The Secret Heirs of the Lycan King (by Misha K) novel Chapter 11

**When Midnight Winds Carry Secrets Toward Worlds Yet Unknown**

**Chapter 11**

My breath came in quick, sharp gasps as I struggled to regain my composure, my fingers gripping the cold metal railing behind me. There was an unsettling energy about Scott that set my nerves ablaze. The chill of the night air was nothing compared to the tension that crackled between us. I could feel the goosebumps rising on my skin, a reaction that had little to do with the temperature and everything to do with him. Determined to shield myself from whatever this was, I crossed my arms defensively, as if that simple act could fortify my resolve. Lifting my chin, I steeled myself, a silent affirmation of my decision. “I was,” I finally confessed, my voice barely above a whisper.

He approached me with deliberate slowness, his gaze unwavering, and by the time he stood close enough, I felt trapped, like a small creature caught in the gaze of a predatory wolf. Yet, despite the rising panic within me, I forced myself to speak. “I… I would like to withdraw,” I stammered, my voice shaking slightly. “All of this… it’s not for me. I’m not interested anymore. I’ll be leaving tomorrow morning, so please, have your office refund my ten thousand dollars.”

Scott raised an eyebrow, his expression inscrutable as he took a moment to absorb my words. Then, without a single word, he slipped off his coat. Before I could react, he stepped behind me, draping the heavy fabric around my shoulders. It enveloped me in warmth, the faint, musky scent of his cologne mingling with the cool night air. I stiffened as his hands lightly grasped the lapels of the coat, wrapping me in his warmth, an intimacy that made my heart race.

Leaning closer, his breath tickled my ear as he spoke in a husky, almost triumphant voice, “Didn’t you know the application fee is non-refundable?”

“It’s a significant amount,” I blurted out, my words tumbling over one another in my haste. “Please, you should!”

“No. I can’t,” he replied with a smugness that made my stomach churn. It felt less like a refusal and more like a challenge. “It’s clearly stated in the application rules you filled out. And—” he paused, his breath warm against my skin, sending a shiver down my spine. “Clause 5a specifies that once you’re shortlisted, backing out isn’t an option. This advertisement was released by my company after a decade-long hiatus. We’ve been waiting for ten years for new businesses to join Phoenix Malls. I hope you grasp the gravity of this situation. In other words, if you decide to walk away, you’ll be liable for damages amounting to $150,000. Are you prepared for that, Miss Bella Williams?”

I turned my head just enough to meet his gaze, my mouth falling open in shock. His lips curled into a smirk as he wrapped his arms around my shoulders, ostensibly to adjust the coat. His voice dropped to a low, possessive murmur that twisted my stomach into knots. “So, you have to come here every day from now on.”

I clenched my teeth so tightly that I feared my molars might crack. “Mr. Moore—”

“So you still don’t remember me?” he interrupted, cutting me off with an edge of frustration in his tone.

“No!” I snapped, irritation bubbling to the surface. Why did he keep dragging this up?

A low growl escaped his throat as he seized my face with one hand, forcing me to look up at him while his other arm gripped my shoulder tightly. He leaned in, his lips hovering dangerously close to mine as he whispered, “I hope this will jog your memory.” And then, without any warning, he crashed his lips against mine. I stiffened, anger surging through me as he consumed me. I struggled to push him away, but it felt like trying to move a mountain.

He pulled back only when he felt satisfied, his eyes searching mine. “Now do you remember me?”

“What the hell was that?” I demanded, fury boiling over. “This is pure harassment!”

Taking a sharp breath, Scott stepped back, his demeanor shifting. “Stay here. I need to discuss the selection process with you,” he said quietly before striding inside after Troy. Just before he vanished through the door, he turned and winked, adding, “And also discuss harassment.”

My mouth fell open in disbelief. The cold night air rushed in, and I instinctively clutched the coat around me, trying to quell the rapid beating of my heart. It felt like a good moment to escape, to run far away before things escalated further. But fate had other plans for me. The door swung open again, and this time, my adversaries stepped into the light.

“Maya,” I said, my gaze fixed on Craig, anger bubbling within me like a boiling pot.

Maya stepped forward, Craig standing firmly beside her. They were impeccably dressed, Maya in a dazzling gown that likely cost a fortune, and Craig in a tailored suit that screamed affluence. The sight of them together after all these years made bile rise in my throat; it was clear they were still living off my father’s wealth.

“Well, well,” Maya purred, her voice dripping with feigned sweetness. “Look who decided to crawl back.”

I inhaled sharply, my nerves on edge. “What do you want?”

Her smile faltered, replaced by a cold glare. “How dare you show your face in New York? How dare you come here in front of the richest and most influential man in the city? Don’t you realize this is the party of The Scott Moore? What is a poor, homeless, undignified, crude bitch like you doing in this setting? Or have you returned for your father’s fortune?” Her fingers tightened around her wineglass, her expression twisted with disdain. “Let me make this clear: he has forgotten about you. Don’t even think about contacting him!”