17 Chapter 17 Turning Up the Heat Caroline's POV 1 I grabbed a coffee and settled at my desk , my legs still trembling . Minutes later , an email from Alpha Draven arrived with tomorrow's meeting preparations . I quickly got to work , and by the time pack members started arriving at the office , I had everything in order . Clara walked in arm in arm with a woman and looked at me in surprise . " Carrie , did you fall out of bed ? Good morning ! " " Good morning , Clara ! Alpha Draven asked me to come in early to prepare for tomorrow's meeting . " " That Draven . Don't let him make this a habit ." " I won't , Clara . But it was good ; I already have everything prepared ." I looked at her and smiled . The woman beside Clara was eyeing me with an intriguing grin . She was striking - tall , tanned , with deep brown eyes behind stylish glasses . Her black hair fell just past her shoulders , and she wore a perfectly tailored suit that screamed power and elegance . " Clara , Beta Ryan mentioned the new assistant was cute , but damn , she's gorgeous ! " Her voice was warm and playful . " She's going to have this office in a spin . " " Yes , Kyle , she's very beautiful , and the stir has already begun , " Clara replied with a smile . " But let me introduce you . Kyle , this is Caroline Bennett . Carrie , this is Kyle , Ryan's assistant . You'll be working together a lot , but don't worry , Kyle is a serious professional ." " Carrie , it's a pleasure to meet you . You can count on me , including chasing away the vultures that'll be circling around you . " Kyle extended her hand , and I shook it , feeling that she would be a good friend . 1 " Pleasure to meet you , Kyle." We spent the morning working together , as Kyle and I needed to be in sync . Throughout the morning , my Alpha showed no signs of life . By eleven o'clock , we had everything adjusted , and from then on , we would work with the precision of a Swiss watch . Kyle and I were going to have lunch together ; Clara wouldn't join us as she would spend the rest of the day in video conferences with the London branch . Kyle went to her office , and I finally got up to get some coffee when I heard a familiar whistle and looked up , smiling . " Is it going to be like this every day , Ryan ? " " Well , Caroline , it wasn't supposed to be , but what did you expect with that little dress ? You know you're beautiful . And your Alpha is in big trouble ! " He replied with a mischievous smile . " Speaking of him , is he in his office? " He had barely finished speaking when we heard the door open and my Alpha's grumpy voice reprimand , " Ryan , I've warned you ! " When he looked at me , I saw fire in his eyes . He was devouring me with his gaze . I wasn't going to miss this opportunity . " Alpha , would you like some herb tea to calm down your nerves ? " He narrowed his eyes and let out a low growl that sent shivers down my spine . Ryan watched the scene without understanding and asked his friend , somewhat confused , " Since when do you drink herb tea ? " 07:28 113 བ་ ་ ་་་ ་ Trepied without taking his eyes off me .. I smiled and , very politely , placed my hand on my chest and said , " I would never do that , Alpha Draven ! Beta Ryan , would you like me to bring you some coffee ? " " Yes , Caroline , please ." I walked slowly to the break room , feeling their eyes on me . My wolf Rory was practically purring with satisfaction at how we'd managed to rile up the Alpha . He must have been regretting messing with me already . I got the coffee and tea , arranged them on the tray , and just as I was leaving , Linda came in and approached me , reaching out to take the tray . " Caroline , give me that , honey , it's not your job . " " Linda , I don't mind . Let me take the coffee to the Alpha this time . " I smiled at her and left with the tray . I reached the Alpha's office door , gave a light knock , and entered . I walked gracefully , set the tray on the edge of the desk , placed the coffee cup in front of Ryan with a napkin , went around the desk , and in a rather provocative way , making sure my neckline was right in the Alpha's face , placed the teacup in his hands . His eyes sparkled with understanding ; he knew I was going to torture him , and with Ryan there , he couldn't do anything about it . When I turned to get the napkin , I " accidentally " let it fall to the floor . I bent down to pick it up , positioning my behind right in Draven's line of sight , taking longer than necessary to grab the napkin and stand up . He growled , a deep rumbling sound that was pure wolf , and I knew I had put him in another awkward situation . When I stood up , I noticed Ryan's amused expression as he watched the scene unfold . I couldn't care less . They were pack brothers , and I was sure my Alpha had mind - linked him everything . But before I could say anything , Draven stood up , grabbed the napkin from my hand , and before I could let go , he spoke in that husky voice , his face close to mine , " Next time you stick that pretty ass out at me , I'm going to bend you over , forget you're my assistant , and fuck you until you beg me to stop . Understood , she - wolf ? " I looked down and saw the bulge in his pants again . I gulped . Goddess ! What is it about this Alpha ? I was completely turned on again , my wolf Rory practically whimpering with need . But he was like a Norse god , a walking invitation to sin . I was totally screwed . " Did you understand , Caroline ? " he insisted . " Y - yes , Alpha . " Across the table , Ryan burst out laughing at the scene . Looking at us both , he couldn't hold his tongue . " You two should just complete the mating bond and get it over with , because with the sexual tension between you , it's inevitable . Save your energy and spare yourselves the stress of trying to avoid the unavoidable . " We both turned to glare at him simultaneously . He laughed , grabbed his coffee cup , and headed toward the door saying , " Don't say I didn't warn you ! " When our eyes met again , Draven closed his eyes and ran his hands over his face in frustration . I'd noticed he always did this when his 07:38 2/3 wolf Alaric was pushing against his control . It was so disarmingly attractive ! Taking advantage of him sitting back down , I spun on my heels to make a quick exit . I used the remaining time before lunch working at my desk . At noon , Kyle came in all excited , " So , Carrie , lunch ? I'm starving . " " Sure , Kyle , let me just check if Alpha Draven needs anything first . " I used our phone to ask him ; I wasn't going into that office now . He cleared me for lunch . We went to a small restaurant near the office that served delicious food . Kyle is very fun , talkative , and pleasant . She told me she's mated to her childhood sweetheart but doesn't have pups yet . She asked about me , and I told her I'm a single mom . We spent lunch talking about our lives . She'd definitely make a good friend . She said her mate and I would get along great , and I was excited about the possibility of making more friends in the pack . We returned to the office and stopped at the bakery across the street . I bought a slice of chocolate cake to eat later . At one o'clock , I was professionally seated at my desk . I wanted to buy underwear , but Kyle insisted on waiting for me at the bakery , and I felt awkward about ditching her , so I remained exposed . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!