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Evan looks ready to explode. "This isn't a waiting room!"

I place a hand on Evan's arm. "Let me handle this. Go check on the security system or something… clearly it needs upgrading if he can find us."

Evan hesitates, then nods curtly. "Fine. But he's gone in thirty minutes."

As Evan stalks off, Onyx pushes away from the wall. "I'll check on Mara."

"I'll be down soon," I promise.

That leaves me alone with Axl and Leo, who's still hovering by the door like he's unsure whether to stay or go.

"Leo, could you give us a minute?" I ask.

He nods, though his eyes linger on Axl before he follows Onyx downstairs.

Once we're alone, I turn to Axl. "How did you find me?"

"I told you… I hired a private investigator."

"Why?"

He stands, moving closer to me. "Because I can't stop thinking about you. Because what happened between us felt... different."

"It was just sex," I say, though the words sound hollow.

"Bullshit." He reaches for my hand, and I let him take it. "We both know it was more than that."

As his fingers touch mine, I feel that same electric current from the night we met. His scent hits me then… It's wild and intoxicating, and something clicks.

"Wait… You're a shifter," I breathe.

His eyes widen slightly. "How did you know?"

"I can smell it on you now." I step closer, inhaling deeply. "You're a wolf?"

He nods slowly. "You couldn't tell before?"

"I was... newly awakened then. I'm still learning."

"Whoa… You're an Omega."

It's not a question.

"Yes," I admit.

"Fuck," he whispers. "No wonder I couldn't get you out of my head. No wonder I feel like I'm losing my mind when I'm not near you."

"Axl…"

"I've been a shifter my whole life," he continues, "but I've never felt a pull like this. I have never wanted someone so badly; it hurts."

His words stir something in me, a response I can't control. My body remembers his touch, the way he made me feel, and it wants more.

"This is insane," I say, more to myself than to him. "You can't be here."

"Why not?"

"Because it's complicated."