Alpha's STOLEN Mate Chapter 28

Elowen

I opened my mouth to respond, mind reeling from the absurd question. *What the hell should I say? Friends?* Through today's overly intimate behavior, I was realizing that ever since that kiss, Cassius had gotten serious about us. Apparently one little kiss had transformed him from helpful friend to wannabe boyfriend. How fucking wonderful.

Before I could clarify anything, Cassius's face hardened into something predatory and calculating.

"While I fail to see what our personal relationship has to do with closing deals," he said, each word dripping with barely restrained menace, "today belongs to Elowen. So I'll indulge your irrelevant curiosity."

His protective tone should have been reassuring, but the way he spoke *for* me sent ice through my veins.

His expression melted into something possessive as his gaze burned into mine. "What Elowen and I share transcends ordinary friendship. We've created intimate memories together, shared vulnerable moments that most people never experience." His voice dropped to something almost predatory. "I can feel the connection between us. She knows we're destined for something deeper."

Nausea clawed up my throat. This wasn't professional support—this was a public claiming that made my skin crawl like insects.

Mike's eyes locked onto me with laser focus. "Is that so? Truly that... intimate?"

*Christ, I can't let this nightmare continue.*

"Cassius has been incredibly helpful," I said, steel creeping into my voice as I met his wounded stare. "I'm genuinely grateful for his guidance. But we are friends. Nothing more."

Cassius recoiled as if I'd struck him across the face.

"What?" The word came out strangled, his face cycling through disbelief, hurt, and something darker. "But I thought... we had..." He dragged his hands through his hair, reality crashing down. "Jesus Christ. I completely misread everything. What kind of pathetic fool am I?"

Before I could offer comfort, Mike's demeanor shifted like a switch being flipped.

"Ah, my mistake entirely," he purred with renewed warmth, that charming smile sliding across his features like oil. "I should have recognized quality when I saw it. This woman clearly possesses exceptional judgment and rare talent. Someone of her caliber wouldn't waste time on mediocrity when she deserves something... extraordinary."

*What the actual fuck is happening here?*

Cassius's devastation transformed into something volcanic. His hands became fists on the table, knuckles white with barely leashed violence.

*God, I feel terrible for him, but we need to save this deal.*

I clamped my hand over his trembling fist. "Cassius, please!" I hissed urgently. "Ignore his bullshit! Don't let him destroy what we came here for!"

He sucked in a shuddering breath, wrestling his rage back into submission.

Ryder's confusion finally boiled over. "What the hell is wrong with you today, Mike? Since when do you interrogate clients about their love lives instead of analyzing investment proposals? And what's with those earbuds? You're acting like a completely different person!"

*Thank God someone else sees how insane this is!*

Hope flickered—maybe Ryder would shut this down. But Mike's next words turned the CEO into putty.

"Your wife Isabella made her position crystal clear," Mike said with surgical precision. "Your recent investment failures have been... disappointing. She's granted me full authority over this decision. Your role is to write checks and stay quiet. Wouldn't you agree?"

Ryder's face went ashen. "Isabella said... fine. Fine! Just make your damn decision!"

Mike dissected my presentation with the precision of a coroner, his criticism cutting deeper with each observation.

"Laughably conservative risk assessment," he murmured, scribbling notes like a death sentence. "Portfolio diversification so excessive it's practically paralyzed. Projected returns that wouldn't impress a savings account." His frown deepened. "This entire strategy screams amateur hour. You're hemorrhaging potential profits with this cowardly approach."

*Shit. He's destroying everything.*

Cassius tried mounting a defense but crumbled under Mike's analytical assault, reduced to helpless muttering: "We're fucked. Completely fucked."

I straightened my spine, preparing for one final stand. If this was going down in flames, I'd go down fighting.

Mike paused dramatically, savoring the moment before delivering his verdict. Instead, his tone shifted to casual curiosity.

"Before we conclude this farce," he said with chilling calm, "indulge me with some personal questions. Are you drowning in debt? How long have you been pretending to be a financial expert? How many hours do you slave away each week? And are you currently unattached?"

Cassius exploded. "What the fuck does her dating life have to do with investments?!"

Mike's response was pure ice. "Everything. I need to understand exactly what kind of desperate amateur I'm dealing with before risking serious money."

Those penetrating blue eyes held mine hostage. Ten million dollars. Medical supplies for my pack. Sanctuary for countless refugees. I swallowed my pride like poison.

"Three years in finance," I managed.

"Three years," Mike repeated, like cataloging a specimen. "Fascinating."

"Usually five days a week, but lately... irregular. Going forward, I could work seven days if necessary."

"Desperation driving complete life dedication," he mused clinically. "Textbook financial crisis behavior."

*Does this bastard have telepathic abilities?*

"As for relationships," I continued, my professional mask slipping, "I'm single."

Mike's face lit up like Christmas morning. "Single! Absolutely perfect! Everything I hoped for!"

*What twisted game is he playing?*

Cassius elbowed me violently. "We're leaving. Now. This psychopath is toying with us!"

The room tilted on its axis. This was professional suicide, but something in Mike's predatory satisfaction kept me frozen.

"Speaking of your proposal," Mike continued with theatrical timing, "I've identified one critical flaw that makes this impossible to approve."

My heart stopped. *Here comes the execution.*

Cassius shot me a triumphant glare. "Told you. He's been playing with us like cats with mice. Let's salvage some dignity and get out."

I braced for annihilation.

"The investment amount is criminally insufficient, and the timeframe insultingly brief."

The world held its breath.

"Therefore, I'm tripling the investment and extending the contract indefinitely."

Ryder launched from his chair like he'd been electrocuted. "Are you fucking insane?! You just eviscerated their entire proposal!"

Cassius and I sat frozen, minds completely blown.

Mike lounged back with aristocratic elegance, crossing his legs like he'd just ordered coffee. "Those conservative flaws become unshakeable advantages at scale. Larger investments and extended timeframes transform risk-averse strategies into goldmines. Stability and consistent growth trump flashy gambling every time." His smile turned razor-sharp. "Besides, Isabella would never forgive you for missing such a flawless opportunity."

Ryder's face went nuclear red. "Isabella's going to... Christ, Mike! You're betting our future on this!"

"Sign the contracts," Mike commanded with absolute authority. "Now. Before I change my mind."

Cassius watched this miraculous reversal with undisguised horror, like witnessing a car crash in slow motion.

I couldn't process his reaction because pure euphoria was flooding my system like molten gold. Ten million dollars! Medical equipment! Refugee housing! Everything my pack desperately needed!

Ryder's pen flew across contracts with panicked desperation.

As we gathered our belongings, Mike's voice cut through the chaos like a blade.

"Elowen!" His blue eyes trapped mine with unsettling intensity. "This won't be our last encounter. Both of us will be seeing you again very soon."

*Both? What does that even mean? Will his boss want another meeting after this insanity?*

But ten million dollars drowned out every concern.

"Well," I said, practically vibrating with excitement, "I can't wait for our next meeting!"