The Secret Heirs of the Lycan King (by Misha K) novel Chapter 11

**When Midnight Winds Carry Secrets Toward Worlds Yet Unknown**

**Chapter 11**

My breath came in quick, sharp gasps as I struggled to regain my composure, my fingers gripping the cold metal railing behind me. There was an unsettling energy about Scott that set my nerves ablaze. The chill of the night air was nothing compared to the tension that crackled between us. I could feel the goosebumps rising on my skin, a reaction that had little to do with the temperature and everything to do with him. Determined to shield myself from whatever this was, I crossed my arms defensively, as if that simple act could fortify my resolve. Lifting my chin, I steeled myself, a silent affirmation of my decision. “I was,” I finally confessed, my voice barely above a whisper.

He approached me with deliberate slowness, his gaze unwavering, and by the time he stood close enough, I felt trapped, like a small creature caught in the gaze of a predatory wolf. Yet, despite the rising panic within me, I forced myself to speak. “I… I would like to withdraw,” I stammered, my voice shaking slightly. “All of this… it’s not for me. I’m not interested anymore. I’ll be leaving tomorrow morning, so please, have your office refund my ten thousand dollars.”

Scott raised an eyebrow, his expression inscrutable as he took a moment to absorb my words. Then, without a single word, he slipped off his coat. Before I could react, he stepped behind me, draping the heavy fabric around my shoulders. It enveloped me in warmth, the faint, musky scent of his cologne mingling with the cool night air. I stiffened as his hands lightly grasped the lapels of the coat, wrapping me in his warmth, an intimacy that made my heart race.

Leaning closer, his breath tickled my ear as he spoke in a husky, almost triumphant voice, “Didn’t you know the application fee is non-refundable?”

“It’s a significant amount,” I blurted out, my words tumbling over one another in my haste. “Please, you should!”

“No. I can’t,” he replied with a smugness that made my stomach churn. It felt less like a refusal and more like a challenge. “It’s clearly stated in the application rules you filled out. And—” he paused, his breath warm against my skin, sending a shiver down my spine. “Clause 5a specifies that once you’re shortlisted, backing out isn’t an option. This advertisement was released by my company after a decade-long hiatus. We’ve been waiting for ten years for new businesses to join Phoenix Malls. I hope you grasp the gravity of this situation. In other words, if you decide to walk away, you’ll be liable for damages amounting to $150,000. Are you prepared for that, Miss Bella Williams?”

I turned my head just enough to meet his gaze, my mouth falling open in shock. His lips curled into a smirk as he wrapped his arms around my shoulders, ostensibly to adjust the coat. His voice dropped to a low, possessive murmur that twisted my stomach into knots. “So, you have to come here every day from now on.”

I clenched my teeth so tightly that I feared my molars might crack. “Mr. Moore—”

“So you still don’t remember me?” he interrupted, cutting me off with an edge of frustration in his tone.

“No!” I snapped, irritation bubbling to the surface. Why did he keep dragging this up?

A low growl escaped his throat as he seized my face with one hand, forcing me to look up at him while his other arm gripped my shoulder tightly. He leaned in, his lips hovering dangerously close to mine as he whispered, “I hope this will jog your memory.” And then, without any warning, he crashed his lips against mine. I stiffened, anger surging through me as he consumed me. I struggled to push him away, but it felt like trying to move a mountain.

He pulled back only when he felt satisfied, his eyes searching mine. “Now do you remember me?”

“What the hell was that?” I demanded, fury boiling over. “This is pure harassment!”

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