Free Web NovelChapter 8: Chapter 8
I jolted awake, heart pounding. Sunlight streamed through my cheap blinds, painting stripes across my bed.
That’s when I saw the time.
My alarm hadn’t gone off.
"No, no, no, no!" I scrambled for my phone. 8:45 AM. Orientation started at 9.
I’d never dressed so fast in my life. The suit was wrinkled from being stuffed in my suitcase, but it was the only professional outfit that had survived Lily’s rampage. My hair refused to cooperate, so I pulled it back in a hasty bun that I hoped looked intentional rather than desperate.
My wolf was suspiciously calm about the whole thing.
"Why aren’t you freaking out?" I demanded, hopping on one foot while trying to put on heels. "This is our dream job!"
Everything right, she purred. Trust.
"You’re being weird, and I don’t have time for it!"
I grabbed my bag and keys, rushing out without breakfast or coffee. My new neighbors probably thought I was insane, sprinting down the hallway in heels at 8:50 in the morning.
The drive downtown was a blur of adrenaline and panic. I broke at least six traffic laws, muttering apologies to my car as I pushed it harder than its aging engine appreciated.
The Knight Industries building gleamed in the morning sun, seventy stories of glass and steel that would definitely be my professional grave if I was late on my first day.
A memory tugged at the edges of my mind. Something about this building. Something important.
No time to think about it now.
The visitor parking was almost full. I wedged my car into a spot that might have been legal in some countries, and probably just earned me my first corporate enemy.
"Focus, Sophie," I told myself, checking my reflection in the rearview mirror. "You’ve got this. You earned this job. Don’t let Tom or Lily or... anyone else distract you."
My wolf huffed. Christian, she supplied helpfully, like I needed the reminder.
"Especially not him," I muttered, grabbing my purse.
The lobby of Knight Industries was intimidating – all marble floors and glass elevators and people who looked like they’d never had to sprint to make it to work on time.
"ID?" The security guard looked bored.
"Sophie Turner! New hire! Orientation!"
He checked something on his computer with agonizing slowness, while I resisted the urge to climb over the desk. "Ah. Here you are. Temporary badge. Level 15. Elevators to your right."
I snatched the badge and ran for the elevators, my heels clicking on marble floors. 8:57 AM. I could still make it. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com
An older woman in the elevator smiled at my obvious panic. "First day?"
"Is it that obvious?" I tried to smooth my hair.
"We’ve all been there, dear." Her smile was kind. "Which floor?"
"Fifteen. New hire orientation."
"Ah, you picked an interesting day for that." She pressed the button for me. "Rumor has it the CEO himself is handling it."
That seemed odd. "The CEO will handle new hire orientation?"
"Never has before." The elevator dinged at her floor. "Must be someone special in your group."
The doors closed before I could ask what she meant.
Level 15 was a maze of conference rooms and office spaces. Fortunately, a sign directed new hires to Conference Room C.
The orientation room was easy to find. A group of people in suits milled around outside, looking just as nervous as I felt.
Some were clearly wolves – standing slightly apart, more aware of their surroundings. Others were human, chatting nervously about commutes and coffee.
"Sorry!" I gasped at the HR lady, a petite woman with a tablet and an impressively organized-looking folder. "Traffic was..."
"No problem," she smiled. "We’re running a bit behind anyway. The CEO insisted on handling this orientation personally."
Wait. What?
"The CEO?" Something tugged at my memory again. Something important I was missing.
"Yes, quite unusual. But Mr. Knight was very specific about wanting to welcome this group himself. Especially the Strategic Operations team."
Knight. The name hit me like a bucket of ice water.
Christian Knight. Aurora Tower.
Mr. Knight.
The valet’s words from last night echoed in my head. How had I missed it? How had I forgotten?
"Is everything alright, Ms. Turner? You look pale."
"I’m fine," I managed, though my voice sounded strange even to my own ears.
"Just... coffee. Need coffee."
"There’s a refreshment table inside," she gestured toward the conference room doors. "We’ll be starting in about five minutes."
I nodded numbly and headed inside, my mind racing. Christian was Christian Knight. CEO of Knight Industries. My new boss.
