Chapter 9

Theo's POV I stood at the floor-to-ceiling windows of my office, gazing at the city below while Adrian's voice faded to background noise. His indignant protests about Claire's presence barely registered as I found myself lost in thought. Since my ex-wife's betrayal years ago, I had maintained strict emotional barriers. My ex-wife hadn't just left me—she'd left our son for a younger Beta from a rival pack, shattering Adrian's sense of security and my belief in love. That devastating blow had taught me a harsh lesson: emotional investment in a woman was a dangerous liability. After rebuilding my life from those ashes, I established clear rules for myself. Casual relationships were acceptable—brief encounters with women who understood the temporary nature of our arrangement. Business remained separate from pleasure. And above all, I never, under any circumstances, became involved with an employee. These boundaries served me well. The Crescent Moon Pack prospered under my leadership, VM Group expanded globally, and I maintained the emotional distance necessary for clear decision-making. My wolf and I were in perfect harmony—until that night at Wolf Elite. Claire. Even thinking her name stirred something in my chest that I thought long dead. When she walked into the club in that ridiculous maid outfit, looking both defiant and mortified, something fundamental shifted. Her scent had already captivated me at the bar days earlier—a unique blend of honeysuckle and rain that made my wolf pace restlessly. But seeing her again, recognizing the fierce intelligence behind those green eyes, the pride she maintained even in humiliating circumstances... My pulse quickened at the memory. I hadn't responded so viscerally to a woman in years. My wolf had practically howled with interest, pushing me toward her with an urgency that startled us both. Things had nearly gone too far that night. When her lips pressed against mine, the taste of her nearly shattered my control. Only years of iron discipline prevented me from taking what she so willingly offered. The phone call that interrupted us had infuriated my wolf, but part of me felt relieved. The age gap between us was significant—she couldn't be much younger than Adrian. Whatever momentary pleasure we might have shared would inevitably lead to regret. I believed that chapter closed until she appeared at my penthouse, offering herself as my mistress in exchange for financial help. Seeing her standing before me, looking both fragile and stubborn in that burgundy dress, my resolve nearly crumbled. Her desperation was evident, but so was her courage. What kind of situation would drive a woman with her pride to make such an offer? But after hearing her story—of being blacklisted by an ex who couldn't accept rejection—something softened in me. Her experience echoed my own youthful heartbreak, though the circumstances differed. I recognized the quiet desperation of someone fighting against powers beyond their control. After she left, I immediately ordered a discreet investigation into her background. My security team was thorough, delivering a comprehensive report within hours. As I read through the details of her life, both my wolf and I were thrown into turmoil. Claire White. Twenty-four. Brilliant pharmaceutical researcher specializing in werewolf neurological disorders. And until recently, in a secret relationship with my son. The pieces aligned with sickening clarity. The timing of her father's illness, her sudden unemployment, her desperate measures—all coincided with Adrian's engagement announcement to Nicole Montgomery, daughter of the Moonlight Pack Alpha. A politically advantageous union that Adrian had apparently pursued while maintaining a relationship with Claire. More disturbing was the confirmation that Adrian was indeed using my name and the pack's influence to ensure Claire remained unemployable. Without my knowledge, without my consent, my son was weaponizing my reputation to punish a woman whose only crime was refusing to become his mistress while he married another. The revelation left me conflicted. I'd had Adrian quite young. His mother's abandonment had twisted something in him, creating insecurities I'd failed to properly address. In many ways, his behavior was partly my responsibility. I'd probably indulged him too much, compensating for his mother's absence. After careful consideration, I made a decision that surprised even myself. I would offer Claire a position at VM Group—not out of pity or attraction, but as recompense for the damage done in my name. She was qualified, her academic record exceptional. The fact that hiring her might also serve as a lesson to Adrian about the limits of his power was an added benefit. It was a risk, certainly. Having her so close would test my resolve. But I told myself I could remain professional, pretend our previous encounters had never happened. Maintain the walls I'd built so carefully over the years. That determination lasted precisely until the moment she walked into the interview room. Seeing her in that suit, sexy enough to hint at the curves beneath, stirred something primal in me. Every time she shifted in her chair, crossed her legs, or tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear, my body responded as if she were made of fire. Throughout the interview, I maintained my composure through sheer force of will. My wolf paced restlessly beneath my skin, urging me to acknowledge the connection between us. I refused, conducting the meeting with detached professionalism that betrayed none of the turmoil beneath. When Adrian burst into my office, exposing our connection and demanding her dismissal, I saw the color drain from her face. The horror in her eyes as she realized who I was—who we were to each other—cut deeper than expected. "Adrian, enough. If you want to start making decisions about VM Group personnel, you'll need to demonstrate your capabilities first, not just rely on your position or as my son." I finally cut off my son's tirade with a sharp gesture. "Wait outside. I'll deal with this situation." He hesitated, clearly caught between obedience and the desire to press his case. But the Alpha command in my tone left no room for argument. With a final venomous glance at Claire, he stalked out, slamming the door behind him. Claire stood frozen, her knuckles white where she gripped the chair for support. I could smell her fear, her desperation—and beneath it, a hint of something else. Betrayal. She began, her voice barely above a whisper, "I swear I didn't know—" I raised a hand, silencing her. "We'll discuss this later. For now, go to your desk. HR will send someone up with the necessary paperwork." Her eyes widened in surprise. "You're not... firing me?" "Should I?" I countered, studying her reaction carefully. "Most people would," she admitted, straightening slightly. "Given the circumstances." "I'm not most people, Ms. White. And I don't make personnel decisions based on my son's tantrums." A hint of relief softened her features, though wariness remained. She nodded once, then quietly left my office. Alone, I allowed myself a moment of weakness, dropping into my chair and pinching the bridge of my nose. I'd committed to having her work directly with me, placing temptation within arm's reach every day. That evening, I met Bob, Alpha of the Ruby Ray Pack, at our usual steakhouse. After fifteen years of business partnerships and weathering countless corporate storms together, Bob was the closest thing I had to a friend. "You look like shit," he observed bluntly as I slid into the booth across from him. "Markets that bad?" "Markets are fine," I replied, signaling the waiter for my usual scotch. "It's a... personal matter." Bob raised an eyebrow, rare curiosity crossing his features. "You don't have personal matters, Theo. That's why you're so damn successful." I smiled thinly at the truth in his assessment. "Perhaps that's changing." Over rare steaks and aged whiskey, I outlined the situation—omitting names and specific details, but conveying the essence of my predicament. Bob listened attentively, his expression shifting from surprise to amusement. "Let me get this straight," he said finally. "You're attracted to a young she-wolf, who happens to be your son's ex, who you've now hired to work directly under you?" Put that way, it sounded absurd. "More or less." Bob laughed, the sound drawing glances from nearby diners. "Theo Valmont, the ice-cold Alpha who turned down merger proposals because they 'felt wrong,' is now following his dick instead of his brain. I never thought I'd see the day." "It's not about sex," I growled, though my wolf disagreed vehemently. "Of course not," Bob agreed, too quickly. Then, more seriously: "Look, Theo, since when did you become so afraid of your own feelings? Your ex-wife's situation was years ago. Maybe it's time to let that go and look forward." His words struck a nerve. Was I truly still allowing my ex-wife's betrayal to dictate my life after all these years? "It's not that simple," I argued. "There are complications." "There always are," Bob shrugged. "That's life. But I've known you long enough to see when something matters to you. Whatever this is—or whoever she is—clearly does." I left the restaurant with Bob's advice echoing in my mind, but no clearer path forward. For the first time in years, I found myself genuinely unsure of my next move. Since when had life ever been that easy?