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I wasn’t going to tell her that the scandal was so much worse than she realized. I’d been the catalyst of Dakota’s Awakening, and surely, the aftermath of such a thing didn’t usually include letting the fresh mage go home in a Lyft he’d ordered himself.

But, thinking about it, there was no way a mage would trade his Awakening to get information about a business deal negotiated with werewolves. It simply wouldn’t happen.

Sighing, I dropped into my office chair and opened the top left drawer. I usually left my nicer watch in there—it wasn’t the kind of thing I wanted to wear out. Too flashy. Ostentatious. When I wore it, I was acutely aware of the place I’d come from and how little this sort of indulgence really fit the pup who’d fought in the mud just to escape our oppressive, backwoods pack of origin.

But if I didn’t put it on before the meeting, I’d forget entirely. What was the point of an expensive watch if you didn’t wear it to important business meetings?

As I closed the clasp, I stared at Jill. “Did you come to take me down a peg before we meet with Igarashi?”

Jillian scoffed. “Nope. Just to make sure your mage didn’t singe your dick off before the big meeting. You ready?”

I’d barely sat down, and it was already time to start this marathon. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

The day ahead of us promised to be a long one, but as we left my office, Jillian reminded me we were meeting with the team before Igarashi arrived to go over the plan and meet the new translator.

When we got to the conference room, I sat at the head of the table, not because I was already too exhausted by what was coming to stand. I was nervous. I didn’t want to make everyone nervous, pacing along the wall of windows.

From that seat, I had a perfect view of the door opening on Maia and?—

My whole world froze when my eyes met Dakota’s.

I was ashamed my first thought was that he looked a little sleepy, and that I ought to wrap him up in a blanket that smelled like me and make sure he got a good day’s rest.

More shameful, my second thought was how he looked in my bed, his eyes shut and mouth gaped so temptingly and?—

“This is Kent Medson,” Maia said as I stared. “Kent, Dakota Morris. He’ll be assisting with this deal.”

She was introducing Dakota around the room, but when Kent reached out to shake Dakota’s hand, and Dakotasmiledat him, a soft growl rumbled in my throat.

Every wolf in the room snapped their head toward me. Kent looked confused, Jillian shrewd, and I—I cleared my throat.

“Nice to meet you,” Dakota said.

Kent’s eyes flashed my way, and when he realized I wasn’t going to turn into a beast at the very idea of him being reasonably polite to the new hire, he offered similar platitudes.

I stood from my seat, and Jillian was at my side in a second, pushing against my arm, her gaze cutting into me. I could practically hear her asking,Are you all right?

I dipped my chin in the tiniest of nods as Maia led Dakota over to us. “And Ms. Fyse is our COO.”

“Jillian,” my sister said, shoving her hand out to shake Dakota’s. “So nice to meet you.”

Even I could hear the sharpness in her voice. She knew how to act, but her defenses were up. She knew something was off here.

“And last, Mr. Fyse.”

Dakota flushed. He only managed to meet my gaze for a split second. “Your...” He stared at Jill pointedly.

I almost choked when I realized what he was worried about.

“My sister,” I spat out. “Twin. We started Crescent together. You can call me Jax. So nice to meet you.”

I shook his hand, ignoring the lightning that shot up my arm with his palm pressed against mine.

With Dakota close enough for Jillian to catch the scent of his magic, her nose flared. She stared at me, her eyes wide enough to see her full irises, her pupils red when they caught the fluorescent lighting above, and she—sheknew.

Even if the way I looked at Dakota didn’t give me away, there was no keeping her in the dark now. I’d showered, but I was sure she could smell him on me if she tried hard enough.

My jaw flexed as I avoided her demanding glare. “I would love to have a moment with Mr. Morris, to, ah, discuss strategy. If you would—” I held my hand to the door, and Maia smiled at Dakota—yes, a bit nervously.