10
1124 Words
Nia’s Pov
The last few hours of work passed in a blur of emails, schedules, and documents I barely understood. My brain felt like it had been through a blender by the time the office clock hit five. I stretched my arms above my head, a soft groan slipping out.
My first day…done. Somehow, I’d survived.
By the time I shut down my computer and grabbed my bag, my head was pounding. The quiet hum of the building had dulled, most employees already gone, leaving only the faint tapping of keyboards and the occasional ring of a distant phone.
My fingers brushed against the nameplate on the desk, Nia Rivers, Strategic Operations Coordinator and I couldn’t help the small, tired smile tugging at my lips. It still didn’t feel real.
Stepping out of the office, I spotted Celene speaking with another staff member near the reception area. She noticed me and gave a brief nod. “First day done?”
“Barely,” I said with a half-laugh. “But I think I’m getting the hang of it.”
Her expression softened just slightly. “Good. That’s better than most.”
“See you tomorrow,” I said, forcing my voice to stay light.
“See you, Coordinator,” she replied, and though she said it teasingly, there was a faint edge of respect in her tone that made me feel… proud.
“Goodnight, Celene.”
“Goodnight, Nia.”
I pushed through the glass doors and stepped outside, the cool evening air hitting my face like a relief. The sun had already begun to dip, streaking the sky in faint shades of gold and pink. I exhaled slowly, feeling some of the day’s tension melt away.
I adjusted the strap of my bag, ready to head home and maybe collapse on the couch.
…and then froze.
Standing by a sleek black car near the curb was Rowan.
He was leaning casually against the hood, head bent as he checked his wristwatch, looking far too comfortable for someone who had no business being here. My stomach tightened. What the hell was he doing here?
He looked up the moment I stepped out, his eyes catching mine. And then came that infuriating smirk, the one that always made me feel like he knew every thought in my head.
“I was starting to wonder if I missed the close time,” he drawled, pushing off the car with effortless ease.
I blinked, trying to keep my voice steady. “How did you know I was here?”
He raised an eyebrow, walking closer. “Are you really asking me that?”
Right. Of course. He was the Beta. The pack’s second-in-command. He probably knew the schedule of every single person in this building…especially me.
Great, I thought. So much for trying hard to avoid him.
Before I could say anything else, he opened the car door beside the driver’s seat with a slight bow. “Your carriage awaits, miss.”
I stared at him, torn between irritation and disbelief. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“Do I look like I’m kidding?”
He didn’t. His tone was smooth but his eyes were sharp, watching me closely, like he was waiting to see if I’d refuse.
I sighed, rolling my eyes as I stepped toward the car. “You’re unbelievable.”
“I get that a lot,” he said with that same lazy grin.
I hesitated only a moment, debating whether to tell him off or not before sliding into the car but I knew he wouldn’t take no for an answer, not when it was obvious he had been waiting out here for God knows how long.
Sliding into the passenger seat, I couldn’t help glancing around. The interior smelled faintly like him, cedar and something darker, sharper. It annoyed me how much I noticed.
Rowan closed the door gently behind me, then circled around to the driver’s side.
As he got in, I stared out the window, pretending to be more interested in the fading sunset than in him.
Still, one thought refused to leave my mind. Why did he really come here?
Out of all the ways my first day could’ve ended, getting picked up by him hadn’t even crossed my mind.
Rowan started the engine, and the low purr filled the silence between us. The car rolled smoothly out of the parking lot, his hands steady on the steering wheel, posture relaxed, too relaxed, considering the fact that my entire body was tense beside him.
For a while, I didn’t say anything. I didn’t even look at him. I just stared out the window, watching the lights blur past as the car picked up speed. But his scent filled the space around me, warm and sharp, impossible to ignore. It made my pulse do weird, annoying things.
“You know,” I said finally, breaking the silence, “you didn’t have to come all the way here.”
“I know,” he replied easily, eyes still on the road. “But I wanted to.”
That simple statement threw me off more than I cared to admit. I turned my head slightly, studying him. His jaw was set, expression calm, but there was something about the way his fingers tapped lightly against the steering wheel, like he was holding back more than he was saying.
“Why?” I asked, trying to sound casual.
He glanced at me then, his lips curving faintly. “Maybe I was curious.”
“About what?”
“How your first day went.”
I let out a small, humourless laugh. “You could’ve just called.”
“True,” he said, leaning back in his seat a little. “But then I’d miss the chance to see that look on your face.”
I frowned. “What look?”
“The one you’re giving me right now. Half annoyed, half confused. You’re cute when you try to act like you don’t care.”
My cheeks heated instantly. “You really have an ego problem.”
He chuckled under his breath, the sound deep and rich. “And you really like pretending you don’t notice me.”
I rolled my eyes, turning back toward the window. “You’re annoying.”
“Maybe.” He paused, his tone lowering slightly. “But you didn’t tell me to leave.”
That shut me up for a second. Because he was right. I could’ve told him to turn around, could’ve demanded he drop me off right there but I didn’t. And that realization made something in my chest tighten.
“Where are you even taking me?” I asked after a moment.
- Writer
