"Flirting is the art of saying the most outrageous things most innocently."
ALARIC'S POV
I had been accused of many things in my life. Ruthless. Unrelenting. Occasionally, a menace to council protocol. But never had anyone accused me of being boring. And watching Elias Blackthorne storm into his own office, jaw clenched, eyes flashing like a storm about to split the earth in half, well, I decided I was not about to start being boring now.
"What the fuck are you doing in my office?" Elias's voice cracked like a whip, sharp enough to cut steel.
Marcus groaned beside me. Loudly. The kind of groan that carried a lifetime of regrets and the unspoken plea: Please, for the love of all that is holy, do not do the thing you are about to do.
I, naturally, did the thing, lowered myself on his seat, leaned back in the leather chair I had claimed behind Elias's desk, it was a fine chair, comfortable, smelled faintly of cedar and authority, and laced my fingers together. "Elias," I said, letting his name roll off my tongue like honey. "What a pleasure. You know, I was just thinking, this office could use more light. Maybe a vase of orchids on that shelf."
He stopped in his tracks, nostrils flaring, shoulders tense. If looks could kill, I would be ashes on the wind. Instead, I smiled at him because I have always liked dancing at the edge of blades.
Behind Elias, his people exchanged looks. Beta Juno coughed into his fist, clearly fighting a smirk. Dr. Kael pushed his glasses up his nose, the picture of neutrality, though his ears had turned suspiciously pink. Nyra Voss was stone-faced, but her eyes flicked between me and Elias like she could not decide whether to intervene or take bets. And then there was Riven Ashlock, the panther shifter, who, against all odds, actually grinned, just the faintest twitch at the corner of his mouth, like he was watching a particularly entertaining play.
Elias, however, was not entertained. "This is my company," he bit out, each word edged with fury. "You don't get to waltz in here like you own the place."
"Well," I said cheerfully, "technically, I own half the continent, so really, this is just a delightful annex of my empire."
Marcus pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering something about early retirement.
Elias's glare shifted to him. "You brought him here?"
"Define brought," Marcus said flatly.
"Marcus," I interrupted smoothly, "you do not have to throw yourself on the sword for me. I came entirely of my own volition. I was simply curious about the famous Blackthorne Security. Imagine my shock when I realized it is not, in fact, a nightclub with bouncers named after constellations."
Riven snorted, and Elias's fists curled at his sides. "You think this is a joke?"
"Oh no," I said with mock solemnity. "You are very serious. And you are even more attractive when you are furious, which is unfair since I am thoroughly seduced.
The room went dead silent.
Juno choked on a laugh; Dr. Kael dropped his pen, and even Nyra's expression cracked into visible surprise.
Elias blinked, his rage momentarily knocked off course. "Excuse me?"
I leaned forward in his chair, elbows on the desk, and gave him my most wolfish grin. "You heard me. Do you always look at this devastatingly when you are angry? Because if so, I am going to have to arrange more opportunities to annoy you."
Marcus let out a strangled noise that was equal parts despair and disbelief. "Your Majesty!"
But I was doing well, and nothing, certainly not Marcus's migraines, was going to stop me.
"You know," I continued, "I have heard people describe you as cold and distant. But honestly? You are just misunderstood. Brooding men with sharp cheekbones usually are. It is very tragic. Very compelling. Very…" I let my gaze sweep slowly, deliberately, down, and back up. "…distracting."
Elias's ears went red, and this only encouraged me further.
"Get out of my chair," he growled.
"I could," I admitted. "But then I would not get to watch you standing over me like that. It is quite the view; I do not mind going on the knees for you."
Riven coughed into his hand, and I would swear on the moon goddess herself that it was to cover a laugh.
"Alaric," Marcus hissed under his breath. "Your majesty, can you please have some shame?"
I tilted my head. "Why should I when a very handsome wolf is standing before me?"
Elias slammed his palms down on the desk, leaning forward until we were inches apart. His eyes burned, wild and sharp. "You think this is funny? You walk into my office, sit in my chair, and what? Flirt with me like this is some tavern game?"
"Yes," I said simply. "Exactly that."
For a moment, I thought he might throttle me. Instead, he shoved away from the desk, pacing like a predator trying to shake off a snare. His people wisely kept quiet, though Juno looked like he was biting the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing.
Finally, Elias spun back toward me. "Why are you here?"
"Because," I said, "I wanted to meet the man whose name keeps floating into conversations in corridors where whispers grow like weeds. Blackthorne. Ruthless, brilliant, infuriating. And now that I have met you…" I gave him another slow smile. "…I find the rumors didn't do you justice."
Elias froze. Just for a second, and then his jaw snapped shut, and he turned his glare on Marcus. "Get him out of here."
Marcus sighed, defeated. "Trust me, I've been trying to do that since we walked in."
I finally, graciously, rose from the chair, and as I passed Elias, I leaned in just enough for only him to hear. "You can keep pretending you hate this, Elias. But you should know…I never chase after something I do not intend to catch."
His sharp inhale was all the reward I needed, and as Marcus dragged me toward the door, Juno finally lost it and burst out laughing. "Moon helps us," he muttered, "you're insane."
Behind us, Elias's voice rang out, furious and flustered all at once: "Don't you ever come back here!"
I grinned over my shoulder. "We'll see."