Page 10 of Billionaire Wolf Needs a Fixer (My Grumpy Werewolf Boss #5)

LEVI

Anxiety thrummed under my skin as I paced across the spacious conference room. The fallout from Troy's death felt like an incoming hurricane that I was helpless to stop. It wouldn't be long before Dante directed the media in my direction and tried to connect me to Troy's death. My legal team was seated around the table, eyes darting over the pages of prepared notes. Most of them were looking to me for leadership, but all I felt was a gnawing sense of dread.

"We need to secure an emergency injunction against the media," I said, breaking the silence. My voice sounded steadier than I felt.

Alan, my lead attorney, adjusted his glasses and nodded. "That will buy you time, but it won't be enough. The media is already speculating. Dante is a savvy opponent. He's going to use this chaos against you."

Frustration simmered in my chest. "We need to stop the bleeding before it starts. If we can restrict them from publishing anything until we set our own narrative, it'll give us room to breathe."

The room filled with murmurs of agreement, but beneath the surface, I felt the anxiety rising. I could sense it in every glance exchanged, every scribble of notes. Everyone knew the stakes were higher than they had been. Selene's death had marked us, and now Troy was gone, another pawn sacrificed. My instincts screamed that Dante was ready to strike again.

I wrapped up the meeting with a sense of urgency, giving my team final instructions as they prepared to move forward with the injunction. We had to be rational and strategic. Still, as I exited the conference room, the tight knot in my stomach pulled tighter.

As soon as I stepped into the car, adrenaline coursed through my veins. The mansion felt like it was both a sanctuary and a prison, and I needed to get back to Krista. She was my focus now, more than the looming shadows of Dante, more than the media chaos.

When I arrived, a familiar warmth greeted me as I entered the house. "Krista?" I called out. I headed toward the kitchen and found her sitting at the counter with her laptop open and papers scattered around her. She looked up, her expression a mix of concentration and relief at seeing me.

"There you are," she said, a smile breaking across her face. "How did the meeting go?"

I leaned against the counter, crossing my arms. "We secured an emergency injunction, but it's only a temporary fix. They'll find another way to hit us, I'm sure."

Her brow furrowed, concern etched across her features. "We need to go public with our findings. The sooner we call out Dante, the sooner we can take control of the narrative."

I opened my mouth to protest but stopped myself. "It's too dangerous, Krista. You don't understand what he's capable of."

She leaned closer, her tone growing passionate. "It's exhausting playing defense all the time! We're giving him the upper hand by staying silent. Don't you want to fight back? We need to make a move before he makes one against us."

Caught between her fire and my instinct to protect her, I exploded. "And what if that move puts you in his crosshairs?"

Her eyes flashed with anger and frustration, and I could see her resolve harden. "I'm not a fragile little bird you need to protect, Levi! You hired me to fix the burning mess that's your reputation, remember? We can't keep tiptoeing around him forever."

The air thickened with an intensity that felt electric. I opened my mouth to argue further, but the words caught in my throat. She wasn't wrong. I was trying to shield her from the danger, but in doing so, I was inadvertently belittling her strength.

"Krista, you're stronger than you know," I conceded, my voice softer now. "But rushing in without a plan could jeopardize everything we've worked for."

She shook her head, determination etched on her face. "And what about Troy? He's dead because we're not being proactive. We need to expose Dante and put an end to this before anyone else gets hurt."

"There are better ways to handle this," I argued back, though my own confidence was waning beneath the weight of her passionate plea.

"The longer we wait, the more power we give him," she stated, frustration bleeding into her tone. "I refuse to sit back and let him control our narrative."

Her eyes shone with frustration, and I felt the weight of everything we faced pressing down on us. I could see how much this meant to her, how desperately she wanted to make a difference. But my wolf stirred within me, letting out a howl of warning, sensing how reckless this could be.

At that moment, the combination of fear and fierce determination twisted in her chest, and her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "I feel trapped, Levi! Trapped as we helplessly play defense to his attacks. I don't want to be left in the shadows. I can't go on being your mouthpiece while we slowly drown."

My heart twisted painfully at her admission. "I'm not trying to keep you in the shadows. I'm trying to protect you!" I snapped, frustration bubbling over.

"From what? The truth?" she challenged, her voice rising. "I thought you trusted me!"

I couldn't respond. The truth was, I did trust her more than anyone, yet my instincts were battling against my emotions. I had spent my life protecting those I cared about, and everything inside me screamed that showing vulnerability here would expose us both at our weakest point.

Krista took a step back, visibly hurt. "Maybe you don't see me as a partner, then," she said softly, her voice trembling.

