Page 17 of The Alpha Under My Bed

I was so lost in the quiet rhythm of work that I barely noticed when Claudia stepped beside me, brushing a strand of dark hair over her shoulder as she set a clipboard down on the counter.

“Ellie,” she said, her voice smooth and even, “don’t forget—your heat leave starts tomorrow. I expect you to rest.”

I blinked, caught off guard.

Right.

Heat leave.

I had done thisso many times before.And yet...

I exhaled slowly, rubbing my temples. I had been feelingoffall morning—warm, restless. I had chalked it up to stress, but... maybe it was just my heat creeping in early.

Claudia’s voice pulled me back. “Your paycheck will be deposited on time with the rest of them, so don’t worry about it.”

I nodded automatically. “Yeah, of course. Thank you.”

She waved me off, already turning to check the rest of the inventory.

Jules popped her head out from the back, grinning. “Must be nice. Paid to stay home and fuck yourself stupid.”

I huffed a laugh, shaking my head. “You’re disgusting.”

“You love me.”

I rolled my eyes, tossing a rag at her before heading toward the front display to busy myself.

The boutique was empty now. I ran a hand along the countertop, fingers brushing the smooth wood. It wasquiet.

The kind of quiet that should have felt comforting.

But something...

Something felt different.

I took a slow breath, inhaling deep. For the first time since this morning, I really paid attention to the scents around me. The usual perfume notes, the warm traces of customers who had passed through...

And something else.

Something Icouldn’t quite place.

I shook it off, locking up the shop and stepping into the cool evening air.

The moment the door clicked shut behind me, I felt it.

Eyes.

Not just anyone’s.

His.

Mal was already there.

Leaning against his bike, arms crossed, watching me.

I rolled my eyes, but warmth curled in my chest anyway. “You’re here early,” I teased, making my way toward him.

He didn’t crack a joke. Didn’t move. Just watched.

---