The Alpha Behind The Mask-Chapter 53: A Woman

Alpha Oliver’s POV

​I sat behind my desk in my office, but concentrating on work was impossible. Yesterday’s events played on a loop in my mind, like a movie I couldn’t turn off. Ever since I’d been with Aurora, she was all I could think about; she’d invaded my thoughts completely. I found myself constantly checking outside the glass door, my gaze fixed on her as she worked. She looked gloomy, and I could see she wasn’t in the right frame of mind to work.

​"She should go home," I murmured to myself, reaching for the phone to make the call. But before I could, a knock sounded at the door, and I knew instantly who it was through the aura.

​"The door is open," I called.

​The door pushed open, and Knox, my best friend, walked in with his usual jovial smile on his face. It was strange how Knox and I had such different personalities but were best friends. Maybe it’s because we’ve been friends since childhood.

​"Oh, someone decided to come back," I sneered, and I heard him chuckle loudly before bowing respectfully to me.

​"Good afternoon, Alpha King," he greeted with exaggerated formality, but the chuckle he let out immediately after made it clear he was just messing with me.

​I rolled my eyes, letting him have his fun. I missed him, despite his incessant teasing. "Lighten up. Your friend is here. I believe you missed me."

​He took the seat across from me, studying me in that annoying way he always did, like he could see right through me. I hated it, but I didn’t deny it. There was no point.

​"What?" I snapped, already sensing what he was up to.

​Knox didn’t even flinch. He just leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as he studied my face, his smirk slowly fading into something more serious. "Oliver? You seem different. There’s this... aura about you. Something’s shifted. It’s like a wall’s been broken down. And you’re glowing." His eyes narrowed further, a grin slowly spreading across his face. "Don’t tell me you’ve found a woman," he teased, folding his arms across his chest.

​I scowled, feeling heat rise to my face. "Don’t be ridiculous," I retorted, though I knew denying it wasn’t helping. I leaned back in my chair, trying to mask the obvious tension in my posture. How could I admit to him—or even to myself—that Aurora had gotten under my skin in a way I never expected?

​Knox’s smile widened as he observed me. "Oliver, I’ve known you for seventeen years. You think I can’t tell when something’s up?" He studied my face, his gaze more probing than usual. "Or should I say, someone?"

​I sighed, running a hand over my face. "Fine," I admitted reluctantly. "It’s a woman."

​Knox’s eyebrows shot up. "A woman?" He sounded shocked but then broke into a laugh. "So, the rumors about you not having a heart may not be true after all. You finally let someone in?"

​I groaned. "I just want her as a contracted submissive; we are not going to date."

​Knox’s laughter abruptly died, and his brows shot up. "Wait. A sub? You... contracted someone?" He looked genuinely shocked, his usual confident demeanor faltering for a moment. "Oliver, since when do you do contracts? You’ve always said that was beneath you."

​I let out a sigh, leaning forward to rest my elbows on the desk. "It’s going to be simple, Knox. Just three months, no complications." I snap, not able to hide the frustration that had been building.

​Knox’s mouth dropped open before he managed to close it. He shook his head in disbelief. "You? Contracting a sub? This doesn’t sound like you at all." His gaze turned skeptical, searching my face for any sign of humor, but he found none. "And let me guess," he added, narrowing his eyes, "now it’s more complicated than you expected."

​I swallowed, the memory of Aurora’s body and her haunted, beautiful eyes resurfacing. "I didn’t plan for this," I admitted. "But she’s... she’s different, Knox. I can’t get her out of my mind, and it’s affecting everything."

​Knox studied me in silence for a moment, the shock in his expression slowly giving way to something more serious. "So, what’s the real problem here?" he asked, leaning back in his chair. "Is it that you’re starting to care about her? Or is it that she’s challenging the walls you’ve built around yourself?"

​I rubbed a hand over my face, feeling the weight of his words. "Both," I muttered. "I can’t afford to get attached, not when I know how dangerous catching feelings is."

​Knox let out a slow breath, his eyes filled with concern. "Oliver, you’ve always been good at controlling everything around you, but this... this sounds like it’s out of your control. Maybe you need to figure out what you really want before you lose her—or yourself—in the process."

​I clenched my fists, hating the vulnerability that crept up on me. "I’m not used to this," I said, my voice low. "I don’t know how to deal with it."

​Knox’s expression softened, but the teasing glint never left his eyes. "Maybe it’s time to learn, to love, and who knows, marry; I want to be a godfather." He gave me an annoying smirk, and I wished I could punch it out of his face.

​"Don’t be ridiculous; I’m never settling down or getting married." I grunted and then leaned back in my chair, my eyes momentarily drifting to the glass door where Aurora was still at her desk, still busy with her work, but something about her seemed off. Maybe it was the way I spoke to her... She is angry at me... I didn’t even know why I acted that way toward her... why I acted so cold... I just did it.

​Knox’s voice broke through the silence, pulling me back to reality. "So, what’s happened while I was gone?" His teasing grin had faded into genuine curiosity, and I could sense the eagerness in his tone to catch up on what he’d missed.

​I sighed, grateful for the change of subject. "You didn’t miss much, but the situation with the Bloodstone Pack is getting tense. Alpha Mason still hasn’t honored the terms of our treaty. I’m starting to think he’s testing my patience on purpose."

​Knox’s usual playful demeanor immediately darkened, his jaw tightening with restrained anger. "That bastard. We can’t let him undermine your authority, especially with the full moon festival coming up."

​I nodded, feeling the familiar weight of responsibility settle on my shoulders. "Agreed. The packs need to see strength from their Alpha King right now, especially with everything going on. Any sign of weakness could invite trouble, and I can’t afford to let that happen." I sighed and tried to concentrate, but my mind kept drifting back to Aurora—her sad expression, the way she seemed lost—and I hated how it pulled me away from my responsibilities. But this was the reality now. I was an Alpha King, bound by duty, and yet everything in me wanted to go to her, to fix whatever was wrong.

​Suddenly, I recalled something and lifted my gaze to Knox. "The family I asked you to look for? Any news about them? Was there any survivor?" I asked, feeling worried and concerned.

​Knox nodded. "I discovered there was a survivor—in fact, a daughter—but her identity is well hidden. But not to worry; I’m on it," Knox assured me.

​I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. "We need to find her. We must."

Knox watched me carefully. "Why does this matter so much to you?

"None of your concern." I frowned.

Knox didn’t look convinced.

"You still haven’t answered my question," he said carefully. "Why does finding that girl or any survivor matter so much to you?"

I held his gaze for a long moment.

Then I looked away.

"Because I’m indebted to them," I said quietly.

​Knox’s brows furrowed. "Indebted?"