Chapter 48: That Temper

Edgar didn’t immediately comply. His golden eyes lingered on my face, tracking the subtle rise and fall of my chest, before his gaze flicked down to where my hands were lightly resting against his unbuttoned shirt for balance.

"You’re in a hurry today, little cat," he murmured, his voice a low, gravelly vibration that rattled straight through my palms. His grip on my waist loosened by a fraction of an inch, but he didn’t pull his hands away completely. "Walking straight into my chest without looking... were you searching for me, or were you just that eager to get caught again?"

"I was looking for Benjamin," I said flatly, keeping my voice utterly level while trying to ignore the absurd amount of heat radiating off his bare skin. "Now let go before I make you."

A faint, amused smirk tugged at the corner of Edgar’s lips, his thumb brushing deliberately against the fabric over my ribs one last time. "That temper."

"She said let go, Uncle."

Benjamin’s voice cut through the air as he stepped out from behind the mahogany desk, entirely carefree. His eyes were still droopy from long hours of sleep, a sleepy, unbothered expression on his face as he strolled lazily toward the doorway, hands shoved deep in his pockets.

Edgar slowly retracted his hands and took a single step back, giving me breathing room at last. He casually adjusted the suit jacket draped over his shoulder, his golden eyes lingering on me.

"And here I thought you were bringing me a daily report on your progress," he said, his voice dripping with quiet amusement. "My little investment."

I balanced myself on my feet, stepping back to smooth down my top and adjust my cargo pants to regain my composure.

"Well, I’d like to let you know that I’m definitely putting your resources to good use, and..."

My words trapped in my throat for a second as Edgar suddenly neared, leaning down just enough for his Alpha aura to brush against my skin again. I forced my posture straight, locking my eyes onto his golden ones and plastering on a smooth, fake smile.

"...you won’t be disappointed."

Of course he knew it was fake. He knew I was way more complex and guarded than the pathetic Omega act I put on, but he didn’t seem to mind in the slightest.

What did linger in his gaze, however, was a look I couldn’t fully decipher. Edgar raised his thumb, slowly dragging it over his lower lip—a subtle, deliberate gesture that instantly dragged my mind back to that moment.

My chest tightened. I snapped my gaze away, my face suddenly flushing with an unwelcomed, irritating heat.

Benjamin leaned down into my space, his eyes narrowing as he caught my reaction. "What’s with you?"

"Mind your business," I snapped, keeping my posture rigid. "Can we go?"

Benjamin looked at me, then flicked his gaze over to his uncle. A lazy, amused smirk spread across his face as he reached out, throwing his heavy arm toward my shoulder to pull me in—but I reacted on instinct, slipping under his reach and evading him like a flash of lightning.

"Aww, that’s mean," Benjamin drawled, his hand catching empty air as he let out a mock sigh. "After everything we’ve been through, you can’t be that cold."

I turned my head toward him, my eyes glinting with a sharp, serious promise.

"Watch me."

"Fine, fine, you can reject me all you want," Benjamin drawled, adjusting his coat with an unbothered stretch. "But let’s see how long that lasts."

I rolled my eyes, ignoring his lazy antics completely. Just wait, I thought bitterly as we turned and began walking down the hallway toward the main hall. Once I get Silas back and return to my prime, I’ll take you down easily, regardless of your raw Alpha strength.

We made our way toward the landing, the rhythmic thud of our boots echoing in the wide corridor. But just as we reached the top of the stairs, a familiar figure turned the corner below, heading straight up toward our level.

My eyes widened slightly as my assassin reflexes kicked in. Jayden.

Before his eyes could sweep upward and spot me, I reacted instantly. Reaching out, I snatched Benjamin by the forearm and yanked him hard into the shadow of a deep archway, pressing us flat against the wall out of sight.

I could not let Jayden catch me in a place like this.

Benjamin let out a quiet, surprised breath as he was pulled into the cramped alcove, his eyes dropping down to where my fingers were digging into his sleeve, then rising to meet mine in the dim light.

"What are you doing?" he whispered, a faint, amused quirk touching his lips as he looked down at me. "Falling for me already?"

"Shut up and stay still," I hissed under my breath, my back pressed against the cold stone as I listened intently to the approaching footsteps on the stairs.

The thud of boots climbed the landing, paused for a second right outside our alcove, and then continued down the far side of the corridor until the sound completely vanished.

Once the footsteps faded into nothingness, I finally let out a slow, quiet breath of relief.

It was time to go.

I made a move to step out into the open hallway, but my body hit a solid wall of chest and shoulder. Benjamin hadn’t budged an inch. His arms remained planted on either side of my head, blocking my exit and trapping me entirely within the narrow, shadowy nook.

He leaned down just enough for his purple eyes to pin mine, a lazy, unhurried smirk spreading across his face. He clearly liked the position we were in and was taking full advantage of the tight space.

"The threat is gone," I said, pressing my palms against his chest to push him back, though it felt like trying to shove a concrete pillar. "Move."

"Now why would I do that?" Benjamin drawled, his voice dropping into a low, rumbling hum that echoed off the cold stone. "You’re the one who dragged me into a dark corner, held onto me for dear life, and pressed yourself against me. Seems a bit unfair to just hit and run, don’t you think?"

"I grabbed you so my brother wouldn’t see me," I replied, my eyes narrowing into dangerous slits. "It wasn’t an invitation."

"Could’ve fooled me," he murmured, his eyes dropping briefly to my lips before rising back to lock onto mine. "You sure do like getting close to the wolves that like to bite."

"Then why don’t you try biting?" I whispered, my voice dripping with cold confidence as I tilted my chin upward. "See if you keep your jaw afterward."