The next day at work, I made a plan. I would go into the Alpha King's office and talk to him. I sat at my desk, mustering up the courage to go to his office.
"Psst!" Kara said behind me. I turned to see her peeking into my cubicle. "I can go with you if you want."
"No." I stood. "I have to do this alone."
"I believe in you." Her voice was soft and almost nervous. I left my desk area just as Paul approached me.
"I don't know what you did, but the big boss wants to talk to you." Paul informed me.
"I was just headed that way." I smiled politely even though my heart began to slam in my chest. Why did he want to see me? Did I do something wrong? Was he going to force me to be in a relationship with him? My mind raced as I walked towards the Alpha King's office. My hands became sweaty and anxiety tightened my chest. When I got to the solid blue door, I paused. Relax, Ren. You've got this. Taking a deep breath, I raised my hand and nicked lightly on the door.
"Come in." A deep voice spoke from the other side. My body began to shake and my mind screamed. Alarms blared and flashed in my head, telling me to turn around. I continued moving, though. My hand pushed down the handle before slowly pushing the door open. Across from the door on the other side of the large office sat a large, muscular man behind a large desk. His arms were laid on the surface, hands clasped together as he waited. My eyes found the mismatched set briefly. I quickly averted my gaze elsewhere. Next to the large man was a tall, slender but muscular man with blood-red curls and green eyes. He wore a red suit, minus the jacket, while the other wore a simple, white button-up shirt and black tie with the sleeves rolled up. His pants and shoes were hidden by the desk. My eyes found their way to the floor as I closed the door and made my way to the desk. I stopped a few feet away, clasping my hands together and laying them neatly against my body. Today I wore a white, long-sleeved blouse that was a little loose, tucked into black slacks and matching black heels.
"Sir, I was informed that you wanted to speak with me?" I kept my voice as calm as possible. There was a moment of silence.
"Look at me." His deep voice strengthened the pull between us. His voice was alluring and it made me want to break and tell him everything. Inhaling sharply, I looked up and tightened my hands. He was attractive. Maybe too attractive. He seemed pleased by my ability to look at him. I worked hard over the last two years to break free of the person I had been. I didn't want to be reminded of my past and that meant I had to change. Making eye contact with someone and keeping it was something I worked with with Kara for a long time. The two men studied me, a question lingering in the air. It was time to give up the charade.
"I am assuming you realize who I am. Probably the day I ran out of the presentation." I spoke calmly. "Seeing as how the Alpha King can smell who is related, I guess you were the first to realize." My eyes searched the large man. The slender man, Lucah, stepped forward and looked me up and down.
"You almost look completely different." He said, putting one arm across his body and an elbow on it. He tapped a finger on his chin, seeming to think. "Why did you run?" My eyes moved from Lucah to the Alpha King.
"Do I scare you?" The Alpha King questioned. My body reacted in a way that I didn't understand. I felt… attracted to him. His voice.
"Yes."
"Why?" His miss-matched eyes glinted in the light.
"Because… I spent 18 years of my life being abused and I couldn't believe that you would be any different." I answered honestly.
"He is the Alpha King. Why would you believe he would bring you harm?" Lucah squinted slightly.
"At the time, I didn't know any different. I don't know him or you." I replied. "You expected someone who only knew pain and misery to know that there was someone out there that wouldn't hurt them? That would love them?"
"Do you now?" The Alpha King asked. I studied him for a long moment.
"Yes. Kara showed me that there was more to life than… bad people." I shifted slightly. "I am sorry that I ran away, but it was for the best. I was not capable of much. Of love. You married a broken and confused girl."
"I would have helped you." The Alpha king stated. I was quiet.
"I still… wake up screaming sometimes. I'm sure when you married me, you weren't signing up for someone who needed to be fixed. Someone so afraid of touch that ...." Tears burned my eyes and I clenched my teeth together. He stared at me, seeming to feel my turmoil.
"And what are you now? Do you still need to be fixed?" Lucah asked. My eyes found his.
"I'm healing, but I'll never be perfect. I'll always have my flaws."
"Hmm…." He stepped away.
