SIENNA
Theron gave me a strange look when I walked in, then narrowed his eyes—but only for a moment—before slipping back into his usual cold, distant demeanor. He didn't stand, and I heard the door click shut behind me. We were alone.
His office was exactly like him: the walls were nearly invisible, lined with shelves packed with books and a few decorative pieces. The wood was dark, just like the floor—where I could even see it beneath the rugs. The mahogany desk was large, sturdy, like Theron himself. It suited him. The whole place suited him.
Theron was wearing a black button-up that emphasized his strong arms, his broad shoulders… No, Sienna, what are you doing? Alphas in general were attractive—they had this energy that drew females in, made them want to submit. But I needed to keep my head on straight!
I wanted to sit down. I'd spent too much time lying down, barely moving, and I still felt a little weak. Theron stood, and I realized just how much taller he was than me. The man was massive! That high hospital bed had seriously fooled me.
Without a word, he stepped closer and slowly circled me. I kept my eyes fixed on a spot on the wine-red curtains behind his desk and lifted my chin.
"What are you good at, Sienna?"
I swallowed hard. His presence was too strong, too overwhelming.
"I'm good at managing things."
"Is that what you did where you came from?" he pressed. "You're a rogue. Where did you work?"
I took a deep breath.
"With humans," I answered, silently praying to the goddess Selene that Theron wouldn't ask where exactly, because I clearly didn't know any places!
"Hmm… and they paid you well?"
"Well enough. I got by."
I kept in mind that Adrian hadn't given me any money. I never left the pack, and when I wanted something from the city, I didn't need cash—I was the Alpha's partner. He'd given the orders. At least that. Still, I couldn't say they considered me their Luna. No. The fact that I didn't have a wolf was an unforgivable flaw. The only reason I was treated with even the bare minimum of respect was because Adrian kept me by his side.
I barely consumed anything, so in the end, I took care of the house and Adrian in exchange for shelter and food. That was it. Thinking about it just made me angrier—at myself, at my own stupidity. Meanwhile, Vivianne strutted around the pack like she owned the place. And really, didn't she? I wondered if everyone knew and I was just the only fool.
Theron's hand passed in front of my face, and I blinked a few times.
"What's on your mind?" His voice was low, too close to my ear, and I could hear the irritation in his tone. Of course he'd be annoyed—I'd zoned out in the middle of questioning!
"Sorry. Just remembering my time with… undesirable people," I replied flatly, trying to mask my own frustration. "Ah, could you step back a little, please?"
Instead, he moved even closer.
"Do I make you nervous, Sienna?"
Okay! He was teasing me now. The way he drew out every syllable of my name sent a different kind of shiver down my spine. I took a deep breath and turned to face him—which might have been a mistake, because suddenly there were only inches between us.
His eyes gleamed, and I watched Theron's Adam's apple bob. His body was reacting to me; his scent had changed.
"Seems I'm not the only one who's nervous. Though I'm guessing for different reasons."
In the next second, I was on Theron's desk, his hand gripping my neck and my hip. He inhaled deeply, his nose nearly brushing against my throat.
"You're way too bold!" he growled, pulling my thigh up and positioning himself between my legs—but not touching me there. "Is this what you want?"
"You're—hurting me!" I protested. With my head forced back, it was harder to breathe. "Let me go!"
He was seductive, no doubt, but I'd just escaped a bad relationship, and Adrian had always been rougher with me when we were intimate. Not as forceful as Theron was being now, but close enough—and I couldn't take it.
"Let me go, NOW!" I hit his arms, my breath catching in my throat.
Theron's hand slid into my hair, gripping it near the roots, forcing me to look at him.
"Don't provoke me if you're not ready to follow through, Sienna. I'm no saint—especially not when an attractive female is alone with me, practically begging me to make a damn move."
He released me and took two steps back. I was still trying to steady myself, my pulse racing. Theron crossed his arms over his chest.
"You'll help me here, with administration, where I can keep an eye on you," he said, and I didn't answer, just stared. "I hope you really do know how to handle this kind of work, because I hate mistakes. I hate wasting my time."
"Why not send me to work with the omegas, then?" I wouldn't have minded. My father had trained me to lead, but he always said a true ruler had to understand every role, know the struggles and dedication of every pack member—from the lowest rank to the highest.
Theron let out a quiet laugh and looked down, taking a step toward me before stopping. He lifted his gaze without moving his head.
"Because there, I can't control you. Do you not want to work as my assistant?" He stepped closer again, and I held my breath. "Or… do you have something else in mind for serving me?"