Sage’s POV

“Who’s this?” Jade Sterling asked, her ice-blue eyes sliding over me like I was a piece of furniture she was considering having removed.

“My assistant, Miss Draven,” Kael said, his tone flat and professional. He gestured toward me without looking.

“She’ll be taking notes.”

“Another assistant.” Jade’s perfectly glossed lips curved into something that wasn’t quite a smile.

“The last three didn’t last long, did they?”

There was a story there, and from the way Marcus shifted uncomfortably, it wasn’t a good one.

“Miss Draven is exceptional,” Kael said, still not looking at me. But I heard something in his voice a note of steel that hadn’t been there before.

“She stays.”

Jade’s expression flickered. Just for a second.

Then that smooth, corporate mask slid back into place.

“Of course. Shall we?”

Everyone settled around the massive conference table.

Kael at the head, Marcus on his right, David Chen next to him.

Jade took the seat across from Kael, her two executives flanking her like bodyguards.

I sat at the far end, laptop open, trying to be invisible.

“Let’s get straight to business,” Kael said, sliding a document across the table.

“The Riverside property. Sterling Enterprises made an offer last week that was, frankly, insulting.”

“That property’s been on the market for six months,” one of Jade’s executives said.

“The sellers are desperate.”

“The sellers are strategic,” Kael countered.

“They know what they have. A prime location, walking distance to three major transit lines, zoned for mixed-use development. Your offer of twelve million is at least eight million short of fair market value.”

“Fair market value according to whom?” Jade leaned forward, elbows on the table. “Your assessment? Or the one that benefits Thorne Enterprises?”

“According to three independent appraisals.”

Marcus slid papers across the table. “All commissioned before we made our offer.”

I typed furiously, trying to capture every word while also watching the dynamics. Jade kept looking at Kael like he was the only person in the room.

Her executives deferred to her constantly.

And Kael… Kael was in his element.

This wasn’t the man who stress-baked muffins at three in the morning.

This was the ruthless CEO who’d built a billion-dollar empire before he turned thirty.

Every word was calculated.

Every gesture deliberate.

It was terrifying.

And kind of hot.

Focus, Sage. Professional thoughts only.

“The appraisals are conservative,” Jade argued.

“That neighborhood’s trending downward. Crime statistics”

“Are being manipulated by your PR team to drive down the price,” Kael interrupted smoothly.

“I have the real data. Would you like to see it?” Jade’s jaw tightened.

“You’ve done your homework.”

“I always do.”

The meeting continued like that for the next hour thrust and parry, attack and defend.

Jade would propose something, and Kael would counter with evidence she couldn’t refute.

Her executives grew increasingly frustrated. David Chen took notes on potential legal issues.

And through it all, Jade kept watching Kael with an intensity that made my wolf bristle uncomfortably.

Around eleven-fifteen, Kael’s phone buzzed.

He glanced at it, and something shifted in his expression.

“Excuse me. I need to take this. Marcus, continue.”

He stood and left the room, and I felt the temperature drop about ten degrees.

Marcus cleared his throat. “So. The Riverside property. I think we can all agree that twenty million is a fair compromise—”

“I’m not here to compromise with your Beta,”

Jade cut him off. Her eyes were on the door Kael had just exited through. “When will he be back?”

“I’m not sure. But I’m authorized to”

“I want to speak with Kael. Not his second.”

Jade’s attention finally shifted to Marcus, then to me.

“Or his assistant.”

The dismissal in her tone made my teeth clench.

But I kept typing, kept my expression neutral.

Marcus handled it better than I would have. “Ms. Sterling, with all due respect, if you want this deal, you’re going to have to work with me. Kael trusts my judgment completely.”

“Does he?” Jade leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs.

“Tell me, Marcus. How long has Miss…” She gestured vaguely in my direction. “What was your name again?”

“Draven,” I said, keeping my voice level. “Sage Draven.”

“Right. Draven.” She studied me like I was a bug under a microscope. “How long have you worked for Kael?”

“A week.”

Her eyebrows rose. “A week. And you’re already sitting in on major negotiations?” Her laugh was light, musical, and condescending as hell.

“That’s… unusual.”

“Miss Draven is a quick study,” Marcus said.

“I’m sure she is.” Jade’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Tell me, Sage. What’s your background? Previous employment?”

I knew a trap when I heard one. “Various positions. Administrative work, mostly.”

“Fascinating.” Jade turned to her executives.

“Gentlemen, let’s take a break. Twenty minutes?”

They stood immediately. Jade rose gracefully, smoothing her skirt. “I need to make some calls. Marcus, perhaps we can resume when Kael returns?”

