Kayla’s POV.
The moment his hand held mine, a thrilling shiver coursed through my veins. He was the same man I had met with the familiar little girl back at the airport.Our eyes locked instantly, and I could hear the thumping of my heart as I swallowed nervously, refusing to break eye contact for even a second.His gaze felt soothing, and I found myself drawn and enchanted by it.Despite the familiarity, I couldn't pinpoint where I had seen him before, no matter how hard I tried to recall."Are you okay?" His voice brought me back from my trance, and suddenly, I remembered my reason for excusing myself from my stepmother."I… I am fine... thank you!" I stammered, pulling myself out of his grip and averting my eyes."But you don't look okay… did anyone hurt you?" His concern threw me into a confusing situation. He didn't know me from Adam, so his care for my well-being puzzled me."I said I'm fine!" I cleared my throat, attempting to sound rude, hoping he would back off. However, he persisted."If you…" he began, still pestering me with questions, but fortunately for me, Adora, his little daughter's voice pierced through, bringing a halt to the conversation."Daddy!" she called out, and immediately, his attention shifted to her.This was my chance to escape. Seizing the opportunity, I slipped away from his sight and hurried into the bathroom, closing the door behind me.In front of the mirror, I examined my face, a mix of surprise and lingering anger.I questioned for a moment why he felt so familiar and why he seemed to care about me."It doesn't matter!" I gasped, shutting my eyes briefly in an attempt to regain control of my emotions.I reached for the pipe, unlocking it, and water began pouring into the sink.Intending to wash my face, I was about to reach for the water when memories flooded back.These recollections, dormant for a long while, seemed to resurface, triggered by my return to the pack."Ahh!" I clutched my head, shutting my eyes tightly in an attempt to block out the memories, but they persisted.In my mind's eye, I found myself locked in a dark room, huddled on the cold floor, my small hands embracing my legs.The mistreatment at such a young age left a lingering ache in my head. The door opened, revealing Becky and my step-sister, their faces contorted with disdain.I pleaded for release, begged them to let me go, but my pleas fell on deaf ears. In a cruel turn, Becky slapped me across the face, causing me to tumble onto the muddy, dirty ground.Tears streamed down my face as pain and desperation engulfed me.Becky, Without any ounce of mercy, grabbed a bucket of water and doused it over my small, defenceless body.The vivid memories played out before me, a stark reminder of the harsh past I had fought so hard to overcome.The cold water continued to pour, and I cried out for mercy, but Becky showed none.Laughter echoed through the air as she and my step-sister revelled in their wickedness against me.Suddenly, I found myself back on the bathroom floor, curled up, pulling my legs close to my chest.Fear gripped me as I recalled the past, sitting on the cold tiles, my eyes wide with terror."It's happening, it's happening again!" I choked on my breaths, unable to breathe properly.A panic attack overwhelmed me, and despite my attempts to stop it, it seemed impossible.I released my legs, using my hands to steady myself and prevent my body from meeting the ground.My right hand repeatedly struck my chest, the force making it feel like I could cough out my heart at any moment, but the attack persisted."H…e…l…p me!" I mumbled, breathing faster than usual, tears streaming down my face.At that moment, I feared it was the end, thinking I wouldn't have the chance to fulfil my role as the assistant in the Pack's biggest company.Just as my life flashed before my eyes, the door swung open.Initially terrified that it was Becky, my step mom, whose maltreatment had led to this tragic moment, I was surprised to find it wasn't her."Breath, breath!" A tender and soft hand cupped my cheek, gently lifting my face.Stunned, I found myself gazing into the eyes of Adora, the same little girl who had pleaded for me to be her mother at the airport."Breath! Stay calm, and it will be over soon! Take a deep breath, but do it slowly!" I followed her instructions, and gradually, I felt the panic subsiding.Adora then pulled me closer, embracing me tightly, her hand gently rubbing my back.As I felt her small body pressed against mine, a sense of peace enveloped me.Gradually, my breathing returned to normal, and as I swallowed calmly, she pulled away, locking eyes