Chapter 5. Unveiling Mask

Taya's POV

When I heard that name, my body stiffened. I slowly turned from Roman’s unwanted embrace and looked toward Griffon, who was standing in the elevator.

I couldn’t see his expression clearly because I was too far away, but I felt his eyes staring at me without blinking. I could see the glow of his wolf in them.

The coldness emanating from his gaze seemed like it could devour me instantly.

As soon as Brooks Thorin, an elder and the chairperson of Midwest Packs Corporation, walked in, he saw Griffon. He quickly walked over.

“Griffon, why are you here today?”

Only then did Griffon look away and reply to Elder Thorin. “I brought Tara here.”

Gone was the cold wolf, and instead, I watched as his “mask” came on and his demeanor changed.

Elder Thorin nodded satisfactorily and said, “Thank you for your time. Tara hasn’t even been back twenty-four hours, and you have already run her around.”

“It’s my pleasure to escort your daughter, Elder Thorin,” Griffon nodded his head politely.

“Go on ahead. Don’t delay your important pack work. I’ll bring Tara to visit you officially in a few days,” Elder Thorin said.

Griffon nodded again and left. The pack bodyguards behind him quickly divided into two groups to protect him.

He didn’t even spare me a glance when he passed by.

***

Third-Person POV

Roman had been so focused on Taya that he hadn’t realized that Alpha Knight was there.

As soon as he noticed, he quickly let go of Taya and chased after Griffon to greet him. However, Griffon entered his car and slammed the door shut.

Dozens of luxury cars parked outside followed him and drove away.

Having failed to catch him, Roman had no choice but to turn back and look for Taya, only to see her fleeing toward the guest elevator.

Roman touched his lips, where he had just pressed them against Taya’s skin. The scent of her lingered, and his wolf prowled inside of him, excited by the hunt.

“Mason, go and find me Taya’s address,” Roman ordered his man.

“Yes, Beta,” Mason immediately replied, following behind.

***

Taya's POV

I returned home, put down my bag, and sat on the sofa in a daze. I didn’t come to my senses until the phone rang.

When I took out the phone from my bag, I frowned at the caller ID. Why would Andre call me?

After hesitating for a beat, I answered, “What’s the matter, Andre?”

Andre’s respectful voice came through. “Ms. Palmer, I found your things here while cleaning the apartment just now. When will you have time to come and pick them up?”

I’d hoped that perhaps Griffon might be requesting to see me, but my heart sank. “Please throw away whatever you find.”

I hung up without waiting for a reply. Then, I quickly deleted Andre and Griffon’s contact information. I turned off the phone and fell asleep on the sofa.

After sleeping for a while, a knock on the door woke me up. Recently, Harper had been working the night shift and coming back late, so she’d given her key to me. It was probably just her coming home from work.

But when I opened the door, Roman was standing there.

“Beta Starke?” How did this creep find me?!

I tried to shove the door closed, but Roman stretched out his large, powerful arm and pushed to keep it open.

Frightened, I took a step back. I was no match for a wolf shifter. Not with my current health, and not without a wolf of my own to protect me.

Roman stood in the doorway, using his foot to hold the door open and placing his hands on either side of the door frame. He looked at me with his head tilted, a smug grin on his face.

“What are you afraid of, little girl? I won’t bite.” His eyes were jet black, with a hint of his wolf’s amber glow. When he stared at me, he exuded the excitement of a predator that had cornered its prey.

“Ms. Palmer, are you not going to invite me in?”

His question was polite, but his tone didn’t fool me. I knew what kind of person Roman was and what he would do.

There was no way I was willingly letting him in. “Sorry, this is my friend’s house. I’m not allowed to have guests without her permission.”

I tried to close the door again, but Roman stepped in further and closed the door behind him.

Now that he was inside, and the door was shut, there was no escape. No one would hear my cries for help if I screamed.

Steeling my spine, I was determined to exude any amount of control and confidence I could muster.

“Beta Starke, what the fuck are you going to do?”

“To fuck you. Am I clear?” Roman growled. As he spoke, his eyes were fixed on my chest, not hiding his purpose.

I had changed into silk pajamas with a low neckline before bed. Roman was taller than me, so he could see everything from above.

I quickly closed my pajamas and covered my chest. My tactical error was evident as I realized I had wrapped myself too tightly, unintentionally displaying my curvy figure.

***

Third-Person POV

Despite Taya's apparent illness and weakness, her breathtaking beauty remained undeniable. Her delicate, flawless features, complemented by clear, dewy eyes as pure as crystal, captivated all who beheld her. Thick, glossy waves of hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing her full chest in an irresistible allure.

Her slender waist and long legs stirred Roman’s desire, igniting his wolf’s need to claim her. Furthermore, her sassy figure could arouse anyone with just one glance, and Roman was no exception.

When she came to deliver the documents that day, he couldn’t help but want to take her right then and there. Now, she was standing in front of him in her sexy pajamas.

How was he supposed to stand it? Heat suffused his body, and the groin of his pants tightened. He felt like he was losing his mind, and he pushed Taya against the wall.

With his hands pressing her shoulders back, he pressed his body against hers and leaned in to nuzzle the soft, sweet spot between her neck and shoulder.

***

Taya's POV

"One million. Give yourself to me tonight."

I trembled, desperately pushing against Roman’s chest to force him away. "Get out! I’m not a prostitute!"

I had just stopped being one man’s kept mistress, and now here was another man offering money to get between my legs. It was ridiculous!

"Five million, plus a mansion."

"Even if you give me 100 million dollars, I won’t accept it. You’d better let me go, or I’ll call the police!"

"Go ahead and call the police. Let’s see who dares to arrest me, the Starke Pack Beta!" Roman was not afraid at all, instead dropping a kiss on my shoulder.

I tried to dodge away, but he moved to kiss me on the forehead. I felt as if I were being licked by a snake, and nausea rolled through me.