“Of course.”

She swept out of the room, her executives trailing behind her like ducklings.

The moment the door closed, Marcus let out a long breath. “Well. That was fun.”

“She hates me,” I said.

“She hates everyone Kael shows the slightest interest in.” Marcus rubbed his temples. “But yeah, she especially hates you.”

“Why?”

David Chen, who’d been silent this whole time, finally spoke.

“Because Kael just told us you’re exceptional. In the year I’ve worked here, I’ve never heard him say that about anyone.”

“Not even Jade?” I asked.

“Especially not Jade.” Marcus gathered his papers.

“Those two have… history.”

“What kind of history?”

“The kind that ended badly.” Marcus checked his watch. “I need to find Kael. You okay here for a minute?”

“I’m fine.”

After they left, I sat in the empty conference room, staring at my laptop screen. The notes looked professional. Comprehensive. Exactly what Kael would expect.

But underneath that professional exterior, my heart was racing.

She hates me. She especially hates you.

I didn’t need supernatural senses to feel JadenSterling’s animosity.

It radiated off her like coldfire.

And the way she’d looked at Kael…

Not your business, I told myself firmly. He’s your boss.

Nothing more.

Except that wasn’t true, was it? He was also the father of the baby currently making me nauseous at the most inconvenient times.

The door opened. I looked up, expecting Marcus or Kael.

It was Jade.

Alone.

“Miss Draven,” she said, closing the door behind her. “I was hoping we could chat. Just us girls.”

Everything in me screamed danger.

“Of course,” I said, keeping my voice pleasant.

“What can I help you with?”

She crossed to the windows, looking out at the city below.

“I’m curious about you. Kael doesn’t usually hire people without extensive experience. Yet here you are. One week in, already in his inner circle.”

“I don’t know about inner circle—”

“Don’t be modest.” She turned to face me, and her smile was sharp.

“A week ago, you were unemployed. Now you’re sitting in on negotiations worth millions. That’s quite the promotion.”

How did she know I’d been unemployed? I’d never mentioned that.

“I got lucky,” I said carefully.

“Luck.” Jade laughed. “Is that what we’re calling it?” She moved closer, perching on the edge of the conference table.

“Let me give you some advice, Sage. Woman to woman. Kael Thorne isn’t the kind of man who helps people out of kindness. If he hired you, it’s because he wants something.”

“He wanted a competent assistant.”

“Is that all?” Her eyes glittered. “Because from where I’m sitting, it looks like he wants something else entirely.”

My stomach dropped. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Don’t you?” She stood, smoothing her skirt again. “I’ve known Kael for years. I know how he operates. And I know when he’s interested in someone.”

“You’re mistaken.”

“Am I?” She moved to the door, then paused.

“A word of advice, since you’re new here. Kael goes through assistants the way some people go through coffee. Three in the last year alone. They all thought they were special too.”

She left, and I sat there, shaking.

Three assistants in a year. All fired. And I was supposed to be different?

You are different, a small voice whispered.

You’re carrying his baby.

But he didn’t know that. And when he found out…

The door opened again. This time it was Kael, with Marcus behind him.

“Emergency’s handled,” Kael said, settling back into his seat. “Where’s Sterling?”

“She stepped out. Said she’d be back in twenty minutes.” Marcus glanced at me. “You okay? You look pale.”

“Fine. Just… hungry.”

Kael’s eyes narrowed slightly. “When’s the last time you ate?”

“Breakfast.”

“It’s almost noon.” He pulled out his phone, typed something. “I’m having lunch brought up for everyone. Sterling’s team included.”

“That’s not necessary”

“It’s necessary.” His tone left no room for argument. “Conference calls run long. No one makes good decisions on an empty stomach.”

Ten minutes later, an assistant I didn’t recognize wheeled in a cart loaded with food from that fancy restaurant on the ground floor.

Sandwiches, salads, fruit, bottles of water and designer soda.

Marcus’s eyes lit up. “You got the good stuff.”

“Sterling’s vegetarian,” Kael said. “Make sure the Greek salad is available when she returns.”

He remembered she was vegetarian. Why did that make my chest tight?

Stop it. It’s just business.

Jade returned with her executives at exactly 12:00. Her eyes widened slightly at the spread of food.

“Kael. You didn’t have to—”

“It’s noon. We’re all hungry. Shall we eat and continue?”

The rest of the meeting was less tense with food in everyone’s stomachs.

They hammered out the basics of the Riverside deal—eighteen million, with Sterling Enterprises handling certain permits and Thorne Enterprises managing construction.

