Page 5 of The Alpha's Crimson Vow

“I’d appreciate that,” I reply, my voice steady, maybe even a little too formal.

When we reach my office door, he lingers, his gaze on me as though he’s still worried I might stumble or collapse. It’s oddly endearing. Cute, even.

The truth is, I am still shaken. My fingers twitch slightly, and my heart hasn’t quite slowed to its normal rhythm. All I want is to sink into the couch and breathe for a minute. But I keep my usual strong front.

“I’ll be back soon,” Alex says, his tone light but reassuring. “It’ll only take a sec.”

I watch him as he walks down the hall toward the vending machines, his figure disappearing around the corner. Then I turn the handle, step inside my office, and immediately drop onto the couch.

The soft leather cushions seem to absorb my tension as I let out a long breath, leaning back and closing my eyes for a moment.

I feel a quiet bloom of gratitude. Alex had been calm when I’d started to spiral. Just like that night in the stairwell, his presence felt grounding in a way I hadn’t realized I needed.

A knock at the door interrupts my thoughts.

“Come in,” I say, my voice already softer, knowing exactly who it is.

Alex steps inside quietly, holding a steaming pack of ramen in one hand and an energy drink in the other.

I gesture toward the small table in front of me, and he sets everything down carefully, the steam rising in soft curls from the ramen.

He straightens and nods, his expression curt yet warm, like he’s genuinely glad I’ll eat something. No words, no unnecessary small talk. Just that quiet, steady presence. He turns toward the door, clearly intent on leaving me to it.

But something stops me. Maybe it’s the lingering nerves from earlier, the way my hands still feel unsteady. Or maybe it’s the simple gratitude welling up in me for how kind he’s been. Whatever it is, the words are out before I think too hard about them.

“Could you stay for a moment? I’d like to share.” I gesture toward the food, my voice soft but audible enough.

He pauses, turning back toward me. For a moment, his eyes linger on mine, as if he’s weighing the request. Then, a gentle smile crosses his face. “Thank you, Ms. Lockhart,” he says, stepping closer and lowering himself into the chair across from me.

The air in the room seems to change as he sits. It’s subtle—a kind of quiet safety that wraps itself around me. It feels warm, comforting, like sitting with an old friend even though I barely know him.

I pick up the ramen, breaking apart the chopsticks from the side of the pack. As I hand him the energy drink, I can’t help but reflect on the irony.

My evening had started with a fancy dinner at an upscale restaurant, where I sat across from a man who couldn’t have been further from the definition of “gentleman.” And now here I am, sharing a box of instant ramen with a janitor I barely know.

And yet, this moment feels more real, more human. Chris Winters and his designer suit are nothing compared to Alex and his simple kindness.A kindness that, in this moment, a small part of me hopes I will come to see more of.

Chapter Two

Katherine

“Lady and gentlemen.”

My cousin Frank stands in front of the board as he begins his presentation, cunning green eyes shooting a snide look my way.

I can clearly hear the condescension in his tone when he says “lady”, as if trying to remind me that I’m the only woman here, trying to intimidate me somehow.

But it has the opposite effect. Iamthe only woman here. And the only woman here is their boss.

He goes on, pointing at the charts on the projector screen as he addresses the boardroom, “as you can see here, the proposed expansion into Asia may sound attractive, but it’s just not something we are prepared for… our infrastructure doesn’t currently…”

His words float toward me, but they don’t fully register. “... significant risk to our current operations… market volatility... potential erosion of shareholder value.” I barely listen to him. I don’t need to. It’s the same tired argument he’s been pushing since I proposed the expansion into Asia. Of course, he’s against it.

Frank. My cousin. My blood. He’s wanted my chair so badly he practically salivated over it. He takes every chance he can to undermine me, to poke holes in my plans, to cast doubt on my decisions. It’s pathetic, really.

I roll my eyes so subtly. He’s still talking, his voice climbing in intensity like he’s preaching to a congregation. He wants the board to back him, to rally against me.

I cross my legs beneath the table, smoothing my pencil skirt as I lean back in my chair. I force myself to appear engaged, my gaze locked on him, but my thoughts begin to wander.

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