Page 6 of The Alpha's Crimson Vow (Eternal Oath Saga #2)

Katherine

The quiet hum of my car engine running is the only sound I hear. My eyes rest on the apartment building Annie just walked into, but my mind is far from thinking about the architecture.

I can feel the frustration simmering just under the surface, but I press it down. Fine. If this is the game they want to play, then I’ll play it better. I’ll be more thorough, more precise, more calculated than ever.

Reaching into my bag, I grab my phone and call Alex. It barely rings twice before his voice comes through.

“Katherine,” he greets.

“Hey,” I say, trying to keep my voice even. “I need to tell you what just happened.”

I dive into it, narrating the whole bizarre encounter with Annie. I recount every detail. I don’t hold back, letting the words spill out as I relive the sheer audacity of it all.

Alex listens without interrupting, and when I finish, his voice comes through the speaker, low and thoughtful. “It seems like they’re not giving you even a moment to breathe.”

“Yeah,” I mutter, shaking my head even though he can’t see me. “Not even a little.”

I pause, a new thought creeping into my mind. My tone lifts slightly. “Alex,” I say, “we’re going to have to start going on some dates to keep this up.”

“How about tonight?”

His words hang for a moment, and I feel a small smile tug at the corner of my lips. “Tonight’s a good time to start,” I reply, my voice softer now, more at ease.

I hang up the phone, the weight in my chest easing just a little. If they want to watch me, fine. Let them watch.

Evening arrives in what feels like the snap of my fingers. Before I know it, I’m stepping into the restaurant I picked out—a tasteful, understated spot. It’s warm inside, the low hum of conversation and soft lighting creating an ambiance that feels effortlessly intimate.

My gaze sweeps across the room, and I spot Alex almost immediately. He’s already at the table, and I can’t help the small, knowing smile that creeps onto my face as his eyes land on me. The look he gives me is everything—equal parts surprise, admiration, and something deeper that sends a shiver up my spine.

I stride toward him. My dress—a slim, body-hugging maxi in a deep, sultry shade—moves with me. I know it fits me perfectly, and the quiet confidence I feel is reflected in my posture. My makeup is light, understated, but the red lipstickis a bold touch, just enough to catch the eye and hold it.

Alex blinks, almost like he’s recalibrating, before rising from his chair. The way he looks at me is enough to make my heart skip, though I keep my expression cool. He steps forward, his hand reaching for mine, and his touch is as gentle as ever. Like he’s holding something delicate, something precious.

And then, he lowers his head, his lips brushing against the back of my hand in the softest kiss. The gesture is simple, but it sends heat rushing to my cheeks, and I know I’m blushing. His lips linger just a second longer than they need to, and then he straightens, leaning in close.

His voice is low, his breath warm against my ear. “If anyone is watching tonight,” he murmurs, “we’re going to be very convincing.”

The way his words graze my skin is enough to have the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end.

As I pull back slightly, I let myself take him in fully for the first time. He’s dressed sharply, but with a casual, effortless flair. A black suit, tailored to perfection, paired with a fitted black T-shirt tucked neatly into his jacket and slim-cut pants. He looks polished but not stiff—just the right blend of relaxed and refined.

His hand rests lightly on the small of my back as he steps to my side, guiding me toward my seat. The touch is barely there, yet it feels intimate. He moves with ease, his actions fluid and unhurried, and when I settle into the chair, his hand slips away just as gently as it arrived.

Alex takes his seat across from me, and for a moment, it feels like the rest of the room has blurred into nothing. It’s just us, the quiet magnetism between us palpable, and I can’t help but wonder how much of this is just for show—and how much of it is something else entirely.

The waiter arrives, polite and professional, and Alex turns to me with a smile that does something to my stomach.

“Ladies first,” he says, his tone warm and teasing.

I order, keeping it simple but elegant, and Alex follows with his choice. His voice is smooth, confident, and the way he handles the exchange with the waiter makes me pause for a beat. There’s no hesitation, no awkwardness—just ease. I catch myself staring at him for a second longer than I should, before I busy myself with my glass of water.

