Chapter 54

[Michael’s POV]

Michael felt as though he had been walking on air since his brief encounter with Mia the night before. The man couldn’t believe his eyes when he took the full, stunning image of the girl he once knew all those years ago. It was like every other woman in the room became invincible to him.

Michael wanted to know everything there was to know about Mia’s current life—apart from the Alpha she managed to tie herself.

‘David is right,’ he thought to himself. ‘Her marriage to Derek was nothing more than a hasty mistake.’ A mistake that he was looking to help rectify. What many people didn’t realize was that he had witnessed a good portion of the fight that happened last night at the Alpha Gathering.

Had James not come in when he did, Michael was more than prepared to step in. He didn’t know Rudolf Lawrence personally, but it was obvious that the man was no gentleman and was looking to take advantage of Mia.

That one dance the two of them shared had opened up Michael’s memories tenfold. All those feelings he’d had for Mia came rushing back. Memories of him being no older than ten and hiding shyly behind David when the man first introduced him to the family as his newly adopted son, flooded his mind. Not many of the relatives paid too much attention to him—except Mia.

She graced him with a warm smile and prompted him to join in whatever game was being played at the time. She tried her best to get Michael to open up and feel as comfortable as possible. ‘She noticed me when no one else did,’ he recalled.

That morning, Michael sat across the breakfast table with David sitting across from him. He fixated on the recently published articles about the unfortunate turnout at the Alpha Gathering.

He was floored to see the pictures some of the reporters managed to capture from the whole incident. While James and Rudolf were locked in a fierce brawl, Mia looked terrified beyond belief.

“She deserves a better Alpha than that,” he mumbled under his breath.

“Which is why I’ve managed to set up a meeting with you and Mia for ten, today,” David explained pointedly. “You did well last night at the gathering. Perhaps, the two of you will find a way to get closer.”

Michael nodded his head calmly while hiding his inner excitement.

...

When ten o’clock finally rolled around, Mia kept true to her word and arrived at the house. By the expression on her face, she appeared a bit awestruck at the place. She was rather taken aback by the size of the place.

If Michael had to guess, the house had to be almost the same size as where she was living now with Derek. Regardless, he welcomed Mia with a warm smile until he noticed that she had been accompanied by James. He felt his wolf stir with displeasure and went in to give Mia an embracing hug, not giving a single care if James saw them or not.

“Come on, let’s head to the study for some privacy,” he said with a glint of smugness in his eyes.

James narrowed his gaze but remained quiet.

Michael could tell that Mia was trying to keep this meeting as professional as possible. She sat on the opposite side of the coffee table, purposely putting distance between her and him.

“So, Mia. Tell me, how are you?” he asked. “I’ll admit, I’ve seen some of the recent articles.”

Mia’s cheeks flushed as she lowered her gaze. “It’s been a bit difficult trying to keep all of Crescent Moon’s clients from leaving. Especially when none of them actually know what really went on.”

Michael nodded. “Yes. But, how are you doing?”

She raised her brows and nearly staggered over her words. “U-Umm, fine, I suppose. Just worried I guess.”

James, with his arms crossed over his chest, remained standing close to Mia as he witnessed this farce of a business meeting. They’d been there for at least eight minutes and not a single business-related question had been asked.

He studied the way Michael looked at Mia and was instantly able to reach the ultimate conclusion that he had it out for Mia too.

“Derek,” Michael said. “Would you mind giving Mia and me a moment alone?”

‘No. Absolutely not,’ James thought. He glanced down at Mia and watched her gently nod her head in assurance.

Even though the mere idea of leaving her alone in a room with another man felt like a punch to the gut, James trusted her judgment and momentarily stepped out.

Michael took the opportunity and took the open spot next to Mia on the couch.

“I understand the predicament that Crescent Moon is in right now. However, I do have a lot of other contracts going on. If I keep my association with Crescent Moon, it may end up damaging my reputation,” he explained.

“Michael, that may not even happen. What went on at the gathering was between Lawaerence and James.”

“Even so, Derek has proven himself to be quite a violent character.”

As Mia tried to deny it, Michael interrupted her with a shocking proposition. “Spend the weekend with me.”

Her brows furrowed in confusion. “What?”

“I’ll keep my contract with Crescent Moon if you’d be willing to spend time with me and give me a chance.”

Mia was at a complete loss for words. She leaned away from Michael, nearly making her fall out of her seat. A dozen different emotions crossed her features. From confusion to surprise, then to shock until finally settling on what looked like sheer disappointment.

“Michael, I’m not comfortable with what you’re trying to instigate here. I’m married to James and that’s not going to change,” she told him. “You asked me how I was feeling before...Truthfully, I still feel horribly bothered by what Rudolf Lawerence tried to do to me. I never thought in a hundred ears that you would attempt to do something even remotely similar.”

She got up from the couch and made her way toward the door with a look of pure disappointment and anguish on her face.