“It’s not a joke,” I tell him, planting my feet firm and holding his gaze. Aden’s always made me nervous, but knowing my freedom is one conversation away gives me courage. “I’m quitting the firm. But I want to thank you for all the mentorship over the years. It’s been invaluable.”
“Mentorship? Fuck you,” he cries, red rage creeping up his neck as he rips the page into pieces. “Is it another firm? Tell me what they’re offering, and I’m sure we can match it.”
I shake my head. “No. Actually, I’m leaving corporate law and opening my own office. I’m going into advocacy.”
Aden laughs bitterly. “You? The great Callisto Wren doing common advocacy? I think all these OCB cases melted your brain.” He folds his arms, tapping one foot with agitation. “How about you use your vacation time to think it over? You love this job more than life itself.”
Yeah, I used to. “Thank you, but no. I’ve made up my mind and I won’t be looking back.”
He sneers at me. “Every law firm in the country will hound you the minute they hear you’re leaving.”
I grin, my nerves finally easing now I’ve said my piece. “And some overseas. Already had offers.”
He quivers with rage. “You’re an arrogant prick, right to the end.”
I shrug. “Thank you.”
“Don’t expect any goodwill from us after pulling shit like this!”
Wasn’t really expecting any, but I think he’s wrong. I’ve made enemies, yeah, but I’ve also made extensive networks in the country’s legal circles. I pull a second copy of my resignation letter from my pocket and slide it over the desk.
Aden hisses at me, baring teeth and alpha authority together. The challenge barely registers on my radar—getting close and personal with an alpha like Zack really changes your classification system.
“Get the fuck out of my face then,” he says, snapping up the letter while radiating fury. “And don’t expect us to throw a party on your behalf.”
I raise my hands and back away. “Sure. Pleasure working with you, Aden.” Pretty sure he’s mostly pissed that the firm can’t capitalize on my new record.
Aden ignores me and clicks his fingers at Hale. “You too,” he tells the beta, pointing toward the door. From the flush on his neck and the way his hands quiver, it seems like he wants to break things.
“Of course. Just one thing.” Hale digs a folded page out of his pants pocket and drops it into Hale’s hand. “I’m with him.” He salutes, and my jaw drops.
“You’re not fucking going anywhere!” Aden roars.
“But I am.” Hale grins and folds his arms over his chest. “And that’s my resignation letter to prove it.”
Aden slams his hands down on the desk, and the beta jumps. When he speaks, he loads it up with an aggressive alpha order. “Take it back, Hale.” The alpha scent in the room thickens so much Hale coughs. He drops his gaze, instinctively shying away from the alpha domination.
Quickly, I step up behind my former paralegal and grip his shoulders.
Aden growls at me. “You can’t have him.”
“Hey, I didn’t know he was doing this,” I say, glaring back at him. “But he’ll be my next case if you force his hand with alpha speak in the workplace.”
Aden vibrates with rage but finally tears his gaze away and stalks over to the window. After a long moment of staring out into the city, he says, “You two really ruined my day, you know?”
A nervous laugh runs through Hale. “Sounds like one of our regular days then,” he mutters to me. Of course, Aden hears it and shoots an if-looks-could-kill glare our way.
“We’ll take our leave then,” I say, guiding Hale from the room before one of us really gets killed.
We rush down the hall, and the moment we get in the elevator, Hale squats down, heaving for breath. “Shit, I almost wet myself back there,” he declares.
“You could’ve given me a heads up,” I growl, still riled up by another alpha’s bark.
He chuckles, gripping the handrail to keep his balance. “I wanted to see the look on your face too. The way he got so mad, sounds like I’m more valuable than you are.” He shoots me such a cheeky grin that I roll my eyes and groan.
“Yeah, bet that made your day,” I say.
He chuckles and hauls himself upright. “Aden Parker, begging me to stay. Made my year.”