"Krista," I started, but the look in her eyes stopped me. She was angry, yes, but there was also a vulnerability there that broke my heart. Deep down, I could see the frustration that had built up in her, and I realized that I had done this to her. I was holding her back when all she wanted was to stand alongside me.

She turned away, tears spilling down her cheeks. The sight hit me like a blow, and every instinct in me screamed that this was not right. I closed the gap between us just as she wiped away her tears with a shaky hand.

"Krista," I said softly, my voice breaking. "I never wanted to hurt you." I stepped closer, reaching for her again, but she stepped back, furthering the space between us. "I'm sorry," I said finally, my voice raw. "I'm scared too. I'm scared of losing you to that monster out there."

She shook her head, the anguish in her eyes piercing through me. Before I could stop myself, I stepped forward again, enveloping her in my arms. She hesitated, holding herself stiff for a heartbeat, but then melted against me, her warm body pressing against mine as I held her tightly. I could feel the rhythm of her heartbeat against my own, steady and strong.

"I can't lose you," I murmured against her hair, letting the storm of my emotions wash over us. "I refuse to let Dante take what we have. She sniffed softly, leaning into my chest as if seeking solace in my embrace. The warmth of her presence steadied me, and I felt my resolve beginning to rebuild itself.

"You won't lose me, Levi," she replied, her voice muffled against my shirt. "I promise. But we need to take a stand."

I pulled back slightly, searching her face for any sign of doubt. Instead, all I found was a determined fire to fight that mirrored my own. "Alright," I whispered, cupping her face in my hands. "Let's come up with a plan of attack."

She nodded, her gaze unwavering as I leaned in and pressed my forehead against hers. "We'll gather evidence, hit Dante hard and fast where it hurts. But first, we need to make sure we have everything in order."

Krista's eyes sparkled with determination. "I have some ideas for getting testimonies from the shelter volunteers and pet owners at the adoption events. Cute videos with puppies and kittens aren't enough anymore. We need people to vouch for your character. If we can showcase the good you've done there, it might balance out the bad press. It's our best shot at humanizing you and villainizing Dante for threatening all of that."

Her enthusiasm ignited something in me, even as the shadow of Dante loomed larger. "Fine, but we need to keep this under wraps. I don't want anything leaking before we're ready to move."

"I'll coordinate with Zane," she promised, her lips curling into a determined smile. "I'll be safe."

"Good," I said, stepping back. My heart lifted at the thought of her diving headfirst into action. But my body shifted uneasily, caught between wanting to move forward and the alarming feeling rising in my gut that she was putting herself in danger.

Krista grabbed her bag, a determined glint in her eyes. "I'll keep you updated," she said as she headed toward the door. I watched her leave, feeling a strange mix of pride and panic surging within me.

I stood rooted for a moment, battling the instinct to call her back. Krista was heading to the animal shelter, a place that housed innocent lives and, by extension, the only good PR I had left. The weight of what lay ahead pressed down on me, but Krista was fiercer than I had ever imagined. She wasn't the type to back down. Still, the thought of her out there on her own made my wolf stir uneasily.

The minute I tried to shake off the growing dread, the mate bond between us pulsed, sharp and agonizing. I froze, my heart racing.

Something's wrong.

Krista's presence, usually a steady force, flickered like a candle in the wind. The bond between us had never felt this strained nor this chaotic.

The wolf snarled, clawing at my insides, urging me to move and go to her. I stumbled back toward the living room, fingers flexing with agitation as my claws itched to burst out.

I grabbed my phone and checked for any updates, but there was nothing. Anxiety clawed at me. I needed to act. Fast.

Without a plan, I raced to the door, flinging it wide open. Then, the change ripped through me. Bones snapped and rearranged themselves, my back arching as it lengthened. Muscles tore and reknit, sinew stretched like molten wire beneath my skin. My jaw unhinged with a wet pop, fangs punching through bleeding gums as my muzzle stretched forward. Claws split my fingertips, slicing through flesh as they surged free, and a scream lodged in my throat, half-human, half-beast.

The world exploded into a barrage of scent and sound as I propelled myself forward. I dashed through the trees and down the winding road toward the shelter. With each stride, my senses sharpened, honing in on the distant sound of tires screeching against asphalt. A sense of urgency clawed at my insides as the bond flared with Krista's fear. And beneath it all, the mate bond pulsed like a living thing, her heartbeat thundering against mine, each frantic thud a knife twisting deeper. I charged out of the mansion, my instincts guiding me like a beacon.

