Author's point of view

The office was quiet enough to hear the steady rhythm of Marcus's pen tapping against his desk. Marcus Steele was still mired in paperwork, but it was late enough that even his most devoted employees had gone home.

A voice from the corner said, "You're doing that thing again."

Marcus chose not to glance up. "What is it?"

Alec, Marcus's second-in-command, leaned against the doorframe and muttered, "The broody Alpha thing." A sneer tugged at the edges of his mouth, and his arms were crossed. "You seem to believe that staring at those documents will force them to confess."

Marcus flipped a page and answered bluntly, "Perhaps it will." Another line of figures caught his attention: strange withdrawals, offshore accounts, and enough inconsistencies to create a negative impression. For years, Edith has been giving money to some groups. The pack is no longer the only consideration. We could all be exposed to people because of this.

"And what is your clever plan?" Alec walked into the office after pushing off the frame. "Are you going to yell, 'Gotcha!' and slam these papers down as you storm into the council meeting?"

Marcus answered, "No," but his mouth twitched at the corner. "I need more evidence. Additionally, I must take care of the merger first."

Alec's eyebrow went up. "The combination. or her?"

Marcus gave him a stern glance. "Don't start."

Alec raised his hands in a gesture of simulated submission and continued, "I'm just saying." Since Lily returned, you've been easily finding excuses to visit her. Don't assume I didn't see how fast you gave your approval for her transfer.

Marcus leaned back in his chair and sighed. "The two is significant. Her participation is... coincidental."

"All right. incidental. Alec smiled. "So, this time, what's your excuse?"

"I asked her to supper."

Alec blinked. "You... what?"

"To talk about the merger," Marcus explained in a forceful voice. "just business related."

"Business," Alec said, his smile growing. Yes. Please let me know how that goes for you.

Lily gazed at her phone as though it were about to blow up. "Supper?" Muttering, she continued to browse the email. "With Marcus?"

"Did I just hear you say you are meeting with Marcus?"

Lily closed her laptop a bit harder than needed and muttered, "He stated that it has to do with the merger."

Lily gave an eye roll. "I'm going because I have work to do." And because I'll be accused of being unprofessional if I don't."

Sarah replied, "And because you want to see him."

Lily didn't pay attention to her.

The restaurant was a high-end establishment, complete with white tablecloths, expensive entrees, and servers that appeared out of nowhere. It was Marcus's choice, of course. A coffee shop or, better still, an email chain would have been acceptable to Lily.

Marcus stood up as she walked over to the table and said, "Lily." As usual, his outfit fit him flawlessly, but she was taken aback by something on his face. He appeared... anxious? No, not Marcus Steele, he is not the type to she thought to herself.

She slipped onto the seat across from him and murmured, "Marcus." "Hopefully, this won't take too long. I need to head home as soon as possible.

He arched an eyebrow. "When you're overseeing a multi-million dollar merger, you're concerned about bedtime?"

With a tight smile, she declared, "I can multitask."

Lily was appreciative of the interruption when the waiter came to take their orders. She made a straightforward decision—pasta, no wine, and remained silent until the waiter had left.

She folded her hands on the table and murmured, "So, what's the matter with the merger?"

After a brief moment of hesitation, Marcus took a folder out of his briefcase. "I wanted to review a few more clauses in the merger agreement."

With an arched eyebrow, Lily reiterated, "what part of the agreement?"

"precautionary measures has to be agreed on" Marcus stated with ease. "Any werewolf-owned firm that deals with humans must uphold a number of precautions. For the safety of everybody."

Lily flipped through the folder and muttered, "Uh-huh." "And I hope it has nothing to do with monitoring me?"

Marcus's mouth quirked. "Do you believe that requires a merger contract?"

She gave him a glare, but it was devoid of genuine heat. "Very humorous."

He leaned back in his chair and remarked, "You were the one who told me to keep this strictly business." "I'm just doing as you say."

Rolling her eyes, Lily concentrated on the papers. But despite her best efforts, she was unable to avoid the weight of his stare. It wasn't as predatory as it formerly was. It was... interesting. Nearly pliable.

She finally put the papers down and stated, "The clauses will be reviewed and we will send a feed back, also I don't need you to protect me, I have been fine all this while without your help."

"I disagree," was all he replied.

"You do, of course," she whispered. "You believe you know best all the time."

Marcus's jaw tensed, but he remained silent. He leaned forward instead, his gaze meeting hers.

He said, "I know you don't trust me." "I am aware that I have given you every excuse not to.

Lily looked into his eyes, her heart racing. She was on the verge of believing him. However, she was unable to pay for it.

She pushed the folder back toward him and said, "This dinner, is it really about the merger?"

"Yes," he said. Then, "And no," following a pause.

She arched an eyebrow. "Want to go into more detail?"

His voice was low as he confessed, "I wanted to see you." "To converse. To...” He paused, as though he was trying to find the proper words. "Make things right."

There was no humor in her laughter. "You believe that dinner will make things better? Marcus, you..."

He interrupted her, saying, "I made mistakes." "I am aware of that. However, I'm working to put things right."

"All right," she answered sourly. "By using a merger contract to bind me to your pack?"

He stated calmly, "If that's what it takes."

Stunned, she gazed at him. "You're amazing."

He corrected, "I'm persistent."

"Persistent," she said again. More akin to dominating. manipulative. haughty—"

"Handsome?"

She snapped, "Infuriating," but the corner of her mouth continued to quiver.

Marcus's mouth formed a small smile. "I'll accept it."

Exasperated, she shook her head. "This is one of the reason why I don't want to have anything to do with you."

"what have I done?"

She stood up and replied, "You think you can charm your way out of everything."

Marcus stood up as well, his face unreadable. "Lily, hold on....."

"No," she interrupted him. "You wish to speak? Alright. My response is give me some space."

Marcus was left standing at the table by himself while she picked up her bag and left.

Marcus's jaw was clenched as he watched her leave. This was more difficult than he had imagined, but he had expected objections from her because Lily was nothing if not tenacious.

Later, when Marcus narrate the evening event to him when they met at a bar, Alec remarked, "She'll come around."

Marcus gave a headshake. She has no faith in me. I can't blame her, either."

Then give up attempting to gain her trust, Alec said. "Begin demonstrating to her why she ought to."

Marcus's thoughts were racing as he gazed at the glass cup on the table. Alec might have been correct. Perhaps it was time to act instead of speak.