Rejected and Pregnant: Claimed By The Dark Alpha Prince

Flora froze when she spotted Katelyn across the company café. Of all the people she expected to run into, Katelyn was the last. Without a word, she collected her coffee and turned to leave, hoping to slip away unnoticed.

"You're here too?" Katelyn's voice rang out behind her, halting her steps.

Flora turned slowly, offering a polite bow. "Yes. I recently passed an interview," she said.

"So," Katelyn drawled, a faint smirk playing at her lips, "you've started a new life here in San Ravendale. Just as I said, Amelie is far too forgiving. I only hope you make better choices from now on."

Flora nodded. 'Thankfully, she didn't say something harsh this time.'

"May I know what the Princess is doing here?" Flora asked, keeping her tone as polite as possible.

"I've started working here," Katelyn replied, setting off down the hall. Flora fell into step beside her. "I'm the Director's secretary. I hate it, but I have to do this," she added, sipping from one cup while holding another in her free hand.

Flora stayed silent.

"Aren't you curious?" Katelyn pressed. "You didn't even ask why I agreed to become someone's secretary. I, the Alpha Princess, am not meant to serve anyone."

"You must want to prove yourself," Flora said simply.

Katelyn glanced at her with mild amusement. "And how would you know that?"

"Well… when someone comes from such an influential background, they often choose paths that demonstrate their worth. I suppose that's why you took this position," Flora explained as they stopped before the elevator.

"I didn't know you could be this perceptive," Katelyn said, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

Stepping into the VVIP elevator, she added, "Good luck with your new job."

The doors slid shut, leaving Flora momentarily dazed. She couldn't believe Katelyn had spoken to her so pleasantly. A small smile touched her lips as she entered the general employees' elevator.

But when she reached her department, she became acutely aware of eyes turning toward her. The weight of the stares felt strange and unsettling.

"She had an affair with her sister's mate."

The faint words reached her ears, causing her eyes to widen. She hadn't expected the truth to spread so quickly.

"Women like her are a disgrace."

More whispers followed, and Flora sank into her seat, keeping her gaze fixed forward. She didn't dare look back. If she were to, she might break into tears and run away.

'I have to fight against it. I did wrong. Very wrong to Amelie. But I-I can't run away again. I think this past will never leave me. I made the wrong choices and I've to bear the consequences of those throughout my life,' she thought.

~~~~~

Katelyn set the coffee cup down on Sage's desk. His eyes stayed fixed on the file in front of him as he reached for it, only for the cup to slip from his grasp and tip forward, the hot liquid splashing straight onto his shirt.

"Oh my God!" Katelyn gasped, rushing around the desk. She quickly snatched the file from his hands, noticing a few dark drops staining the pages.

Sage stared at her in disbelief as he stood up immediately too. His chest was still stinging from the burn, yet her first instinct was to save the paperwork, not check if he was okay.

The cup lay on the floor, its contents spreading across the polished surface, some splattering onto the chair. Sage didn't move, still processing the moment.

"Can't you even hold a cup properly?" Katelyn scolded, glaring at him. "I worked so hard on this report!"

"Are you serious? I burned my chest!" Sage said, his voice low with disappointment.

"You deserve it," Katelyn snapped back.

"Bring me a shirt," Sage ordered, shrugging off his blazer.

"Are you going to undress here?" Katelyn's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Of course. My shirt's ruined, and I have a meeting, remember?"

"Then get your own shirt," she said, pivoting to leave.

"Kate," his tone dropped into a warning, "don't test me." He kept unbuttoning his shirt, ignoring her glare.

Rolling her eyes, Katelyn strode into the adjoining room, pulled a crisp shirt from the cupboard, and returned. Her steps faltered as her eyes caught on his toned back, a dark tattoo carved into his skin.

He turned, catching her stare, and she quickly handed him the shirt. Sage chuckled.

"You've never seen a naked man before, have you?" he teased.

"I'm not you," she retorted.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Sage asked, buttoning his shirt and rolling up his sleeves.

"You already know," she said evenly, watching as he tucked the shirt into his trousers. "And for the record, I'm not your servant."

"You're my secretary," he reminded her, slipping into his blazer and pressing the desk bell. "By the way, Dad and Mom have invited you to dinner tonight."

"I'm not going," Katelyn said flatly.

"Your father already agreed. That's why Dad called me," Sage replied.

'Why is Dad doing this?' Katelyn wondered, her jaw tightening.

An assistant entered, offering a polite greeting to Sage.

"The coffee spilled on the chair, and most of it's on the floor," Sage said. "Get it cleaned."

Then his gaze shifted to Katelyn. "Let's go. We both have a meeting to attend."

"Okay," Katelyn replied simply, turning to leave the office. Sage picked up his phone from the desk before following her out.

As they stepped into the elevator, Katelyn asked, "Why are you adamant of having me as your mate?"

"Do you have someone you like, Princess?" Sage suddenly asked, thus catching her off guard.

"No. How can you say that?" Katelyn refused immediately.

"Kate, you should know the real me. Who knows you start liking me. I'm not as bad as you think," Sage pronounced, keeping his gaze ahead on the elevator's doors.

"The real you is known to everyone. I know how many hearts you've broken. What if I have someone in my heart?" She finally spoke, turning to him. "Will you step back from this arrangement then?"

"If you introduce me to the guy, I may," Sage replied.