Free Web NovelChapter 43: Chapter 43
Riley’s POV
The room doesn’t explode after my words. ƒrēewebnovel.com
It freezes.
Every single person left in the boardroom stares at me like I just dropped a bomb in the middle of the table. Mouths hang open. Eyes widen. Hands grip chairs. No one speaks. No one breathes properly.
I stand there, shoulders straight, fingers clenched slightly at my sides, watching their reactions one by one. Some of them look scared. Some look impressed. Some look like they want to disappear through the floor.
And then Ethan laughs.
He throws his head back and laughs loudly, sharply, like something inside him finally snapped. The sound fills the boardroom and echoes off the walls, and the longer he laughs, the more uncomfortable everyone becomes.
A woman two seats away from him flinches.
One of the investors glances at the door like he’s considering running.
Ethan keeps laughing.
I don’t move.
I don’t react.
I just watch him, my face calm even though my chest feels tight.
Finally, his laughter dies down. He wipes his mouth slowly with his thumb and looks straight at me, his eyes dark and sharp.
"Are you trying to strip me of this company, Riley?" he asks.
His tone is calm, but I know him too well. This is the calm before something ugly happens.
I raise my eyebrow slightly at him.
"I’m not removing you from the company," I reply evenly. "Nor am I firing you."
A few people release quiet breaths they didn’t even know they were holding.
"I wouldn’t dare," I add coolly.
Ethan tilts his head, watching me closely.
"I’m simply helping you reduce your workload," I continue. "Managing the executives can be stressful. I’m sure you’d appreciate more free time."
A murmur runs through the room.
"You’ll have time to relax," I say. "Time to travel. Time to enjoy yourself. Maybe even time to chase women without pretending to be a devoted husband."
The room goes stiff and Ethan’s smile tightens. Slowly, he pushes his chair back and stands up.
The security guards react immediately, stepping forward, but Ethan turns his head slightly and looks at them.
They stop, just like that, of course he’s an Alpha.
The word doesn’t need to be spoken. It hangs in the air anyway.
He starts walking around the table, slow and deliberate, his hands sliding into his pockets. His shoes echo against the floor as he circles the room, eyes fixed on me the entire time.
I stay seated.
I refuse to shrink.
"This is Crescent Hollow," he says casually as he walks. "Do you realize that?"
I lean back in my chair and cross my legs calmly. freēwebnovel.com
"And do you realize," I reply, "that Crescent Hollow has laws that govern everyone?"
He stops walking.
"Humans and wolves," I continue. "As long as you’re conducting business here, we are equals."
His jaw tightens.
"Or do you plan to destroy the peace treaty that was signed years ago just because you’re an Alpha?" I ask, my voice steady.
A few board members exchange looks.
"As far as I remember," I add, "the only Alphas who demand absolute respect are the Alphas of Alphas."
I smile faintly.
"I’m sure you know who they are."
Ethan’s fists clench at his sides.
"You really want to play it this way?" he asks quietly.
"Yes," I answer without hesitation.
His eyes move across the room slowly, scanning every board member, every investor, every executive.
Then he does something that makes my blood run cold.
"Get out," he commands."All of you"
The air changes instantly. I feel it like pressure pressing down on my chest.
Every single board member stands up at the same time.
Chairs scrape loudly against the floor as they move stiffly toward the door, eyes unfocused, faces pale.
"No," I shout, jumping to my feet. "Ethan, stop!"
They don’t stop. They walk like they aren’t in control of their own bodies. Of course, he was using his pheromones on them.
"What are you doing?" I demand, panic crawling up my spine.
He looks at me and smiles slowly.
"I think you need a reminder," he says. "You’re just a human woman."
The door slams shut after the last person leaves.
The lock clicks. The sound is loud and final.
We’re alone.
"Ethan," I say sharply, "you’re violating the law and you know it. Using Alpha compulsion on humans is illegal."
He starts walking toward me.
"If this gets out," I continue, backing away slowly, "if the media finds out—"
He rushes me immediately. Before I can react, he slams me hard against the wall.
Pain explodes through my back and shoulders. My breath is knocked out of me. I gasp, coughing, my chest burning as I struggle to breathe properly.
He presses close, his arm blocking my escape, his presence heavy and suffocating.
"How should I punish you?" he asks lowly.
Fear flashes through me, but I refuse to show it.
I lift my chin even though my body hurts.
"You touch me Ethan," I threaten hoarsely, "and you stand destroying yourself."
He laughs softly."You think anyone will believe you?"
"Yes," I answer immediately. "Because this building has cameras, it’s seen every single board member that just left now under Alpha compulsion. Because Crescent Hollow doesn’t protect monsters who break treaties."
His expression flickers.
I push through the pain and continue.
"This isn’t a fucking wolf business," I say. "This is a corporate law. International law. Treaty law that fucking giverns this town, it’s not Obsidian Veil either."
I meet his eyes."And you just crossed every fucking line."
His grip loosens slowly and carefully. He steps back.
I straighten my jacket, forcing myself to stand tall even though my body aches.
"No, you’re crossing a line you can’t return from," he says.
"Yes," I reply. "I am and I already returned from it"
I reach into my bag and pull out my phone.
"I already sent the alert," I say calmly. "National securities. Legal. Media containment."
His eyes narrow.
"And of course your dear best friends"
Silence crashes down between us. For the first time, he looks unsure.
"You wouldn’t dare that" he mutters, dread creeping into his voice.
"I already did because I knew that something like this would happen today, I put every fucking thing on live cam"
