The Unchosen Alpha, the Self-Crowned Queen Chapter 08

The Unchosen Alpha, the Self-Crowned Queen Chapter 08

Through my internship, news from Blackwood Pack trickled in.

Elias mentioned things now and then. “Your mom’s been asking around. I kept my mouth shut.

Word is, Nerys is running things now, but the old guard’s not happy-half the fighters won’t even

listen to her.”

“And your dad? I heard he’s gone almost completely gray.”

I listened. Didn’t respond. Not because I didn’t care. Because I didn’t know what to care about. Were they looking for me because they missed me? Or because they needed something?

End of junior year, the company held a team retreat. Wine estate outside Blackridge, barbecue and

red wine-the usual.

I was at the grill, flipping steaks. One thing I’d learned since coming to Blackridge: how to cook. Nothing fancy-just simple meals. At least no one ever told me I couldn’t tell salt from sugar

anymore.

“Your steak’s about to burn.”

I turned.

Aman stood in the sunset light, holding a glass of red wine. Dark gray shirt, sleeves rolled to his forearms. Tall, lean, sharp features, a quiet intensity beneath the surface-that Alpha presence,

carefully reined in.

The strange thing was-when he got closer, my wolf stirred. Just slightly. Like a feather skimming

still water. Gone in an instant.

I frowned.

He didn’t seem to notice. Just smiled. “Sorry. Old habit. Used to follow the camp cook around.” I laughed. “Guess I’ve met an expert today.”

He came over and took the tongs naturally-like he’d done it a hundred times. “Fire’s too high. Steak’ll dry out.” He spread the coals. “Now try.”

I tried it his way. Way better. “Okay, you’re officially the grill master.”

He laughed. “Comes with the territory.” He wiped his hand on his jeans and held it out. “Lucien. I’m over in Strategic Investment. Guess we’ll be running into each other.”

Lucien.

I shook his hand. “Maeve. Strategic Partnerships.”

Our hands met, but as our fingers touched-that feeling again. Stronger this time.

I blinked. This sensation… I’d never felt it before.

Before I could process it, Lucien had already pulled back, casual as if nothing had happened.

After the barbecue, everyone drifted off. Lucien walked over with his glass and sat next to me on the

bench.

“You’re good at that.”

“Just learned.”

“And you already have the heat control down? Impressive.”

I smiled. “My family never let me near a kitchen.”

He tilted his head. “Why?”

“They didn’t think I’d be good at it.’

He took a sip, didn’t push. Then after a pause, “Same here. My family didn’t let me do a lot of things. So I left.”

I glanced at him.

He was looking at the sunset, a faint, bitter smile on his lips. “Ran away.”