Jiho rushed back to the office the next morning, trying to pretend everything was normal.
He buried himself in paperwork, hoping — praying — that Zoey wouldn't notice the lingering scent of another Alpha clinging faintly to him.
But of course, Zoey noticed.
She noticed the second he stepped through the door.
Her eyes, usually sharp and teasing, were now cold and unreadable.
She watched him from behind her desk, silent, tapping her pen rhythmically against a file.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Jiho kept his head down, pretending not to see.
By noon, Zoey had enough.
"Jiho," she called sweetly. "My office. Now."
The entire department froze. Everyone knew that tone.
It meant someone was about to be devoured.
Jiho stumbled to his feet and followed her inside, heart hammering.
The door clicked shut behind him.
Without a word, Zoey crossed the room — slow, deliberate — and cornered him against the glass wall.
No escape.
Her scent, pure dominant Alpha, washed over him in a dizzying wave. Jiho shrank instinctively, lowering his gaze.
Zoey placed her hand firmly against the wall beside his head, leaning in close.
"You smell different," she said quietly, voice low and dangerous.
"Who touched you?"
Jiho stammered uselessly, caught like a rabbit.
Zoey's hand slid under his chin, forcing him to look up.
"Answer me, Jiho," she whispered, lips grazing the edge of his jaw. "Or I'll make you talk."
His whole body trembled.
"I-I met CEO Kang," he confessed in a rush, voice cracking.
"We just — talked — I swear—"
Zoey's eyes darkened.
"Talked?" she echoed, mocking. Her other hand slid down the side of his waist, tracing his trembling form through the thin fabric of his shirt.
Jiho gasped, pressing back against the cold glass.
"You're lying again, little Omega," she murmured.
"Your body betrays you."
Before he could protest, Zoey's mouth captured his — a bruising, possessive kiss that stole the air from his lungs.
It wasn't gentle. It wasn't soft.
It was a claim.
When she finally pulled away, Jiho was dazed, clinging to her jacket for balance.
"You're mine," Zoey said simply, her forehead resting against his.
"Not hers. Remember that."
Jiho nodded shakily, unable to find words.
Zoey smiled — sharp and victorious — before stepping back, smoothing her skirt as if nothing had happened.
"Good boy. Now," she said briskly, tossing a folder onto the desk.
"We're leaving."
"L-leaving?"
Zoey flashed him a wicked grin.
"Business trip. Just you and me."
Jiho's heart nearly stopped.
And somewhere deep inside, a part of him knew:
There would be no escape from Zoey now.
{End of Chapter 11}