Sophia

At three o’clock, I knocked on Drake’s office door. This was my first time needing to do so—once, I could walk right in, being his senior assistant, his right hand. But now I waited like any other employee.

What a fucking joke. I’ve seen every inch of this man’s body, shared his bed for years, and now I have to knock?

“Come in,” his voice cold and distant.

I pushed open the door to find Drake sitting behind his desk, reviewing documents. He didn’t even look up.

Look at me, you coward. Look at what you’re throwing away.

“Sir, I wanted to remind you about your 3:30 quarterly meeting with the executive team,” I maintained a professional tone, though my wolf whimpered inside, craving attention, desperate for even the smallest acknowledgment.

“Mm.” Still not looking up. “Files ready?”

“All here.” I placed the prepared folder on his desk. “I’ve included the updated quarterly projections and the new marketing strategy. Finance and Operations will need your approval on the revised budget—”

“Fine. I’ll be there,” he said curtly, finally glancing up.

The office door suddenly opened as Vera walked in carrying two coffees. She faltered slightly upon seeing me, then flashed that fake smile.

Didn’t even knock. Of course not. She already has privileges I earned over years.

“Drake, I got your favorite—double espresso, with just a hint of vanilla,” she placed the cup in front of him, completely ignoring what I was saying.

To my surprise, Drake looked up, smiling at her—the first genuine expression I’d seen from him today. “Thanks, I needed that.”

He’s smiling at her. That rare smile I worked so hard to earn. Given away so easily now.

As Vera reached across the desk to hand him the coffee, she suddenly gasped and jerked her hand back. “Ouch!” she cried out dramatically, dropping the cup and spilling coffee across Drake’s desk and the quarterly reports I’d spent hours preparing.

“What happened?” Drake was immediately on his feet, rushing around the desk to her side.

Vera held up her finger, a tiny paper cut visible on her index finger. A single drop of blood beaded at the surface. “I cut myself on the folder edge,” she whimpered, looking up at Drake with wide, helpless eyes. “It really hurts.”

Are you kidding me? A paper cut?

Drake’s entire demeanor changed as he examined her finger like it was a life-threatening injury. “This could get infected. We should have it looked at.”

I couldn’t help the disbelieving scoff that escaped me. Both of them turned to look at me.

“Something funny, Elsa?” Drake’s voice had that dangerous edge.

“No, sir. I’ll just get towels for the spill and reprint these documents for the meeting,” I said, fighting to keep my voice neutral.

Drake looked at his watch, then back at Vera who was now leaning against him dramatically. “I’m taking Vera to the medical center. You’ll have to handle the quarterly meeting.”

“But—” I started to protest. The quarterly meeting was crucial, with major strategy decisions to be made. As his assistant, I could take notes, but I couldn’t make executive decisions.

“That’s an order, not a request,” Drake said firmly. “I trust you can manage it.”

Trust? Is that what you call throwing me to the wolves?

“Yes, sir,” I answered softly, my throat tight.

He grabbed his jacket with one hand while supporting Vera with the other. As they walked past me, Vera shot me a triumphant look over her shoulder, barely hiding her smirk.

That manipulative little—

“Elsa,” Drake paused at the door. “Don’t disappoint me. Your position isn’t secure anymore.”

While I was distracted, James pushed me down onto the seat, his weight crushing me as his hands began tearing at my blouse.

“No!” I shouted, trying to push him away, but his strength far exceeded mine.

His fingers ripped my silk blouse open with a savage motion, buttons flying everywhere. Cold air hit my exposed skin as my black lace bra was revealed. James’s eyes instantly changed, the businesslike demeanor completely gone, replaced with raw, animal hunger.

“Look at you,” he growled, his gaze devouring me, lingering on my breasts, my stomach, my throat. “No wonder Stone kept you around so long.”

I tried to cover myself with my arms, but he pinned my wrists above my head with one large hand. I felt utterly exposed, vulnerable in the most primal way.

I hate this fucking body. I hate being weak. I hate being prey.

“Listen, I can make this simple,” James whispered against my ear, his voice hoarse. “Take good ‘care’ of me, and I’ll sign an even bigger order than we discussed right now. See, I even brought the contract… it’s in my briefcase.”

I felt sick, tears streaming down my face as I struggled to escape this nightmare. “Let me go… please…”

“Please?” His lips curled into a chilling smile. “Now that’s the attitude I like. Let’s see just how good you are at… negotiation.”

His hand roughly pushed under my skirt while his other hand released my wrists to unbuckle his belt. The metallic sound of the buckle resonated in the car like a ticking countdown, marking the horror I was about to face.

“Don’t worry, if you satisfy me, maybe I’ll tell Drake you came onto me,” he said while unbuckling his belt. “After all, who would be surprised at what a discarded Omega would do to keep her job?”

Just as his belt was halfway undone, the car window was suddenly struck with such force that the glass shattered, the sound deafening.

James froze, and we both turned to see Drake standing there, his eyes completely transformed into golden wolf irises, his expression contorted into a fury I’d never seen before.

“Get. Off. Her.” Drake’s voice was low and dangerous, carrying all the authority of an Alpha. It wasn’t a request but a death threat.