Julius stood in front of the full-length mirror in his bedroom, adjusting the cuffs of his shirt. He had chosen a dark suit that fit him perfectly, hugging his shoulders and chest in a way that felt like armor. He wanted to look like the Alpha he was. He wanted Harrison to see exactly what he was trying to claim.
His phone buzzed on the dresser. It was 1:15 PM. He had forty-five minutes to get to Nexus Global.
"You look like you're going to war," a voice said from the doorway.
Julius turned. His mother was leaning against the frame, watching him with a knowing look in her eyes.
"It's just a meeting, Mom," Julius said, turning back to the mirror to fix his tie.
"It's never just a meeting with a man like Harrison Moretti," she replied.
She walked into the room.
"He says he wants me," Julius said simply. "He says I'm essential."
