[Five years later]

Elena's P.O.V

"This can't go on."

I sat up in Maribelle's guest bed, running a hand through my tangled hair. Beside me, a small boy curled under the blankets, his lashes feather-light against his cheeks. My chest tightened. My baby.

Maribelle's voice floated from the kitchen. "You know you two can stay here forever, right?"

"I can't mooch off you forever, Belle," I said, padding across the icy tiles. She stood at the stove, stirring something, her hair piled into a messy bun.

"You've already done too much. Watching Jack, helping me finish school. You've carried me long enough." I slumped into a chair.

She waved a wooden spoon dismissively. "Please. You say that like I'm some saint. We're friends-this is what friends do."

I forced a smile, but the weight of the past five years pressed down. Kicked out by my parents. Homeless with a newborn. Maribelle had been my lifeline. But now? Now I needed to stand on my own.

"They rejected you again?"

"Yeah. No reason, like always." I rubbed my temples. "Six months of this, Belle. I apply, they love me, then-poof!-suddenly the position 'isn't a fit.' It's fucking suspicious."

"Breathe, darling. It'll work out."

"I applied somewhere new last night," I admitted. "Valiente Industries."

Her eyebrows shot up. "The Valiente? The 'mystery billionaire' company?"

"The one and only. I know it's a long shot, but the salary could change everything."

Maribelle snorted. "Mom says no one's ever seen the owner's face. He's like a ghost-or a cat-hoarding recluse with a face like a deflated soufflé."

A laugh escaped me. "Don't care if he's got three heads. If he signs my paycheck, I'm sold."

Silence settled, broken only by Jack's sleepy murmurs from the bedroom. My heart ached. This tiny, borrowed life-was it all we'd ever have?

"Have they. reached out?" Maribelle asked softly.

I shook my head. "Not once. Five years, Belle. They never even looked back."

Sometimes it still didn't feel real. The memory haunted me: standing on their porch in the pouring rain, clutching a newborn, wondering how the hell I'd survive.

Jack barreled into the kitchen, his little feet slapping the tiles. "Mama!"

I scooped him up, burying my nose in his hair. He smelled of sleep and syrup. When he pulled back, his eyes-sharp, honey-brown-pierced me.

Just like his father's.

Dax.

I hadn't seen him since that night. No matter how many hours I spent scouring the internet, he'd vanished like smoke.

Maribelle slid a plate of eggs and toast toward me. "So. Have you heard the gist about Asher?"

I blinked. "What about him?"

"Cheated on Taylor. Got some girl pregnant."

My fork froze halfway to my mouth. "What?"

She smirked, stirring her coffee. "Karma's a bitch."

I set the fork down, unsure how to feel. Tyler had stolen what she thought was a prize-only for Ash to prove, yet again, that he was trash. I should've been glad I dodged that bullet. Glad my sister got what she deserved.

But I felt. nothing.

Five years changed everything. The girl who'd once thought heartbreak was the end of the world was gone. In her place? A single mom who knew love was a luxury, and survival was the only game that mattered.

My phone buzzed on the table. Unknown Caller.

"Hello?" I answered cautiously.

"Miss Elena Rivers?" A crisp, professional voice.

"Yes?"

"This is Valiente Industries. Can you come in for an interview?"

I straightened in the chair. "Sure. When?"

"In thirty minutes. Our CEO requested it personally."

I nearly dropped the phone. "Wait-thirty minutes?"

"Yes, ma'am. We'll see you shortly."

The line went dead.

"Thirty minutes?" Maribelle echoed. "That's insane. And the CEO? Do you know him?"

Of course I didn't. But I didn't have time to debate. Valiente offering me an interview was a miracle-one I couldn't waste.

I shoveled down two bites of eggs, threw on the least wrinkled blazer I owned, and kissed Jack's forehead. "Wish Mama luck, baby!"

He giggled, sticky fingers patting my cheek.

My pulse hammered as I raced out the door.

This might be my last chance. And I'd be damned if I let it slip away.

-----

Thirty-two minutes later, I stood in the glittering atrium of Valiente Industries.

My reflection fractured across a thousand polished surfaces. The air smelled like money and ambition-crisp linen, espresso, the faintest whiff of imported marble.

The receptionist smiled. "Ms. Rivers? Right this way."

She led me down a corridor lined with glass, my heels clicking too loudly against the floor. My palms were slick with sweat.

I stole glances at passing employees-all razor-sharp suits and focused stares. Obviously, this was a company that demanded perfection.

My degree was decent, but was it enough? It had to be. For Jack. For us. I had to seize the chance.

