Chapter 2

Chapter 2

I clenched the piece of paper in my hand tightly, as if all my anger could be poured into it.

"Damn it! Ugh, so frustrating!"

Tina just shook her head. Those were the only words that had been coming out of my mouth since earlier.

She let out a deep sigh, then tried to hide her smile. She was definitely amused because she’d never heard me curse so loudly and clearly before.

"Okay, enough with the foul language, girl. Now, tell me what happened. I want details," she said, resting her chin on her hands, her attention fully on me.

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. She was doing this on purpose. I knew her too well.

I took a deep breath before starting to tell the story.

---

My jaw dropped at what he had just said. It felt like the veins in my brain were about to pop from hearing his words.

I wanted to deny that my knees weakened at the sight of him. Intimidated? Yes. But stumbling just because I saw an Olympian god in a suit? No way! I badly wanted to tell him, "How dare you!"

Before I could say a single word, he leaned forward, a half-smile tugging at his ridiculously handsome face.

He gently stroked my cheek, causing my heart to pound uncontrollably.

"I can hear your heart, luv. You might faint... just like everybody else," he said in a sultry, seductive tone, his piercing blue eyes locked onto mine.

I felt his fingers glide down to my chin, softly closing my slightly open mouth. Then he leaned closer to my ear.

"Don't melt me, luv," he chuckled.

Every hair on my body stood on end at the sound of his low laugh.

I froze, unable to move like a robot on standby. All I could do was hold my breath and widen my eyes. Now I understood why this man was dangerous. He could make you suffocate by sheer intimidation.

Before I could react, he was already back in his seat, leaning comfortably on his swivel chair, his blue eyes still fixed on me.

The way he looked at me made me uneasy, as if he were analyzing my every move, trying to read my thoughts.

I took a deep breath to calm myself before speaking again.

"I-I won't beat around the bush, Mr. Grimmerson—"

"Please," he interrupted. "Levi. Just call me Levi. Grimmerson sounds too formal to me."

That mocking smirk returned to his lips. I hesitated for a moment, then averted my gaze to steady myself.

Swallowing hard, I met his intense stare once more, trying to sound serious. Hoping he’d take me seriously, even if he was a total jerk.

"Look, Mr. Grimmer—"

"Levi..." he interrupted again.

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes in frustration. What a bossy jerk!

"Fine! Levi it is. I'm here to discuss something important with you," I said firmly, trying to match his gaze.

Amusement flickered in his eyes as he adjusted his posture, resting both arms on the desk.

"Discuss? Are you sure you're just here to talk about something?" he responded arrogantly.

All my hopes for a formal and serious conversation vanished. I bit my lower lip to keep myself from cursing in front of him.

"Yes, I'm sure. I just came here to discuss something important. It’s about my fiancé. He was attacked while hiking on Mt. Vermin. I heard you're the Alpha of Astrid City. They say you control the entire pack within this city. I’m hoping you can explain what happened to him. He was bitten by one of your kind, and it’s been three months since the incident. He’s still unconscious, and the doctors can’t provide a proper diagnosis."

I noticed a slight change in his expression. The smirk remained, but this time it wasn’t just amusement. He was smiling out of annoyance.

He picked up the Parker pen on his desk, twirling it between his fingers, his gaze never leaving me. But I noticed his eyes. For a split second, they seemed to change color. Too quickly to be sure, but they looked golden for a moment.

"So, you came here to accuse us of a crime. Humans... so typical of you," he said, shaking his head with a faint laugh.

"That’s not what I—"

"I am the Alpha of Astrid City, but that doesn’t mean I control every lycan. Mt. Vermin is no longer part of my city. If there are rogue lycans wandering there, I assure you they’re not part of my pack. We have rules, and anyone who disobeys them faces my wrath. Trust me, luv. Even the toughest beast will beg for mercy if they make me angry," he said, raising an eyebrow as if implying something.

I bit my lip harder, letting out a quiet sigh. "But can you recommend a solution? He was bitten by a lycan. There must be a way to help him, right?" I asked desperately.

Come on, there had to be a way. I was desperate.

