37 Breakfast Drama
Mara
Alpha Vander finally decided to grace us with his presence, and the room shifted. Everyone stood. He offered a smile-to Lucian, then to me-and settled into his seat at the head of the table.
We sat too, though my body suddenly felt too stiff. I couldn’t ignore the unease crawling up my spine. Being in the same room with that man always did this to me.
His apology for what he’d done-and Martha’s slap-on-the-wrist punishment-meant nothing. I didn’t trust him. I didn’t hav
e to.
“I see you two have grown… closer,” he said, the smugness behind his smile as obvious as the shift in our scents. “Should we expect a claiming soon?”
Lucian didn’t hesitate. He nodded and casually slid his hand under the table, settling it on my bare thigh. My breath caught as his fingers moved upward, slow and deliberate.
“I want you wet and ready by the end of breakfast,” he linked, his voice low and dark in my head.
My body reacted before I could think. Heat pooled in me fast and sharp, and I clenched around nothing, pulse racing. I broke out in a light sweat, my mind trying to keep up with the assault of sensation.
They’ll smell me, I linked back, panicking slightly. Lucian, please stop.
He turned to me with a grin, unfazed. “Even better,” he said out loud.
No one at the table knew what we were really saying, but the way my fingers tightened around my cutlery must’ve said enough. Thank the Goddess for my tan skin. If I were any paler, my entire face would’ve been on fire.
Alpha Vander didn’t notice-or didn’t care. He cleared his throat.
“I’m glad everyone is here,” he said. “Breakfast was getting a bit dull with just Darian and Tiffany for company.”
Tiffany rolled her eyes. Darian didn’t react.
“Today is a significant day,” Vander continued. “I’m stepping down as CEO of Steel Corp. I want to spend more time with
my wife and family.”
He turned to Lucian. “I know I told you to earn your place from the ground up, but that’s no longer necessary. You own the company. As of today, you’ll be taking over.”
The table went quiet. Lucian didn’t look excited-just distant, unreadable.
Then Martha gave a little nod toward Alpha Vander. A reminder.
“Oh-nearly forgot,” Vander added, as if it had just occurred to him. “I’d also like you to hire Lacy as your secretary. Her
resume is impressive, and we Nighthorns take care of our own. It wouldn’t be right for her to go job hunting when we have
a place for her here.”
And there it was.
That’s why Martha had been playing nice. That’s why Lacy had been served up with a smile and a soft voice.
Lucian didn’t hesitate. He shook his head immediately.
“No.”
Alpha Vander blinked. “Excuse me?”
1/3
“No, Lucian repeated, calmly but firmly. “I’ll choose my own staff.”
Lacy’s face fell. Martha’s smile froze.
And I just sat there, trying not to smirk-because Lucian had made one thing perfectly clear:
This was our table now.
“I don’t want to deal with Martha’s family members,” Lucian continued, voice steady, clear. “I’ll offer Lacy a position, as you requested-but she won’t be working closely with me. I’d prefer a male assistant. I don’t want any unnecessary tension between me and my wife. I trust that’s understandable.”
,,。,,,,
Martha’s smile wavered for a split second before she caught herself, smoothing it back into place.
“Why would it offend Mara that your cousin is working with you?” she asked, trying to sound innocent.
“She’s not my cousin, Martha,” Lucian replied, tone clipped. “She’s not my relative. And given your history, I’d rather not risk the kind of scandal you’re known for stirring. To be clear-I’m not refusing to employ Lacy. But she will have no direct dealings with me.”
Martha’s eyes narrowed just slightly, but her tone remained airy. “Well, I’m sure Mara wouldn’t mind Lacy being your
secretary. They’re around the same age-maybe they’ll even become friends.”
She turned her gaze toward me like she expected me to play along.
“I mind,” I said simply.
Silence.
Lucian reached over and rested his hand on mine under the table.
“He’s my husband,” I continued. “And I’m not comfortable with a woman connected to you working that closely with him.
Especially not when trust is still being earned in this house.”
Martha leaned back in her chair, exhaling slowly. “Ah, yes. I’d forgotten how blunt you are.”
She nudged Alpha Vander. “Vander, tell them.”
But Alpha Vander only raised his hands in a small shrug. “It’s his company. If Mara has concerns, then Lucian’s offer is
more than fair.”
Lucian nodded. “Besides, if Lacy is Mara’s age, then she likely lacks the experience required for a position like that. A
secretary-or personal assistant-needs years of expertise. This isn’t a charity. If there are no ulterior motives, then she
should be more than happy to accept any job within the company. On merit.”
Martha smiled again, this time at both of us.
“Thank you, Lucian, for the kind gesture,” she said smoothly. “Lacy won’t let you down.”
Then she turned to me.
“You have nothing to worry about where my niece is concerned.”
Her voice was calm, almost reassuring.
Which only made me more suspicious.
Because people like Martha don’t change overnight.
And if she was smiling now, it meant she still had a move to play.
(Lucian’s POV) Inner Turmoil
8 Point
