Chapter 5

Adina was escorted to the top floor of Zenith Global by Beta Kaia.

At the elevator entrance, she ran into Rosalind, who gave Adina a not-so-friendly once-over before striding ahead with a smug air.

A knock on the door. "Come in."

Alaric looked up, his expression hardening as if he'd seen something unpleasant.

"What are you doing here?"

Before Rosalind could speak, Beta Kaia led Adina in.

"Alpha, she's here."

"Leave us," Alaric instructed.

"Where is it?" Alaric asked Adina.

Adina took out the watch and placed it on Alaric's desk. Rosalind recognized it as Alaric's.

"You filthy thief! How dare you steal from Alaric?" Rosalind spat venomously.

Adina frowned, looking at her in bewilderment. "Who are you?"

"I’m Alaric's fiancée," Rosalind replied, arms crossed, looking down disdainfully at the shabby-dressed woman before her.

"And what does that have to do with me?"

"Alpha! Why would you let a thief in here? When did Zenith Global's top floor become open to anyone? Know your place!"

Indeed, Rosalind's face was now stiff with embarrassment, expectantly waiting for Alaric to defend her, confident he would take her side.

But Alaric had no intention of interfering. He rang the intercom.

Shortly, Beta Kaia returned.

Alaric gave Rosalind a glance, instructing, "Escort her out."

Rosalind was incredulous. "You!"

"She is not to enter the company without my permission from now on."

Before Rosalind could protest, Beta Kaia led her out.

Alaric tapped his fingers idly on the table, scrutinizing Adina closely. Their gazes locked, but neither spoke.

Adina finally took in the man's features: strong, sharp brows, a well-defined face, and under his prominent nose, lips that parted slightly.

"Nothing to say?"

"Say what? Criticize your shrewish fiancée?"

"Alpha, your taste is questionable. It's honestly difficult to compliment," Adina smirked, her eyebrows raised slightly, her expression mischievous and defiant, as if silently challenging him.

"If she doesn’t deserve, do you deserve?" Alaric narrowed his eyes, unfazed.

"Forget it, I don't care for you," Adina shrugged, an elusive smile tugging at her lips, her eyes laughing with mockery.

With that, she turned and left the office.

Alaric watched her go with interest, though his gaze was icy and sharp as a blade.

"Adina?" His deep voice lingered in the air, a blend of seduction and veiled danger.

...

Adina returned home to find Yara sitting on a stool, swinging her legs and staring outside, captivated by something unseen to Adina.

Talita peeked from behind a wall, whispering, "Adina, Yara's been sitting there all morning. Brother called her, but she didn’t respond."

Adina patted Talita's head, saying, "Maybe her inner world is too rich, and she doesn't want to come out."

Though she said this lightly, she felt no comfort herself and merely watched the swinging child silently.

Four years had passed in a flash...

"Adina, good news! The manager at Pony Bar said we can still work there part-time, but warned us not to stir up trouble or get in Alpha's way."

"The pay there can cover our sister's medical bills." Maeve burst into the house joyfully, eyes bright with excitement.

Adina, anxious about finances, found the dark clouds lifted and agreed with a smile.

At Pony Bar...

"You said she dared to steal from you, yet you want her back for part-time work. What is it? Really into her?" Caleb teased.

Alaric watched the woman weaving through the dance floor, hesitating. "Bring her in."

Caleb turned back, and sure enough, it was the person he'd just mentioned.

Caleb chuckled, shaking his head. "He’s truly taken."

He instructed his assistant to call Adina in.

Seeing him again, Adina thought, the more you try to avoid someone, the more likely you are to bump into them. It was sheer bad luck.

"Come here," Alaric said, gesturing with a slight movement of his hand on the sofa, indicating Adina should sit next to him.

Adina couldn’t fathom his intentions, but she approached with feigned calm, sitting down.

Caleb watched Alaric, his demeanor unreadable. He soon livened the atmosphere, making the once-quiet room lively.

Adina felt like she was sitting on pins and needles, as the plush sofa became the most uncomfortable place she'd ever sat. Alaric's hand slipped from the sofa to her shoulder.

Stunned, Adina turned to look at him.

"How much for a night?" Alaric's voice wasn't loud, but they were close enough for her to hear him clearly.

After a pause, she laughed, "What, considering making me your mistress?" Her gaze traveled from his lips to his Adam's apple, filled with playful allure yet also a hint of cunning.

Alaric raised an eyebrow, a barely perceptible smile playing on his lips. "Your imagination is quite vivid."

After that, they didn't speak further. Adina would tactfully pour Alaric a drink and would occasionally drink on his behalf under the playful banter of the others.

Alaric's fingers lightly tapped on Adina's shoulder, like a breeze skimming the surface of a lake, creating gentle ripples, not heavy-handed but leaving a tingling sensation.

Adina wore a dress with an open back, a thin strap around her neck, accentuating her curves.

Alaric's hand slowly slid down her back, eventually covering a soft mound, casually flicking at the now hardening nub.

