Chapter Twenty-four

Ryan's Pov

The moment Aurora stepped out of her apartment, I couldn’t stop my eyes from trailing down her figure. She was wearing one of the outfits I’d bought for her. A light blouse tucked into a high-waisted skirt that accentuated her curves in a way that was both modest and striking. Her hair was neatly done, and her shoes clicked softly on the worn floors.

She looked beautiful, confident even, and for a moment, I felt a swell of pride. Not just for the clothes, but for the way she carried herself. My little one.

I opened the car door for her, and as she slid in, I made my way to the driver’s seat. Today wasn’t a day to have someone tagging along. I wanted it to be just the two of us.

The drive was quiet, except for the occasional directions she gave. When we reached the bank, she hesitated as she saw the crowd outside.

“I think we should’ve come earlier,” she said softly, her voice carrying a hint of uncertainty.

I pulled out my phone without a word, dialing a number. A few words exchanged, and within moments, we were ushered through a side entrance and into a private office.

“Good morning, sir!” The attendant’s voice was overly cheery as she greeted me, her smile wide and eager. “What brings you to our branch today?”

I didn’t return the smile. “I need an account opened,” I said simply.

“Of course,” she chirped, pulling out some forms. But her gaze slid right past Aurora as though she wasn’t there.

Her disregard didn’t sit well with me. My jaw tightened. “The account isn’t for me,” I said curtly, motioning toward Aurora. “It’s for her. Collect her details.”

The woman’s demeanor shifted, but I didn’t care. Aurora hesitated briefly, then stepped forward to fill out the forms. She thumbprinted, signed her name, and completed the necessary details.

As she worked, my phone buzzed. “Excuse me,” I said, stepping out to take the call.

“Caleb,” I greeted flatly, leaning against the wall outside.

“Ryan,” he drawled. “Since when do you sound so bored? What happened to the charming alpha I knew?”

I snorted. “Since when did you start calling me? Are we romantic now?”

Caleb laughed. “Can’t I call an old friend? What’s with the attitude?”

“Friend?” I scoffed, though a corner of my mouth twitched. “What do you want?”

“Just checking in. How’s Aurora?” His tone was casual, but I knew Caleb well enough to catch the undertone.

My mood soured instantly. “I have to go,” I said sharply. “Goodbye.” I hung up before he could press further.

When I stepped back into the room, my eyes immediately found Aurora. She was standing by the desk, talking to a man I didn’t recognize.

Something inside me snapped.

I closed the distance between us in seconds, ignoring the way her eyes widened in confusion as I grabbed her wrist. “We have to go. Now,” I said firmly.

The man had the nerve to open his mouth, but I shot him a cold glare. “She has to go,” I repeated, my tone leaving no room for argument.

Aurora looked bewildered but didn’t protest as I led her out of the office. My grip on her wrist loosened as we reached the car, but my jaw was still tight.

“Ryan, what was that about?” she finally asked, her voice soft but tinged with confusion.

“Nothing,” I said curtly, avoiding her gaze.

I couldn’t explain it. The jealousy that flared up so quickly, the possessiveness that made me act without thinking. It wasn’t like me. But seeing her with someone else, even if it was harmless, stirred something primal in me.

And I hated it.

I could feel her eyes on me as we walked to the car. She was quiet, but I knew the reason, she was still trying to make sense of what happened at the bank. The random guy, my reaction… all of it.

But I didn’t see the need to explain myself. Why should I? Some stranger had no business talking to her.

Once we reached the car, I opened the door for her and slid into the driver’s seat. “I’m heading to a private restaurant to finish some work since I’m not going to the office,” I said as I started the engine. “Do you want to tag along?”

She looked at me with a soft smile, her tone teasing. “Why wouldn’t I tag along? I’m your personal assistant, aren’t I?”

That smile. It was disarming. I had to look away for a moment to collect myself. She looked so small, so delicate, like she’d break if I wasn’t careful. My wolf stirred, Draven growling possessively in the back of my mind. I wanted her all to myself. I wanted to be the only one who could look at her like this.

I cleared my throat. “Okay,” I said simply, pulling onto the road.

The drive was quiet for a while until Aurora broke the silence. “Why doesn’t this feel like a personal assistant’s job?” she asked, her voice thoughtful. “I mean, I’m supposed to be stressed out, right? But everything’s been… smooth since I started. All thanks to you.”

I glanced at her briefly. “You’re doing a great job,” I replied. “Not everything has to be stressful.”

She hesitated before speaking again. “But… the clothes, the phone, and all the other things you’ve done for me… that’s not exactly part of the job description, is it?”

I smirked. “Just see it as coming from the goodness of my heart.”

She blinked at me in surprise, then smiled shyly. “Okay.”

When we arrived at the restaurant, I made sure we were seated in the most private corner. It was quiet, the atmosphere perfect for work. But my mind wasn’t focused on the tasks ahead.

She was sitting across from me, scrolling through her emails, completely unaware of how tempting she looked. Her soft features, her petite frame… everything about her screamed innocence. My wolf was restless, the thought of anyone else noticing her like this driving me mad.

I glanced around the room, and that’s when I saw him—a man, seated a few tables away, staring at her. My lips curled into a silent snarl, and Draven growled low in my chest. I shot him a cold, warning glare, and he quickly looked away.

Good.

We got to work, checking emails and sorting through tasks. Aurora’s concentration was admirable, but I couldn’t stop my thoughts from drifting.

Minutes passed before someone approached our table.

I tensed immediately, my eyes snapping to the figure standing in front of us. Aurora froze, her hands still on her phone, her wide eyes fixed on the man.

He wasn’t part of the restaurant staff—that much was clear. His presence was commanding, almost unnatural.

And the way Aurora reacted to him… it set every instinct in me on edge.

“Hello, Aurora,” the man said, his voice smooth but laced with something I didn’t like.

Who the hell was this?