It was still heavily weighted in Kael’s favor. But Jade looked satisfied as she signed the preliminary agreement.

“Pleasure doing business with you,” she said, shaking Kael’s hand. Her fingers lingered on his just a fraction too long.

“We should have dinner soon. Catch up properly.”

“I’ll have Margaret check my schedule.”

“Of course.” Her eyes slid to me. “It was lovely meeting you, Sage. I’m sure we’ll see more of each other.”

“Looking forward to it,” I lied.

After they left, Kael turned to me. “Your notes. Send them to me and Marcus within the hour.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And Miss Draven?” He was gathering his papers, not looking at me. “You did well today. Sterling’s notoriously difficult. You handled her questions professionally.”

Pride bloomed in my chest. “Thank you.”

“Don’t let it go to your head.” But there was something almost playful in his tone. “You’re still on probation. Three months.”

“I remember.”

He left, and I sagged in my chair.

Marcus whistled low. “That was intense.”

“Which part?”

“All of it.” He grabbed one last cookie from the catering cart. “But especially the part where Jade tried to intimidate you and you didn’t flinch.”

“I was terrified.”

“Didn’t show.” He headed for the door. “You’ve got spine, Sage Draven. You’re going to need it, working for Kael.”

After he left, I sat alone in the conference room, staring at my laptop.

Three assistants in one year. You’re pregnant with his baby. That changes everything.

Or did it? What if he fired me when he found out? What if he thought I’d gotten pregnant on purpose, to trap him?

My phone buzzed. A text from Margaret: How’d it go?

Survived, I typed back. Barely. Good. Now get back to your desk. He’ll want those notes ASAP.

I gathered my things and headed back to my desk. Through the glass walls of Kael’s office, I could see him on the phone again, pacing like a caged wolf.

Tell him, Margaret had said. Soon.

But how could I tell him when I was barely holding on to this job?

When Jade Sterling clearly wanted me gone? When everything felt so precarious?

I opened my laptop and started formatting my notes, trying to ignore the nausea creeping back up my throat.

Three months probation, Kael had said.

I just had to make it through three months.

Then maybe—maybe—I could figure out how to tell him he was going to be a father.

Sage’s POV

The next morning, I arrived at the office to find a woman sitting at my desk.

Not just any woman. A tall, leggy brunette in a designer suit that probably cost more than my monthly rent, casually flipping through the files

I’d left organized in my inbox.

“Excuse me,” I said, my voice sharper than intended.

“Can I help you?”

She looked up, and her smile was all teeth. “You must be Sage. I’m Vanessa Blackwood. Kael’s-”

She paused dramatically. “-friend.”

The way she said “friend” made it clear she meant something else entirely.

“Nice to meet you.” I set my bag down on the guest chair since she was occupying mine. “But that’s my desk, so if you could-”

“Is it?” She glanced around like she was surprised to find herself there. “Sorry, I’m so used to just… making myself comfortable here. Old habits.”

Before I could respond, Margaret emerged from the break room with her morning coffee.

She stopped short when she saw Vanessa.

“Miss Blackwood.” Margaret’s voice could have frozen lava. “What a surprise.”

“Margaret!” Vanessa stood, smoothing her skirt.

“Still here, I see. I thought you’d be retired by now.”

“Not quite yet.” Margaret’s smile was professional and deadly. “Does Mr. Thorne know you’re here?”

“Not yet. I wanted to surprise him.” Vanessa picked up her Prada bag from MY desk. “It’s been ages since we’ve seen each other.”

“Two months,” Margaret said. “He had security escort you out last time.”

The temperature in the room dropped about twenty degrees.

Vanessa’s smile tightened. “That was a misunderstanding. We’ve worked it out since then.” She turned to me.

“Sage, right? Kael mentioned he’d hired someone new. Another assistant.”

The way she said “another” made me feel like a disposable coffee cup.

“That’s right,” I said evenly. “I started last week.”

“Last week.” Vanessa laughed. “Well, don’t get too comfortable. Kael goes through assistants faster than he goes through business deals.

There was Sarah before you-lasted three weeks. And before that, Jennifer. Two weeks, I think? Or was it three?”

“Miss Blackwood,” Margaret said, her voice like ice.

“I’m sure you have somewhere else to be.”

“Actually, I’m here to see Kael. Is he in yet?”

As if summoned, the elevator dinged. Kael stepped out, phone to his ear, speaking rapid Japanese.

He was halfway to his office before he noticed the three of us standing in the reception area like we were in a standoff.

His eyes landed on Vanessa, and his expression went completely blank.

He ended his call. “Vanessa.”