with me.In that moment, I felt an intense connection with her, much like the one I felt with her father."You are fine now, Mommy!" Adora declared, a warm smile on her lips."How did you learn how to do that?" I asked, captivated by her innocent gaze."I usually get panic attacks when my home mom yells at me, but my dad would always be there to help me out, so I learnt it!" Her revelation showcased her intelligence and resilience."So you do have panic attacks too? And…" I started to say when I got cut off by a voice outside the bathroom calling my name."Shit!" I exclaimed, standing to my feet with a sense of urgency. I quickly checked my face in the bathroom mirror."You look beautiful!" Adora admired with a smile. Taking her hand, I pulled her out of the bathroom.I let her go back into the crowd and was about to climb up the stage when Suddenly, I saw him again, making it two times in one night.The same Mr. Airport was standing right before me, on the stage with a frown etched upon his face."Bow before the Alpha of the Ravenwood pack and the CEO of Xander Scent Company!"The person holding the mic announced, and in that moment, a wave of shock washed over me."He's the Alpha? And I'll be working with him? In the same company?" My eyes widened, staring at him in disbelief.Reynold's POV."It's that special moment when we extend a warm welcome to the newest addition to our pack, Kayla Hamilton!" Gamma Sam joyfully declared, setting off a symphony of applause from everyone gathered.The atmosphere was charged with happiness and anticipation, as the purpose of this gathering and event revolved around the introduction of my new assistant. Personally, I found myself in the dark about her identity, eagerly awaiting the disclosure of who my assistant would be. My eyes anxiously surveyed the crowd, searching for any signs of someone making their way through the crowd to ascend the stage. To my surprise, however, there was no such struggle.A sudden, graceful movement to my right seized my attention, and as I turned, a wave of excitement washed over me. There she was; Kayla Hamilton. Unbeknownst to me all along, the woman with whom I had shared a brief and somewhat awkward encounter at the airport was now ascending the stage as my personal assistant.The re
Reynold’s POV."What can't be possible?" I inquired, raising my eyebrows. Ava, typically stern, had never displayed such strong emotions toward anyone, except her own child, Adora: a matter I had consistently cautioned her about."She cannot be your assistant." Ava spoke with a tone of conviction, as she slowly turned her head toward me and then back to the path where Kayla had just passed.Her initial fear and anxiety seemed to transform into a mix of hate, envy, and jealousy, all surfacing simultaneously. "I don't want her to be your assistant. Fire her!"Confused by her vehement reaction, I questioned her motives. The girl in question was a recent hire, and as far as I knew, she showed promise. So, why did Ava harbour such strong objections?"Do you have any problems with her?" I inquired, looking perplexed at Ava."Of course! I have problems with her, even if you can't see it. Anyone but her. I don't want her working with you. It's dangerous," Ava asserted, her words leaving
Reynold's POV. "I don't get it, Ava... What do you mean by what you just said? What do you mean by "she isn't your child?" I asked, looking perplexed as I walked closer to where Ava was standing.She took a step backwards, her eyes quivering as she tried to hide the fact that she had said something more confusing and attractive at the same time.I didn't want to assume, so I tried my best to make sure I got a response from her or, at least, an explanation about what she meant by what she had just let out."I asked you a question, Ava... What did you mean?" I requested again, taking deliberate steps closer to her."I… I didn't say anything, Alpha Reynolds, I just..." she stuttered, but something In her or that she exhibited hinted at the fact that she was lying to me.Just then, she tried opening the door to leave, but without hesitation, I instantly placed my hand on the door and had it shut, the thudding sound resounding through the room.It had also instantly made Ava quiver, and I