Adina looked at Alaric, proudly asking, "Satisfied?"

Alaric suddenly tightened his grip, causing Adina's face to scrunch up in pain. She silently cursed him before glaring at him.

Finally, Caleb proposed a change of venue, and Adina let out a breath of relief, looking at Caleb as if he were a savior.

"You all go ahead, I have other matters to attend to." With that, Alaric grabbed his coat and left.

...

In the car

"Alpha, this is Adina's family situation: she has two sisters and a brother, no other family, and they live in humble conditions," Beta Kaia reported, his tone business-like and unwavering.

Alaric took the folder, his gaze lingering on Yara's entry.

Autism and hemophilia?

No wonder she's stealing and working at a bar; she’s supporting these orphans.

Huh, what a kind-hearted wolf.

"Arrange a job for her at a subsidiary, with a high salary, but don’t reveal my involvement," Alaric instructed.

"Understood."

Even Beta Kaia, usually dispassionate and detached, was momentarily surprised.

Elsewhere, Adina and Maeve were basking in the joy of receiving their night's wages.

Maeve checked her phone, finding numerous messages all from one person.

Skimming through, she hurriedly bid Adina farewell.

"What happened?" Adina asked, concern creasing her brow.

"I'm going to meet David," Maeve assured, smiling before rushing out.

David was Maeve's boyfriend, a good-for-nothing layabout.

Adina shook her head, filled with helplessness.

Oh well, let her be...

Outside the bar, the cold winter wind bit at her skin, starkly different from the warm, bustling bar inside.

Bundling up, she moved forward, noticing a nearby pastry shop still open. She decided to buy some bread for the kids’ breakfast.

Entering, she stood before the display case. It was late, and only a few cakes were left.

Fortunately, there were still some slices of the cheesecake the kids loved, so she bought them all.

Back home, the children were asleep. During her absence, Zain had taken good care of them. Though he was only twelve or thirteen, he had the steadiness of someone much older.

She set the pastries on the dining table, left a note, and retired to her room.

"You think he really considered keeping me tonight?" Adina mused aloud.

If she could sense him as her mate, then Alaric surely sensed it too. What was this? A top-tier dilemma?

"Not quite keeping, but he's genuinely interested," Ava replied.

"How could I not feel something? Every touch felt magnified, like ants crawling over me," Adina said, pacing her room, gesturing animatedly.

Images of Alaric's deep gaze and tall figure constantly filled her mind. There seemed to be a force pulling her in, yet a warning of danger simultaneously kept her at bay.

Eventually, Adina decided not to overthink it and dove into bed, drifting into sleep.

Though she worked at the bar at night, her days were idle. Sitting at the bar all the time wasn’t sustainable, so she sent out resumes, hoping to land a respectable job.

She uploaded her resume on job websites but hadn’t heard back from any potential employers.

"Sigh!" Adina heaved a sigh of frustration and got up to step outside.

"Did you sleep well, kids?" Adina greeted cheerfully.

Talita had already left for school. In the living room, Zain and Yara were building blocks, sunlight spilling on the wooden floor, their golden locks glinting in the light. Their movements were gentle, just the soft clinking of blocks breaking the silence.

Hearing her voice, they looked up at Adina. Yara smiled softly but didn’t speak.

Zain responded, "Adina, you’re awake. There’s food on the table."

"WOW! Our Zain is the best," Adina praised.

After eating, Adina started towards her room but then paused, remembering something.

"I’m going out for a bit. Zain, take care of your sisters for me, and I’ll bring you a gift, okay?"

Though just twelve, Zain’s childishness was still present, yet his clear eyes held a maturity beyond his years.

Zain nodded and returned to building his blocks in silence.

Adina hadn’t been gone long when a Cullinan pulled up outside, its luxurious presence gleaming in the sunlight.

The car door clicked open, and Alaric emerged from the vehicle with a deliberate grace.

He wore a dark, tailored suit, perfectly fitted to his tall, imposing frame, the fabric smooth and exuding a subtle sheen.

Alaric instructed Beta Kaia to wait outside while he approached the house.

Knock, knock.

Through the peephole, Zain saw a stranger standing outside. Without speaking, he began to turn away.

Then he heard a voice from outside. "I’m here for Adina."

For Adina?

"Adina isn’t here," Zain replied.

"Then I’m here for you, Zain," Alaric said slowly.

Hearing his name, Zain was curious, forgetting Adina's warning.

Click. The door opened.

"I’m Alpha of the pack, Alaric," the man introduced himself coldly, not so much introducing as stating, devoid of emotion.

"What do you want with me?" Zain asked indifferently.

"Does your sister Adina steal often?"

"My sister doesn't do things like that," Zain replied firmly.

His initial curiosity faded, replaced by a growing dislike for this stranger who spoke ill of his sister.

Bang!

Zain slammed the door, Alaric’s nose barely missing the closing wood by inches.

Alaric clicked his tongue against his cheek, muttering a low curse before leaving.