When the food arrives, my nerves start to prick. Lobster Thermidor isn’t exactly a casual dish. Alex is sweet, incredibly good-looking, and all-around magnetic, but he’s a janitor. My mind wanders to ramen nights or takeout pasta—the kind of meals that don’t come with complicated utensils or garnishes you need a culinary degree to identify.

I steal a glance at him over the edge of my plate, fully expecting some level of awkwardness, some telltale sign of discomfort. But what I see instead has me blinking.

He’s… flawless.

The way he holds his fork and knife, the precision with which he carves into his lobster, the effortless way he pauses between bites to sip his wine—it’s as if he’s been eating five-star meals his entire life. When he folds his napkin on his lap with a casual flick or nods at the waiter to refill his glass, it’s hard not to stare.

How?

Maybe I’ve been the one projecting stereotypes onto him. The quiet confidence in his movements leaves me wondering if I’m the odd one here for assuming a janitor would struggle with fine dining.

The meal passes easily, without so much as a hiccup. The conversation flows naturally, just like the ones we share over takeout dinners in my office.

At some point, he glances down at his watch and sets his napkin on the table. “It’s getting late,” he says, standing smoothly and coming around to my side of the table. “Let’s get you home.”

He pulls my chair back with the same polished ease that he’s done everything tonight, and I let my arm slip through his without hesitation. His warmth is comforting as we step out of the restaurant, into the cool night air.

He was right. If anyone was watching us tonight, they’d have no doubt. We were perfectly convincing.

The drive to my apartment is quiet, but it’s not the kind of silence that feels awkward. It’s the kind that’s comfortable, like the words aren’t necessary. I ask Alex to drive, handing him the keys with a little grin. He takes them without hesitation, sliding into the driver’s seat.

There’s something about the way his hands rest on the wheel, relaxed but in control, that makes me glance at him more often than I should.

When we finally pull up in front of my building, Alex steps out first, rounding the car to open my door before I even reach for the handle.

I step out, the cool night air brushes against my skin.

“This was a good night,” he says, his voice low, almost casual, but there’s an honesty in it that makes me pause. I look into his eyes, and the sincerity there does something to me. “I really enjoyed it.”

I glance at my watch—it’s just shy of 10 PM. The city is quiet now, a kind of peaceful hum in the background. “It’s late,” I say, my tone firm. “You should stay the night.”

His brows lift slightly, and for a moment, he looks like he’s about to protest. “Katherine, I’m fine—”

“Alex,” I cut him off, stepping closer. “I’d feel better if you stayed.”

He hesitates, his gaze flickering between me and the building behind me. I can see the gears turning in his head, the polite refusal forming on his lips, but I don’t give him the chance.

“Please,” I add, softer this time, but no less insistent. “It’s late, and I’ll sleep better knowing you’re not out there trying to get a cab at this hour.”

His hesitation melts away, and he nods. “Alright,” he says, his voice quieter now, almost resigned. “If it’ll help you sleep better.”

A small smile tugs at my lips as I lead the way inside.

When we step into my apartment, I kick off my heels and toss my keys onto the counter. “Make yourself comfortable,” I say over my shoulder, already heading for the kitchen. “Do you want anything? Water? Coffee?”

“Water’s fine,” he replies, his voice coming from somewhere behind me.

I grab two glasses, filling them at the sink, and when I turn around, he’s leaning against the back of my couch, his jacket draped over the armrest. He looks so at ease, like he belongs here. The sight makes my stomach flip in a way I’m not entirely ready to unpack.

I hand him a glass, and he takes it, our fingers brushing for just a second too long. His eyes linger on me, and I find myself rooted to the spot, the glass in my hand suddenly feeling too heavy.

“This is a nice place,” he says, but his eyes are still fixed on me.

“Thanks,” I manage, setting my glass down on the counter.

It’s like the air has been sucked out of the room. My heart pounds, loud enough that I wonder if he can hear it. I’m frozen, rooted, completely powerless under the intensity of his gaze.

