Claire's good mood was nonexistent. She had spent the entire morning resolving issue after issue regarding the production of the new suppressors and their side effects, and now her older brother was calling to remind her that the representative from Bayard Pharmaceuticals was coming to her office that day to discuss the new contract terms.

Again.

It must have been the tenth time.

Claire had to admit she was doing it on purpose at this point, always using her father's adoration to convince him to impose a new rule or two every time the new contract arrived.

There were two reasons for this. The first was obvious: Claire thought this merger was a bad choice. She believed it was just a whim of her brother to gain their father's favor without worrying about the consequences. Clearly, that idiot never thought of anything beyond money.

The second reason was more personal. That alpha had an irritating face, an irritating voice, and his scent made her nauseous. She would just cut him off, claiming it wasn't good enough, and send him away. He must be stupid not to get the hint.

But then she had to greet him with at least a half-polite smile that didn't reach her eyes. When her secretary informed her of the Bayard representative's arrival, she let out a long sigh before telling them to come in.

Already mentally bracing herself for the repulsive scent of the other alpha, she kept her eyes on her computer screen, reading a much more important email. However, contrary to her expectations, a wave, soft but unmistakable, seemed to hit her in the chest.

The scent was weak, clearly indicating the omega had been on suppressors for a long time and was now coming off them. But still, Claire could almost distinctly sense it; it was sweet as expected, and it left her disoriented for a moment, making her eyes stray from the lines she was reading to the figure in front of her.

Her breath caught for a moment. Heavens, she had never seen anyone as breathtaking as the omega standing before her, holding a folder and wearing business attire that hugged all the right places.

She leaned back in her chair, her eyes analyzing the omega in front of her. That alpha had been clever this time, she had to admit, sending an omega in his place... If it were just any omega, Claire might not have been so shaken, but the frantic beating of her heart could only mean one thing.

And Claire refused to believe in such nonsense as soulmates.

"Please, have a seat, Miss...?" she asked, gesturing to the chair in front of her with a smile that seemed more interested and eager than she would have liked.