Chapter 4 His Lingering Gaze

• Ariel's POV.
• My mind swirled with a lot of questions as I watched Ryan glide toward where we stood in his wheelchair. It was crazy to realize that I had actually been marked by the Alpha of the pack without knowing it.
• Flashing a brief smile at us, he asked, “You must be here for the interview, right?”
• Jenny and Sarah responded in unison, nodding their heads, but I didn't say a single word. I could only stare in amazement and shock.
• “Please, take a seat.”
• Sarah, noticing my sudden daze, held my hand and dragged me to the couch in the office. “Are you okay? You keep spacing out,” she asked worriedly.
• I could only nod with a feigned smile on my lips before turning back to meet Ryan's gaze. Oddly, he had refused to look at me again.
• It almost felt like we were strangers, and it made me doubt that he was my mate. I mean, there must be a possibility that he just had an uncanny resemblance to my mate, right?
• I tried my best to believe he wasn't the one at all. Yes, my mate was crippled, but that didn't mean he was the Alpha.
• Just as my thoughts kept lingering all over the place, Sarah, who was so interested in him, asked, “Do you mind if we know your real name first?”
• He smiled softly before letting it out, “My real name is…” he paused, his eyes darting toward me briefly, his icy blue eyes sending cold chills down my veins before he looked away from me.
• “Ryan Hamilton.”
• Oh my Goddess. He was actually the one who had just marked me. I was marked by the Alpha of the pack? How in the world did this happen? Was that why he had this aura of authority as he spoke to me back then?
• It all began to make sense.
• I couldn't help but think about the words I used on him. How I rejected his offer. Biting hard on my tongue, I clenched my fingers on my dress in pure embarrassment.
• “Alpha Ryan, we would like to ask you a series of questions if you don't mind,” Jenny raised, making him accept.
• “Go ahead. That's why you are here.”
• Seeing how lost I was as I stared at Alpha Ryan, Jenny didn't hesitate to reach for me, pinching me so hard on my hand that it made me wince in pain.
• “Ouch!” I jumped as I let out before turning to her, my brows furrowed in pain.
• “It's time for the questions, Ariel,” she let out through her gritted teeth, a forced laugh on her face.
• We had all agreed that I'd do the questioning while she noted the responses down with Sarah. I had already forgotten about that, seeing my husband as the Alpha and President of the Ryham Group.
• With trembling fingers, I reached for the file. Flipping it open to the questions, I cleared my throat before I began.
• “Alpha Ryan…” my voice came out shakier and more unsteady than I had expected. “What would you state as your reason for keeping yourself private all these years?”
• “That was a choice I made for myself… I prefer being a mystery rather than letting everyone know my next move… and I'm pretty sure you admire that… don't you?”
• His response was clear but daunting as he clearly tried to tease me before my colleagues. I froze for a second before continuing.
• I blinked rapidly as I took my eyes off him to ask other questions. “Can you tell us how you managed to climb the financial ladder this quickly and also be able to bypass most thriving packs before yours?”
• He sounded more serious at this moment, “Being smart takes a lot, but knowing when to use your information is more important. I did what no one has done before, and that's knowing the needs of the pack members. Besides, other packs and Alphas chased after the money while I chased the concerns of the pack.”
• I nodded, understanding his response. Soon, I got used to asking him questions, getting comfortable too as I questioned him. It was beginning to sound interesting and fun interviewing him until it happened.
• “The next question is…” I froze as I read it in my mind. There was no way I was going to ask this question.
• My fingers tightened as they clutched the edges of the file. Why did they have to put such a disturbing question?
• If Jenny and Sarah hadn't followed me to the interview, I would have definitely ignored the question.
• “Ariel… he's waiting!” Sarah called my attention, her voice barely above a whisper too.
• Swallowing nervously, I blinked, my eyes darting from Alpha Ryan to the question. I knew the answer already, but what choice did I have?
• “Alpha Ryan,” I called softly, “it would interest the general pack members to know if you are still without a mate.”
• I finally emitted, clenching my jaw tightly as I stared at him.
• A sneaky smile crossed his lips as I saw a sharp glint of amusement in his eyes.
• He drawled, “I don't know, what do you think, Mrs. Ariel?”