Alex is standing there in that black T-shirt that clings to every inch of his body. His chest is massive, broad, and his biceps strain against the fabric … it’s overwhelming.

And yet, I can’t look away. My breath catches in my throat, and the space between us feels charged, like static before a storm.

Then he clears his throat, a soft sound that slices through the heavy silence. “You looked amazing tonight,” he says, his voice low, a little rough.

I nod, my voice caught somewhere in my chest. “Thank you, Alex.” My tone is soft, but my eyes—my eyes are drinking him in.

His expression twists, his jaw tightening, his eyes darkening. When he speaks again, his voice is deeper, quieter, almost a growl. “I couldn’t take my eyes off you.”

The words send a jolt through me, and I feel my breath hitch. My knees feel weak, and I barely register that I’m moving closer to him until I’m standing just a breath away.

And then he moves, just the slightest step, closing the gap between us. His eyes are locked on mine, searching, waiting. The room is so quiet now that I can hear every sound his breathing, and the heat rolling off him makes my skin tingle.

“Can I… hold you?” His voice is raspy, almost hesitant.

“Yes,” I whisper.

His arm slides around my waist, his palm pressing firmly against my lower back, pulling me flush against him. The heat of his body against mine is intoxicating, and I feel his strength in the way he holds me, steady but gentle, like he’s cradling something precious.

“Can I kiss you?”

“Yes,” I breathe again, my voice shaking.

And then he does.

The first touch of his lips is tentative, feather-light, as if he’s testing the waters. But the moment they meet mine, it’s like something ignites. I lean into him, pressing closer, and the kiss deepens. His lips are soft, yet demanding, moving against mine with a kind of restrained passion that leaves me dizzy.

His other hand comes up, cupping my face, his thumb brushing along my cheek as he tilts my head slightly. The kiss grows more fervent, and I can feel the sparks traveling through every inch of me, pooling low in my stomach.

Time seems to stop. It’s just us, wrapped in this moment, in this kiss that feels like it’s been building forever.

My tongue roams in his mouth as he presses himself deeper against me. I can feel his stiff bulge throbbing against my abdomen, and it sends an excitement rippling through me.

His hand trails downward, pulling my dress high above my knees until he can slip his fingers between my thighs.

He starts to twirl his finger over my hot centre and I gasp into his mouth. The sensation is an unimaginably agonizing pleasure… Like enjoying the scent of a delicious meal, but wanting to eat it. His touch feels so good, yet all it’s doing is making me go crazy for more.

His fingers move faster, rubbing my clit, making me even wetter. When he slides his finger into me, my knee shudders, and I can’t help myself.

I scream.

Alex leans over and picks me up in one fluid motion, and I’m like a piece of paper in his arms. He takes me over to the couch, setting me down on it as my heart races at the sheer strength of his movements. My dress slips off in a blur, and pulls my legs wide apart, kneeling before me without a word… my brain feels like it’s electrocuted when his tongue sinks into me.

It’s slow at first, soft, tentative, like he’s taking in the moment. His tongue glances over my wet core, drawing sharp gasps from me. He caresses my gates with his mouth, and then he increases the pressure.

He full on French kisses me down there, right in the spot my body is aching for him too. His tongue dives into me, lapping at me like he is worshiping my pussy. He swirls his tongue inside me as if he’s determined to taste every wall I have.

His name falls from my lips, over and over again like a hymn.

“You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do this.” He says, his voice is a husky sound, muffled as his head is buried between my thighs. I want to respond, to say something but I can’t think or form words right now. It’s like he is zapping the very oxygen out of my lungs in the best way possible.

He adds his fingers to the fun, and I swear I almost break apart right there. Im so wet now that his two fingers slide in easily when he thrusts them into me, and he raises his tongue now, focusing on my pulsating needy clit. He flicks his tongue over it, matching the tempo with his fingers diving in and out of me.

