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.

I can’t myself. I follow that scent. I approach the door already ajar and barge into the room. Inside, I discover a blond leaning provocatively over a sinfully gorgeous male with all too familiar features seated in a black leather office chair. His eyes drift back and forth to the blond’s eyes and to her heaving breasts in that low-cut blouse. I recognize the blond just by her clothes instantly. I just saw that stupid blond hair and that outfit an hour ago in my bakery.

Alpha King Lucian’s eyes immediately snaps to me, pinning me into place. He’s my mate? Him? His eyes widen in both shock and realization at my sudden appearance.

“What’re you doing in here?” Lysette hisses as her eyes stabs me like infinite daggers. “You shouldn’t be in here. You need to leave before I call security.”

It all washes over me. Years ago, he stood outside of that janitor’s door, refusing to reveal his identity. He was strong enough to withstand the pull. I all but barged into his office.

My heart breaks at the realization. I’m most definitely his unwanted fated mate.  If I hadn’t suspected it then I certainly confirmed it now. I’m so pathetic that I can’t even hide my spike of infuriating arousal at my mate’s scent. My body hasn’t followed the memo.

I’m unwanted like always.

Oh, for moon’s sake, he has a fiancee. A beautiful one. He probably didn’t think he’d ever have to deal with a blubbering unwanted mate. That’s why he kept his distance in the first place.

“I’m-I’m so sorry,” I stammer. Tears spring to my eyes as I intuitively bow my head, forcing my gaze away from his beautiful eyes. “I-I just…”

I pathetically hold up the box of samples, but my hands are shaking. Alpha King Lucian slowly pushes his chair backwards away from his hulking desk and raises to his full height showcasing his powerful Aura.

The slowness in his movements is deliberate as if he’s afraid to spook me, but his movements light a fire under me. 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. The Northern Alpha King is my fated mate? 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.