Chapter 6 - Neil

Mate?

My wolf perked up with great interest as soon as the lady stepped into my office. It was the first time I felt that way after two whole years. After facing crude rejection two years ago, I lost all hope of finding another mate, as none had come forth. I had focused entirely on my oil business. I was just a weak omega, considered incapable of protecting a mate when the time came.

Mate? My wolf called again, and just then, I looked up to find a gorgeous blonde walking into my office. My eyes scanned her from legs to head, and I couldn't stop staring, admiring the elegance the moon had decided to bring to me.

I felt my wolf, Sphinx, look through my eyes to stare at the lady. Sphinx had taken to the name when we went on a tourist vacation in Egypt and had decided to go by that name.

My eyes met the lady's, which were sexily greenish-brown. Those hazel eyes made me go numb for what felt like hours.

I need my mate, Sphinx growled. I suppressed him. She was going to be my employee, and I had to maintain that I was the boss here. I quickly cleared my throat to distract us both from overly staring. I clenched my fists. My mate was this close to me, and yet, I couldn't even touch her. The boss-employee relationship was coming between us.

“I’m here for the interview, sir,” she said.

Yet, I still felt the irresistible urge to stare at her long legs, at the bulge on her chest, and for the first time, I gulped.

My wolf began to pace, growling and snarling in my head.

I realized I was supposed to say something to her. “Have a seat,” I said, letting her sit opposite me.

We sat in silence as I tried to calm my raging wolf. Was this obsession? Once he felt a lady was our mate, he made me so uncomfortable until I proposed.

You said that before, Sphinx, and what did it get us? Heartbreak. A cold rejection at the most crucial moment when I had almost placed my mark, I shouted at Sphinx, who was still nagging.

I don’t care what you think. Just make sure you get our mate, Sphinx warned and retreated into the dark corner of my mind.

I finally focused. I realized she was waiting for me to start the interview. “Well…” I began, crossing my arms over my desk. “What’s your name?”

“Amelia Clayton,” I felt her nervousness. It was only natural.

“I’ll call you Amelia. It’s more unique and sweet.”

That was a bit fast! I screamed at myself. Calling her sweet already?

Damnit! This isn’t fast! Go ahead and make her fall for you, Sphinx screamed, and I almost sighed in frustration.

“I’m sorry, sir, Mr. Neil Morreti?” I noticed her take a short look at the placard on my desk.

Oosh! She sounded like my help. I wouldn’t let her call me by my full name. “Yes, but you can call me Neil.”

I stared down at my computer to finish up the oil standards survey before kicking my chair back. I needed to be close to her. To sniff and mark her scent. To unlock my insides with a sniff of her hair. But instead, I walked to the front of my desk and leaned against it.

“How old are you, Amelia?” I asked as I crossed my arms over my chest.

“I’m twenty, sir.” I noticed her shyness.

I arched my brow as I considered her age. She was still very young, and I really loved the idea of having a young mate. I wasn’t that old. I was just twenty-eight. We were very much compatible, but I would give it time to be natural.

I smiled as the thought of having a second-chance mate crossed my mind again. I walked behind her and leaned forward on her seat.

“I took a look at your resume last night, and I must say it’s quite impressive,” I tried to get formal, then I remembered she had never worked for any company despite her good vitae. “You graduated one year ago, but you weren’t able to secure a job to gain work experience. Why is that?” I sniffed her hair. Sweet shampoo.

“It’s kind of personal, sir.”

I nodded slightly, but then I saw a ring on her finger, more like a wedding ring. “Then,” I began, my eyes on the diamond ring as I wished it wasn’t true, “are you married?” I asked.

She suddenly turned and almost kissed my cheek. That little closeness gave me enough time to share a breath with her. She sharply turned to the ring.

“Engaged,” she said, and I felt my heart shatter. Why did such things keep happening to me? Or was I too late this time? Would I lose my mate again?

That she is engaged doesn’t mean she is definitely going to get married, Neil. An engagement could still be called off, Sphinx suddenly suggested.

