Tension, Thighs, and the Alpha’s Damn Office

“I hate him.”

Bitch, stop lying, Cherry snapped.

“Okay, maybe I don’t. But right now? I do. And honestly, I don’t know why the Moon Goddess is playing games with my life.”

My voice echoed inside my mind like a confession I didn’t want to admit out loud. The first mate I was given? Trash. A complete disappointment who saw more potential in my so-called best friend than in me.

Bless their union, Cherry said dryly.

“Yeah. Bless them. I hope she has the most underwhelming sex life in the history of wolves.”

Bitch. Cherry laughed, not even trying to hide her amusement.

“And my second-chance mate? He wants me, I know he does, but he won't act on it. Why? It’s obvious he felt it too—even if I spent years denying it. The party confirmed everything. And yesterday? Yesterday was undeniable.”

Okay, maybe calling him a coward had been a little harsh.

But God, I was pissed.

“You know what? Fuck men.”

I was walking back to my room when I saw Chloe and Daisy standing near my door.

“There you are!” Chloe rushed forward. “We came to check up on you.”

“You did?”

“Of course we did! Are you okay now?”

“Let’s talk inside,” Daisy said, dragging me gently by the hand. We stepped into my room, the air scented faintly with citrus and clean linen.

She sat me near the kitchen counter and looked at me carefully. “Penelope, are you okay? You know you can talk to us, right?”

Both of them were watching me with so much care and concern it made my chest ache. Not even Marissa had ever looked at me like that. Curse her fake friendship.

My eyes stung. “Thanks, guys. You’re… really sweet. Thank you for checking on me. I’m okay. Just… overwhelmed.”

I loved them. But there was no way I could explain what was going on with Alex. I didn’t even know what we were.

Ahhh. Chloe sighed. “Just know you can always talk to us, okay?”

“Thanks.” I smiled faintly.

They hung out for a bit, and it was actually refreshing. For a little while, the chaos inside me quieted. That is, until my breakfast arrived.

I opened the door and took the tray, but paused when I saw it.

A letter.

Folded neatly next to my toast like it belonged there.

I ate first—because priorities—and then, with shaky fingers, I opened the note.

It was short. Direct.

Heart-stopping.

You’ve been summoned to the Alpha’s office.

To the Alpha’s office.

Not the library.

Not laundry duty.

Not even dish patrol.

The damn Alpha’s office.

Now I stood outside the heavy oak door, heart pounding in my chest, palms clammy. I wore a plain black shirt and high-waisted jeans that hugged my hips a little too well. Not that I’d planned it.

Okay… maybe I had thought just a little too hard about the outfit.

But that wasn’t the point.

I raised my hand. Paused. Inhaled.

“You are not intimidated,” I muttered. “He’s just a man. A broody, confusing, infuriating man with cheekbones that could slice glass and lips that should be illegal—but a man nonetheless.”

You’re wearing perfume, Cherry pointed out.

“I am not.”

The vanilla one Daisy got you.

“Traitor,” I hissed.

Then I knocked.

“Come in,” came the low, velvety voice from inside.

Steeling myself, I pushed open the door.

The study looked the same—tall shelves, warm lighting, soft shadows—but it felt different. Tighter. Like the walls remembered what had happened last night and were holding their breath with me.

Alex stood behind the desk, sleeves rolled, collar loose, a pen tucked behind his ear. He looked up.

“Penelope,” he said, like the name itself meant something.

I swallowed. “Alpha.”

His brow twitched slightly at the title, but he didn’t correct me.

Instead, he gestured toward a smaller desk near the shelves. It hadn’t been there yesterday.

“You’ll work from there. Organize the records, assist with pack correspondence, and review inventories. I had them bring everything you’ll need.”

I blinked. “You… want me to work here?”

Hell no. Absolutely not. I could barely handle cleaning without mentally preparing myself. Now I had to be within touching distance of him? Cherry was basically purring.

Oh, we are so working here.

“I'm sorry, Alpha,” I said quickly, keeping my eyes low, “but I can’t. I was hired to clean. I don’t have the qualifications for this kind of work. I’m sure someone else can do this job now if you don't mind. ill like to leave.”

I turned to leave, heart thudding—

And then his hand gripped the back of my neck, firm but not hurting, pulling me flush against his chest.

Holy. Shit.

Holy shit! Cherry screamed.

I froze.

I could feel his heartbeat behind me, steady but hard. His breath was ragged, hot against my ear.

“Don’t ever walk away from me again, angel,” he said, voice low and rough.

My breath caught.

Why does he keep doing this—pushing, then pulling? Wanting, then retreating?

His hand trailed slowly down my neck to my shoulder, barely grazing my skin but leaving fire in its wake. Even Cherry was speechless now, and that bitch is never quiet.

“You see, darling,” he said, voice silky as his fingers traced my jaw and brushed against my lips, “I run things around here.”

He let that settle. Then his fingers lingered on my mouth, soft but possessive.

“You’ll work from here. Organize the records, help with pack correspondences, review inventories. I don’t like not seeing you, angel. It kills me. I’m afraid you’ll walk out on me again… like yesterday and we cant let that happen now right .” he said

His other hand was on my neck now, just tight enough to show dominance. Just enough to remind me I wasn’t in control here.

“Then why do you keep pushing me away?” I whispered, pain slicing through my voice. “Why do you keep pretending you don’t feel it? Just reject me if that’s what you want.”

He spun me around so fast it knocked the air out of me.

His eyes bore into mine.

“Don’t you ever say that to me again, angel.”

“Then why?” My voice cracked. “Why am I never enough? What’s so damn unlovable about me? Is it because I’m not slim? Is that it?”

He blinked. “What?”

“Maybe that’s why Ronan didn’t want me. Maybe that’s why you don’t either. Maybe I’m too—” thoughts were running through my head

“Look at me,” he growled.

I shook my head.

“angel,” he snarled, grabbing my jaw gently but firmly, forcing me to meet his eyes. “The next time you belittle yourself in front of me, I swear I’ll bend you over this desk and fuck you so hard you’ll feel me in your legs for days.”

My thighs clenched. My breath caught.

He leaned in, forehead pressed to mine. “You’re making it really fucking hard to stay away from you.”

“I don’t understand…”

“Whoever made you feel like this? I’ll find them.”

His voice cracked, and before I could process it, he scooped me up like I weighed nothing.

“What are you doing?” I asked breathlessly.

“You’re not heavy,” he murmured. “Now tighten those thick thighs around my waist, angel.”

I did.

I couldn’t help it.

And maybe it was the exhaustion, maybe it was the emotional whiplash, but I felt my body go slack. Tired. Safe.

Cherry hummed softly, purring in satisfaction.

We liked it here.

I buried my face in his neck, breathing in his scent—rain, ash, something dangerously addictive.

“I don’t know what we are,” I whispered, “but… I think I want to find out.”

Alex held me tighter. “We will.”

He walked us to the armchair and sat down, cradling me in his lap like I was fragile.

His fingers threaded through my hair.

“There, there, angel,” he murmured. “Rest.”

And somehow, I did.

Right there—straddling Alpha Alex Nightbourne’s lap—I closed my eyes and let go.

Not knowing what was coming next…

But knowing he wouldn’t let me fall.