Page 6 of Billionaire Wolf Needs a Fixer (My Grumpy Werewolf Boss #5)

LEVI

The red carpet stretched endlessly before us, a sea of flashing cameras and shouting reporters. Krista's hand rested lightly on my arm, her fingers warm against my skin. She was a vision in a sapphire gown that hugged her curves, her hair piled atop her head with a few loose strands framing her face. Her confidence radiated like a beacon, her smile effortless as she posed for the cameras.

"Just play along," she murmured, her lips barely moving.

I forced a smile, my jaw tight. "I hate these things."

Her laugh was soft, and if not for my enhanced sense of hearing, the clamor around us would have drowned it out. "You're a movie star, Levi. This is your life."

"My life is a circus," I muttered.

She squeezed my arm gently. "Then let's give them a show."

The cameras clicked furiously as we walked, her presence calming the storm inside me. I struggled to hold back a possessive growl as the reporters and paparazzi called her name and shoved their cameras in her direction. Krista was here to help me clear my name. I couldn't fuck it up by acting like a beast and ruining all the hard work she had done. But she was so convincing at her job. By the time we made it to the end of the red carpet and as her scent enveloped me, I had to remind myself that this was just an act.

We were steps from stepping inside away from the press zoo when a reporter shoved a microphone in my face. "Levi, how do you respond to the allegations against you? Do you have any comment on Selene Reyes's death?"

I cut him off with a glare, ready to wrap my claws around his neck. Krista stepped in smoothly, her smile never wavering. "Levi and I are here tonight to celebrate the incredible work of the filmmakers nominated this year. We'd appreciate it if we could keep the focus on the art, not the rumors."

The reporter blinked, thrown off by her poise. Krista gave me a subtle nudge, and I managed a tight smile. "What she said."

We moved on before anybody else could accost us. Her grip tightened on my arm. "Good save," she said under her breath.

"You're better at this than I am," I admitted.

She chuckled. "That's why they pay me the big bucks."

We entered the auditorium, the hum of conversation between the guests already filling the air. The awards ceremony dragged on, each presenter and speech a blur. I barely noticed who won what, too focused on the woman beside me. Krista's leg brushed against mine, the warmth of her skin melting into my side. It may have been wishful thinking on my part, but I caught her glancing at me more than once.

"What?" I asked finally, leaning closer.

She hesitated, her eyes scanning the room. "Do you feel that?"

I frowned. "Feel what?"

She shook her head. "Never mind. Probably just my imagination."

Her unease set me on edge. My wolf stirred, sensing something I couldn't see. "Stay close," I said quietly.

She nodded, her fingers tightening around my arm.

The ceremony ended, and we made our way to the after-party. The room was packed, the air heady with perfume, cologne, and the scent of champagne. Krista was immediately swept into conversation with a group of actors and studio executives, her laugh ringing out above the noise. I watched her from across the room, a glass of whiskey in my hand.

"Levi."

I turned to find Dante Grimshaw standing beside me, his smile cold and calculating. "Fancy seeing you here. I didn't think you had it in you to show your face in public."

"Dante," I said evenly. "Still stealing other people's ideas?"

His chuckle was low, humorless. "Always so charming. Tell me, how's the investigation going?"

My grip tightened on the glass. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

He leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Be careful, Levi. You're playing in dangerous waters."

"And you're drowning," I shot back.

His smile didn't falter, but his eyes darkened. "We'll see."

He moved away, disappearing into the crowd. My wolf snarled, wanting to chase him down and rip his throat out. But I stayed where I was, my gaze finding Krista again. She was watching me, her brow furrowed.

The night wore on, the tension between us palpable. Finally, Krista excused herself, and I followed her onto the balcony. The cool night air was a relief, the noise of the party muted.

"You okay?" she asked, leaning against the railing.

I joined her, the city lights stretching out before us. "Just thinking."

She looked at me, her eyes soft. "About what?"

"Everything." I hesitated, then added, "You."

Her breath hitched, but she didn't look away. "Levi..."

I reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. Her skin was warm beneath my fingertips, and I couldn't stop myself from leaning closer. Her scent, her warmth, her presence, it was intoxicating.

"Krista," I murmured.

Her lips parted, her breath catching as her eyes flickered to mine. For a moment, the world narrowed to just her and me. My wolf growled low, urging me to claim her, to make her mine. But I held back, my fingers trembling as they traced the curve of her cheek.

"Levi," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the hum of the city below. "What are we doing?"

I didn't have an answer. Not one that made sense. All I knew was that being close to her felt right in a way nothing else ever had. But this wasn't the time or the place. I forced myself to pull back, my hand dropping to my side.

"We're playing a part," I said, my voice steady despite the storm inside me. "That's all."