He was silent for a moment, seemingly deep in thought. The smile slowly faded from his face. Then he stood and turned to the glass wall of his office. I couldn’t help but notice his perfect build. His suit fit him so well that even from behind, he was intimidating.

"If he was bitten, then there’s no way he’ll recover with medication alone. No drug can fight off a lycan’s bite. Only one thing can save him," he said seriously, still facing the window.

Hope flared in me at his words. "Really? What’s that?"

"A bite from royal blood—someone from the family of Alphas," he replied, stepping closer to me. His piercing gaze returned, but this time, there was no playful smirk. His hands were buried in his pockets.

"You’re an Alpha. Can you help us?"

He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he stood there, his intense gaze locked on me, before walking around to stand behind me. I felt him gently brush my hair aside, fully exposing my neck. My heart raced wildly, threatening to leap out of my chest.

Goosebumps erupted on my skin as his fingers lightly grazed my neck. I wanted to push him away, but it felt as though I was frozen in my seat.

“Why would I do that, hmm?” he murmured, his voice low and dangerously close.

His fingers continued to brush against my skin, drawing small circles that sent a wave of discomfort—and something else I couldn’t quite identify—through me.

I swallowed hard, struggling to maintain my composure, but I couldn’t. He was draining me of every ounce of strength I had.

“B-because you’re my only hope,” I stammered, biting my lip again.

“Really? Why? Do you love him that much, Tracy? Are you willing to do everything for that man?” he asked, his deep voice carrying a mix of curiosity and amusement.

He leaned down, his face now level with my ear. I stopped breathing as his warm breath ghosted over my skin. His closeness was unbearable.

“Of course. I’ll do anything for him,” I whispered, barely able to hear my own voice.

The hairs on my body stood on end again as I felt his fingers trace the side of my neck.

“Well then, I can definitely help you. But the question is,” he paused, leaning even closer, his lips brushing against my ear, “are you willing to pay the price?”

My grip tightened on the fabric of my skirt as I bowed my head, trying to calm myself. “W-what price?” I managed to ask, my hands trembling.

“Easy, luv.” He chuckled softly, his breath tickling my ear. I bit my lip even harder. “All you need to do is satisfy me...”

I swallowed again, feeling the lump in my throat. “Satisfy you?”

He let out another quiet laugh. My eyes widened in shock when, in the blink of an eye, he was suddenly in front of me, his arms resting on either side of my chair, caging me in. His face was now mere inches from mine.

That mocking smirk appeared on his lips once more. “I’ll save your little Romeo... but in return, you’ll become my sweet Juliet, forever living your life with me in my soft, warm bed,” he said, his voice dropping to a whisper as he leaned toward my ear again. “Isn’t that great, luv?”

My eyes widened in disbelief. Did he mean… sex? What the hell?

Summoning all the courage I had, I tried to push him away, but he was like a wall, immovable and unyielding.

My eyes narrowed as I glared at him. “No thanks. I can’t live the rest of my life with a beast who has the mind of a jerk,” I said firmly.

He burst out laughing at my words, as though I’d said something hilarious. What’s so funny about that?

Straightening up, he walked back to his swivel chair and sat down, leaning back casually with his arms crossed. One eyebrow arched as if challenging me.

“Fine. Then enjoy the remaining days—or hours—your Romeo has left. It’s been three months. The venom is spreading, and soon enough… guess what? He’ll die,” he said, his smirk growing more condescending.

I felt the sting of tears at the corners of my eyes. My teeth clenched, and my fists curled into tight balls. Heartless bastard!

Before I could burst into tears, I stood abruptly and headed for the door. Just as I was about to open it, he spoke again.

“But of course, you have two choices, Miss Florendale,” he said, his voice calm and confident. Moments later, I felt his fingers sweep my hair aside, exposing my right shoulder. He moved closer like a gust of wind. “You can either give up…”

He planted a gentle kiss on my shoulder, and my entire system short-circuited. I stood frozen in place, unable to move, breathe, or think. My body was in chaos.

Then, he leaned in once more, his lips brushing against my ear.

“Or you can give in…”

“All you have to do is choose,” he whispered.