First Day of Work

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CHAPTER 6

~Snow's POV~

I watched Zara's expression shift through a range of emotions—surprise, panic and then, remarkably to composure. Her face was priceless—wide eyes and slightly parted lips.

I knew from how she treated me she had no idea who I really was despite all the hints I'd dropped. I almost wanted to laugh. She had no one to blame but herself.

Still, she quickly masked her shock, her eyes narrowing slightly as if preparing for a fight. I admired that. Zara was sharp, bold, and didn't crumble under pressure. Most people wouldn't adapt so quickly to finding themselves thrown into the deep end like this. 

But Zara? She squared her shoulders and met my gaze head-on, showing me she wasn't backing down. Glacier purred in approval, already intrigued by her. 

He stirred with excitement the moment she walked in, the usual pull between us tightening, restless whenever she was near. She had that effect on both of us.

I leaned back in my chair, letting a slow smile spread across my lips. "Take a seat, Zara," I said smoothly, gesturing to the chair across from me. "We have much to discuss." She moved with confidence, settling in without hesitation.

As she sat, I couldn't help but think back to the call with my father. He hadn't taken the news of my marriage well. "You're married?" he'd barked, disbelief coloring his voice. "What kind of stunt are you pulling, Snow?"

I stayed calm, knowing this conversation was inevitable. "I've done what was necessary, as you requested," I replied. "You wanted a Luna, didn't you? I gave you one."

"Necessary?" he scoffed. "You expect me to believe that after rejecting all the noble alpha daughters we sent you? I want to meet her. Tonight. Bring her to dinner."

I knew then bringing Zara into my world would be like throwing her to the wolves—literally. But as she sat before me, spine straight and chin lifted, I realized she might be more than strong enough to handle it.

Zara's voice broke through my thoughts. "You're the CEO?" she asked, as if confirming it for herself.

I nodded, leaning forward slightly. "Surprise," I replied, amused. "Still glad you married a stranger?"

She didn't blink. "Depends," she shot back. "Are you going to fire me?"

I chuckled. "No. I like my wife exactly where she is—right beside me. But there's more you need to know." I paused, letting my words sink in.

"Okay. I'm all ears," she said, crossing her arms and leaning back.

"Let's get one thing straight," I continued, keeping my voice firm. "As your boss, I have rules—strict ones. I expect punctuality. You're here before I am and you leave after. I don't tolerate mistakes in my schedule, and I like my coffee black with one sugar, first thing in the morning. No exceptions. My meetings are to be prepped down to the last detail, and I expect updates on every project I'm involved in. Is that clear?"

"Crystal clear," she replied, her expression steady.

"Good," I continued. "Now, let's talk about your job. After what I listed, do you still want it?" I teased, raising an eyebrow. "Or do you think being my wife is enough?"

Her eyes flashed with determination. "I still want the job," she responded. "But are you going to give it to me, or was this all just for show?"

I grinned, enjoying her spirit. "What do you think?"

She thought for a moment. "The fact that we're still having this conversation tells me you want me here."

My smile widened. "You start today," I replied, turning serious. "And you'll start by proving you can keep up with my pace."

"Today?" she repeated, surprised but adapting quickly. "No time to settle in, huh?"

"No, I'm not a fan of wasting time."

She nodded. "Alright. I accept."

The day passed quickly. Zara did her best to meet the demands of her first day, and she did better than I expected. When the workday ended, I called her into my office.

"You did well for your first day, but there's still room for improvement."

"Thank you," she said, without missing a beat.

"Speaking of which, we'll need to attend a family dinner tonight." I watched her closely.

Her brows furrowed slightly and she hesitated. "A family dinner?" she asked slowly. "Why so soon?"

I tapped a document on my desk, emphasizing the word 'contract.' "You did sign a contract," I reminded her. "And one of the conditions was… family appearances."

I half-expected an argument, but she nodded. "Alright," she said. "I'll go. But I haven't had a chance to shop, so I've got nothing to wear, thanks to your lack of warning."

I raised an eyebrow, impressed by how quickly she agreed. "Don't worry, we'll fix that," I replied. "There's a walk-in closet in your room with everything you could need. All in your size."

She raised an eyebrow, a slight smile on her lips. "Always one step ahead, aren't you?"

"Always," I confirmed, grinning. "But you're catching up quickly."

She laughed, a light, genuine sound that made Glacier stir with contentment. I found myself smiling back. 

There was something about her—something unpredictable and refreshing. I liked it more than I cared to admit.

"Let's go home. We're done for the day."

"But you said I wasn't supposed to leave before you," she pointed out.

"Unless you have another boss you plan on serving tonight?" I replied, teasing.

She said nothing, just nodded and followed me out. As we walked, I noticed how confidently she moved, not bothered by the curious looks of the staff.

Tonight, I will see how she handled my family and see if she could play the role of Luna. As we stepped into the elevator, I leaned closer and whispered, "Prepare yourself, Zara. My family isn't easy."

She looked up at me, her eyes shining with determination. "Good," she smirked. "I wasn't looking for easy."

A grin spread across my face. She kept my interest level high.