Her eyes searched mine, and for a second, I thought I saw something like disappointment flash across her face. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by her usual mask of confidence. "Right. Of course."

She straightened, brushing an invisible wrinkle from her gown. "We should get back inside. People will talk if we're out here too long."

I nodded, though every fiber of my being screamed to stay. To keep her close. To protect her. But Krista wasn't someone who needed protecting. She was a force in her own right, and I knew better than to underestimate her. Still, the thought of letting her walk back into that viper's nest made my chest tighten.

"Krista," I said, stopping her before she could open the door. She turned, her eyebrow raised in question. "Be careful."

She gave me a small, knowing smile. "Always am."

We returned to the party, slipping back into our roles effortlessly. The night dragged on, the clinking of glasses and hum of conversation a constant backdrop. I kept one eye on Krista, even as I engaged in meaningless small talk with industry insiders. She was in her element, effortlessly charming those who approached her, her laugh ringing out like music over the noise.

But I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. My instincts kept screaming that danger was near and throughout the rest of the party, I scanned the room, my gaze always landing on Dante. He was deep in conversation with a group of executives, but his eyes flicked toward Krista more than once. A low growl built in my throat, but I forced it down, keeping my composure.

The evening wore on, and finally, the crowd began to thin. Krista caught my eye across the room, nodding toward the exit. I followed her out, the cool night air a welcome relief after the stifling atmosphere inside.

"Ready to leave?" she asked, her voice light but her eyes serious.

"More than ready," I replied, offering her my arm out of habit. She took it without hesitation, her fingers brushing against mine as we made our way to the car.

The ride back to the mansion was quiet, the hum of the engine the only sound between us. Krista leaned her head against the window. She looked tired, the weight of the evening showing in the way her shoulders slumped. I fought the urge to reach out, to pull her close and shield her from everything.

When we arrived back at the mansion, it was dark and quiet inside, Garrett and the rest of the team had already retired to their rooms. We stopped inside the foyer and the silence stretched between us, thick with unspoken words and emotions neither of us was ready to acknowledge.

"Levi," Krista said softly, breaking the silence. "Thank you. For tonight."

I frowned. "For what?"

"For being there," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I know this isn't easy for you, but you handled it well."

I shook my head, my chest tightening. "I didn't do anything. You're the one who kept things together."

She smiled faintly. "Maybe. But we make a good team."

Her words caught me off guard, and for a moment, I couldn't find my voice. My wolf purred in contentment, and I knew it was right. Mate. Krista and I were more than colleagues, more than allies. But what that meant, I wasn't ready to admit out loud. Not yet.

"We do," I finally managed. "But don't let it go to your head."

Her laugh was quiet, almost relieved. "Wouldn't dream of it."

We stood there for a moment longer, the weight of the night pressing down on us. Then she stepped back, breaking the spell. "I should get some sleep. Big day tomorrow."

I nodded, though the thought of her walking away made my chest ache. "Yeah. Me too."

She hesitated, her gaze lingering on mine. Then, without a word, she turned and headed upstairs, her footsteps echoing softly in the quiet house. I watched her go, my wolf howling in protest, but I forced myself to stay rooted in place.

When her figure disappeared around the corner, I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair.

Whatever this was between us was complicating things in ways I hadn't anticipated. Krista was a distraction I couldn't afford, not with Dante circling like a shark and the media ready to pounce on the slightest misstep. And yet, no matter how much I tried to convince myself otherwise, I couldn't shake the feeling that she'd become more than just a means to an end.

My phone buzzed in my pocket, pulling me from my thoughts. It was Dean.

"Levi," he said, his voice urgent. "I've got something. Meet me at my office in an hour."

I frowned, glancing toward the stairs. "Now?"

"It's about Selene."

I hesitated, torn between the need to follow this lead and the desire to stay close to Krista. But duty won out. "I'm on my way."

I ended the call and took one last look at the staircase before heading out into the night. The cool air hit me like a slap. I climbed into the car, the engine roaring to life beneath me. As I pulled away from the mansion, my thoughts lingered on Krista. I'd left her alone in a house that felt too big, too empty, and I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that I'd made the wrong choice.

But there was no turning back now. The storm was coming, and I had to be ready.

When I arrived at Dean's office, the lights were still on, casting a warm glow through the windows. Dean was at his desk, his glasses perched on his nose as he scrolled through lines of code on his monitor.

"You're late," he said without looking up.

"Traffic," I lied, leaning against the doorframe. "What do you have?"

He finally turned to me, his expression serious. "I've been digging into Selene's financials like you asked. Found some interesting transactions."

I stepped closer, my interest piqued. "Go on."

"Monthly deposits to an offshore account. Started about six months before she died."

I frowned. "Blackmail?"

"Doubtful," Dean said, shaking his head. "She wasn't the one initiating the payments. Someone was funneling money to her."

