Page 5

My reflection shines from the marble floor of Truth-1's lobby. The security guard nods, averting his gaze. Smart man.

The private elevator whisks me to the top floor, but my mind stays stuck on those wide blue eyes and that delicate flush across her cheeks. Tyler. Such a tiny thing, barely reaching my chest. The way she squared her shoulders when questioning me about the accident...

A growl builds in my chest. The beast inside me wants to hunt, to chase, to claim. Ridiculous. I've spent decades mastering my instincts. One small human shouldn't affect me this way.

The elevator chimes. My reflection in the polished doors shows golden eyes blazing brighter than usual. Unacceptable.

"Cancel my afternoon meetings."

"Yes, Mr. Ramone." My assistant doesn't look up from her desk. Another smart one.

I stride into my office and lock the door. The view of Sunny Cove spreads before me, but instead of the usual satisfaction, it brings memories of soft blonde curls and the scent of lavender.

"This is about damage control." The words echo in my empty office. "Nothing more."

The lie tastes bitter on my tongue. Eight o'clock can't come soon enough.

A stack of contracts sits on my desk, demanding attention. I grab my pen, but her voice echoes in my head.

The pen hovers over the contract, but my mind drifts. Tyler’s face flickers behind my eyes, her soft blonde hair catching the sunlight like spun gold. I imagine running my fingers through it, feeling the strands glide against my scaled skin. Her neck, pale and delicate, the pulse quickening as I lean in to breathe in her scent—lavender and something uniquely her. My body tenses as I picture pulling her against me, her small frame fitting perfectly, her warmth seeping through the air between us.

The pen moves. I don’t realize it at first, but when I blink, the margins of the contract are filled with sketches. Curves. Soft lines. Her face, her body,unclothed. Every detail etched with precision. My breath hitches. I drop the pen like it’s on fire.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” I mutter, pinching the bridge of my nose.

The contract is ruined. I grab it, crumpling it in one hand, and stride to the shredder. The machine whirrs as it consumes the paper—and the evidence of my lapse in discipline.

I press the intercom on my desk. “Amelia, bring me another copy of the SanTech contract. And make it quick.”

“Right away, Mr. Ramone,” her voice crackles back.

I slump into my chair, running a hand over my face.Control yourself, Lanz.The words echo in my head like a mantra.You are an Elite Vakutan Warrior. Act like it.I clench my fists,the scales on my knuckles tightening. This isn’t me. I don’t lose focus. I don’t daydream. Not about humans. Not about anyone.

The door clicks open. Amelia steps in, her heels clicking against the floor, and places the new contract on my desk. She doesn’t meet my eyes. “Anything else, sir?”

“No. That’s all.”

She’s out the door before I can say another word. Smart woman. I glance at the fresh contract, the blank lines waiting for my signature. This time, I keep my mind on the task at hand. No distractions. No wandering thoughts.

The fresh contract sits before me, but my focus is shattered by the ringing of my compad. I glance at the ID and my stomach clenches - Captain Pyke.

"Yes, Commander?" I answer, keeping my tone neutral.

Pyke's gruff voice crackles through the speaker. "I heard about the incident earlier today. Were the Grolgath involved?"

"No, sir. It was simply a mundane vehicular accident." I pause, knowing what's coming next.

"Was your identity compromised?"

I hesitate, picturing those wide blue eyes studying me with concern and curiosity.

"Potentially. I'm...taking care of it."

Pyke grunts.

"What do you mean you're taking care of it?"

I choose my words carefully.