"Alpha, you requested a stack of new manila folders," she says, her heels clicking against the polished floor as she saunters her way over to the desk with exaggerated grace, her hips swaying in a way that was clearly meant to attract attention. Shifting around to look slowly at her, I did not at first perceive that I was glaring at her. It was something that had been simmering down below, but when she looked suggestively at Ethan, the red mist came down.

"No, I did," I said firmly, my ...