Free Web NovelChapter 14: Chapter 14
"Stay and fight. But understand that if you choose that path, you’re not just fighting for a job. You’re fighting for your life."
I sat there in silence, the weight of her words settling over me like a shroud. Outside the window, the city sparkled in the evening light, oblivious to the predators moving through its streets.
"I need to think," I said finally.
"Don’t think too long," Victoria warned. "Harold Knight is not a patient man. And if he decides you’re a threat to his son’s future..."
She didn’t need to finish the sentence.
I stood on shaky legs, gathering my things. The Blackstone Industries file felt heavy in my hands, weighted with more than just paper.
"Miss Turner?" Victoria’s voice stopped me at the door.
"Yes?"
"For what it’s worth, I hope you choose to fight. Shadow Ridge Pack could use someone who isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo."
I nodded, not trusting my voice, and walked out of her office.
The department was nearly empty now, just a few stragglers finishing their work. I moved through the cubicles like a ghost, my mind reeling with everything I’d learned.
Shadow Ridge Pack. Political alliances. Mate bonds. Threats and promises and the cold reality of pack politics.
I was so lost in thought that I almost missed it. The elevator doors opened, the familiar scent that made my wolf perk up with interest.
Christian stepped out, his suit rumpled, his hair mussed like he’d been running his hands through it. He looked tired, frustrated, and when his eyes met mine across the department, something electric passed between us.
"Sophie." My name on his lips sounded like a prayer.
"Mr. Knight." I kept my voice professional, aware of the few remaining employees who might be watching.
He moved closer, and I caught his scent—cedar and leather and something uniquely him that made my wolf whine with need.
"How was your first day?" he asked, his voice carefully neutral.
"Educational."
Something flickered in his eyes. "I see you’ve met my father."
"Among others."
"Sophie—"
"Mr. Knight," I interrupted, very aware that we were still in public. "I should get home. Need to be early tomorrow."
"Of course." But he didn’t move out of my way. Instead, he stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "Sophie, about earlier—"
"It’s fine." I cut him off, even though it wasn’t fine. Nothing about this was fine. "I understand the situation."
"Do you?"
The question echoed his father’s words, and I felt a chill run down my spine.
"I’m learning."
Something dark flashed across his face. "What did he tell you?"
"The truth, I assume."
"Sophie—"
"I really do need to go." I stepped around him, heading for the stairwell. I couldn’t handle another elevator ride with him, not when my wolf was already on edge from the day’s revelations.
"Sophie, wait."
But I was already pushing through the staircase door, my heels echoing in the concrete chamber as I descended. I could hear him behind me, following, and my wolf whimpered with the need to stop, to turn around, to let him catch me.
Instead, I kept running.
I made it to the parking garage before he caught up with me, his hand closing around my wrist as I fumbled with my car keys.
"Sophie, please. We need to talk."
"No, we don’t." I turned to face him, and the intensity in his eyes made my breath catch. "Your father made the situation very clear."
"My father doesn’t run my life."
"Doesn’t he?" I pulled my wrist free. "Because from where I’m standing, it looks like he runs everything."
Christian’s jaw tightened. "It’s complicated."
"It’s really not." I unlocked my car, desperate to put distance between us. "You’re engaged. I’m nobody. End of story."
"I’m not engaged." freewebnoveℓ.com
"Yet." I opened my car door, using it as a barrier between us. "But you will be, won’t you? To Vanessa Whitmore. For the good of the pack."
The look on his face was answer enough.
"I thought so." I slid into the driver’s seat, my hands shaking as I started the engine. "Goodbye, Christian."
"Sophie—"
But I was already backing out of the parking space, leaving him standing alone in the concrete tomb of the garage.
I made it three blocks before I had to pull over, my hands shaking too badly to drive. The full weight of the day crashed over me—Harold’s threats, Victoria’s warnings, the realization that I was caught in the middle of something far bigger and more dangerous than I’d ever imagined.
My phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number.
*We need to talk. Tomorrow. Before work. - C*
I stared at the message, my wolf whining with the need to respond, to run back to him, to let him explain everything away.
Instead, I deleted the message and drove home.
But as I pulled into my apartment complex, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being watched. That somewhere in the shadows, predators were circling, waiting for me to make a mistake.
I was almost to my apartment door when I smelled it.
Another wolf. Close. Watching.
My keys fell from nerveless fingers as I realized the truth.
I wasn’t just being paranoid.
I was being watched.
