Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
Elena
"Ms. Windsor, here's the final contract for the fragrance shop partnership with Hale. Please review it, and if everything looks good, you can sign."
The lawyer handed me the documents. I took them and scanned through. "Here," I pointed at the amount, "wasn't it supposed to be the original figure?"
The lawyer adjusted his glasses with a professional smile. "His Majesty instructed us to reduce it by another 20%."
I thought back to that night in the private room, when Lucifer said "I just want to help you," those gray eyes glistening under the lights like a dog trying to please its owner, his voice trembling.
I sighed and signed my name.
"Congratulations." The lawyer smiled. "Looking forward to working together."
I nodded and tucked the documents into my bag. Outside the law office, the sunlight was blinding. I stood at the entrance, watching the crowds flow past.
The contract was done.
Now came opening day.
The next week, I spent every day at the shop.
Adjusting shelf positions, testing the lighting, checking every bottle's label and description. Sometimes Anya came with me, running around, handing me things, or drawing in a corner.
"Mommy, can I put my drawing here?" She held up a paper with crooked flowers.
"Of course." I took it and taped it to the wall by the register. "It's beautiful."
She clapped happily and ran off to draw more.
Opening day was set for Friday. Three days early, I started preparing the materials—I'd added a DIY activity where customers could make their own fragrance.
It would increase engagement with the products, boost sales, and give us free advertising when customers took them home and told others.
This meant preparing various essential oils, bases, containers, detailed instructions, and little decorative touches women liked—men rarely used fragrance anyway.
"Ms. Windsor, how should we arrange these oils?"
"By scent type." I walked over. "Put the common ones like lavender, rose, and mint in the most visible spots."
"Got it."
I directed the staff while mentally rehearsing the flow. Opening day would be hectic—greeting customers, guiding the DIY sessions, handling whatever came up...
I rubbed my temples and took a deep breath.
It's okay. You've got this.
Friday morning, I woke at five-thirty.
I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, heart racing. Today was opening day. I rolled out of bed, washed up, changed, and checked my makeup three times in the mirror before leaving the bedroom.
Anya was still asleep. I kissed her forehead. She mumbled and rolled over. I smiled, squeezed her cheek, and headed out. I'd already arranged with Amy to take Anya to school. Everything ready, I grabbed last night's leftover sandwich and my bag and slipped out quietly.
At six, I arrived to find the staff already there. We did final checks together, positioned promotional posters, and hung the "Grand Opening" banner out front.
"Ms. Windsor, samples are ready."
"Flyers went out."
"Activity materials are all here."
I nodded and glanced at the clock. Eight-fifty. Ten minutes.
I took a deep breath, walked to the door, and put my hand on the handle.
At nine sharp, I opened the door and flipped the "Open" sign.
Sunlight poured in, falling across the shelves and bottles. They gleamed softly in the light, as if waiting to be taken home.
The first customer arrived quickly—a young woman who hesitated at the door with her phone. "I saw your ad online. If I buy materials, I can make fragrance here for free?"
"Welcome! Yes," I smiled. "We have an opening special, plus coupons."
"Really?" Her eyes lit up. "That's great! How does it work?"
"Let me show you."
Over the next hour, customers trickled in. Neighbors, passersby, people who'd come specifically. The shop gradually filled with life. I stood at the worktable guiding a customer through mixing scents. "Lavender helps with sleep. If you have trouble at night, add more."
"I'll add this then." The customer reached for the lavender oil.
"Watch the ratio." I reminded her. "Base to essential oil is ten to one."
"Okay."
I was reaching for the measuring cup when the door opened again.
A familiar scent washed in.
Cedar and amber.
My hand froze mid-air. Slowly, I turned my head.
Lucifer stood in the doorway, several wolves behind him. He wore a black shirt and slacks, sleeves rolled to his elbows, exposing the hard lines of his forearms. When he saw me, his mouth curved in a faint smile.
"Need a hand?" His voice wasn't loud, but even in the noisy shop, I heard every word clearly.
Every customer turned to look.
Someone froze.
Someone rubbed their eyes.
Then someone gasped and whispered, "Is that... His Majesty?"
"King Hale?"
"Oh my God, what's he doing here?"
Murmurs rippled through the shop. Everyone stared at him with shock and disbelief, bowing hastily. Lucifer ignored the attention. He walked straight to me, those gray eyes fixed on mine.
"I'm here to help." His tone was casual, like this was the most natural thing in the world.
