Chapter 5

Kamari's Point of View

Here I thought women were the needy ones in life. Zayan refused to stop texting me throughout the day. Even when I had my hands so deep inside a toilet I might as well have asked it permission first, he carried on texting me. 

Having your phone with you whilst working was already a transgression. Texting back would earn me an extra three weeks' worth of working extra hours.

"The patrol came up clean. No rogues in sight. But we are worried that one of the other packs might be thinking about taking over Crescent Shine. We got our sources on the inside and things aren't looking good." Quinten said and moved his papers closer to him. 

Arik sat closest to me. Kept tapping his pen on the table in irritation.

When Eris had asked me to clean this boardroom specifically, I hadn't imagined there would be a meeting in progress. Maybe this was her way of shoving the rejection in my face. Showing me that Arik had no intention of paying me any mind. It was cruel.

But I was here, cleaning away.

"We need to start thinking about extra patrols, just in case someone decides to strike first. Train a good few new recruits in the process. Things can get bloody if they want to invade our territory." One of the other council members chipped in.

This made Arik groan. His eyes shifted slightly toward me as I cleaned the last portrait in the room. For a second I saw something other than irritation linger in his eyes. Need, perhaps. "When you are done cleaning, stay. You can serve us beverages and snacks," He looked back at the rest of the room. "It seems this is going to be carrying on for a while."

Nodding, I moved to the back of the room. My phone buzzed in my pocket again but the group was too preoccupied with the discussion to notice it. Cursing, I turned and ripped it out of my pocket. Placed it on silent. There were about 30 messages in total from Zayan. So many that I couldn't read the last one he sent me without unlocking my phone.

"Kamari, we need more water. Go fetch us some."Quinten instructed. For a split second, Quinten was met with a stern glare from Arik. Just one. It told me enough about who was in charge. 

I waited for approval from him. Stared at him like a lost dog. Until Arik nodded, relieving me from the room.

As soon as I shut the door, I could hear them talking again. Hushed words were uttered with some force. 

"I thought you rejected her, dude. Why so possessive?" This was Quinten.

"She is still a member of my staff and not yours. Know your place." 

"That look didn't seem like she was just staff. You need to keep her at arm's length. Good to get your penis inside but nothing else." Every word Quinten said pummeled me. Good for an evening but not forever.

"You know I can't do that. It'll mean she can-" 

I stopped listening. Walked away before I started crying again. Taking the stairs two at a time, I willed myself to move slower. To stop being in such a rush. Nothing could get worse than this. This pain I felt whenever Arik dismissed me. 

Lost in my own thought, I barely noticed Lily packing out some snacks in the kitchen. Took the water on the counter and left. Only for a pair of hands to grab me just past the foyer. I wanted to yelp but one of the hands released my hips and clamped down over my mouth. Stifled me. 

We were quickly flung into the coat closet just beside the foyer. Zayan stared back at me when the automatic light came on. When the door clicked shut behind us. I stared up at him in bewilderment. Glanced down at his hand still covering my mouth.

"Why didn't you answer your texts?" He hissed, our faces inches apart. "I need to know if you are in or not and you refused to answer me." There was a vibration of fury in his voice. I scowled. The six-pack of water was between us. 

Using our combined bodies, I let go of the water with one hand and ripped his hand off of my mouth. Glared at him. We could match energies all day long if that was what he wanted. 

"I am working! I don't have the luxury to sit and conspire against someone all day. Who is going to pay my bills?" I threw back at him. 

Zayan's hand tightened on my hip. His face inched closer, our eyes never breaking contact. There was a sense of urgency in his eyes. "If your work is going to get in the way of our plan, then name your price. I will pay whatever I have to to get you free. To get your full attention," He inhaled, nostrils flaring a bit as he did. "But I need your full attention. However sexy you might be, you have the flirting skills of a fish. We need to work on that which means you need to focus on the task at hand." 

Underlying threats. Backhanded compliment. Feeling my anger rise steadily, I shoved him as far away from me as possible. Zayan barely moved but it felt like my lungs could take in air again. Just a few inches made the world of a difference. The six-pack dropped to the floor with a dull thud.

"Look, I have thought about all of this. Yes, I would love to make Arik pay but going about it in this way isn't right. Besides, I don't need another needy male up my ass all the time. I really don't. So take your plan, and that ass of yours and get out of here." 

This seemed to upset him even more. Zayan moved into my space again. His arms caged me in on the sides. My heart did several jumps as he exhaled close to my ear. Goosebumps broke out. I had never responded to anyone like this. Melted into them just from a few breaths on my ear.

"This isn't optional anymore, sweetheart. You are stuck with me. Now, get that dump truck ass out there and ask Mr. Alpha what it will cost to get you free." 

Footsteps approached the closet. But I was too wrapped up in Zayan to care. Even he seemed to be dead set on me. His focus nearly burned holes in my face. The door opened. I felt my life slip out of me. Until Zayan did the unthinkable.

He leaned into me and crashed our lips together. The kiss was searing and intense. Made my toes curl in my shoes. A throat cleared beside us and I looked straight at the person.

Zayan looked the other way.

"I'm sorry if I interrupted something," Lily said, her face a mixture of shock and triumph. "I just need one of the coats." 

I blushed when she winked at me. Nodded her head in approval. It was the first time she had ever shown me any form of kindness. Positivity.

"I- I'll-" I took in a steadying breath. "I'll have it out for you in a minute." 

She shut the door moments later, a large smile still plastered on her lips.

"You can't do that again!" I all but screamed at a chuckling Zayan in front of me. "If Arik caught us, we would both be in deep shit and you know that! You were exiled! I am an omega! They will find a reason to kill us both!" 

His chuckles turned into a smirk. Cocky bastard. "You are a really good kisser. Too bad I can't have you for myself."