Chapter 185: Chapter 185 Uninvited Guest
Author
Elara had been giving Alpha Dominic the silent treatment for two days straight after that whole intimate medical situation.
"Look, Dom, there are certain boundaries you need to respect, even as my mate."
Alpha Dominic looked like she’d delivered a killing blow straight to his chest.
"Baby, after we mate, you expect me to just flip a switch? That’s not how this works."
He couldn’t. Not even close.
"Next time I swear I’ll take it easier on you, alright?" He tried that puppy-dog look that usually melted her resolve.
Elara wasn’t buying what he was selling. "Your promises aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on."
That shut him up real quick.
"I need my eight hours. I’m up at seven, which means lights out by eleven. Non-negotiable."
"Don’t give me that wounded look. I’m the one running on fumes here, barely keeping my eyes open at work."
Elara shot him a look that could freeze hell over. "Anyway, I’ve laid down the law. "
With that definitive statement, she swept off to work, leaving the Alpha King standing there looking like his world had just shifted off its axis.
Alpha Dominic crunched the numbers. Eleven o’clock bedtime. Factor in dinner and her whole nighttime routine. They’d need to get things rolling by nine at the outside.
Two hours. Jesus, that was tight.
--
Alpha Dominic swung his Porsche into the lot at Petals & Stems and walked in to grab their best roses. He gave them Elara’s office address.
This time, he actually wrote something decent on the card.
[Luna Wolfe, I’m sorry.
Please don’t freeze me out anymore.]
The sweet old lady behind the counter smiled as he paid. "Honey, you and your wife must have something really special."
His mouth curved up. "Damn right we do."
But the second he stepped outside, a foreign scent hit him.
Female wolf. Heavy perfume. Desperation.
Sophie’s wolf went haywire the moment she caught his scent.
Pure alpha power rolled off Alpha Dominic in waves that should have sent her running. Instead, greed won over survival.
[The Alpha King belonged to her boring cousin? What a waste.]
Fighting every instinct screaming at her to submit, she walked up with her best seductive smile. "Alpha Dominic, what a surprise. Sophie Grant . Elara’s cousin."
Alpha Dominic’s whole presence shifted. When he spoke, his voice carried the weight of someone who ruled. "Elara cut ties with that bloodline. Permanently."
The words hit like a slap. But desperation made her stupid.
"Alpha Dominic, Elara and I used to be close—"
"My Luna never mentioned you." His Alpha presence flooded the air, just enough to make her stumble back."That makes you irrelevant."
He moved toward his car, every step radiating pure dominance.
"Also, your scent is offensive. Next time you approach an Alpha, show some respect."
The command cracked like a whip.
"Alpha Dominic, I didn’t mean any disrespect—"
He wrinkled his nose like he’d stepped in something gross. "Move. You’re blocking my car."
He brushed past her like she was invisible, yanked open his door, and sped off, tires squealing.
Sophie stood there, furious.
Playing hard to get. Classic alpha move.
She knew how to handle guys who liked the chase.
Since the direct approach didn’t work, time for Plan B.
Straight to Elara.
--
Elara had been stuck in the conference room all morning with the bank director. Her phone was on silent, so she missed every single call from Dominic.
When the roses arrived, the receptionist put them straight in Elara’s office.
Back at her desk, she couldn’t stop talking about it. "Mr. Wolfe and Elara are so perfect together. He sends her flowers all the time."
"I swear I didn’t mean to peek, but the card said, ’I’m sorry.’ Oh my god, it’s so cute."
"They’re literally made for each other. I can’t believe anyone ever thought he was gay."
"Hey, their mating ceremony is next week. Think we’ll get the day off?"
Sophie had been hanging around the entrance long enough to hear all of it. She pursed her lips.
[Perfect match? Please. He just hadn’t met her yet.]
Years of her parents’ endless praise had made Sophie insanely confident.
She walked straight up to the front desk. "Hi. I’m Sophie Grant, Elara’s cousin. Take me to her office."
"You’re here to see Miss Parker?"
"Obviously."
The receptionist hesitated. She tried calling Elara. No answer. She checked with the assistant and found out Elara was still in her meeting.
"I’m sorry, Miss Parker is with a client right now. I can take you to the lounge to wait. It might be a while."
Sophie’s face twisted. "I’m her sister. You can’t make me wait in some lounge."
"Just take me to her office. Don’t worry. We were really close growing up."
The receptionist wavered. "I’m not sure that’s appropriate."
"What’s inappropriate about it? What’s your name? When Elara finds out you were rude to me, you’re getting fired."
A coworker tugged the receptionist’s sleeve. "Just let her wait in the office."
The receptionist sighed. "Fine. Follow me."
Sophie smirked and followed her into Elara’s office.
She immediately dropped into Elara’s chair and started playing with the flowers on the desk.
The receptionist panicked. "Miss Grant, please sit on the sofa. If Miss Parker sees this, I’ll be in trouble."
Sophie rolled her eyes. "Who wants this stupid chair anyway?"
She pulled out her phone, leaned close to the roses, and snapped a selfie.
Then she posted it online. Such pretty flowers!
The card was clearly visible in the photo.
The receptionist’s gut screamed danger. She rushed over. "Miss Grant, those belong to Miss Parker."
Sophie sneered. "Relax. You think I’m gonna steal her flowers?"
The receptionist just wanted this girl gone. She never should have let her in.
Sophie’s eyes landed on a ring sitting on the desk. She leaned forward, palms flat, and smoothly palmed it.
The receptionist had her back turned, fixing the flowers. She didn’t see a thing.
"Miss Grant, please come wait outside."
Sophie’s eyes went fake-sweet. "Fine, fine. But when Elara yells at you for this, don’t say I didn’t warn you."
Half an hour later, Elara walked the bank director to the elevator.
When she got back to her office, she saw missed calls from Alpha Dominic .
She was about to call him back when her assistant came up.
"Elara, your sister is here. She’s waiting in the conference room."
Elara frowned.
[Sister? ]