“Kael!” She moved toward him like she was going to hug him. “I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by-”

“No.” The single word stopped her in her tracks.

“We discussed this. You don’t show up at my office unannounced.”

”I just wanted to-”

“Margaret, call security.”

Vanessa’s face flushed. “That’s not necessary. I was just leaving.” She shot me a look that could have melted steel. “It was lovely meeting you, Sage. I’m sure we’ll see each other again soon.”

“I’m sure we won’t,” Kael said coldly. “Security will escort you downstairs. If you come back, I’ll have a restraining order filed.”

Her face went from flushed to pale. “You can’t be serious.”

“I’m always serious.” He turned to me. “Miss Draven. My office. Five minutes.”

He disappeared into his office and closed the door.

Vanessa stared after him, something ugly flickering across her perfect features. “He’ll change his mind. He always does.”

“No, ” Margaret said quietly. “He won’t. Security is on their way up. I suggest you leave before they arrive.” Vanessa grabbed her bag and stalked to the elevator, stabbing the button repeatedly. When the doors finally opened, she stepped inside and turned to face us.

“You’re temporary,” she said, looking directly at me.

“They always are.”

The doors closed.

I let out a breath I didn’t know I’d been holding.

“What the hell was that?”

“That,” Margaret said, returning to her desk,

“was a cautionary tale about what happens when people don’t take no for an answer.”

“She said she was his friend.”

”She wants to be much more than that. They dated briefly a year ago. Kael ended it. She didn’t take it well. ”

Margaret pulled up her calendar. “She’s shown up here four times since then. Each time, Kael has had her removed.”

“Why doesn’t he get a restraining order?”

“Her father’s on the city council. It’s…complicated.” Margaret glanced at Kael’s closed door.

“You should probably go in. He doesn’t like to be kept waiting.” I knocked on Kael’s door at exactly five minutes.

“Come in.”

He was standing at the window, hands in his pockets, staring out at the city. He didn’t turn when I entered.

“I apologize for that scene,” he said. “It won’t happen again.”

“It’s fine. I just-”

“It’s not fine.” He turned, and his expression was harder than I’d ever seen it. “Vanessa Blackwood is persistent. She doesn’t understand boundaries. If she approaches you again-in the office, outside the office, anywhere-you call security immediately. Don’t engage with her.”

“Okay.”

“I mean it, Miss Draven. She’s not stable. The last assistant she cornered ended up quitting.”

So that explained Sarah. Or was it Jennifer?

“I understand.”

He studied me for a long moment. “Did she say anything to you before I arrived?”

“Just that you go through assistants quickly.”

Something flashed in his eyes. “And what did you say?”

”Nothing. Margaret intervened before I could respond.”

“Good.” He moved to his desk, all business again. “I need you to research three companies-Meridian Tech, Blackstone Holdings, and Westfield Development. Twenty pages,comprehensive analysis. Due Friday.”

Twenty pages. I’d barely survived the ten-page Sterling report.

“Any particular focus?” I asked.

“Financial stability, leadership structure,potential weaknesses. I’m considering acquisitions.” He pulled out a file folder thick enough to be a weapon.

“Background reading. Start with Meridian- they’re the priority.”

I took the folder, my arms immediately complaining about the weight. “Anything else?”

“Yes.” He leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled.

“Marcus mentioned you looked unwell yesterday. Are you sick?”

My heart stopped. “No. Just… didn’t eat enough breakfast.”

“Make sure you eat properly. I can’t have you passing out during meetings.”

“I won’t pass out.”

“See that you don’t.” He turned to his computer, dismissing me. “That’s all.”

I made it back to my desk before the shaking started.

He noticed. Of course he noticed. He notices everything.

Margaret appeared beside my desk with a cup of tea and a knowing look. “Ginger tea. Drink it.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re pale as a ghost. Drink the tea, eat something, then start that research. In that order.”

I wanted to argue, but she was right. I sipped the tea —it helped immediately-and pulled out one of the ginger cookies I’d started keeping in my desk drawer.

My phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number:

We need to talk. -V

Vanessa. How did she get my number?

I deleted it without responding and blocked the number.

*She’s not stable*, Kael had said.

Great. My first week, and I’d already made an enemy.

Wednesday, 2:00 PM

I was deep in Meridian Tech’s financial reports when the elevator dinged and someone new stepped onto the fifty-eighth floor.

Not just someone.

A woman who looked like she’d stepped out of a fashion magazine.

Silver hair styled in an elegant updo, a cream Chanel suit, pearls at her throat. She had to be in her seventies, but she moved like someone much younger.

And she radiated power. Pure, undiluted Alpha power that made my wolf sit up and take notice.