I opened my mouth to say "no need," but the corner of his mouth twitched, and he'd already turned to the customers. "Everyone continue." Authority rang naturally in his voice. "Today is Windsor Flagrance' opening day. Welcome, everyone."
The atmosphere came alive. Customers whispered to each other but quickly returned to the DIY activity.
Lucifer looked at the customers gathered around the worktable. "Want to learn how to make fragrance? I'll demonstrate."
The customers immediately crowded closer.
Lucifer picked up an empty bottle and poured in base oil.
"First, choose your base. Lavender is most common, works for most people.
" His movements were slow, making sure everyone could see clearly.
"Then add other scents based on your needs.
Want better sleep? Add lavender. Want to relax? Try rose or chamomile."
He talked while working. Dropping in oils, shaking, sniffing, adjusting ratios.
"The ratio is important." He looked up, gaze sweeping over everyone. "Base to oil is ten to one. Too much oil and the scent will be overwhelming, actually unpleasant."
The customers listened intently, some snapping photos on their phones, others taking notes.
I stood to the side, watching.
Lucifer, King of Silver pine, Alpha of House Hale, was currently in my shop, patiently teaching customers how to make fragrance.
His voice was low and steady, each step clearly explained. He even cracked a joke that made everyone laugh. He must have studied this ahead of time. My wolf said. And studied seriously.
Reporters raised cameras, shutters clicking. Flashes popped against his profile. I knew tomorrow's headlines would read—"King Hale Appears at Windsor Fragrances Grand Opening."
But he seemed completely unconcerned, his profile focused on the tools in his hands, eyes intent, giving him a mature air that made them even deeper.
I swallowed.
For the next few hours, Lucifer stayed. He helped customers get materials, helped me move shelves, and when someone didn't understand, he'd walk over and guide them hands-on.
The wolves he'd brought joined in too. A few bold girls sidled over for photos while making fragrance with them.
The wolves remained expressionless, but their ears turned noticeably red.
I watched from behind the register, smiling, but my gaze kept returning to Lucifer's busy figure. His shirt back had a damp patch of sweat, sleeves rolled higher, exposing the taut muscle lines of his arms. When he bent to talk with customers, his hair fell forward, partially shadowing his eyes.
My heartbeat quickened.
The activity ran until three p.m. After the last satisfied customers left, the shop finally quieted.
I leaned against the counter and exhaled. Tired, but fulfilled. Opening day sales exceeded expectations, and customer feedback was excellent.
"Good work." Lucifer walked over and handed me a bottle of water.
"Thanks." I took it and drank deeply. The cold water slid down my throat, washing away some fatigue.
He grabbed one too and leaned beside me at the counter.
"Business was good today," he said.
"Yeah." I nodded. "Better than I expected."
"That's because your fragrance is good."
I turned to look at him. He was looking at me too, those gray eyes full of laughter.
"You didn't have to do all this." I set the bottle down. "I mean... you're the king. You didn't need to come help me..."
He raised an eyebrow and turned toward me. "Elena." His eyes shone, full of amusement. "I came to help someone I care about. My mate."
His gaze made my face heat. I looked away. "I'll go clean up."
"My people are handling it." Lucifer lazily called me out. Indeed, those suited wolves were sweeping, wiping tables, collecting decorations and trash, methodical and efficient. The staff sat quietly to the side like schoolchildren.
"Then I'll... organize the shelves." I turned and hurried toward the displays. Several bottles had been taken down during demonstrations and needed to be replaced. I stood on tiptoe, reaching for the top shelf.
My fingertips just touched the bottle when it started to fall.
"Watch out—"
Lucifer's voice sounded by my ear. The next second, he wrapped around me from behind, one hand covering my head, blocking the falling bottle. It hit his hand with a dull thud.
"Are you okay?" I turned. His arm was still around me, only inches between us.
"I'm fine." He lowered his hand but didn't completely let go, still resting on my waist. "You?"
"I..."
Before I could finish, his scent surrounded me. Cedar, amber, mixed with a hint of salty sweat and the lavender from making fragrance earlier.
My wolf stood up inside me, tail wagging.
I could see the unbuttoned collar of his shirt, the shadowed hollow of his collarbone, his Adam's apple bobbing with each breath, a bead of sweat on his skin sliding down those lines.
My breathing faltered.
The kiss from that night suddenly replayed in my mind.
My face began burning.
"Elena?"