"What do you want to come out of this?" The Alpha King raised his clasped hands to his mouth, keeping his elbows on the desk. What did I want? My heart wanted to pursue him and see where things led. My mind begged for me to close him off forever. As I watched him, I remembered the kiss. I remembered the bond snapping into place when I saw him earlier in the week. It was a magnificent feeling. Slowly, I began to imagine myself in his arms or curled up in bed next to him. It made my heart flutter in my chest. He stood and came around the desk, stopping in front of me. His shirt was a little tight, nearly exposing the shape of his body. It made him even more attractive.
"Renley Smith, do you accept me?" The question was so simple but had so much meaning. I looked up at him, staying calm on the outside. I could see the sadness entering his face the longer it took me to answer.
"I, Renley, accept Alpha King Kai Silver as my mate." I finally said. I could almost see our bond strengthening and widening. I felt it pull at my chest to the point that it was almost painful. He looked pleased with my answer. "I have a few rules, though."
"Anything." He leaned against his desk, placing his hands in his pockets. The view was immaculate.
"You may call me your wife, but to us, we are dating. We don't have a relationship and we don't know each other." I said. He watched me. "Two, I may be your Luna, but I want to keep my job. It gives me purpose."
"Anything else?" He stepped forward and I stepped back.
"I'm… not great with physical contact… so we're gonna have to work on that." I unclasped my hands and used one to rub my arm.
"We can start now." He took my free hand gently. I exhaled shallowly. My hand was tiny in his. He placed my hand over his heart slowly. "I will do anything for you, Renley. You will always be safe with me." I blinked, looking from my hand to his eyes. A feeling washed through me, almost like I was falling in love with him. I couldn't help myself. He made me feel warm. Good.
"Le-let's go to dinner tonight." I half blurted. His eyes widened slightly. "You can pick where and I'll pay. I… want to get to know the man I married."
"That sounds… nice." He gave a small nod. His eyes suddenly flicked behind me, an amused smirk growing on his face. "Your friend seems to be panicking about you being in here with me."
"Oh…." I pulled my hand from his chest, the warmth slowly disappearing. "I… did have a panic attack last time I saw you."
"Hmm…." He placed his hands into his pockets. "If I recall correctly, it is your lunchtime. Please." He motioned to the door with an open hand. I stepped towards the door but turned to look at him as I reached for the handle. Maybe he wasn't as bad as I thought he'd be. He seemed nice and caring. Can I trust him? Can I love him? Could he love me? I blinked, realizing that I was staring. I opened the door, walked out, and closed the door behind me. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself.
"Ren! Oh my god! What happened? Are you okay?" Kara grabbed my arm. I inhaled deeply, turning to her.
"Sir, are you sure about this?" Lucah asked from the other side of the door. It was too quiet for Kara to hear, but my ears picked up on it.
"I looked for her for two years. She's special and she doesn't know it." The Alpha King replied. My ears perked up.
"Ren?" Kara asked. I put a finger up to her.
"Why do you want her so badly?"
"Because she is my true mate. I felt everything she's gone through since the wedding. I can't explain to you what I feel when I look at her." The Alpha King said.
"Ren, what is it?" Kara whispered. I rotated my arm, grabbing her hand. I pulled her to the elevator where we went to the first floor. "Ren! Stop!" I turned to her.
"We're going to dinner and I agreed to be his wife." I looked at her, feeling like I made a mistake.
"That's good!" She smiled. "Breathe, Ren. This is good."
"He…. He's nice and… and caring and I'm confused. I don't know what to do." I rubbed my face.
"You take it a day at a time. Hell, if you need to then you take it a second at a time." She took my hands. "Right now, you need food. Okay?" I nodded, exhaling steadily. She led me to the cafeteria where I got my usual salad.
"Another salad You're ALWAYS eating salad. Splurge a little. Get some meat on those bones." She bumped into me. I rolled my eyes, grabbing a pack of cookies. "Good girl." We got to the register and paid for our food. After finding a table, we sat down.
"You do realize that when the press finds out I'm alive, they won't leave me alone." I popped open the container and emptied the dressing packet into it.
"I'm sure the boss will keep you safe. What's his name again?" She took a bite of her sandwich.
"Alpha King Kai Silver is the proper way of saying it." I closed the container and began shaking it. "The fact that I got hired to his company and no one realized is crazy."
"It is, but I don't think he handles the hiring side." She took another bite as I opened my container. "It's still a good thing that he still wants you. Just remember that."