Semua Bab My Boss Is A Werewolf : Bab 21 - Bab 30

Clara Bennett “Stay right here for a minute,” Ryder said, squeezing my hand gently as we stepped back into the crowded ballroom. “I need to speak with one of the investors quickly. I’ll be right back.” I nodded, trying to keep my expression calm even though my stomach was twisting into knots. “Okay, I’ll wait near the drinks table.” He leaned down and pressed a quick kiss to my forehead before disappearing into the crowd. The moment he was gone, I let out a shaky breath and headed toward the side of the room, pretending to look at the elegant ice sculptures. My hands were clammy, and I kept glancing over my shoulder. I didn’t even see Victor approach until he was right beside me. “Nice little show you put on out there,” Victor murmured close to my ear, his voice low enough that only I could hear. He stood too close, one hand casually holding a champagne flute while the other brushed against my arm like we were old friends catching up. “Hand over the files, Clara. Now.” I stiffen

Clara Bennett“Mr. West, there you are!” An older gentleman with silver hair and a heavy gold watch called out as he approached us on the dance floor, his wife on his arm. The woman wore a diamond necklace that probably cost more than my entire apartment building. They both smiled brightly at Ryder like they had known him for years.“Mr. and Mrs. Harrington,” Ryder said politely, though I felt his hand tighten slightly on my waist. “Good to see you again.”The couple launched into small talk about some recent business deal, their voices loud and full of laughter. I stood there smiling and nodding at the right moments, but my mind was still spinning from Victor’s threats and the way Ryder had been looking at me all night.After a couple of minutes, I leaned closer to Ryder’s ear. “I need to use the restroom. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”He nodded, giving my hand a gentle squeeze. “Take your time. I’ll be right here.”I slipped away from the group and made my way through the crowded

Clara Bennett“I don’t want this night to end yet,” Ryder said quietly as the car pulled away from the gala. His arm was still around my shoulders, holding me close in the back seat. The city lights flashed across his face, highlighting the sharp line of his jaw and the way his eyes kept flicking toward me with concern.I leaned my head against him, exhausted from the emotional rollercoaster of the evening. “Me neither. But I’m really tired, Ryder. Today has been… a lot.”He nodded and told the driver to head toward my old apartment first, but I quickly corrected him. “Actually, can we go to the new place? I want to see it.” The keys he had given me felt heavy in my clutch, like a promise I wasn’t sure I deserved.Ryder smiled softly and gave the driver the new address. During the ride, he kept his fingers laced with mine, occasionally lifting my hand to press a kiss to my knuckles. Every small touch made my heart ache more. I wanted to tell him everything so badly, but Victor’s threa

Clara BennettI sat there on the edge of the bed, still holding Ryder’s hand, my mind spinning in a thousand directions. The confession about him being an alpha werewolf should have sent me screaming out the door, but instead I felt this strange mix of fear and connection. He looked so raw sitting there, waiting for me to say something, anything.Ryder squeezed my hand gently and took a deep breath. “Clara, I know this is a lot. I know you’re scared. But I don’t want to hide anything from you anymore.” He shifted closer, his dark eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my chest tighten. “I want you in my life. For real. Not as my assistant, not as someone I’m protecting from the sidelines. I want you to be my girlfriend. Officially. Mine.”The words hit me like a punch to the stomach. Girlfriend. The word echoed in my head, sounding so normal and yet completely impossible. My heart started racing so fast I felt dizzy. This man ... this werewolf ... had just bared his soul

Clara Bennett Sunlight filtered through the big windows the next morning, soft and warm across the bed. I woke up slowly, my eyes puffy and heavy from all the crying. For a second I forgot where I was, until I felt the steady rise and fall of a chest beneath my cheek and strong arms wrapped around me. Ryder. He was still asleep, his face relaxed in a way I rarely saw during the day. His dark hair was messy, one arm tucked under his head while the other held me close against him like he was afraid I might disappear. I stayed perfectly still, listening to his heartbeat, letting myself have this one quiet moment before everything crashed back in. My mom was gone. The thought hit me again like a fresh wound. Tears stung my eyes immediately, but I blinked them back. I didn’t want to wake him yet. Not when he looked so peaceful holding me. Ryder stirred a few minutes later, his eyes opening slowly. The second he saw me watching him, a small, sleepy smile tugged at his lips. “Morni