You’re right. It doesn’t mean I’ve lost her entirely.

I walked over to the chair on her right and sat beside her. “Any plans for the wedding yet?” I asked, my hopes high.

“It’s one day away.”

I almost jerked off the chair in surprise and mainly disappointment, but I still managed to hold my composure.

“And you’re here for the interview?”

What kind of question was that? The moon brought her to us! If she wasn’t here, you wouldn’t have found out she was your mate, Sphinx grumbled.

“My marriage won’t stop my dreams,” I saw her shut her eyes peripherally. “That sham won’t rip me of my profession. I need to become an independent woman.”

Sham? That didn’t sound happy. Was she being forced? I knew it didn’t sound formal, but I had to ask her why. “Sham? So much for getting married. You sound irritated. You’re supposed to be happy.”

“I’m sorry, sir, but—can we skip that?”

I sighed. I wanted to ask about the circumstances surrounding the engagement and marriage, but since she didn’t want to talk about it, I bit back the questions. It would be better to keep her close to me for now and get to know her better, and that meant giving her the job.

Nice idea. Sounds like Neil, Sphinx complimented, and I almost smiled.

“Alright…” I cleared my throat and reclined in the chair. “Then would you like to be my secretary and senior analyst? You’d fetch my paperwork, lunch, or drinks when I choose."

"You’d take my phone calls and be in charge of organizing my schedule, and you’d accompany me on any business trips or lunches, be it far or near, while fulfilling your duties as the senior analyst of the company. Would that be okay with your fiancé?” I added.

Even though I wanted her close for now until I got to know her better, I wouldn’t want to risk putting her in danger. She looked so afraid. I didn’t know what her marriage would look like, but if she didn’t want to get married and felt she was being forced, I could help her.

“He has no choice but to accept,” she said, surprisingly harsh this time. This was not a marriage driven by love; I sensed something was wrong. Who was she getting married to? I was tempted to ask.

“Does this mean I got the job, sir?”

“The position is all yours. Just make sure to be punctual and hardworking, then we’ll be on good terms.” Not that I would be too hard on her.

She nodded. “Thank you, sir.”

“Neil,” I quickly corrected her. I wouldn’t want her addressing me as sir. Others could, but she would be an exception.

“Thank you, Neil.”

“Alright, Amelia. I’ll see you tomorrow at seven.” I couldn’t wait for her to start work so I could have her by my side every day.

She quickly stood and checked her watch. “Gosh,” she exclaimed, rushing to leave but tripping over her seat and beginning to fall.

I moved on impulse with all my wolf stamina. I wouldn’t let my mate get hurt.

Our faces were close enough that we shared the same breath. Her warm breath cascaded over my face as I searched her face with my eyes. My gaze rested on her perfect bow-shaped lips, and I began to lean closer.

The irresistible urge to kiss her began to overcome my sanity. I couldn’t think of anything more than to feed on those luscious lips. The desire kept me steady as I continued aiming for her lips.

But then the door pushed open, and someone walked in.

“Time is up, Amelia. We have to…”

I quickly let her stand. It was too early to be caught in an awkward position. “Watch your step,” I said, turning to the intruder who dared to rob me of this moment. He was tall and muscularly built. The shock on his face told me he was somehow connected to Amelia.

“Who are you?” I asked him.

“He’s my personal bodyguard,” Amelia answered instead.

I noticed the lush nervousness on Amelia’s face as she picked up her bag.

“Thank you, Neil, for giving me this job. I won’t disappoint,” Amelia said, beginning to move away.

My heart went limp as I watched her step out of my office. What if she didn’t come back?

I made to go after her and ask where she lived, but my door pushed open again, and a lady walked in, legs first, until her full tall body came into view.

Staring at her face, I felt nothing but strong disgust. Even my wolf repelled her scent.

Why was she here?

The infidel that rejected me years back!

I looked away—not now that I had found my mate.

“What are you doing here, Mirabel?”