We stopped at an oak door. "He's waiting for you."

He.

For a heartbeat, I didn't understand.

Then I stepped inside.

The office was bathed in muted gold light, floor-to-ceiling windows framing the skyline. The scent-cedar and something darker-hit me like a fist. Familiar.

A man stood by the window, his back to me.

Just a silhouette, but it sent a spark down my spine. Heat flared at the base of my throat. Why did I-

He turned.

The world stopped.

My breath vanished.

"Dax."

He leaned against the desk, hands in his pockets, that same damn smirk tilting his lips.

"Hello, Elena." A pause, deliberate. "Missed me?"

Alpha Dax's P.O.V.

"Did you secure the rest of the contracts?"

My Beta's voice crackled through the speaker. "Yes, Alpha. The last two companies sent confirmation this morning. No one's going to touch her résumé."

"Good."

My fingers tap the desk in a steady rhythm, each sound echoing in the room.

"Keep it that way. I don't want her distracted by. options."

She'd come here. Only here.

"Understood, Alpha."

I heard the tension in his voice-the unspoken question. I didn't soothe it. That's not my job. Fear whets loyalty.

"And what about the Pack?"

"We're all excited to meet our Luna, Sire."

A growl rumbled in my chest. Mine. Not theirs. Not yet.

"Anything else?"

A pause. "Your mother. She's still attempting to arrange the mating banquet with the Moonvale daughter. Should I-"

"Tell her I'm occupied."

"She'll insist-"

"With more pressing matters," I snarled.

The line went dead. The office falls silent again. It's how I like it. No noise, no interruptions-except for the one that's coming.

Elena.

Her name was honey and fire on my tongue. I leaned back, staring at the ceiling.

Five years. Five long years. Not a day passed that I didn't see her face-the curve of her lips, the wildfire in her eyes. I thanked the Moon every night for leading me to her.

Even when the pack business tore me away. Even if she fled the city.

I hadn't worried.

She could never truly leave.

Not after I'd marked her that night.

Glorious wasn't even the word. My wolf had nearly shredded my skin just to claim her. Of course, she didn't know. Every breath she'd taken since belonged to me. Every heartbeat. Mine. And no one else's.

A low growl escaped me. Across the room, my secretary flinched.

"S-sir?" Her voice trembled through the intercom. "Should I bring your coffee?"

"No. Stay quiet."

"Yes, Sir." Her voice shakes. Good.

I couldn't wait to see my little queen again. Couldn't wait to watch her stride in, all stubborn pride and sharp edges. She'd fight me. And I'd relish every second of breaking her down all over again. Piece by delicious piece.

It was all going according to plan.

Right on schedule, the intercom buzzed.

"Mr. Valiente? Elena Rivers is here."

For a heartbeat, the world stood still. My wolf fell silent-then erupted into a deafening howl.

Mate.

The word echoed through my skull like a drumbeat.

'Mate here! Mate is here!'

"Send her in." My voice dropped an octave.

I turned my chair away from the door. I wanted to feel her before I saw her.

Her scent hit me first-that intoxicating sweetness of wild strawberries crushed under sunlight. Beneath it, the warm spice of cinnamon and vanilla made my palms itch to touch her skin.

The door creaked open. I heard her hesitant footsteps, the nervous catch in her breath.

Good.

I turned slowly, drinking in the shock on her face.

"Dax?" Her whisper sent heat coiling low in my gut.

Just hearing my name on her lips again made my cock twitch. Five fucking years I'd waited to bury myself inside her. But nof-I couldn't rush this. Couldn't scare my little queen away.

I smirked, taking my time swiveling to face her fully. "Hello, Elena. Miss me?"

Her eyes-those fucking honey-brown eyes that haunted my dreams-widened. "What the hell..."

"Sit." I pointed to the chair opposite me.

She crossed her arms. "I didn't know you owned this company. I'm leaving."

My grin sharpened. "Sit. Elena."

A shiver ran down her spine, and she obeyed, dropping into the chair with barely contained fury. "Still on your god complex, I see."

I almost laughed. Almost.

"Let's get this over with," she snapped, but I caught the way her fingers clenched around her resume.

I leaned back in my chair, fingers steepled. "Let's discuss your education. You took a. gap year during college."

Elena's shoulders stiffened. "Personal reasons."

"Vague." I tapped her resume. "This isn't a coffee shop application, krasavitsa. Elaborate."

Her jaw clenched. "I needed time to reassess my priorities."

"Ah," I smirked. "So you chose business administration after your epiphany? Fascinating pivot from. what was your original major?"

