The Secret Heirs of the Lycan King (by Misha K) novel Chapter 9

**When Midnight Winds Carry Secrets Toward Worlds Yet Unknown**
**Chapter 9**

**Bella**

Fifty-five vouchers.

The figure loomed in my mind like an insurmountable mountain. As I sat on the edge of the bed, I felt the weight of despair pressing down on my shoulders. The thought of leaving New York the very next morning was becoming increasingly appealing. What was the point of it all? Phoenix Mall would never consider a small, unremarkable business like mine. I chastised myself for even entertaining the idea; it felt like a waste of precious time, money, and my already frayed nerves. At twenty-eight, I was still at an age where I could take risks, yet here I was, paralyzed by doubt and fear.

“I’m going to change the flights,” I announced to Nancy, who was blissfully unaware of my internal turmoil while the twins slept peacefully in the other room. “It’s pointless. They’ll never select me.”

Her expression fell, disappointment washing over her like a sudden rain. “Bella, this is my first time in New York! I’ve dreamed of visiting Central Park. Can’t we stay just one more day? We can head home tomorrow.”

A sigh escaped my lips. Nancy had been my rock, steadfast and supportive through thick and thin. How could I refuse her heartfelt plea? “Alright, just one more day,” I conceded, my voice softening.

Her eyes sparkled with delight. “You’re the best!” she exclaimed, her excitement infectious.

I chuckled lightly, opening my laptop to search for flights for the following morning. Just as I was about to finalize my booking, my phone rang, the number flashing on the screen completely unfamiliar.

“Hello?” I answered cautiously.

“Ms. Bella Williams?” a deep voice inquired from the other end. “This is Phoenix Mall management. Our CEO, Mr. Scott Moore, has requested an in-person meeting with all shortlisted applicants tonight. We kindly ask that you attend. Further details will follow in your email.”

The phone nearly slipped from my grasp. “What? Tonight?”

“Yes, ma’am. Your presence is important.”

After hanging up, my hands shook with a mix of excitement and anxiety. Nancy, ever perceptive, noticed my distress. “What happened?” she asked, concern etched on her face.

“They’ve shortlisted me! And now they want me to meet the CEO himself,” I blurted out, my heart racing.

Her eyes widened in disbelief. “Hecate! This is incredible news! You absolutely must go. You’ve worked so hard for this. I knew you would make it!”

As the evening approached, I found myself stepping into a grand hall on the third floor of Phoenix Mall. The atmosphere buzzed with energy, and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. As I surveyed the room, I was struck by the sheer elegance of the people around me. They looked as though they had just stepped out of a fashion magazine—tailored suits, shimmering silk dresses, and diamond-studded watches glimmering under the soft lights. I clenched my fists, painfully aware of my simple black dress, which felt woefully inadequate in such a glamorous setting.

My eyes darted around nervously as I tried to spot the CEO. I had read about Scott Moore, but his elusive nature meant that no one truly knew what he looked like. There were no photographs, no interviews—just whispers of a billionaire who preferred to stay hidden. Why was he so secretive?

Seeking solace, I made my way to the wine counter, hoping a drink would settle my nerves. A few heads turned in my direction, their expressions cool and dismissive, as if they were silently questioning what someone like me was doing in their midst. My stomach twisted in discomfort. I picked up a glass of wine, took a deep breath, and sipped, trying to calm the storm within me. Just then, a voice from the side cut through the chatter. “You’re finally here.”

I froze, my heart dropping. That deep, baritone voice was unmistakable. It was one I hadn’t heard in five long years, but it was forever etched in my memory. Slowly, I turned to face him. He stood a few feet away, tall and broad in his impeccably tailored dark suit, looking just as perfect as I remembered. I had replayed that moment between us countless times in my dreams, and now, seeing him in person sent a jolt through my very core.

He tilted his head, studying me as if he could see right through my facade. “Am I?” he challenged, a smirk playing on his lips. “Am I pretty enough?”

Heat flooded my cheeks as I recalled asking him that very question that night. It had been a moment of vulnerability, a time when I felt utterly broken. I turned away, desperate to hide my embarrassment. “No, you aren’t,” I played along, forcing a laugh that sounded hollow even to my own ears.

He was relentless. “Do you want another detail from that night?”

“No,” I hissed under my breath, my irritation bubbling to the surface. “You’re imagining things.” I squared my shoulders, trying to regain my composure. “And now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m waiting for the CEO of Phoenix Mall.”

He raised an eyebrow, refusing to budge. His persistence was infuriating. “Still, let me toss out another memory. Do you offer yourself for sex to strangers like this?”

I gasped, shock coursing through me as he grinned shamelessly. The glass in my hand trembled as my face burned with humiliation. I forced the words out through clenched teeth. “Hush! This is a case of mistaken identity, and I don’t want to hear another word.”

With my heart pounding against my ribs, I stepped past him, desperate for air and distance. My body felt simultaneously hot and cold, the mixture of emotions overwhelming. I needed to regain control, especially with the looming meeting with the CEO of Phoenix Mall. I made my way to a small group on the opposite side of the room, hoping to blend in and collect my thoughts.

Moments later, a voice crackled over the microphone, commanding attention. “Please welcome Mr. Scott Moore, the CEO of the Phoenix Mall.”

Applause erupted around me as my eyes darted to the podium. A man strode confidently through the crowd, and as he took his place at the front, our eyes locked. My breath caught in my throat when I recognized the wicked grin that spread across his face. Shock surged through me like a tidal wave.

That night, I had slept with the CEO of Phoenix Malls? How could I have forgotten?