Page 9 of Billionaire Wolf Needs a Maid (My Grumpy Werewolf Boss #6)

NINA

I knew something was different immediately when I woke up. By the time I stepped out of my room and began my morning routine, Dean had been long gone. His office stood empty. When I opened the door, there were no broad shoulders hunched over the computer, no dark eyes tracking my movements while pretending not to. The silence felt wrong.

"Jenkins, where's Dean?" I asked as I set down my cleaning supplies.

"Mr. Nightfang is attending an emergency board meeting, Miss Sorenson. He left quite agitated this morning." Jenkins's digital voice held an unfamiliar note of concern.

My stomach knotted as I moved to straighten Dean's desk. A scattered stack of papers caught my eye, there were internal memos, security reports, and what looked like evidence of sabotage. One name kept appearing. Sean Mitchell.

"Jenkins, who's Sean Mitchell?"

"I am not authorized to discuss Mr. Nightfang's business matters, Miss Sorenson."

Of course not. I gathered the kitchen trash, humming to mask my unease as I headed for the service elevator. The doors opened to dim fluorescent lighting in the underground garage and the echo of voices. My blood turned to ice when I recognized Rafe's distinctive drawl.

"The security system's been upgraded," he was saying, his voice bouncing off concrete walls. "Dean's paranoid as ever. Yeah, Sean, I know the timeline's tight."

I ducked behind a pillar, heart hammering so loud I feared he'd hear it. The musty garage air felt thick in my lungs.

My fingers trembled against the rough concrete pillar as sweat trickled down my spine. Each word Rafe spoke sent another wave of dread through my body. The lights buzzed overhead, casting strange, shifting shadows that seemed to reach for me with ghostly fingers. My chest tightened until each breath came in silent, shallow gasps. The weight of the trash bag felt like an anchor, threatening to rustle and give me away with every tiny movement. The cold from the concrete seeped through my shirt, but I barely noticed it over the icy fear spreading through my veins.

"The board meeting should keep him distracted. Once the evidence is planted, they'll have no choice but to force him out. Dean won't see it coming, not from his own brother."

A tiny gasp escaped before I could stop it. The trash bag rustled against my leg.

Rafe's voice cut off mid-sentence. "Someone there?"

Footsteps echoed closer, each one making my pulse spike higher. I pressed myself against the pillar, willing myself to disappear. But Rafe rounded the corner, his predatory smile sending chills down my spine.

"Well, well. The little maid's been eavesdropping." He advanced with fluid grace, backing me against the wall. "Such a shame. Dean really should teach his pets better manners."

"Stay away from me." My voice quivered despite my attempt at bravery.

"Or what?" Rafe leaned closer, his cologne suffocating. "You'll tell Dean? Good luck with that. By tomorrow, he'll be too busy fighting fraud charges to worry about one disposable employee."

A low, inhuman growl cut through the garage. "Get away from her."

Dean stood at the elevator, his normally controlled expression twisted with fury. Something wild and ancient flickered in his eyes as he stalked forward, his movements fluid like a predator's.

"Brother." Rafe's smile turned sharp. "Just getting acquainted with your staff."

"Leave. Now." Dean's voice rumbled with barely contained violence.

Rafe held up his hands in mock surrender, though tension thrummed between them. "No need to get territorial. I was just leaving." He winked at me. "See you around, sweetheart."

The moment Rafe disappeared into the stairwell, Dean was at my side. His warm hands cupped my face, eyes scanning for injury with an intensity that made me shiver. "Did he hurt you?"

I shook my head, still trembling. "No, but Dean, he's working with Sean Mitchell. They're planning to frame you."

"Shh." His thumb brushed my cheek, leaving tingles in its wake. "I know. I've been gathering evidence against them both."

"Let me just," I gestured weakly to the forgotten trash bag. "I should take care of this."

Dean nodded but stayed close, his protective presence wrapping around me like a shield. His eyes constantly scanned our surroundings as I quickly disposed of the garbage, as if expecting threats from every dark corner.

The elevator hummed as we ascended, each floor marked by a soft ding that seemed to echo my racing pulse. He stood closer than ever before, his warmth radiating through the space between us.

Dean's shoulder brushed mine with every breath, sending sparks across my skin. I stared straight ahead at our reflections in the polished doors, catching the way his jaw clenched and unclenched, the slight tremor in his usually steady hands.

