Page 16 of The Alpha Wolf's Pregnant Bride

Earlier that day

“Kenji!” I exclaim, hopping off my chair and bounding into the man's open arms.

“Cassandra!” he chimes equally cheerfully, wrapping me in his arms and swinging me in a circle. When he sets me back on my feet, I gasp and place my hands on the muscles bulging beneath his sweatshirt.

“Damn… When did you get so ripped?!”

Kenji chuckles, the dimples on his cheeks indenting. “Shoosh, you!” He flicks his wrist, waving a hand through the air to gesture to the table. “Sit your pretty ass down and tell me why you're staying in drab ol’ Oklahomes…”

I giggle under my breath as I take a seat while Kenji orders brunch. My lips remain pursed while he ogles the waiter, batting his eyelids at him.

Kenji's always been the biggest flirt, and no one is off-limits.

“So…” he turns to me, eyes as dark and magnificent as ravens. “... Ya gonna tell me, or do I needa blackmail it outta ya?”

“It's not that much of a secret, Kennie,” I sigh. “My mother died, and naturally, she left the cottage to me.” A shiver passes through me because this is the part where I have to lie to my college friend.

“... I missed the small town, so I've decided to stay.”

“So you've left your whole life in Tokyo behind?” He narrows his eyes at me, and I gulp because this is the very question I was dreading.

Kenji Sato was the reason I was able to escape the hellhole of Mysthaven. With his ample connections in the tech underworld, he'd hooked me up with enough jobs to save money to leave the country.

The only thing he doesn't know about me is that I am a werewolf. I'd rather keep it that way, even if he's the only one who's been keeping my secret identity a secret all these years.

“I've left it behind,” I confess. “Along with any chance of going back.”

Kenji leans over the table and places a worried hand on mine. “Don't tell me you got into trouble. I know people—”

I giggle. “I didn't get into any trouble,” I assure him, dropping my voice to a whisper when I say, “I told you I'd never work as Asuka unless I had you on my side.”

A grin appears on his face as he leans back. “As long as it's not legal trouble, we're in the clear.”

I nod, explaining how my rather impulsive decision to stay in the States wasn't met with understanding from the company I worked for in Japan. Of course, a sudden email to hand in my resignation was a shock when I'd only applied for a short period of leave a few days ago.

The reply I received from HR informed me that I wouldn't be able to come back. Ever.

“... That's why I'll need to find work here,” I sigh, reaching for my cappuccino.

Kenji blew out a breath as if he'd breathed in the weight of my situation. He releases it now, then leans in.

“Then I suppose it's a good thing I've already put you on the market,” he smirks, leaning back and pulling his sunglasses off his head and onto his face before crossing his arms.

I know exactly what the gesture means. Business.

I take a deep breath, set the cup on the side plate, and say, "I'm listening…”

“When you told me you were coming back, I opened up our channels. Ya know, just to test the waters,” he grins. “I guess my intuition was right.”

“As always,” I chuckle. “So, did we get any bites?”

Kenji leans in, opening his hands in gesture, “A fucking huge fish, baby!” he jeers. “A quarter of a mill.”

“What?!” I exclaim, lowering my head when I realize that I've just drawn attention from the crowd of patrons on the restaurant patio. “What?” I whisper. “Thatbig?”

Kenji grins from ear to ear. “That big,” he confirms with a nod. “The owner of the largest tech company around.”

“Hm…” I lament, picking up my cup and sipping lightly on the warm drink. “... It's exactly what I need to get me on my feet out here.”

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