My stomach dropped. "Dante."

"Bingo," Dean said, leaning back in his chair. "Looks like she was on his payroll. But here's the kicker, the payments stopped two weeks before she died."

I clenched my fists, the pieces falling into place. Dante had been using Selene, and when she was no longer useful, he got rid of her. The realization didn't surprise me, but it fueled the fire burning in my chest.

"What else?" I asked, my voice tight.

"That's not all," Dean said, his tone grim. "I found a deleted email chain between her and Dante. He was pressuring her to do something she didn't want to do."

"Poison herself?" I asked, the words bitter on my tongue.

Dean shook his head. "Not exactly. He wanted her to frame you for something. She refused, and then..." He trailed off, letting the unspoken truth hang in the air.

I swore under my breath, my wolf snarling in frustration. Dante had Selene killed because she wouldn't play along with his scheme. And now he was trying to pin it all on me.

"We need to keep digging, Dean. There has to be more." I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees. "What else do you have?"

Dean turned back to his computer, pulling up another file. "Her phone records. I've been going through the calls she made in the weeks leading up to her death. There's a pattern. She was calling the same number almost every day."

I frowned. "Dante?"

"No," Dean said, shaking his head. "The number's unregistered, but I traced it back to a burner phone. Whoever it is, they're careful."

My gut twisted uneasily. "Do you think it's connected to her death?"

"It's possible," Dean said, his tone cautious. "I'm still working on it, but it's a lead. If we can figure out who she was talking to, we might be able to piece together what happened."

I nodded, the pieces of the puzzle slowly coming together. "Keep digging. I want to know everything."

"I will," Dean promised, his eyes meeting mine. "But Levi, you need to be careful. If Dante catches wind that we're onto him, he's not going to hesitate to come after you. And he's got no problem playing dirty."

"I know," I said, my voice grim. "But he's not the only one who can play dirty." I stood, turning to leave. "Keep me updated. Let me know if you find anything else."

"I will," Dean said, his voice trailing after me as I headed for the door. "And Levi, don't forget to look out for yourself while all of this is going on. I know what's at stake, but you have to take care of your own head. Otherwise, it's going to get all messed up."

I paused in the doorway, glancing back at him. "Thanks, Dean. I'll keep that in mind."

The road ahead was treacherous, and the stakes were higher than ever. But I couldn't afford to falter now. Selene's death, Krista's safety, and my own future were all on the line. I climbed into the car, the engine roaring to life as I pulled away from Dean's office.

I couldn't shake the image of Krista standing on that balcony, the soft glow of the lights inside the party earlier illuminating her face. She had this way of grounding me, of making the chaos around me feel manageable. But she was also a distraction, and I couldn't afford distractions right now. Not with Dante breathing down my neck and the media ready to pounce on any misstep.

Still, as I drove back to the mansion, I couldn't ignore the pull I felt toward her. It wasn't just my wolf reacting to her. It was something deeper, something I wasn't ready to name. She was strong, fearless, and relentless, but beneath that bold exterior was a vulnerability she tried so hard to hide. I saw it in the way she looked at me sometimes, like she was waiting for me to let her down. And maybe I would. I wasn't exactly known for my emotional availability.

I parked the car and stepped inside the mansion. The house felt empty, too quiet without her presence. I made my way upstairs, pausing outside her door. My hand hovered over the knob, but I hesitated. What would I even say? Hey, I know we're in the middle of a life-or-death situation, but I can't stop thinking about you? Yeah, that'd go over well.

Instead, I walked past her door and into my own room. I sat on the edge of the bed, running a hand through my hair. My wolf was restless, pacing beneath the surface, its instincts screaming at me to protect her, to claim her. But I couldn't. Not yet.

As I set my phone down, my gaze landed on the photo on my nightstand. It was a rare picture of me and my mom from when I was a kid. Her gentle smile was a stark contrast to the chaos she'd left behind when she was gone. I picked it up, tracing the edge of the frame with my thumb.

"I wish you were here," I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'm trying to do the right thing, but it feels like I'm just messing everything up."

The photo didn't answer, of course. It never did. I set it back down and leaned back against the headboard, my exhaustion finally catching up with me. My eyes drifted shut, but my mind wouldn't stop racing. Selene's voice echoed in my head, her plea for help before the line went dead. Dante's smug face taunted me, his cold eyes promising retribution. And Krista's disappointed eyes looking up at me after I pushed her away.

I sighed, rubbing my temples. I couldn't afford to let my guard down, not even for a moment. But the truth was, I was tired. Tired of fighting, tired of running, tired of pretending I had it all together. The only thing keeping me going was the thought of taking Dante down and the hope that maybe, just maybe, I could keep Krista safe in the process.

Just hold on a little longer, I told myself. We're closer than ever. You can do this.