"Are you okay?" I whispered, unable to bear the silence.

His dark eyes met mine in the reflection. "I should be asking you that."

When we reached the penthouse, I headed straight for the kitchen sink, needing to do something normal to distract myself. Dean followed, leaning against the counter beside me.

"Why didn't you tell me about Sean and Rafe?" I asked, drying my hands on a dish towel.

"To protect you." The words came out rough, almost pained. His expression cracked, revealing something vulnerable I'd never glimpsed beneath his controlled exterior. "Every time I thought about telling you, I imagined Rafe's hands around your throat, or worse." He ran a hand through his hair, something I learned he did when he was frustrated. "I can't let anything happen to you, Nina. The thought alone," His voice broke. "I've lost too much already."

"I'm stronger than you think," I said. Reaching for his hand, I intertwined our fingers.

"That's what terrifies me." His thumb traced circles on my palm. "You make me want things I can't have. Things that could get you killed."

The intensity in his gaze made my breath catch. He was so close now, his presence enveloping me. When his eyes dropped to my lips, my eyes shot to his. My heart leaped in my chest.

"Dean." His name escaped my lips like a secret, breathless and full of longing.

He closed the distance between us, his hand cupping my cheek, thumb brushing my lower lip. "Nina, I've wanted this for so long." He groaned softly, a sound that sent shivers down my spine. His touch sent a surge of anticipation through me, and I felt my body respond on instinct, growing warm and pliant under his hands.

"Then take it," I whispered, my voice so husky it was barely recognizable. I reached up, tangling my fingers in his hair, pulling him closer. His eyes darkened and his pupils dilated with desire.

He leaned in, his lips claiming mine with a ferocity that made my knees weak. His kiss was hungry, demanding, as if he wanted to devour me. I clutched his shoulders, my body arching into his, feeling the hard planes of his chest against my soft curves. Heat pooled between my legs, leaving my body aching with need.

"You taste so sweet," he murmured against my lips. He slid down to grip my waist. The feeling of his strong hands on my body sent waves of pleasure coursing through me. I could feel the edge of the counter pressing into my back, supporting me as I lost myself in his touch.

His mouth moved to my neck, and his teeth grazed my sensitive skin, biting gently, not enough to break skin, just enough to mark me as his. I gasped. Each nip, each kiss sent liquid heat straight to my core. I could feel the dampness between my thighs, my body ready and wanting. His masculine scent filled my senses, a heady mix of sandalwood and musk that made me dizzy with desire.

"Dean, please." I wasn't sure what I was asking for, only that I needed more. My fingers dug into his shoulders, my breath coming in quick, shallow gasps.

He looked at me, his eyes filled with raw hunger. "Tell me what you want, Nina." His hand slid down, cupping my ass, pulling me hard against him. I could feel his arousal, the length of him pressing against my stomach. A moan escaped me, my body throbbing with anticipation.

"I want you," I managed to say, my voice a deep whisper. "I want all of you."

He claimed my mouth again, his tongue delving deep, mimicking the act my body craved. His hands roamed my body, possessive and eager, leaving trails of fire in their wake. I wrapped one leg around his hip, opening myself up to him, feeling the friction of his thigh against my heated center. Desire pulsed through me, my body so aroused that each touch, each kiss sent me spiraling higher.

When we finally broke apart, we were both breathless, our chests heaving with exertion. His eyes were wild, his lips swollen from our kisses. I could feel my own lips, tender and tingling, my body humming with desire.

"Nina," he whispered, my name a prayer and a warning. A muscle jumped in his jaw, his hands trembling as he tried to regain control. "You don't understand what you're getting into."

"Then help me understand," I interrupted, my voice steady despite the storm of sensations raging through me. "I'm already involved, Dean. You can't protect me by pushing me away."

His forehead rested against mine, his breath warm against my lips. "We shouldn't," he whispered, even as his thumb traced my lower lip.

"Why not?" My voice was a soft challenge.

"Because once I start, I won't be able to stop," he admitted, his voice raw and honest. The promise in his words sent another wave of heat through me. My body was ready and willing to surrender to whatever he demanded of me.

I knew he was right. It would change everything. But as I looked into his eyes, I caught a glimpse of something wild and beautiful beneath his careful control. I realized I didn't want to stop. Whatever chaos was coming, whatever dangers lurked in the shadows, I wanted to face them with him.