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5

WREN

Before I could get out another word, a lock clicked, and the door to the office opened again. There was something about that lock. Specifically, the fact that it seemed to automatically engage anytime someone closed the door. That meant either something valuable was in the office or Kingston was hiding something.

I tried to scan the space to see if anything stood out—a clue, a hint of what the shifter who smelled like heaven was hiding away—but my gaze got caught on the man himself: the tee pulled taut across his broad chest, and those light blues that seared me to the spot.

Kingston crossed to me in three long strides, extending a hand with an ice pack. “Here.”

The single word was deep and raspy. The kind of tone that skated across my skin in a pleasant shiver and made all the tiny hairs stand up at attention .

As he leaned in to give me the ice pack, his scent intensified. Holy hell. The fingers of one hand dug into the couch while I took the ice with the other. “Thank you.”

My voice had grit to it now. Had it really been so long since I’d felt true attraction? Or maybe it was just touch-hunger at being this close to a male who was also a wolf. I was going with option two. It was the version that made me less of a lusty loony tune.

“Put it on your jaw,” Kingston ordered.

I’d been so caught up in my spiraling thoughts I hadn’t bothered to apply the ice. But his demanding tone had me lifting a brow. “Bossy, much?”

Those light-blue eyes sparked silver again. But it was Clyde who spoke amid a chuckle. “You have no idea, girlie.”

Kingston’s lips twitched—a hint of a smile that nearly did me in. It lightened everything about the man. His focus turned to me. “Please?”

That single word sent a shiver through me, and not because I was holding an ice pack. I pressed it to my jaw.

“Thank you.” Kingston set down a water bottle and two pills. “Tylenol. For the pain.”

“I’m good,” I said quickly. I wasn’t about to take unknown pills or a drink from a stranger.

His eyes narrowed. “Why the hell not?”

I met his stare head-on. “Taking unknown substances from someone I don’t know seems like a surefire way to end up chained in some creep’s basement.”

Something passed over Kingston’s eyes, a shadow so dark it was deeper than night, pure black. A second later, it was gone. “Might’ve let distraction drop your guard, but at least you’re street-smart.”

My back teeth ground together, making fresh pain flare in my jaw. “It was a momentary lapse. It won’t happen again.”

“Good to hear.”

Annoyance and frustration flickered low in my belly. It wasn’t as if I could tell him that realizing a wolf shifter was in the vicinity had distracted me. I pushed to my feet, relieved to not feel any dizziness. “Thanks for the ice.”

Kingston shifted instantly, not blocking my path exactly, but…almost. “Where are you going?”

“Home. Like I do every night.”

“Let me give you a ride. You shouldn’t be driving after taking a hit like that.”

“Then it’s a good thing I walked,” I shot back.

His light-blue eyes narrowed. “You walk here at night?” he ground out.

“I can handle myself.” I might’ve let myself get decked today, but that was beyond rare.

“I’m walking you home.” Kingston spoke the words as if they were final.

I opened my mouth to argue, but Clyde cut me off. “Do me a favor, girlie, let the stubborn bastard walk you home. If you don’t, I’m gonna hear about it the rest of the night, and I don’t think these old bones can take it.”

I pinned Clyde with a stare, but everything else in me softened. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to, gramps.”

He guffawed. “You’re really sockin’ it to me if you’re going for gramps .”

“Only fitting when you go for girlie .” I bent and kissed his cheek. “Thanks for always looking out for me.”

Clyde’s kind protectiveness meant more than he’d ever know. It was a rare and beautiful gift I’d never take for granted.

“He gets a kiss on the cheek, and I get a glare?” Kingston asked, his tone hinting at amusement.

“He’s looking out for me. You’re just an interfering Nosy Nelly,” I said, heading for the door.

Kingston hurried to open it before I could get there. “You know how to cut someone to the quick.”

I shrugged. “Just calling it like I see it. ”

I headed down the hallway and into the fray of the gym. The second I reached the floor, Franco was there. “You okay, Wren? I’m so fucking sorry. I just got jacked on adrenaline after you took me down and?—”

I waved him off and kept moving toward my bag. “Don’t worry. It happens. I shouldn’t have dropped my guard.”

“ He shouldn’t have been sparring at full strength,” Kingston growled.

Franco winced. “You’re right. Sorry, King.”

Kingston jerked his head in a nod as he clapped Franco on the shoulder. “Learn from it.”

I watched the interaction with curiosity. It was clear that Kingston was a dominant wolf. I could easily feel it in the air around him. And Franco was human. Kingston could’ve forced his submission in a dozen different ways but didn’t.