My legs start to shudder and quake, my breath coming and going in rapid bursts. His takes all of my clit in his mouth, gentle sucking on it with so much passion it’s almost frightening. By the time I can finally find my voice to say something coherent, my tights are a mess, coated with the residue of my desire, a desire that he has fanned till it’s a bright hot raging fire.

“Alex. I need you now. Please.” I say urgently, I need to get the words out because if I don’t, I don’t know when I will find my breath again to be able to speak, with everything he’s doing to me.

Alex lingers a bit longer, fingers stroking the upper part of my walls and he flicks his tongue relentlessly over my clit. It drives me nuts and my legs quake harder than before, rattling completely beyond my control.

He pulls his lips away just then, his fingers sliding out of me with an agonizing final stroke of pleasure. “I need you too, Katherine.” He takes his trousers off, his stiff cock dangles before me, veiny and eager. He pulls a condom from somewhere in his trousers, giving me just enough time before he leans over to take me.

“Oh my God… Alex!”

His cock sinks into me, filling me to my absolute brim.

I bite my lower lip and manage to look at him.

His eyes. God. His eyes.

They trap me in an enchantment that seems to trap him as well. It’s like being lost in a trance. Glued to the moment… to him.

It’s so intense that I feel myself tethering on a cliff. An orgasm boiling just beneath the surface, ready to erupt.

My body tenses up, I feel goosebumps form all over me. My eyes don’t leave his, they can’t. It’s like they’re locked in place.

I can’t think about anything.

I’m cumming.

And as the overwhelming ecstasy shatters me into pieces, I catch a glimpse of something strange.

It’s fleeting, like a hallucination, a vision that lasts only a heartbeat. A golden thread—radiant and breathtaking, more beautiful than anything I’ve ever seen. It glimmers for just a moment before vanishing, leaving me gasping and unsure if it was ever real.

But then my eyes lock onto something just as mesmerizing.

Alex’s eyes.

They burn with an intensity that matches the rhythm of his passionate strokes, consuming me.

Another workday. Another long, uneventful stretch of sending emails, poring over invoices, and staring at work files until the words start to blur together. It’s the same routine, the same grind. But today it’s different. Not because the workload has changed or because my tasks require more effort, but because my mind just won’t stay in the game.

No matter how hard I try, my thoughts keep drifting.

Drifting to Alex.

It starts as a flicker, a memory that sneaks in while I’m typing out another dry email or signing off on yet another report. Then it takes over, vivid and all-consuming, like a movie playing on repeat in my head. That first kiss. The way his lips met mine—soft, sure, and unhurried. And then the way his touch followed, igniting a spark that shot through me like a lightning bolt, setting every nerve alight.

It’s not like this was part of the plan. Not by a long shot. Hell, we had a whole contract, for crying out loud. A very clear, very professional, very boundary-laden contract. One that explicitly stated there was no need for anything physical between us. No intimacy required. No strings attached. It was supposed to be simple: just an arrangement to get the elders off my back.

But that night? That wasn’t about necessity. It wasn’t about fulfilling some unspoken obligation or crossing off a box on a checklist.

No.

We had sex because we wanted to.

Because in that moment, nothing else mattered. Not the contract, not the rules, not the carefully constructed boundaries we’d both agreed to. It was just us—two people swept up in something that felt bigger than either of us could have planned for.

There’s this magnetism between us that I can’t quite explain. It’s like my body is addicted to the way he feels. And Alex, he’s... incredible. Thoughtful in ways that catch me off guard, like how he’s the one that made sure we used protection. It’s sweet, honestly. You’d think, given the circumstances, he’d be looking for a way to tie me down, maybe a baby to secure a good financial future for himself. But that’s not him. He’s genuine, unselfish in a way I’ve never seen before.

And it makes keeping up appearances with the elders so much easier. If Frank, Uncle Lawrence, or any of the old guard have been watching—and let’s face it, they always are—they’d see exactly what I want them to see. Frequent dates, affectionate smiles, my hand casually resting on Alex’s arm as we walk into a restaurant.

