A Perfect Deception

At noon, Sophie knocked gently on the door to Morgan’s office, her soft voice pulling Morgan from her thoughts. “Luna, it’s time for lunch. I thought we could take a break, and clear our heads.”

Morgan looked up, her mind still reeling from the revelations Sophie had shared earlier... Concubines? An entire boardroom full of Alex’s ex-lovers?

The realization was still sinking in, gnawing at her insides, a bitter reminder of how deeply she’d been deceived. But she couldn’t let that show. Not now. Not when so much was at stake.

“Yeah, I think I could use that,” Morgan replied, forcing a smile as she grabbed her purse and followed Sophie out of the office.

As they walked through the corridors of Lupine Industries, the weight of her responsibilities pressed down on her with every step.

'I’m supposed to lead this company,' she thought, 'But how can I do that when the very women I need to work with see me as nothing more than competition for Alex’s attention?'

When they entered the company lobby, Morgan’s heart skipped a beat. Standing by the entrance, surrounded by a few employees, was Alex. He looked every bit the powerful Alpha—commanding, confident, and utterly unapproachable.

For a moment, her breath caught in her throat. But it wasn’t admiration she felt. It was fury.

'Asshole, you played me,' she thought bitterly. 'You brought me into this mess without even a warning, and left me to fend for myself in a den of wolves.'

Looking away from the others, Alex’s eyes shifted to Morgan as she and Sophie approached, and a familiar smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

That smirk that once made her heart flutter now only fueled her anger. 'How dare you?' she raged inwardly, but outwardly, she kept her expression calm, composed. 'You won’t see me break. Not here. Not now.'

Staring calmly at her, Alex expected her usual sass, a witty remark, or a playful jab. But what happened next caught him and everyone else in the lobby completely off guard.

With her expression calm and composed, Morgan slowed her pace and bowed slightly before him, a gesture of respect that left him momentarily stunned.

The chatter in the lobby ceased, and all eyes turned to the Luna bowing to her Alpha. Morgan’s heart pounded in her chest, but she kept her breathing steady.

Slowly, Alex’s smirk faded as he took a step toward her, his voice neutral. “Where are you headed, my Luna?”

Inhaling silently, Morgan straightened, meeting his gaze with a soft smile. “It’s lunchtime. Sophie and I were just about to step out for a break.”

Without a word, Alex’s eyes flicked to Sophie briefly before returning to Morgan, still shocked that she was this calm.

“I’ll take you,” he said, leaving no room for debate in his tone, and before she could respond, he gestured for her to follow him out to the car.

'Of course, you will,' Morgan thought, bitterness curling in her chest. 'You need to keep an eye on me, don’t you? Make sure I don’t step out of line or do anything you wouldn’t approve of. Well, I’ve got news for you, Alex. You’re not the only one playing this game.'

Moments later, once they were on the road, Alex drove in silence for a few minutes, his focus on the road, but ever now and then he would glance at Morgan's soft expression.

Finally, Alex broke the silence. “Why did you bow to me back there?” His voice was low, laced with curiosity and something more—suspicion, maybe?

Beaming at him as Morgan glanced his way, she thought, 'You wanted a Luna who knows her place, didn’t you?' she thought. 'Well, I’ll show you just how well I can play that role. After all, my survival in your pack depends on it.'

"It’s customary for a Luna to show respect to her Alpha, especially when greeting him in public,” she finally replied, her tone sweet and sincere, hiding the storm raging within her.

As his lids lowered, Alex tilted his head slightly, a hint of amusement creeping back into his voice. “And when did you start caring about such customs?”

Morgan shrugged lightly, her smile never wavering. “I’ve been learning a lot about my role to be a better Luna for both our packs and for you. It’s important to set an example, don’t you think?”

'Especially when I’m surrounded by a pack of vultures, ready to tear me apart the moment I slip up.' She thought, maintaining her smile.

“I suppose it is. But you’ve never been one to follow tradition so closely.” Alex said, his smirk returning, though it was tempered by a glint of intrigue.

Darting her gaze away from him, Morgan turned her gaze out the window, her voice dropped, becoming more tamed. “Maybe I’m realizing there’s more to being Luna than just leading. Sometimes, it’s about knowing when to show respect and when to assert authority.”

Speechlessly, Alex glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, his curiosity deepening, and then he mumbled, “You’re up to something, aren’t you?”

Turning her head to face him, Morgan let out a soft sigh, pouting as she gazed into his eyes, "Except the fact that I kinda missed you and am glad that you are here, no."

Without a word, Alex’s smirk widened, but there was a flicker of surprise in his eyes at Morgan’s softened tone. He tightened his grip on the steering wheel, his gaze locking onto hers with that familiar, intense focus.

“You missed me, huh?” His voice was low.

For a moment, Morgan broke out of character, feeling the weight of his presence, the way he commanded attention without even trying, and it sent a shiver down her spine.

But she held her ground, refusing to let him see how much he affected her. “I did,” she replied, her voice smooth and steady, though there was a hint of vulnerability beneath it.

Alex’s expression darkened slightly, his eyes narrowing as he considered her words. “Is that so? I didn’t think you needed anyone’s help, least of all mine.”

“I’m strong, Alex, but even though I am an alpha, I'm just a girl.” She paused, letting the words linger between them before adding, “I want you here with me. We’re supposed to be partners, aren’t we?”

He didn’t respond immediately, and she could see the gears turning in his mind as he processed her words.

Then Alex suddenly, Alex reached out, his fingers brushing lightly against her arm, causing her to hold in her breath as she fought against her urge to pull back.

“You’re different today, Morgan,” he said quietly, his voice a low rumble that sent a thrill through her. “What’s changed?”

She met his gaze, her pulse quickening as she turned slightly in her seat, so close she could feel the warmth radiating off him.

“Maybe I’m realizing what I want. What do I need to do to survive in this world you’ve brought me into? And maybe,” she added, her voice dropping to a whisper as she leaned in, her lips brushing lightly against his ear, “I’m realizing that I want more than just survival. I want you, Alex. All of you, even without the feeling of the mate bond.”

Alex’s breath hitched, and for a brief moment, the confident, unflappable Alpha seemed caught off guard.

'Got you,' Morgan thought, a surge of satisfaction swelling within her.

He pulled back slightly, just enough to look into her eyes, searching for something— to see if she was serious or if this was just another game.

Then his expression suddenly hardened, his walls coming back up, but there was a crack in his armor, and Morgan could see it.

He reached up, cupping her cheek with a rough hand, his thumb grazing her lips in a way that made her heart race.

“Careful, Morgan,” he warned, though his voice was softer than before. “You might just get what you’re asking for.”

Morgan’s lips curved into a slow, seductive smile as she leaned into his touch, her eyes softening into his. “That’s exactly what I’m counting on.”