Alpha Cole's P.O.V. My Beta and COO placed a sealed envelope on my table beside a pile of others with a similar colour. I needn't open it to know what it was, and neither did my beta, but he stated the obvious anyway. "Kyrian has been successfully taken out." His mean eyes were focused on mine attentively, awaiting a reaction he damn well knew he wasn't going to get. While he made himself busy attempting to do the impossible since I had practice with blanking out my expressions, he sank into the opposite seat, crossing his legs. "I didn't know you were targeting him. Thought you intended to keep him, use him as pawn." Yeah, that ship had sailed the moment he sent an assassin after Aria Smith... Aria... But I didn't say that to him, or even a word at all. I took a swig of the cigarette which graced my finger, watching the puffs waft in the air. "Go straight to the point." I said curtly. My beta's eyes narrowed briefly in disapproval at my tone, but relaxed almost immediately.

An eerie silence thickened the walls in my mind. What the hell had I just done? I could see the widened look of mortification in their eyes, directed at my silly silly self. My heart pounded harder as they slowly moved from Alpha Cole to the King who exuded aura of power that made me more aware of how much I had erred. Then the beta was looking at me as if he wanted me dead this very minute. Double fucking fuck! "My...apologies, I didn't mean to..." I stopped, my heart pounding in precipitation. What was I to do? Get on my knees and apologise and perhaps slit my own throat because I was head either ways and I could simply speed up the process? "Get out." Alpha Cole's low voice emanated power and rage and disappointment. All controlled and bundled into a single package to be delivered in those two words. My hear sank, and tears brewed in my eyes. How the heck had my emotions gone from a fucking tornado to...this? I swallowed hard and muttered another apology, making to step

"You called for me." Alpha Cole's tone was gruffy, a rough husky quality which sent shivers down my exhausted flesh. I longed to embrace him and seek comfort in the warmth of his utterly masculine body. "Yes..." I muttered softly, still clinging to the walls, my mind a shamble of confusion. What...had happened with Beta Ace? I had never experienced that surge of power within me nor seen a vision by mere physical contact. It had always been limited to my dreams. My Alpha sighed, beautiful thick fingers raking through his long hair. Now that I regarded him in close observation, he looked a bit...disheveled. My nose picked up the faint aroma of feminine body and a gasp tore through my throat, pain slamming into my chest. What the... "Rise, Aria." What right did he have to be commanding me in that arresting voice when he had obviously been balls deep into some soft willing body...? The thought reddened my cheeks, hotness spreading through my skin. And despite my anger at hi

Tranquility, Serenity, Protection... I was fully rested and safe, surrounded by a scent so powerful I unconsciously reached for the source that couldn't be mistaken. But my fingers met with emptiness. My eyes snapped open, sadness washing through me as I came to the realisation that I was very alone in the huge bed. I had slept in Alpha Cole's bed. A blush tainted my cheeks as I slid down the bed, biting into my bottom lip to suppress the urge to confront all the emotions I was feeling. Embarrassed, excited, and confused. Everything from last night seemed like a blur now, but I was aware that it wouldn't be long before I faced the reality of my situation... I came face to face with a middle-aged woman as soon as I stepped out of the room. "Ms. Smith, your breakfast is ready." There was indication of the snickering look I had got used to receiving, nor did she express surprise that I had slept in Alpha Cole's bed. But then, she must be used to this scene already. Suddenly

"You weren't bluffing? You were really going to give me the position if I had said yes?" I could feel my excitement ripple through my skin, the scent of joy spreading to my bones. Alpha Cole's presence was my happiness even when he was seated behind his desk, his eyes expressionless. "I never bluff, Aria. If you wanted it, I would have given it to you." My loins burned at the double meaning my brain chose to pick from his words. "Oh...Thanks but, they would have hated me even more." I could barely remember the rest of the meeting, but I hadn't admitted to wanting the position and Alpha Cole had told me to come with him to his office. It was the first time I was coming into this place in weeks, and one would think I would be too ashamed to step foot here again after the show I made the last time. Yeah, the topic of my shamelessness could never be exhausted. Alpha Cole regarded me quietly, and I wondered if he was thinking of what of I had done. Well, which of them could he be