The first thing Mira did that morning was head straight to the King’s office.
Her heels clicked against the marble floor of the building, the echo bouncing off the high walls like a reminder of her own heartbeat.
Each step carried her closer to King Evren’s office, her heart racing loudly.
She recalled the first time she’d been here, merely weeks ago.
She’d been nothing but a broken woman seeking control of her life.
Now here she was, strolling in with her chin raised, her path clear.
The guards opened the door, and she stepped in.
The King was waiting for her.
He sat behind his desk, his hands clasped together, his grey eyes narrowing as they landed on her.
“You look different,” he said evenly.
“Not like the woman who’d been in danger days ago.”
Mira pressed her lips together, suppressing the urge to roll her eyes.
She stepped closer, stopping a few feet away, letting the distance emphasize her composure.
“I guess I have you to thank for that then?
My hero.”
The subtle jab didn’t go unnoticed by the King, but he didn’t address it.
Mira expected him to lash out, to get angry.
Instead, the king stared ahead, his eyes darkening with an emotion that made her wolf rise.
Mira swallowed, clearing her throat.
“May I?” She gestured at the seat in front of him.
He leaned back in his seat, his dark eyes still pinned on her.
“Go ahead.”
She sat, her back straight, her legs crossed.
“The first time I came here,” she started, her voice steady despite the way her heart raced.
“I wasn’t sure who I was.
I knew only that I needed to escape a life that wasn’t mine.”
Evren’s lips twitched, a small smirk playing on his lips.
It wasn’t amusement or pride, it was something else, something darker she couldn’t identify.
“And now?” He asked.
She extended her wrist, turning it deliberately so the bracelet he had given her caught the light.
The stone glimmered, a symbol of promise, power, and protection—the memory of his steward’s words lingering in her mind.
“This,” she said, her voice firm, controlled, “reminds me why I came back.”
“You still haven’t stated your reason for pulling me away from an important meeting.”
“I’ve recovered the majority of my family’s assets,” she started.
“The people who helped build this company—they’ve pledged loyalty to my vision, not Adrian’s.
The core members have all agreed to follow me.
I have the means, the team, and the momentum to establish independence.”
Evren’s expression remained unreadable, but Mira pressed on.
“And I am here,” she said, lifting her chin, “to ensure that when I fully leave Adrian in two weeks, I do so not as a victim, but as a partner.
I demand a signed contract confirming a new collaboration between my company and the throne.
One that solidifies our mutual interests, protects both parties, and ensures that I walk forward in clarity, not desperation.”
Evren’s grey eyes flicked to the bracelet again, then back to her.
The faintest trace of approval passed through his features.
“You speak as though you’ve always been in control,” he said.
“And yet I see a woman who once came to me in pieces.”
Mira’s lips curved, but it wasn’t a smile—it was a declaration.
“That woman doesn’t exist anymore.
I am not here as someone seeking refuge, King Evren.
I am here as a force to be reckoned with.
I came to you with clarity, with purpose, and with power.
And I expect you to honor that, as I will honor the commitments of this partnership.”
The air shifted.
Authority met authority, wills clashing in quiet tension that neither dared break first.
Finally, Evren stood, the corners of his mouth tilting upward just slightly.
He walked to where she was, leaning slightly on the table.
“What guarantee do I have that you’ll finish the divorce in two weeks?” He folded his arms.
Mira’s breath hitched, momentarily destabilized by his proximity.
“I…” she paused, trying to regain her composure.
She couldn’t break.
Not now.
“The contract is the guarantee.
If I breech it, then you take full control of my company.”
King Evren’s eyes flashed with surprise, before masking it.
“Are you sure you want to be making such promises?”
Certain.
Mira thought of the cameras she had installed in the manor.
It was only a matter of time before one of them would slip up.
She bit back a smile, certain she would get the divorce even before the two weeks mark.
“Yes.”
“Very well,” he said, his voice low, measured.
When your separation from Adrian is complete, our collaboration begins.”
Mira inclined her head, the smallest nod signaling both victory and the closing of a chapter.
“Then it’s settled,” she said.
“And King Evren?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you—for recognizing not the frightened woman I once was, but the one I have become.”
The King’s eyes softened imperceptibly.
“All I see is a business opportunity.” He whispered, his lips trailing to her lips—for a second— before snapping back to her gaze.
She caught it, her heart slamming harder in her chest.
She stood to leave, but she didn’t anticipate how close the movement will bring them.
A small, barely audible gasp escaped her lips.
“I’ll have the contract drawn and sent to you.” The king whispered, his eyes darker, trailing once more to her lips.
“O—okay.” She whispered, turning on her heels.
The moment she stepped out, Kiran stepped into the office, a curious look on his face.
“You heard everything,” Evren said, settling back in his seat.
“Draw the contract.”
“Yes sir.” Kiran bowed, turning to leave but paused.
“This Luna, is she really worth it?”
Evren leaned in his chair, playing with a pen between his fingers.
If anyone else had asked him that question, he would’ve ripped their head off clean.
But his Beta had been his companion for years, and had earned the privilege to be able to voice his concerns.
Still, something about the way Kiran referred to her made the King’s jaw clench.
“I believe she has potential.” He responded.
Kiran bowed, noticing the subtle change in the King’s mood.
Evren watched his Beta exit, his jaw still tight, irritated.
Why had he reacted that way?
As Mira exited the building, her mind once again reeled with the aftermath of what had happened.
She’d managed to get a more secure position in the King’s industry, but all her traitorous mind could focus on was the heat she’d felt when the King had stared at her lips.
She pressed a hand to her racing heart.
No man had ever made her feel this way, not even her mate.
Her wrist warmed up, the bracelet once again glowing faintly.
Whatever it was, whatever it meant, she would get to the bottom of it.
After she was done with her deadbeat mate.