Chapter 27
“I already called a ride.”
“Cancel it, no big deal.”
Frank stepped out of the car, grinning ear to ear, and grabbed my suitcase without waiting for a reply, tossing
it into the trunk.
If he weren’t driving a luxury car, passersby might’ve thought I was getting mugged.
Frank opened the back door for me.
“Hop in, no need to be shy. It’s on our way.”
I felt a flush of embarrassment-having an elder open my door was too much.
His warmth was hard to refuse, so I thanked him and slid into the car.
The moment I did, I spotted Alpha Gideon on the other side.
He wasn’t dressed formally today-a light blue shirt, black pants, black shoes, no tie but with gleaming cufflinks. Bathed in the soft, blue-tinted light filtering through the tinted windows, he exuded a crisp, regal
aura.
“Morning,” I said, smoothing the hem of my trench coat.
We were far enough apart that there was no chance of brushing against each other, but I still felt safer keeping that distance.
Alpha Gideon gave a slight nod.
The car started, pulling onto the road.
I fiddled with my phone, canceling my rideshare and paying a small fee.
I glanced at the driver’s number-it wasn’t the unknown one that had called earlier.
As I pondered, that same unknown number rang again.
I hung up without hesitation.
“Going on a trip?”
Alpha Gideon’s low, smooth voice broke the silence.
I turned instinctively, answering without thinking, “Yeah.”
“Where to?”
“Belmor Pack.”
He was asking so many questions-probably just bored.
I figured that was the end of it, but he added, “That’s far.”
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My inner monologue screamnieu,
never left the pack?
“Planned this trip way in advance or last-minute?”
Alpha Gideon asked, his tone casual, almost friendly.
I answered easily, “Oh, it’s been planned for-”
I stopped mid-sentence, my brain screeching to a halt.
སཅ་་
I’d recently asked him for a job… and a she-wolf with a long-planned trip wouldn’t be job-hunting.
My face froze in embarrassment, silently begging he wouldn’t remember.
But the warmth fading from his face told me he did.
No-he’d set me up to trip over my own words!
And then Elliot, from the front passenger seat, poured fuel on the fire.
“So, Vivian, you giving up on the job thing?”
I wanted to sink into the floor.
Flustered but a bit indignant, I mumbled,
“If I’d gotten the job, I was gonna cancel the trip. But Alpha Gideon turned me down, so…”
I’d meant it-travel was for healing, but landing the chief secretary gig would’ve changed my plans.
“What if I changed my mind?”
Alpha Gideon’s voice was calm, his expression serious.
My heart skipped. “You mean… I’m hired?”
Alpha Gideon didn’t answer directly, instead flashing a playful smirk.
“Weren’t you set on traveling?”
“I haven’t left yet!”
“The trip can wait. I can start anytime,” I said, sitting up straighter.
I’d be a fool to let this slip.
“Anytime?”
“Anytime!” I said firmly.
“I just meant Belmor Pack’s a haul.”
Alpha Gideon’s smile widened.
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He shot a look at Elliot, who jumped in.
“Vivian, if you can start today, that’s perfect. Once we’re on the plane, I’ll go over the trip’s itinerary.”
My head spun.
How did hitching a ride turn into landing a job?
It was surreal, but I adapted fast.
“Sounds good. There’s time before the flight-maybe send me the itinerary?”
Elliot chuckled. “No need to rush.”
I nodded.
During their chat, my silenced phone lit up with several missed calls.
I checked-Cassie had called too.
I turned slightly, calling back. “Cassie.”
“Alpha Adrian got your flight info. He’s racing to the airport,” Cassie said, voice urgent.
“That mutt’s lost it, Vivian. Maybe turn back, find somewhere to lay low.”
“Okay, let me think.” I rubbed my forehead.
Hanging up, I stared out the window, my mood plunging back into that damp, cold place-like an autumn rain, heavy with grief and exhaustion.
The car was quiet, but everyone had overheard my call with Cassie.
Alpha Gideon said nothing.
Frank, unable to stand it, spoke up.
“Don’t worry. Alpha Gideon’s got a private plane. We can drive right to it-Alpha Adrian won’t track you down.”
My face lit up. “That’s perfect.”
How hadn’t I thought of that?
I was traveling with Alpha Gideon.
Alpha Gideon glanced at me.
“You’re full of surprises, Vivian.”
I didn’t know what to say to that.
Alpha Adrian scoured the airport but found no trace of me or my boarding info.
Assuming I’d changed my mind and left, he didn’t realize I was already aboard Alpha Gideon’s private plane.
The cabin was spacious and cozy, the air clean with a subtle fragrance-pine, maybe, like his scent.
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< Chapter 27
During takeoff, a fleeting weightlessness gripped my heart like a cold hand.
Rewards = Menu
I leaned toward the window, watching the terminal shrink below, picturing Alpha Adrian-frantic, furious,
veins popping like he was ready to tear someone apart.
I smiled faintly, then drifted into a daze…
Once the plane leveled off, a flight attendant brought a lavish breakfast.
I, appetite gone, nibbled lightly.
Then I stared out at the clouds, lost in thought.
“Vivian, if you keep looking like you’re carrying the world’s weight, I might think you don’t need to bother with
onboarding,” Alpha Gideon said, breaking my trance.
< The Alpha Regretted having an attai