My wolf was practically dancing with smug satisfaction. Told you. Right. Mate.
"Shut up," I hissed under my breath, earning a strange look from another new hire.
I grabbed a cup of coffee I didn’t want and found a seat at the back of the room. Maybe I could slip out before he arrived.
The rational part of my brain reminded me about this was my dream job. The part that had spent the night in Christian Knight’s bed was having a complete meltdown.
"You can do this," I whispered to myself. "Professional. Distant. Pretend last night never happened."
My wolf growled at her disagreement.
The room began to fill with other new hires. Twenty in total, according to the orientation packet, someone had placed on each seat. I flipped through it absently, trying to calm my racing heart.
Knight Industries. Founded thirty years ago by Richard Knight. Current CEO: Christian Knight, youngest CEO in the company’s history at 35.
There was a photo. The same face that had looked at me with such intensity last night, now professional and composed in a tailored suit.
My wolf whined. Mate.
"Ms. Turner?" A voice startled me from my panic spiral. The HR woman again. "Your department head wants to meet you before orientation starts. If you’ll follow me?"
Great. Another complication.
I followed her out of the conference room and down a hallway to a smaller meeting room.
"Wait here, please. She’ll be right with you."
The moment the door closed behind her, I considered making a run for it. I could be out of the building and halfway to Mexico before anyone noticed.
Coward, my wolf chided.
"It’s called self-preservation," I muttered.
The door opened before my wolf could argue further.
A tall woman with sharp features and sharper eyes entered. Everything about her screamed power and confidence. Alpha female, definitely.
"Sophie Turner." Not a question. "I’m Victoria Blackwood, head of Strategic Operations. Your direct supervisor."
"Nice to meet you," I managed, shaking her outstretched hand.
Her grip was firm. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she scented me. "Interesting."
I swallowed hard. "Ms. Blackwood, about today—"
"Knight specifically requested you for this position," she interrupted. "Said you were exactly what the department needed. I checked your references, your work history. He wasn’t wrong."
I blinked in surprise. "Mr. Knight requested me personally?"
"Months ago," she confirmed. "Created the position with you in mind, from what I understand."
That... wasn’t possible. I’d applied through normal channels. Interviewed with HR. Never even met the CEO until...
Last night.
Something wasn’t adding up.
"I don’t understand," I admitted.
Victoria smiled, a small, knowing twist of her lips. "You will. Come on, orientation’s about to start."
She led me back toward the conference room. The hallway seemed longer now, each step bringing me closer to an inevitable collision.
"One piece of advice," Victoria said as we approached the doors. "Knight respects strength. Don’t back down."
Before I could ask what exactly she meant by that, she opened the door.
The room fell silent. Every head turned toward us. Victoria nudged me forward.
"Go on. Front row’s reserved for Operations."
I moved on autopilot, aware of every eye tracking my progress. The only open seat was directly in front of the podium. Because, of course, it was.
"Ladies and gentlemen." The HR woman stepped forward. "Thank you for your patience. We’re honored today to have our CEO personally welcome you to Knight Industries. Please join me in welcoming Mr. Christian Knight."
A door at the side of the room opened.
My wolf suddenly surged forward, nearly making me shift right there.
MATE!
A familiar scent hit me – pine, rain, power.
No.
The crowd parted as heavy footsteps approached.
No way.
I turned slowly, my heart stopping in my chest.
Christian stood in the doorway, power rolling off him in waves. The same Christian who’d kissed away my tears last night. The same Christian who’d made me forget my name.
Wearing a perfectly tailored suit and a CEO name badge that read "Christian Knight." frёewebnoѵēl.com
Our eyes met across the room. His flashed amber for just a second – his wolf, recognizing mine.
Our wolves howled in unison as understanding crashed over me like a wave.
Christian Knight. CEO of Knight Industries. Alpha of Shadow Ridge Pack.
The man who’d created a job specifically for me months ago.
The man who’d found me in that bar, exactly when I needed someone.
The man who’d told me mate bonds weren’t the only kind that mattered.
The man who was now my boss.
Well, shit.