Reynold's POV."I said get out!" I growled furiously, my eyes instantly turning and glowing red, my fangs growing lengthier, and my claws spiralling out of each finger.I couldn't help but notice the sudden fear that etched across her face. At first, she was all bold and courageous, and she hadn't seen me this way before, so it was obviously difficult for her to cope with it.She trembled on her feet, and before I could utter any more words to her, she had already walked past me and reached for the door, just like I had wanted her to.A loud thud from the door followed the second she left the room. It was best if she stayed away from me and kept her body and her thoughts away from me too."That's much better!" I twirled my head as my fangs went back to their normal length, and my claws disappeared as I reverted totally to my human form.I didn't want to scare her this way, but she had pushed me; she had pressed my buttons so hard that I couldn't help but teach her a slight lesson.I w
Kayla's POV."Give me what I ask of Kayla, and trust me, I'll make the best out of her. He doesn't want it either, remember?" Her words from five years ago came crawling and making their way back into my mind, and I just couldn't help but feel a pang of regret wash over me.'I shouldn't have listened to her; I shouldn't have obeyed her, but it was for the best, right? I am going to get the best too, right?' I pondered inwardly, my eyes fixed out of the window as Willson drove the car to the company.I was supposed to be at work about ten minutes later, but then I had to leave earlier than usual just to get there on time without any difficulties.The scene and image of Alpha Reynolds staring at me from the stage last night came creeping back into my head, and I couldn't help but shake my head vigorously just to stop and dispel the thoughts lingering in my mind."We are here, Kayla!" Willson's voice instantly pierced through my thoughts. and just then, I snapped my gaze back to him."Wh
Kayla's POV.Standing in front of his door, a sense of certainty overwhelmed me: meeting him was going to be a difficult thing to do.Upon entering his office and encountering the piercing intensity of his stare, nervousness consumed me entirely. I couldn't suppress the anxious gulp that escaped, adding to the tension that hung thick in the air. Each moment in his presence felt like going through an intricate hold of unease, making the situation more difficult than I had anticipated."What have you gotten yourself into, Kayla? Come on, get a hold of yourself! Don't act irrational!" I scolded myself internally, nervously biting my lower lip. The thought of swiftly turning around and fleeing from his office crossed my mind.My palms felt instantly sticky, and beads of sweat continued to form on my face as I anxiously gazed at him, the tension in the air noticeable."I remember telling you to come in… I never asked you to keep holding my door open." His sudden words echoed with a res
Kayla's POV. I quickly dropped my head, doing everything to avoid his stare, steering clear of locking eyes with him and In that very moment, I sensed it dominating me.His fingers snaked toward my chin, seizing it without consent, forcing and lifting my face upward to meet with his. His intense gaze bore into mine, triggering a nervous gulp to escape me involuntarily."Look into my eyes while I speak to you, Kayla…" he ordered with a deep voice, his fingers beneath my jaw instantly making me feel totally uneasy. Cold shivers instantly ran through my veins as I beheld his gaze on me and just then, I found myself still admiring how cute he was all over again. 'What the fuck is wrong with you, Kayla? Get a fucking hold of yourself! Control yourself and remember why you are here!' I said Inwardly and without a second thought, I found myself having boldness and courage. Before he could utter another word, I instantly pulled my chin off from his grip and taking two steps away, I adjust
Kayla's POV.Just as I was about to leave the office and head for mine after taking the documents from Alpha Reynolds, I was instantly and unfortunately welcomed by the sight of her."Ava!" I instantly froze in my tracks the second I saw her walk into the office where I was, and even worse, I was with Alpha Reynolds, her husband.My fear intensified, and a fearful gulp escaped me as I bowed my head to the ground, desperately avoiding any eye contact with her. It would definitely be the end of me if she knew I was the one, but at this point, there was no way I could leave the office without her knowing that it was me.Besides, I was standing before her, and Alpha Reynolds was standing behind me. 'What should I do? How do I react? Should I act as though I've lost my memory? What do I fucking do?!'A barrage of questions slammed into my mind, each one fueling my fear and confusion. My eyes trembled with the weight of uncertainty as I grappled with the unexpected meeting. I simply was