"Literature," she muttered.

"Romantic." I let the word drip with mockery. "Yet here you are, begging for a corporate job. Why Valiente?"

She lifted her chin. "Reputation. Growth opportunities."

"Liar." I chuckled. "You applied because we're the only ones who haven't rejected you yet."

Her fingers twitched. "This was a mistake." She stood abruptly. "I'm withdrawing my application. Goodbye, Mr. Valiente."

"There are no other applications, Elena." I flipped a page lazily. "Not anymore."

She froze. "What?"

"You heard me."

"You-you've been sabotaging my interviews."

"Ensuring you'd come here."

"You're insane."

"Possessive," I corrected, grinning. "There's a difference."

"You're a monster."

"I've been called worse." I snapped the folder shut. "Tell me, Elena-has there been anyone else?"

Her lips pressed into a thin line.

I tilted my head. "Let me rephrase. Last week. That accountant at the bistro. What did he taste like?"

Her eyes widened. "You're stalking me?"

"Protecting. Monitoring." I shrugged. "Call it what you want."

"None of your business."

"Everything about you is my business."

I was behind her before she could blink, my breath hot on her neck. She shuddered-good.

"Every inch of you belongs to me," I growled. "Even the parts you've let others touch."

She whirled, shoving me back. "I don't know what fucked-up drug you're on, but I'm no one's-least of a bastard like you!"

I laughed, low and dark. "Such a bad girl, princess."

Her breath hitched.

"How dare you let another man kiss these cheeks?" I traced her jaw. "Mine. Always mine."

"Dax-"

"Stand up."

"No."

"Stand. Up."

She gritted her teeth. I watched the war in her eyes-defiance wrestling with desperation. Slowly, trembling, she rose.

"Bend over the desk."

"You're insane."

"Do it, Elena." I circled her like a shark. "Or walk out. But we both know no other doors will open for you."

Her fists clenched. For a second, I thought she might set me on fire with her glare. Then-a sharp exhale. She bent forward.

The sight nearly undid me.

"Good girl," I murmured.

My palm cracked down on her ass. She gasped, the sound searing through me.

Again. Again. Her breaths turned ragged. My vision tinted red, memories of that night five years ago flooding back-how she'd writhed beneath me, how she'd screamed.

"Bad girls get punished," I growled.

"Dax-"

I yanked her upright, crushing my mouth to hers. The kiss was brutal, claiming. She tasted like fire and fury.

My other hand slid under her skirt. Fuck. Soaked. My cock throbbed at the discovery. Her body always did betray her.

"You'll behave now," I whispered against her lips, fingers thrusting deep. "Because I don't share. Ever."

Then-

She wrenched free like I'd burned her. "You're sick!"

"Keep your job, Elena-"

"Stay the hell away from me!" She grabbed her bag, heels slamming against marble as she fled.

The door crashed shut.

For a moment, the room was silent again. Then I smiled.

She'd be back.

I'd make her come back.

And when she did, I'd ensure she stayed.

Office life was about to get very interesting.

Elena's P.O.V

Maribelle slid a glass across the sticky surface of the small table in our favorite hole-in-the-wall bar.

"You look like you got chewed up by your new boss," she said, studying me.

I swirled the amber liquid and took a gulp that burned all the way down. I wanted to cry.

"Correction-chewed up, smacked, and then spit out."

Her brows shot up. "Smacked?"

"Long story. Short version-your favorite elusive billionaire knew how to make an entrance. And an exit." I leaned back in my chair, pressing the rim of the glass to my lips. "Dax is my new boss, Belle."

"WHAT?"

"Mhm," I nodded.

"The same Dax from that night? Are you sure it was him?"

"I just left his office, Belle. Dax and Mr. Valiente are the same person."

"Wow..."

"And get this-he was the reason I hadn't been able to find a job. According to him, I could only ever work for him."

Maribelle whistled low. "That's. diabolical. Sexy, but diabolical."

"Don't use the S-word. I'm trying to hate him." I set the glass down a little harder than necessary. "I need this job. You know what my bank account looks like-Jack's school fees are due next month, and I can't pay rent and school on wishes. But I can't work for Dax."

She tilted her head. "And yet, your face is doing that thing it does when you think about him."

"What thing?"

"That thing where you look like you're about to roll your eyes but then remember you liked it."

I stared into my drink. The ice cubes clinked together, mocking me. She wasn't wrong. My pulse still sped up when I remembered the smack of his hand on my butt, the low rumble of his voice, the way he looked at me like he owned me. And I hated that I liked it.