Margaret stood immediately. “Mrs. Thorne. What a pleasant surprise.”

“Margaret, dear.” The woman’s voice was warm honey over steel. “Is my grandson available?”

Mrs. Thorne. Kael’s grandmother.

“He’s on a conference call, but I’ll let him know you’re here.” Margaret picked up her phone.

Mrs. Thorne’s sharp eyes landed on me. “And who might you be?”

I stood, smoothing my thrift-store skirt. “Sage Draven, ma’am. I’m Mr. Thorne’s new assistant.”

“New assistant.” She moved closer, and I fought the urge to step back. Her gaze was assessing, taking in every detail.

“How long have you worked here?”

“Just over a week.”

“Interesting.” She smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“The last assistant barely lasted three weeks. What makes you think you’ll do better?”

“I’m stubborn.”

That earned me a genuine laugh. “I can see that. Tell me, Miss Draven-are you mated?”

The question caught me completely off guard.

“I-no. Ma’am.”

“Good. Kael needs someone focused on work, not distracted by pack politics.” She turned as Kael’s office door opened.

“There’s my grandson.”

“Grandmother.” Kael’s expression was carefully neutral, but I caught the slight tightening around his eyes.

“I didn’t know you were coming.”

“If I called ahead, you’d find an excuse to be in a meeting.” She crossed to him, cupping his face in her hands. “You look tired. Are you eating properly?”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re working too hard.” She glanced back at me.

“Your new assistant seems competent. Pretty, too.”

“Grandmother,” Kael said, a warning in his voice.

“What? I’m not allowed to notice?” She smiled innocently. “Bring her to dinner Sunday. I want to get to know her.”

“She’s my assistant, not-“

”I’m aware of what she is. But if she’s going to be working closely with you, I should meet her properly.” She patted his cheek. “Sunday. Seven o’clock. Don’t be late.”

She swept toward the elevator, then paused.

“Oh, and Miss Draven? Wear something nice. It’s formal.” The elevator doors closed, and silence fell.

Kael rubbed his temples. “I apologize for my grandmother. She’s… determined.”

“Is dinner mandatory?” I asked.

“Unfortunately.” He looked at me, and something in his expression softened slightly.

“She means well. She just worries I work too much and doesn’t have enough social life.”

“Do you?”

“Do I what?”

“Have a social life?”

He almost smiled. “I have you and Marcus. That’s more than enough.” He headed back to his office, then stopped.

“Sunday. Seven PM. I’II text you the address. Don’t be late-she actually means it when she says that.”

“What’s the dress code?”

“Formal. Cocktail dress, heels if you have them.If you don’t…” He hesitated. “There’s a boutique on Fifth Avenue. Tell them you’re my guest. They’ll take care of you.”

“I can’t afford a boutique on Fifth Avenue.”

“It’ll be billed to my account. Consider it a work expense.”

“Dinner with your grandmother is a work expense?”

“Everything involving me is a work expense.” He disappeared into his office before I could argue.

I sank into my chair, staring at my computer screen without seeing it.

Dinner with Kael’s grandmother. In a dress I couldn’t afford.

While hiding the fact that I was pregnant with her great-grandchild.

This was fine. Everything was fine.

“You look like you’re about to throw up,” Margaret observed.

“I might be.”

“Go to the bathroom. I’ll tell him you’re feeling unwell.”

I made it to the bathroom before the nausea hit.

When I emerged ten minutes later, pale and shaky, Margaret was waiting with more ginger tea.

“You can’t keep doing this,” she said quietly.

“Hiding it, I mean. You’re three months along. Soon you’ll start showing.”

“I know.”

“Tell him before Sunday. Before you have dinner with his grandmother.”

“What if he fires me?”

“He won’t.”

“How do you know?”

Margaret smiled. “Because I’ve worked for Kael Thorne for ten years, and l’ve never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you.”

“He looks at me like I’m an inconvenience.”

“He looks at you like you’re the most interesting inconvenience he’s ever encountered.” She squeezed my shoulder.

“Tell him, Sage. Before someone else figures it out.”

Thursday Morning

I was at my desk by seven-thirty, determined to make progress on the Meridian report before Kael arrived.

The office was quiet, peaceful. I had my ginger tea, my crackers, and twenty pages of financial analysis to complete.

Then the elevator dinged.

Jade Sterling stepped out, looking immaculate in a dove-gray suit. Her ice-blue eyes swept the empty reception area and landed on me.

“Sage. How lovely. You’re here early.”

Everything in me went on high alert. “Miss Sterling.

Did we have a meeting scheduled?”