Pheromonal: One Night With the Alpha novel Chapter 118

Chapter 118: Subtle Pheromones

"My sincerest apologies for being such a perplexing puzzle, Chancellor. Had I known I’d cause such trouble for you, I would have scheduled my magical awakening at a more convenient time."

Damn it. My troublesome mouth is not getting the memo.

Logan’s fingers dig deeper into my hip—a warning. But it’s hard to hold myself back when I already hate this man.

Just as I tell myself to shut the fuck up, my mouth opens again.

"Perhaps next time I’ll pencil in my existential crisis between tea with the Queen and lunch with the Pope." My smile stretches wide, brittle as glass. "Though I suppose that would require advance knowledge of my apparent significance, which seems to be privileged information."

Vale’s expression hardens, those cold gray eyes narrowing to slits. The temperature in the room drops several degrees.

"Your flippancy does you no credit, Ms. d’Armand."

"Neither does being kept in the dark about my own life, yet here we are. But please, continue treating me like a bomb to defuse rather than a person."

Logan’s grip becomes painful. "Nicole—"

"No, let her speak." Vale’s lips curl into something that might be amusement on a normal person. On him, it looks predatory. "Clearly, she has opinions about her situation."

The invitation drips with condescension. My hands shake, and I clench them into fists to hide the tremors. "You’re right. I apologize for my tone. I should show proper respect to someone in your position. After all, you’ve been nothing but forthcoming about why I’m here and what’s happening to me."

This is strange. I have no intention of opening my mouth and letting these words come out, and yet I can’t help it.

My eyes narrow at the faint hint of pheromones in the air. They’re subtle, different from Logan’s, but...

I take in a deep breath, trying to be subtle about it.

Oh, yeah. Those are pheromones.

Interesting. They seem designed to antagonize, almost as if they’re challenging everyone in his vicinity.

Pheromones aren’t something that usually affect me—Logan’s aside, of course.

"That will be all, Everett. Go report to your Sergeant Major." Vale’s voice is cool, unruffled by the knowledge that he’s trying to goad me into more responses.

Logan’s fingers tighten around my hip. "With respect, Chancellor, I don’t believe that’s wise."

"Did I stutter?" Vale’s pheromones spike, filling the room with a suffocating pressure. "You are dismissed."

My throat constricts at the thought of facing Vale alone. Logan’s presence acts as a buffer against Vale’s oppressive aura, and without him...

"Nicole." Logan’s warm breath tickles my ear as he leans close. His thumb traces circles against my hip in that calming gesture of his. "I’ll be back soon. He won’t hurt you, so don’t worry."

The gentle squeeze of his hand contradicts the rigid set of his jaw. His eyes lock with mine, conveying volumes of unspoken concern.

The door clicks shut behind him with crushing finality, even though I can still see him through the glass.

His eyes meet mine before he heads off. Who knows how long he’s going to be gone. I warn my brain and body to stay calm and relax, because Logan will be back as soon as he can.

But when? How long is this weirdo staying in here with me? Is this the Xavier of the Conclave?

He doesn’t have the same creepy vibe, but...

Vale’s presence fills the void Logan leaves behind, his energy expanding to claim the space. The pheromones shift, becoming less antagonistic but no less potent. My skin crawls as he steps closer, and I fight the urge to back away.

"Tell me, Ms. d’Armand, do you understand the debt you hold toward me?" Vale’s voice drips honey, but his eyes remain cold as winter frost.

My skin prickles. The way he says my name sounds wrong, like he’s tasting it for weaknesses. "What debt are you trying to get me to pay?"

"Trying?" His lips curve. "I don’t try, Ms. d’Armand. I succeed." ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

The temperature drops further. Through the glass, I catch Logan’s retreating form, his shoulders tight with tension. When he comes back, I’m definitely telling him all about how much of an asshole his superior is.

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