Held Back by the Alpha

d crowd. Every detail of the evening has been carefully orchestrated: from the exuberant floral arrangements to the crystal chandeliers casting golden light on the hand-picked guests. She wears a s

ng into her ear, no doubt savoring the

ling romance, the promises of a bright future, that unexpected but intoxicating marriage proposal... and now here s

ul, a voice whis

el, a renowned businesswoman who seems to

plies with a smile. T

er gaze piercing, as if she is t

said, before raising her glass o

He is an impeccable host, mastering the art of conversation and social seduction with an ease that fascinates h

s nearly three in the morning. Alexandre settles her into the limous

, ha

is beautiful, magnetic, almost un

hes. It was an i

ning, my dear. Our life

his gaze makes her shiver. An intensit

ense residence of contemporary architecture, with clean lines, enthroned on a hill overloo

whispers as she ge

r explains, putting an arm around

ely perceive the ambi

art to the marble and velvet furniture, everything exudes excess and refinement. But what really catches her attention is the omnipresence of

okes, looking at one of the surveillance sc

," he retorts, pulling her closer.

Yet a part of her can't help but wonder if this high tec

eets of their huge bed. Alexandre kisses her

well,

uility, lulled by the murmur o

*

oftness of the sheets against her skin. Beside her, Alexandre is gone. She gets up and crosses the

. Her phone doesn't quite look like the one she had before the w

er messages. An error screen a

hat

sn't go through. A cold, mechanical beep t

em with y

s there, wearing a white shirt open on

There is som

s and takes the dev

heart. I had your phone mo

inks,

mod

r secure network. Less risk of o

one back and stroke

ut that kind of thing, Clara.

mething in his eyes tells he

o her chest, a strange fee

e. Almost in

was the f