That had a grudging respect sliding through me as I grabbed my bag.

“Here,” Kingston said, taking it from me. “I’ll carry that.”

I quickly snatched it back. “No. You won’t.” No one took my things, even if it was some misguided attempt at chivalry.

Kingston’s brows lifted, but his gaze was astute, trying to read between the lines of my words. “All right.” He gave Franco a chin lift. “See you tomorrow. We gotta work on that right hook before your match.”

Franco grimaced. “I know. I’m not gettin’ the right angle.”

“Dropping your shoulder too much. We’ll tighten it up.”

I was already heading for the door, not waiting for the bro fest to continue. The truth was, the more I saw Kingston’s kindness toward those in his orbit, the more I softened to him. And that was the last thing I needed.

Stepping out into the crystal-clear night, I sucked in a deep breath. As the air filled my lungs, I prayed it would clear away Kingston’s scent of fresh mint and pine. But particles of it still clung to me somehow .

“Ready?”

Hell. That deep, raspy tone was almost as bad as his scent.

I didn’t answer; I simply started walking. I’d never been more thankful that my apartment was only two blocks from the gym.

Kingston fell into step beside me, letting the quiet of the night swirl around us. But that only lasted for so long. “You liking Crescent Creek so far?”

My gaze flicked up to him for a brief moment. Every part of me tried to take in as much of that beautiful form as possible before I forced my attention away. “Might as well ask about the weather.”

Kingston chuckled, and the sound held a rasp, a grittiness that made chill bumps rise on my skin and my nipples pebble. “It is an especially lovely evening.”

He wasn’t wrong there. Late April in the mountains of Colorado meant the temperatures could still drop into the teens. But tonight, it was in the balmy forties. Even if it wasn’t, my internal shifter heater would’ve fought off the cold.

As we reached the back of Arcane, I moved to pull my keys from my bag.

“Why are you going into the bar?” Kingston asked, confusion lacing his tone.

“Because I live above it.”

His brows almost hit his hairline. “Seriously?”

Annoyance prickled my skin. “Yes. Do you have a problem with that, too?”

A muscle fluttered along Kingston’s jaw. “No. I just—you should make sure patrons don’t know that. It’s not safe.”

I couldn’t help seeking out those light-blue eyes as I turned the doorknob. “Trust me, I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time.”

That had a different sort of awareness settling into Kingston’s features. “All right.”

“Which means you don’t have to follow me inside. I’m not getting kidnapped between here and my door. ”

I expected a lip twitch or another of those chuckles, but Kingston didn’t give me either. “Just give me this, Little Warrior. Let me walk you to your door.”

Given we didn’t know each other, the nickname should’ve made me bristle and my wolf bare her teeth. But neither came. I had a feeling arguing would only force me to be in this man’s presence for longer. And that was a dangerous proposition.

So, I slipped inside, letting Kingston follow. Dina always left a few lights on to illuminate my path. The soft glow was a sort of welcome home —the only kind I would get without any family or a mate, not even a pet to give me a purr or bark. So, I’d hold on to those particles of light the best I could.

Heading for the back stairs, the only sound was Kingston’s boots hitting the floorboards. Even that managed to be hot somehow. I needed to get laid and STAT.

I didn’t look back as I reached my door, simply slid the key into the deadbolt and twisted. I quickly darted inside, turning and blocking the entry so Kingston wouldn’t see it as an invitation to enter, as well. “As you can see, I’m home safe and sound.”

Kingston’s gaze roamed my face, lingering on each feature as if memorizing them. “Good.” He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a wallet. He slid out a business card that looked expensive—thick card stock, embossed lettering—and held it out to me. “Call me if you need anything .”

I stared at the card like it was a snake. And maybe it was. Still, I took it. Staring down at the letters, I read: Crescent Kingdom Security, C.E.O.

My gaze lifted to his. “Thanks.” I knew that was the best route to getting him gone. If I protested, he’d only linger.

“You’re not going to use it, are you?”

I shrugged. “I guess we’ll just have to see.”

One corner of his mouth pulled up. “I guess so.”

“Good night, Kingston.”

“Good night, Little Warrior. ”

I closed the door, locking the deadbolt and knob before sliding the security chain into place. Then, I waited. I didn’t hear any sounds of movement at first. Then there was one footstep, then another. The pace picked up, the sound heading down the stairs.

Disappointment flared in my chest, an emotion I didn’t want to look at too closely. I turned around and pressed my overheated back to the door, slowly sliding to the floor. A deep loneliness settled in. The kind I rarely let take hold. But I couldn’t do anything to fight it off.

Because I was alone.

And, thanks to my father, I always would be.