9. The Bitterness After the Magic

"A fly-in won't fly out with a baby."

Well, that was it — the magic of the moment vanished in a flash. I understood perfectly well that what had happened just minutes ago didn’t mean anything. I hadn’t expected it to. But Wayland’s words hit like a slap across the face.

It felt cold. And, unexpectedly, it hurt.

Of course, he saw me as just another meaningless fling — just as I should probably see him. But couldn’t he have said it… I don’t know… less cruelly?

I should be grateful he didn’t bite my head off — literally. Maybe this is just how the Alpha punishes careless maids. Who knows?

I wonder… has he ever "punished" Lakisha like that? She always said the Alpha’s punishments were harsh.

And now, I felt even worse. Was that really how Alpha Wayland treated those beneath him? With power no one dares to question, he could do anything he wanted and never face consequences. The powerful always get away with it.

Awkwardly, I tried to slip out from under his body and quietly gathered my torn clothes, avoiding his gaze like I was the one who’d done something shameful.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

His voice sounded genuinely surprised, which threw me even more off balance.

“What do you mean, where?” I frowned, confused, holding what was left of my shredded dress around me. Wasn’t he done with me already? “I’m leaving. I’ve been punished, haven’t I?”

“You didn’t like it?”

His brows drew together in a scowl.

I froze.

What did he expect me to say? That I loved every second of it before he opened his arrogant mouth?

Because honestly… I did. I had never experienced intimacy like that before in my entire life. And honestly? I wasn’t sure I ever would again.

But of course, there was no way I was going to admit that to him.

Still processing everything, the only thing that left my mouth was a vague, hesitant:

“Well… it was okay…”

The moment the words slipped out, I realized how awful it sounded.

Mentally, I smacked myself in the face as I saw the fire flash in his eyes — the heat in his gaze turning almost unbearable.

I swallowed hard and instinctively took a step back toward the door.

“I haven’t dismissed you yet,” the Alpha growled, his voice sharp and possessive as he buckled his pants.

“But I already cleaned everything in your house,” I murmured, lowering my eyes to the floor, too embarrassed to look at his ridiculously perfect, half-naked torso.

“I apologize for falling asleep in your bedroom. You won’t see me here again.”

His deep growl rumbled through the air at my words, and I instinctively shrank into my shoulders.

“Do I need to repeat myself?” he snarled, his tone full of authority and irritation. “I haven’t given you permission to leave.”

And that did it — I snapped.

This job was already gone, so what was the point in pretending anymore? I messed up, I paid the price. End of story. What else did he want from me?

“I have to go! My kids are waiting!”

Somehow, courage surged up from the depths of my frustration, and I met his eyes with a glare of my own.

But that bravery vanished the moment he slammed his body against mine, pinning me against the wall, his breath heavy, his chest rising and falling with a low, guttural growl.

Honestly, with the way he looked right now — like he was in some kind of torment — I almost wondered if he had a stomachache.

Would serve him right. Karma, sweet and fair.

“Kids, huh?” he muttered through clenched teeth, eyes locked onto mine.

“Fine,” he rasped after catching his breath. “But you're still working here — just like we agreed. And for your own good… don’t screw up again. And don’t push me.”

He stepped away, giving me a slow, dismissive once-over, and then walked off toward the bathroom.