Iris:
"You can let me go now. I'm fine," I hissed.
A smirk carved on his lips. He suddenly let me go, and a small yelp escaped me, only for him to catch me again.
"I thought you had it together," he muttered before finally pulling me up.
But before he could, the door opened, and someone walked in.
Her eyes widened at the sight in front of her.
Goddess, his hands were still wrapped around my waist, holding me tightly. His fingers even dug slightly into my skin, sending goosebumps up my arms. But her sudden arrival was far more concerning and the way she started breathing heavily said it all.
Kash slowly let go of me and stepped back.
"You shouldn't wear such high heels if you can't walk in them," he remarked.
His tone had changed. He wasn't trying to be funny anymore. Even I felt awkward.
Lara took a deep breath, straightened her posture, and forced a smile onto her lips, but I could tell the sight had left her breathless. I wondered if she realized this was exactly how I'd felt when I found out they were cheating on me.
But I didn't want to get back at her. It had been a genuine accident, I fell, and Kash caught me. That was all it was.
"Oh, so you're back," she said, ignoring what she'd just walked in on.
"I'm working on a brand with him. I'm not back," I clarified, because the way she said it made it sound like she was implying I'd come back for Kash.
"Right. What did I say?" she asked with a smirk.
She began to stroll closer to him, and he didn't waste a moment before wrapping an arm around her and kissing her cheek.
"What brings you here, love?" he asked in a gentle tone.
"I heard she'd arrived, so I thought I'd come and see for myself how she's doing," Lara replied, glancing at me while speaking to her fiancé.
They stood close together. This time, they didn't need to hide it from me. Not that they ever had, the last time, I was the one hiding in the pantry.
"So, how are you, Iris? The way you left last time with so much courage and pride I never imagined you'd come back. But here you are again," she said with a laugh, making me clench my jaw in silence.
"Anyway, I hope your stay here goes well. I'm sure your company will do great," she added before patting Kash's chest.
My eyes drifted toward them unintentionally, and when I looked up, I found Kash watching me with a satisfied expression. I turned away and walked to my seat, pretending to be busy.
I didn't even know why they were in my office to begin with.
"Let's go, baby. I have a suggestion for your company's model," she said, and the two of them walked out together.
Once they were gone, I finally released the breath I'd been holding the entire time.
I honestly didn't like the fact that I was once again in the same situation as before. But I had to focus on the main task at hand, doing my job so well that I could show these assholes I hadn't come back for Kash.
Even though our bond wasn't completely severed, I wasn't suffering, not even when he was constantly with her. Still, it made me wonder why I didn't feel the pain of the mate bond whenever he cheated on me.
Probably because I was a Lycan, and my Lycan wasn't even awake yet.
I sighed and looked down.
After a whole day of arguing back and forth, I was called into the meeting room again for a final discussion. The director, brand manager, and others were already there.
The social media manager, PR specialist, influencer coordinator, event planner, art director, videographer, photographer, copywriter, creative director, every single person sat around the table, along with me, Kash, Walkin, and Lara.
I didn't understand why she was there. It was supposed to be a professional setup. Why the hell would he bring her in?
But I didn't object. If I did, it would look like I was jealous of her. So, I swallowed my pride, pushed down my frustration, and decided to just get through the day.
We all went ahead and submitted the names we were suggesting as the face of the brand, the one that would represent the opening of our launch.
While I'd given a whole list, I noticed everyone else had written down just one name. It made me wonder if they'd already decided, because if that one person got the most votes, I'd be pressured to agree.
So, I grabbed the notes to see what name they'd written. And when I say my jaw hit the floor, I mean it.
It wasn't just any name.
Lara Ronald Berry.
I looked at them, then at Kash. Lara took a quick peek and let out a cheerful sound, almost purring like a cat.
"What? You wrote my name, baby? I'm just trying my luck in modeling. I'm not even that experienced," she joked, hitting Kash lightly on the arm, smiling from ear to ear.
But I was furious. There was no way she didn't know beforehand. This was exactly why she was in the meeting because she knew her name would be suggested.
"I think you'll be a great face. I agree with Alpha King Kash," Franz said, making me clench the pen tightly in my hand.
"But we still have to ask for Iris's opinion," Kash added from across the table. "If she has a problem with Lara, we'll have to find a new model."
I lifted my head and stared at him.
"But why would she have a problem with her?" someone asked. "We're all agreeing that Lara will be a good choice. Everyone will tune in to see what the Alpha King's new mate has to offer."
"I agree with it," Walkin echoed, one after another, making me smile faintly.
"Well then," I said, forcing a calm tone, "the Alpha King's name alone should be enough for a good promotion. But I have no problem with it. I think Lara will be a great face for the ad."
The minute I agreed, their smiles faded. Maybe they wanted to see me suffer. And I would because hiring her meant facing the nonstop pain of working with her every day.
But for now, I refused to give Kash the satisfaction.
"Well then, it's decided," Kash said, turning toward her with a grin. "My love will be the face of our brand."
He rarely turned his whole body when talking, but this time he did. Lara instantly shifted in her seat, jumping a little as she turned to face him. Her hands landed on his forearms, holding on and shaking him happily.