Images flashed in my mind, the gleam of weapons, shadows flicking in and out of view, and the unmistakable sound of danger approaching. I pushed harder, sprinting faster than I ever had before, feeling the power of the wolf surge through me.

As I neared the shelter, I caught sight of Krista's car pulled over at the side of the road. My blood ran cold. The sound of muffled voices reached me, followed by a crisp command that froze me in place: "Get her out of the car!"

No! The wolf snarled at the threat to our mate.

The world narrowed down to a singular focus. Krista. I could sense her frustration and terror. I lunged forward, muscles coiling like springs ready to unleash fury.

I crouched low as I approached the scene, aware of at least three men standing around Krista's vehicle, their aggressive postures accentuated by the glint of weapons. My heart pounded in my chest, driven by the instinct to protect.

I needed a plan, or I'd charge in blindly, and that wouldn't do either of us any good. I steeled myself, feeling every ounce of my primal hunting instincts come alive. My wolf was ready for the fight.

I focused on Krista through the cloud of chaos surrounding her. She was holding her ground, and I could see her expression flash from fear to defiance. Yes, be strong and unyielding. Don't let them take you down, my wolf thought, urging me onward.

As I approached from the side, hidden by the dense foliage, I caught snippets of their conversation. "You think he cares about you?" one of the men sneered at Krista. "You're just another pawn in his game. He'll choose his career over you in the end."

Fury pulsed through me. No one was allowed to speak to her like that. I felt her heart quicken, the rage flowing through the bond toward me.

In that moment, unseen and unheard, I slid closer, my muscles rippling as I prepared to launch myself into the fray. Everything faded as I honed my focus on the nearest man, a stocky figure with a taunting smirk that made my blood boil. The threat he posed was no longer theoretical. It was real and immediate.

Suddenly, I heard Krista's voice, steady yet fierce. "You don't know anything about me or Levi. He's more than just some celebrity monster you think you can use to get ahead. You're making a grave mistake threatening me."

Her defiance rattled through the air like a challenge thrown down. My wolf roared in approval, echoing her fearlessness. But with each second that passed, my anxiety escalated. I sensed the danger creeping closer, and it ignited a primal hunger to protect what was mine, to defend my mate at all costs.

Then, I sprang into action.

With a deep, guttural growl, I leaped from my hiding place, muscles coiled tight as a spring and releasing in a perfect explosion as I tore through the thick brush. The resounding thud of my paws hitting the ground echoed like a war drum. Time seemed to slow as the men spun around, eyes wide in shock as they registered what was barreling toward them.

"What the—"*

The first man never had a chance to finish his thought as I collided with him, my body crashing into his full speed. The impact was fierce, sending him crumpling to the ground. The sickening crack of his head connecting with the asphalt sent a primal thrill through me.

I could hear her gasp, a mixture of surprise and relief, but not fear. It urged me on, fueling the beast's protective rage.

The remaining two men scrambled to reach for their weapons, but I was faster. I whirled around, fangs bared, and lunged toward the next closest figure. The second thug swung his arm to strike me, but I deftly dodged and sunk my teeth into his arm, biting down hard. A scream erupted from his mouth, a raw, desperate sound that ignited my fury further. A couple swipes of my claws and he fell lifelessly to the ground.

The moment I tasted blood, my wolf surged with power, pushing me deeper into the fight. I didn't care who these men were or what their motives were. All I felt was the desire for them to back off and leave my mate alone.

The last man tried to make a run for it, but I wasn't about to let him escape. In a furious sprint, I lunged forward, anticipating his desperate flight. My powerful legs propelled me forward, and I quickly closed the distance. I howled for vengeance, the taste of it bitter and strong in the air.

I pounded down on him, catching his jacket in my jaws, and bringing him down to the ground with a force that rattled the earth beneath us. With a vicious snarl, I pinned him to the ground, my weight holding him still as I breathed heavily, the primal satisfaction surging through me. I fixated on the men who dared threaten my mate. They didn't just come for me, they threatened her existence. The fury that surged through me was fiercer than any emotion I had ever felt before.

Just as I pressed my claws down harder on his throat, he twisted his body to pull a knife from his belt. I snarled, the sound low and menacing, my reflexes kicking into high gear as I released my hold momentarily. Before he could make any attempt to attack, I clamped my jaws at his arm with renewed intensity, knocking the weapon from his grip and sending it sliding across the road with a sharp clatter. He cried out in pain as his arm snapped.

I heard Krista's voice echoing behind me, rising in a mix of fear and urgency. "Levi! Behind you!" Her warning broke through the chaos, and I turned just in time to see another figure emerging from the trees, another of Dante's men creeping in to ambush me from my blind side. I could sense Krista moving behind me, her eyes wide with panic but filled with fierce determination.

