Chapter 37: Chapter 37 Business First, Feelings... Complicated
Aria’s POV
"Let’s head to my office first," I said, gesturing toward the V&A Group building. "We can talk properly there."
The team followed me through the gleaming lobby, past reception where the staff did double-takes at my entourage. I caught a few curious glances, but I kept my head high. These were my people now. My team.
The elevator ride up felt surreal.
My office was on the twentieth floor—spacious, modern, with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city.
The furniture was sleek and minimalist: a glass desk, leather chairs, a conference table that could seat eight.
It was nothing like the cramped corner I’d occupied at Silver Creek Pack’s office, Ethan never bothered to get me proper equipment.
"Holy shit," Kyle breathed, taking in the view. "This is your office?"
"Apparently," I said, still getting used to the idea myself.
Diana whistled low. "Silver Creek can eat its heart out."
I smiled despite myself, but the weight of responsibility settled heavier on my shoulders.
"Okay," I said, taking a breath. "Here’s where we stand."
I pushed a thick folder toward the center of the table. "This is the Nova project. It’s a nightmare. The funding chain broke six months ago, they’ve burned through three sets of partners, and the difficulty level is off the charts."
Leo leaned forward, flipping through the pages. His expression grew increasingly grim. "Christ. No wonder everyone bailed."
"It’s a hard bone to chew," I admitted. "But if we pull it off, it puts Nova Enterprises on the map."
Then I pulled out another file—this one significantly thinner but infinitely more precious.
"However," I continued, allowing myself a small smile, "I’ve also secured a preliminary cooperation agreement with the Maxwell Group."
The reaction was immediate.
"The Maxwell project is still alive?!" Diana’s emerald eyes went wide, lighting up with that fierce competitive spark I’d always admired.
She’d been tracking the Maxwell deal the longest at Silver Creek, watching helplessly as Clara tried to muscle in and claim credit. "I thought Clara torpedoed it when she—"
"She tried," I cut in. "But Alpha Maxwell only ever wanted to work with our team. Once I explained the situation, he was more than willing to continue discussions under Nova Enterprises."
Jennifer let out a breath that was half laugh, half disbelief. "So we actually have a legitimate shot at this."
"We do." I paused, letting that sink in. "But I need to be upfront about something else. Compensation."
Kyle straightened. "Aria, we already told you—"
"I know what you said." I held up a hand. "But you deserve to know what you’re getting into. Competitive salaries, full benefits package, and equity stakes in our division. Five percent each, vested over four years."
Dead silence.
Leo blinked. "Equity stakes?"
"You’ll own part of what we build," I confirmed. "But here’s the catch. The timeline is brutal. We need to completely rebuild the Nova proposal, secure new investors, and repair every relationship the previous teams destroyed."
Diana’s grin was sharp and eager. "Equity? We just spent three months cleaning up Clara’s messes while she took credit. At least now we’re working for ourselves—literally."
"Exactly," Kyle agreed. "Alpha Maxwell trusts us. And if we pull off the Nova deal, we’ll actually own part of the success."
"You’re offering us equity," Leo added, his smile returning. "Even if we have to live in this office for a week straight, it’s worth it."
I felt something warm unfurl in my chest. These people were really all in.
"Then let’s get to work," I said quietly.
And just like that, we dove in.
---
The next few hours blurred together in a chaos of spreadsheets, financial reports, and coffee runs.
Diana took point on the Maxwell project, her fingers flying across her laptop as she drafted updated proposals.
Leo and Kyle tag-teamed the Nova deal, breaking down the previous failed attempts to figure out where things had gone wrong.
Jennifer coordinated with potential investors, her phone practically glued to her ear as she worked her network.
I moved between all of them, troubleshooting, strategizing, making calls to contacts Victor had provided.
It was exhausting. It was exhilarating.
It felt like the first time in two years I was actually doing something that mattered.
"Aria, your phone!"
Jennifer’s voice cut through my concentration. I looked up from the financial projection I’d been analyzing to see her holding out my cell, which had been buried under a mountain of files.
"Thanks," I muttered, grabbing it without really looking.
My brain was still half-stuck in the numbers. I swiped to answer. "Hello?"
"Do you have time? We could have lunch together."
The voice hit me like a bucket of ice water.
Rich. Deep. Unmistakably commanding.
I jerked upright in my chair, my heart doing that stupid flutter thing again.
"Alpha Damian." I forced my voice to stay steady, professional. My eyes darted around the room, suddenly hyperaware of my team working nearby.
"I’m afraid I can’t do lunch. I’m swamped right now."
There was a pause on the other end. When Damian spoke again, his tone was measured. Careful.
"Dinner, then."
I bit my lip. Dinner meant the meeting with the investment group Victor had set up. The one that could make or break the Nova project.
"Tonight’s not good either," I said apologetically. "I have an appointment."
Another pause. Longer this time.
I could almost feel the weight of his attention through the phone, that intense focus he always seemed to direct at me. It made my skin prickle with awareness even from miles away.
"I see. When would work for you?"
His voice was still even, but something in it made my chest tighten. Was he annoyed? Hurt?
Stop it, Aria. He’s an Alpha King. He doesn’t get hurt feelings over a missed lunch date.
"I’m honestly not sure," I admitted. "Maybe a week from now? I’ll reach out when things settle down, I promise."
"Aria—" Kyle called from across the table, waving a spreadsheet. "Can you check these numbers? I think I found the problem with the Q2 projections."
"One second!" I called back, then returned to the phone. "I’m so sorry, Alpha Damian, but I really need to go. Can we talk later?"
"Aria—"
I winced at the edge in his voice, but the team was staring at me expectantly, and there were at least six urgent items that needed my attention in the next ten minutes.
"I’ll call you back," I promised quickly. "I swear. Just—not right now. Okay?"
I didn’t wait for his response. I ended the call and set the phone face-down on the table, determinedly ignoring the guilt gnawing at my stomach.
Business first, I reminded myself firmly. Complicated Alpha King feelings later.
Way, way later.
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