But today, my mind isn’t entirely on Alex.

I glance at the clock on my desk, my foot tapping impatiently against the floor. Alice is in town. Tonight, we’re meeting for drinks, and just thinking about it makes me feel lighter.

Alice isn’t just a friend; she’s like a sister. We met a few years ago when she was our legal representative in a case. We clicked almost immediately, and since then, she’s been one of the few people I can truly rely on.

I think about everything that’s happened with her. It still feels surreal. I remember when I found out she was a Wolf shifter. That was mind blowing enough, but then she became Queen of the Wolf Kingdom, and that? That was on a whole other level.

It’s funny how quickly the extraordinary becomes ordinary. Now, when I think of Alice, I don’t see a wolf-shifter or a queen. I just see my friend. My fierce, loyal, friend who also happens to rule over an entire kingdom.

I lean back in my chair, my lips curling into a smile as I imagine her reaction when I tell her about Alex. She’s going to have a field day with this one—I can already hear her teasing me, demanding every last detail.

With a single click, I shut down my computer, the hum of the screen fading into silence.

I arrive at the restaurant within minutes of leaving the office. It’s a cozy spot, charmingly elegant without being ostentatious—classic Alice. For all the fact that she is Queen of the Wolf Kingdom thing, Alice has always preferred the understated and the simple.

The moment I step inside, she spots me. She’s out of her chair in a heartbeat, weaving gracefully through the tables as though she owns the place—which, honestly, she could, if she wanted to.

“Katherine,” she greets, her voice warm and familiar, like the first sip of coffee on a cold morning.

Before I can respond, she pulls me into a hug—a real one. The kind you don’t realize you’ve been craving until it wraps around you. I let myself sink into it, my shoulders easing just a little.

But when she pulls back, there’s something in her expression that wasn’t there before. A flicker of curiosity, maybe even caution. Her head tilts ever so slightly, her eyes narrowing in quiet observation. Her nose flares—just a little—like she’s picking up on something she can’t quite place.

“Hey…” I say softly, giving her a gentle tug on the arm to bring her attention back.

She blinks, her focus settling on me again, her body easing as if she’s brushed off whatever it was that caught her attention.

“Are you okay?” I ask, my tone careful, but there’s an edge of concern I can’t quite hide.

Her gaze flits over me, quick and assessing, before a small smile curls at the corners of her lips. “Yes… I’m fine,” she says, the words soft but convincing enough. Then her eyes spark with a teasing warmth as she gestures vaguely in my direction. “You look good. New dress? Or is that the glow of someone utterly smitten?”

Her tone lightens, playful now, and it makes me smile despite myself. Whatever moment she just had, it seems to have passed.

We sit, and the staff brings over cocktails like clockwork. I wrap my hands around the glass, but I barely take a sip before the words start spilling out.

I tell her everything—about Alex, the contract, the pressure from my family. I tell her about the way he looks at me, the way he makes me feel seen, like I’m not just another piece on some corporate chessboard.

Alice listens without interrupting, her expression thoughtful and unwavering.

By the time I’m done recounting everything to Alice, she nods slowly, a deep look of consideration crossing her features. “Wow,” she says, shaking her head with a small smile. “I’ve never seen you like this before. Never heard you talk about anyone like that before.”

I swirl the drink in my glass. “I guess I’ve been babbling a bit, huh?”

She tilts her head, amusement dancing in her eyes. “A bit? It’s adorable.”

“Well,” I say, shrugging with a faint smirk, “I’m still thorough, though. I even had my private investigators look into him.”

Her brows shoot up. “Smart,” she says, nodding in approval.

“I’m not about to nosedive into something without knowing what I’m getting into,” I reply firmly. “I had them look into him immediate after offering the contract. I needed to know who I was dealing with.”

“And?” she prompts, leaning forward like she’s hanging on my every word.

“They didn’t find much,” I admit, tapping a finger against the rim of my glass.

Alice’s expression softens. “I like this side of you,” she says gently. “You seem so… happy.”

