Semua Bab The Alpha's Fated Desire: Bab 131 - Bab 140

{Lyra}The second Dominic said those words, I felt every drop of blood in my body dry up immediately.I froze. There wasn’t even time to pretend otherwise. My eyes widened before I could stop them, my lips parted slightly, and I probably looked like I’d been caught stealing candy with the wrapper still in my hand. I knew he saw it, but I couldn’t crack and just let him take me apart piece by piece. So, I did my best to laugh it off, but I couldn't help the fact that it came out awkward and thin. “I don’t know what you mean.” I lied through my teeth.“Do you think I'm stupid?” Dominic growled, and I just stared, unsure of what to say.“When I picked you up from that bar last night,, you were mumbling all kinds of things in the car,” he said slowly, his voice low and sharp so I wouldn't make the mistake of thinking this was a joke. “I couldn’t make most of it out… but one thing came out crystal clear.”I swallowed hard as I pondered what I could have possibly said, and my stomach gro

{Dominic}Just as my fingers grazed the folder, I stopped.It felt like someone had poured a bucket of ice water over my spine. My gut twisted, a warning growl whispering in the back of my head, “Don’t.” I grunted and let out a sharp breath before dragging the folder back across the table with a single swipe.“Nope,” I muttered under my breath.Augustus stared at me from beneath that storm-gray brow without saying a word.“I don’t care what’s in there,” I said louder this time, pushing the folder across the desk toward him. “Whatever it is, it doesn’t matter. I’m going to trust my wife.”Augustus raised a brow, looking mildly amused but not surprised. I reached for the drawer in my desk, pulled out my old leather-bound checkbook, and scribbled the numbers before I could second-guess myself.When I tore it free and held it out, Augustus looked down.His eyes flicked from the check to my face. “Five million,” he muttered, clicking his tongue. “You must really be in love.”“Take it,” I

{Lyra}The sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains, soft and warm, kissing the side of my face and gently coaxing me awake. For a blissful second, I forgot where I was—until I noticed the slow, steady rise and fall beneath my cheek and the strong arm curled possessively around my waist.My entire body stiffened for half a second as reality hit me like an unexpected cold breeze. I was lying on top of Crownshaven’s Alpha, in his arms, wrapped up like I belonged there when I didn’t. But then his scent drifted into my nose; the faint mix of bonfire smoke and cedarwood, and I let myself relax… just for a moment.It felt too good, and for once, I didn’t want to sabotage the moment. So I stayed, letting the sound of seagulls and waves hum outside the window while his warmth wrapped around me like a second blanket."Good morning, sleepyhead," His voice rumbled right under my ear.I giggled before I could stop myself. "You were awake this whole time?""I've been awake for twenty minutes,"

{Dominic}It had been a while since I dipped my fingers back into the dirty waters of corporate warfare. And yet, here I was—four hours, two cups of coffee, and God-knows-how-many spreadsheets later—elbow-deep in NovaCore’s files and already slipping back into my old rhythm like I’d never left. It was like muscle memory. The same way you never really forget how to ride a bike—especially since this particular bike was one I’d built from scratch, oiled with sweat and sleepless nights, and fine-tuned with ruthless precision. I was just the founder of NovaCore. I was the blueprint. And now, some weasels wanted to snatch the wheels and drive it off a cliff. “Not happening.”The study was littered with open files, sticky notes, and digital tabs blinking with red-flagged alerts. My desk looked like the aftermath of a corporate battlefield. I tossed the last folder down, rubbing the bridge of my nose and let out a sigh that felt like the first breath after holding your head underwater for

{Lyra}The house looked vaguely better than I remembered, which was weird if I was being honest.I stepped inside cautiously, the old door groaning behind me as usual. But gone were the cobwebs and layers of dust I saw from the last time I was in here.Someone had wiped down surfaces, swept the floors, maybe even aired out the mildew. There was even a fresh scent in the air, like pine disinfectant.The couch cushions were fluffed. A blanket folded neatly on the armrest. A half-burned candle on the windowsill still had a wisp of smoke curling up.Yup. Someone had definitely been here, and recently too.“Where are you, you slippery snake?” I whispered under my breath.There was no sign of him upstairs either. He either left in a hurry, or he knew I was coming and had slipped away.I’d bet on the first. Varen wasn’t afraid of me. If anything, he’d probably tie me up again and probably hang me upside down in the basement.A chill ran down my spine at the thought. And then I remembered… “T