Page 71 of The Alpha Under My Bed

Ellie was still asleep,curled deep in her nest, her breathing soft and steady. Peaceful. Oblivious. Just how I needed her to be.

I watched her for a moment longer than I should have, my fingers flexing at my side. My mark on her neck had darkened overnight, deep and fresh, sealing my claim into her skin—even if she didn’t know it yet.

A slow exhale left my lips.

I had time.

I just had to be patient.

Leaving her wrapped in the blankets, I stepped into the hallway, pulling out her phone as I shut the bedroom door behind me.

The screen was flooded with notifications.

Most of them from her boss—Claudia.

Claudia: Ellie, I need you in today.

Claudia: Where are you?

Claudia: Ellie, you’re on the schedule. You don’t get to disappear.

Claudia: Ellie, answer me.

Claudia: This isn’t funny. We have orders that need to be filled.

I scrolled through the messages, my jaw flexing.

Too many texts. Too demanding. Too fucking entitled.

Ellie worked herself raw for that boutique. And Claudia? She acted like Ellie was just a resource to be drained.

She doesn’t get to own her.

Not when Ellie was mine.

I tapped out a message.

Ellie: I quit.

Before I could even wait for a response, I blocked the number.

No more fucking distractions.

Sliding the phone into my pocket, I moved into the kitchen, the cool tiles beneath my feet grounding me. I grabbed my own phone, dialing a number I knew like the back of my hand. The line clicked, and a familiar voice answered.

“Took you long enough.”

I didn’t bother with the pleasantries. “I need you to keep an eye on someone.”

A brief pause, then a low hum of consideration. “Always business with you, huh?”

“Claudia. Perfume boutique. Oakhaven.” I leaned against the counter, my fingers digging into the edge, trying to alleviate thetension in my jaw. “She’s been pushing Ellie too hard. Acting entitled to her time. I want to know why.”

The silence stretched, thick with thought. Then?—

“You think she’s a problem?”

“I think she might be.”

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