Her words make me pause, and I feel a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. Happy. It’s such a simple word, yet it carries so much meaning. But just as I’m basking in the warmth of her approval, an old, familiar worry worms its way into my thoughts.

I swirl my drink absentmindedly, watching the liquid catch the light. “Yeah, well…” I trail off, sighing. “The elders have been keeping a close eye on me. Frank too, he’s actually seen Alex at work before, but he had a janitor mask on. I know they’re watching. And if they ever find out Alex is just the janitor from work…”

“What will you do if they find out?” she asks, cutting right through my sentence with that direct, no-nonsense tone of hers.

I let out a deep sigh, feeling the weight of her question settle in. “I don’t know,” I reply, my voice blunt and honest. It’s the truth—I really don’t have an answer.

She holds my gaze for a moment. The silence stretches, but it’s not uncomfortable. There’s a quiet understanding between us, and underneath it, I can feel the concern she’s hiding behind her calm demeanor. “Well, we’d want to make sure they don’t find out then,” she says, almost encouragingly, as if she’s trying to reassure me, to lighten the burden without really saying it outright.

Another silence falls, but this one feels heavier, my thoughts already spinning. If Lawrence or Frank ever found out that Alex—the janitor from work—is the boyfriend I’ve been parading, I can’t even imagine the mess it would cause.

Alice must notice the concern starting to etch itself on my face, because she turns, her tone suddenly lighter. “So… this Prince Charming of yours. I can’t wait to meet him,” she says with a smile, clearly trying to brighten the mood.

Her words make me feel a spark of excitement at the thought. “I’d actually love to introduce you two,” I say, already picturing the meeting in my head.

“Invite him over,” she says quickly, almost too quickly. Her eagerness makes me smile slightly, and I reach for my phone without a second thought.

I dial Alex, and he picks up after just a couple of rings. “Hello, Katherine.”

“Hi, Alex,” I say, my tone bright. “I want you to meet me somewhere.”

“Oh. Now?” he asks. “Where are you? Is something wrong?”

“I’ll text you the address,” I say, glancing at Alice with a smile. “And nothing is wrong. I’m out with a friend I’d like you to meet.”

“Is it going to be a work friend? You know, so I’ll know whether to bring my best suit.”

Is that a joke? Is he making jokes now?

I laugh, shaking my head, the sound light and easy. “Oh, this friend is very important. She’s like a sister to me. Her name’s Alice Kassel, and I’ve told her a lot about you,” I say into the phone, my gaze drifting to Alice, who’s watching me. I smile at her, just a little, as I speak.

There’s a silence on the other end of the phone. Alex doesn’t respond right away, and it hangs there, strange and abrupt. My brows furrow, but I shake it off, not wanting to make too much of it. “Alright. See you soon,” I say.

“Actually…” he starts, his voice dipping lower, more hesitant. “I don’t know if I can make it.”

I frown, the change in his tone immediately putting me on edge. “Oh?”

“Yeah,” he says, his voice quieter now. “I don’t think I feel so good. I might be coming down with something.”

He coughs lightly, the sound weak and strained. My worry spikes. “Do you need any help?” I ask, my voice softening.

“No,” he replies quickly, almost too quickly. “I just… need to take some meds and rest. I’ll be fine.”

“Okay,” I say reluctantly. “Take care of yourself.”

He hangs up, and I stare at my phone, my brows furrowing as unease creeps in. Something about the way he sounded didn’t sit right with me.

“Everything okay?” Alice’s voice pulls me back to the present.

I look up, meeting her gaze. “He won’t be able to make it. Says he’s coming down with a cold or something,” I say, trying to keep my tone light.

But Alice’s expression takes a turn again. There’s something there—something guarded that makes my stomach tighten.

“Alice…” I start, narrowing my eyes at her. “Is everything okay?”

She forces a smile, but it looks strained, almost unnatural. “Yes,” she says softly. “Everything’s fine.”

But her eyes, steady on mine, tell a different story.