"Oh God. I can't let him find out about Jack," I realized sharply. "He's powerful enough to make me vanish if he wants to. Jack was my whole world. I had no leverage against a billionaire, Belle."

Maribelle leaned forward, lowering her voice. "Then we make sure he never finds out. I'll help. We'll keep Jack out of sight, keep your schedules separate. We've done harder things, Lena."

I nodded, but the knot in my stomach didn't loosen. This wasn't just a normal boss with a big ego. This was Dax-the man I had slept with five years ago, the reason my parents disowned me. And the man I still wanted to sleep with.

"What am I going to do?" I cried, lightly banging my head against the table. "What does he even want?"

"That, my friend, is a question you'll have to ask him," Belle answered, giggling.

I narrowed my eyes at her. "Are you laughing at me?"

She cleared her throat, still giggling. "Of course not. But you have to agree it's a bit funny." She laughed even louder. "Only you would sleep with a man who would pull something like this. Only you."

I shook my head, looking around. The disco sign flickered above the hallway. My bladder pressed painfully against my lower stomach. I pushed my chair back. "I'll be right back. Don't let anyone steal my drink."

Maribelle saluted me with her glass.

The hallway smelled faintly of bleach and bad cologne. The music from the bar thudded against the walls, muffled. I pushed the bathroom door open, but before I could step inside, a shadow moved behind me.

"Where you going, sweetheart?"

I froze. Three guys blocked the narrow hall, all in matching leather jackets.

Gang members.

"I need to use the restroom," I said flatly, moving to step around them.

One of them shifted, blocking my path. "A pretty girl like you shouldn't be wandering alone." His gaze dragged down my body in a way that made my skin itch.

"Lucky for me, I'm not," I said. "My friend's waiting right out there, and she owns a taser."

They laughed, the sound crawling over me. One leaned in close enough for me to catch the sour tang of stale whiskey. "We can keep you company instead."

My hand tightened around my phone. I could call Maribelle. Or scream. My eyes flicked toward the exit, calculating the distance, the odds of getting past them. Not great.

Then something shifted in the air-subtle at first. The hallway seemed to shrink, the oxygen heavier, as though it knew something dangerous had entered.

A shadow stretched along the wall under the flickering light.

Dax stepped into view.

He was still in the same black suit from that morning, but his collar was open now, no tie. His eyes darkened as they dragged over me-calm, but with a tension in his hands, fingers twitching, that told me this was the kind of calm that came before a storm ripped the roof off.

"Move," he said, voice low, dangerous.

The men laughed, but it died quickly. Dax didn't raise his voice. He didn't rush. He just kept walking, and each measured step made the air feel heavier.

One tried to speak. "Listen, man-"

"I said," Dax's eyes cut to him, cold enough to freeze bone, "move."

The tallest one backed up first. The others followed, muttering curses. Dax didn't even watch them leave-his gaze was locked on me.

"I must say," I told him, keeping my voice steady even though my pulse was tap-dancing in my throat, "you have a talent for showing up like you own the room, Mr. Valiente."

"I own more than the room," he said, stepping closer.

I took a step back, bumping into the wall. "Thanks for that, but I didn't need you playing bodyguard."

His eyes darkened. "You did if you were walking around without me."

I snorted. "Newsflash-I've been doing that for five years and somehow survived without your supervision."

His gaze dropped to my mouth, and for a second, the tension between us shifted-sharp and electric, humming with something that wasn't anger.

"I told you, Elena," he said quietly, "everything about you is my business."

"Then consider me a hostile takeover," I said, forcing my feet to move past him toward the bar.

I didn't make it two steps.

An arm wrapped around my waist, and suddenly my world flipped. My stomach hit a solid wall of muscle, and I was dangling over his shoulder like a sack of rice.

"Dax!" I pounded my fists against his back. "Put me down!"

"No." The word was calm. Final.

"This is illegal!" I kicked my legs, but his arm locked across my thighs like steel. "You've got a problem, you know that? A serious control problem!"

"Then stop making me prove I have it," he said, striding for the exit.

Heads turned as we passed through the bar. He didn't glance at anyone. My hair swung into my face, my skin heating from embarrassment and-annoyingly-something else.

I smacked his back again, harder. "Dax Valiente, I swear-"

He stopped just outside in the drizzle, then delivered a sharp smack to my backside. The sound cracked through the night air.

I froze.

"That," he said, voice low and deliberate, "is for thinking you can walk away from me."

My face burned hotter than the sting on my skin. "You are insane."

"Maybe," he said, carrying me toward his waiting car, "but you're still not getting down."