibble at my bottom lip, wondering if I could just stop the elevator and just return back down.

Iris would kill me and I need to think of Sylvie. This deal would be a dream. I stay out, watching the numbers go by until it reaches the top. It’s not like I’ll see the Northern Alpha King. I’m just seeing his secretary anyway.

The elevator doors open and I’m greeted by an empty desk as I walk off the elevator. I look around in confusion, wondering if this is normal not to be greeted. I eye the empty desk and decide to just drop off the samples there. I can just shoot a text to Iris to let him know.

Decision made. I walk up to the empty desk and stop short as a familiar delicious scent overwhelms me. My heart races as the mouthwatering scent suffocates me, beckoning me to discover who it belongs to.

That’s when I hear it — heavy breathing with groans and growls. My heart sinks, swelling in dread. I swallow thickly as I force myself to approach the door ajar by the desk. Everything is telling me nothing good will come for this, but I can’t help it. I can’t stop myself from approaching that door and peeking into the room.

Alpha King Lucian is there leaning against his desk with his secretary kneeling between his legs with her mouth stuffed full with his dick. His shirt is torn open to reveal his impressive upper torso. His hands grip the blond’s hair as he forces a brutal pace. She is pawing at his pant leg like she’s desperately trying to handle what he’s giving her. I recognize her clothes instantly. I just saw that stupid blond hair and that outfit an hour ago in my bakery.

My heart breaks at the sight before me. I can’t hide my spike of infuriating arousal at my mate’s pheromones and arousal. He’s my mate? Him? This wolf is my mate and his dick is currently in her mouth.

His eyes snap up, pinning me into place. I gasp, backing up. I stumble backwards as I drop the samples. I quickly rush to the elevator and watch the doors open. I bump into Mr. Delacroix as he steps off, carrying one of the baskets I gave him earlier.

“Ms. Moon?” he questions in confusion as I quickly step on.

I freeze in shock, staring at him for a moment. My eyes shift to the basket in his hands then to the door slamming open. The wickedly handsome Northern Alpha King emerges from his office. His pale green eyes lock on mine. Something deep inside of me locks into place and fear consumes me.

Surging forward, I immediately press the button repeatedly to close it. Tears fall pathetically. My heart burns and aches. He rushes towards me as I mentally beg the doors to shut. He’s almost to the elevator, but the doors mercifully close before he can get there.

The moment the elevator doors close, I allow myself to burst into tears. It all makes sense now now. He was there when Spencer and apparently his secretary humiliated me years ago. He was there outside the janitor’s closet. He was the one that walked away.

He is also my benefactor — my anonymous silent business partner. It breaks me apart, because I understand everything. Just like Spencer, he hid his association to me. It’s the same old story that haunts me. I can’t escape it. I’m never going to be good enough to be seen, to be loved, and to be wanted.

The elevator doors open and I wipe at my face as I blindly rush through the casino. All I want is to go back to my life and to remain blissfully and ignorantly unaware that my mate is the Northern Alpha King, Lucian Wolfe. I want to pretend I don’t know the truth. I want to pretend my heart isn’t destroyed.