"Get back!" I snarled at her through our bond, leaping in front of her as we both faced the new threat together.

The man hesitated but didn't back down. He raised his gun at us, but my instincts kicked into overdrive. With a surge of adrenaline, I lunged at him, my heart pounding with each pulse of rage.

I threw my body against him, knocking the gun from his hands, the metallic clang ringing in the stillness. I wrestled with him, a furious storm of fangs and claws, beating him into the ground as my breath came out in hot bursts. The fear in his eyes faded as his life slipped away. Krista remained behind me, her presence a steady anchor. She was the only thing that could bring me back from the edge.

I dropped the limp body from my jaws, his blood warm and metallic against my snout. I turned around and pinned the remaining thug lying on the ground. He sniveled in pain as he clenched his injured arm against his chest.

Slowly, I prowled toward him, my paws shaking the ground with each step. I let the wolf slip away until I was human again. I leaned close, grabbing the nape of his jacket with my hands and shaking him. My voice lowered to a menacing whisper. "You will leave now. Tell Dante he's made a mistake."

With a frantic jerk, he nodded, and I could see the resolve leaving him. I released him abruptly, allowing him to scramble back to his feet. He shot a terrified glance at Krista, but I interjected. "Go. And if I see you again, it will be the last time you draw breath."

With an uneasy retreat, the man backed away, his eyes glinting with fear as he turned on his heel and fled into the woods.

I exhaled sharply, adrenaline still coursing through my veins, but my attention turned to Krista. I felt the bond between us stabilize, the frantic fearful pulse turning into a gentle warmth that washed over my heart as I approached her. All that mattered now was making sure that she was unharmed.

"Krista? Are you alright?" I asked, searching her face, my heart still pounding from the confrontation.

"I'm fine," she stammered, though her voice trembled. "You came so fast."

"I'll always come for you, no matter what," I promised, stepping closer to her. I reached out, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear, my fingers lingering on her cheek. "I'm so damn sorry you got caught up in this. I should've never let you out here alone."

Her eyes locked onto mine, a mixture of gratitude and fear swirling within them.

"It just happened so fast. One minute I was gathering testimonials, and the next they surrounded the car. But Levi, you were incredible. I've never seen anything so amazing, so beautiful," she whispered.

It was the first time anybody had ever described my wolf as beautiful. If it hadn't come from my mate's mouth, I wouldn't have believed it. I placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "There's a lot you don't know," I murmured, the weight of my dual nature settling between us. "But what matters is that you're safe."

"Let's get out of here," she said, the determination returning to her voice, but I could see the tremors still trembling through her body.

I took her hand in mine, giving it a reassuring squeeze as we turned toward the shelter. The familiar building loomed in the distance, now a sanctuary from the chaos outside. My senses remained alert, still partly within the adrenaline-fueled haze.

As we rounded the corner, I could see the familiar faces of the volunteers. They stared wide-eyed, uncertainty etched into their features, but I wasn't about to let anyone else near Krista.

"Let's head inside," I said, leading her past the guard of volunteers, their presence instantly making me feel a bit more at ease.

Once we were inside the shelter, I pulled Krista into a quiet corner, away from prying eyes. "You did well. You showed incredible bravery back there."

She shook her head, a mix of pride and vulnerability in her gaze. "All I could think about was you. I couldn't let them talk to you like that. It felt wrong."

"It's because you care," I responded, my heart swelling. "But you've gotta promise me something."

"Anything," she replied, determination setting in her stance.

"Be careful. I can't lose you, Krista. Not now." The weight of the evening's danger pressed down heavily on my chest, the fierce resolve streaking through me. "We fight together, but there are times when I can't have you out there on the front lines, not like this."

Krista's expression softened, the fire in her eyes giving way to a vulnerability that stirred something deep within me. "I understand, Levi. But you have to let me fight in my own way. You can't shield me every time. I want to stand with you, not behind you."

I nodded slowly, acknowledging her courage but wishing we didn't have to navigate this darkness together. "Let's go back to the mansion," I suggested, gathering our bearings. "We need to regroup and revise our plan. We can't let them get the upper hand again."

As we stepped outside, I held her hand firmly, taking comfort in the physical connection and the mate bond between us. After the chaos, I could feel that we were more tightly woven together now, inseparable from each other.

With the shelter fading into the background and our minds set on the battle ahead, I knew I would protect Krista with every ounce of my being. I vowed to keep her safe from harm forever even at the cost of my own life.