Page 4

Maya

I hang up the phone and lean back in my chair, exhaling slowly as I update Adrian's schedule on my tablet. My fingers move automatically, but my mind keeps drifting to the man behind the closed office door. To the way his presence fills every room he enters.

My wolf stirs restlessly beneath my skin, too aware of him. Always too aware. It's been like this since I started working for him—this constant, electric awareness that makes focusing on mundane tasks feel like trying to ignore a thunderstorm.

I can hear him pacing in his office, each sharp, measured step against the polished wood floors like a steady drumbeat calling to the wolf inside me.

The intercom beeps. "Maya." His voice is deep, smooth, and entirely too commanding. My name in his mouth feels like a caress and a challenge all at once. "Come in."

I clear my throat, trying to steady myself. "On my way."

Grabbing my tablet, I head to his office. The moment I step inside, my senses are overwhelmed—his scent is stronger here, concentrated in his private space, and my wolf practically purrs. He's standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows, afternoon light streaming in around him like a halo, casting dramatic shadows across his sharp features.

He looks devastating.

His tailored charcoal-gray suit fits him perfectly, emphasizing the broad strength of his shoulders and the lean power of his frame. The crisp white dress shirt underneath is unbuttoned just enough to reveal a hint of collarbone, and I have to fight the urge to trace that small patch of exposed skin with my fingertips. My gaze flickers lower, catching the way the fabric stretches over his chest as he breathes, and I force myself to look away.

He doesn't acknowledge me right away, his focus still on whatever thoughts are weighing down those powerful shoulders. I take the moment to pull myself together, to suppress the heat curling low in my stomach. If he isn't going to acknowledge what we are—what we could be—then neither will I.

"You wanted an update on your schedule?" I ask, proud when my voice comes out steady and professional.

He finally turns, and the full force of his gray eyes locks onto mine. There's something unreadable in his gaze, something that makes my pulse skip and my wolf pace restlessly. "Yes."

I step forward, maintaining what I hope is a professional distance as I glance down at my tablet. The air between us feels charged, like the moment before lightning strikes. "You have a conference call at ten with the Kingsport investors, followed by a security briefing with Sawyer. Lunch is at one, and then the meeting with Howling Pines at three."

He nods, but instead of dismissing me, he leans back against his desk, watching me with an intensity that makes my skin prickle with awareness. My wolf wants to move closer, to press into that heat radiating from him. I hold my ground.

"I want you to take the lead on the meeting this afternoon."

I blink, caught off guard. "You...what?"

"Theo is your alpha," he says, as if that explains everything. His voice drops lower, sending a shiver down my spine. "You know how to handle him better than I do."

I swallow hard, my fingers tightening around my tablet. This is more than just a task—it's trust, responsibility, a chance to prove myself. Despite the nerves curling in my stomach, warmth blooms in my chest at his faith in me.

"I can do that," I say, keeping my voice even while my heart races.

His lips twitch, just barely, and something in his eyes softens for a fraction of a second. "Good."

I turn slightly, ready to make my exit, but before I can take a step, he moves. One moment he's by his desk, the next he's in front of me, close enough that I can feel the heat radiating from his body. Time seems to slow as his hand lifts—hesitates—before his fingers brush against my temple, pushing a stray curl back from my face.

The touch is brief, barely there, but it sends electricity coursing through my veins. My breath catches in my throat. His eyes darken, pupils dilating, and his fingers linger for just a heartbeat too long. My wolf surges forward, wanting more—wanting everything.

For a moment, I think he might say something—might do something—but then his hand drops. The mask slips back into place, his expression shuttering closed as he takes a deliberate step back. His voice turns cool again, though there's a roughness to it that wasn't there before. "Don't mess it up."

The moment shatters. I exhale sharply, forcing my lips into a smirk even as my skin still tingles from his touch. "Wouldn't dream of it, boss."

I turn and walk away, my steps measured and steady despite the chaos inside me. It's only when I'm safely back at my desk that I allow myself to press my fingers to my temple, where the ghost of his touch still burns like a brand.

My wolf whines, already missing his proximity. I push the feeling down, buried beneath schedules and meetings and professional distance.

But I can still feel his eyes on me through the wall, and I wonder how long we can keep pretending this is nothing more than business.

???

I smooth my palms over my slacks, exhaling as I stand outside the conference room of Blackwell Corporation. The massive glass doors reflect my own impatient expression back at me—amber eyes a little too bright, dark curls refusing to stay properly pinned back despite my best efforts. I don't know why I'm nervous. This is just a meeting. A standard, professional, completely normal meeting.

Except it's not.

Because Theo is on the other side of that door, and Adrian Blackwell is standing beside me, his presence a wall of barely restrained tension. His scent—sandalwood and winter storms—fills my nose, making it harder to focus than I'd like to admit.

"You don't have to stare down the door, Ramirez," Adrian mutters, arms crossed over his broad chest. "It's not going to open out of fear." His voice carries that familiar mix of irritation and amusement that seems reserved just for me.

I roll my eyes and push the door open without knocking, striding in like I own the place. My wolf bristles at his tone, urging me to snap back, but I channel the energy into confidence instead.

Theo and Ethan are already seated at the long conference table, both wearing expressions that immediately set me on edge. Theo, as always, looks like he's been carved from solid rock—tall, sturdy, and exuding the kind of authority only an Alpha could. His dark eyes assess me carefully, checking for any sign that working for Blackwell has changed my loyalty to the pack.

Ethan, on the other hand, lounges back in his chair with the casual grace of someone who knows exactly how attractive they are, a lazy smirk tugging at his lips as he watches me enter.

"Well, well," Ethan drawls, tilting his head. "If it isn't Maya Ramirez, still looking like trouble."

I snort, setting my tablet down on the table with perhaps more force than necessary. "And you still look like a headache, Maloney. Good to see some things never change."

Theo doesn’t smile, but there’s a flicker of amusement in his dark eyes. "Maya." His voice is deep, steady—a contrast to the sharp, assessing gaze he flicks toward Adrian as the CEO steps inside behind me.

"This is Detective Ethan Maloney," Theo says, his tone measured as he gestures toward Ethan. "He’s our in with the police—makes sure we stay ahead of any... complications on that front." His meaning is clear: Ethan isn’t just here for pleasantries. He’s a crucial link between the pack and law enforcement, ensuring that human authorities don’t interfere too much in supernatural matters.

Adrian stays silent, but his presence fills the room like smoke, impossible to ignore. He doesn’t need words to command attention. I feel him move to stand near me, close enough that the heat from his body sends little sparks of awareness down my spine—a distraction I don’t need right now.

Theo shifts slightly in his chair, glancing between Adrian and me with an expression I can’t quite read. “Let’s get to it.”

I pull out a chair and sit, acutely aware when Adrian takes the seat beside me. He moves with that same controlled precision he applies to everything, but I swear I can feel the weight of his presence even more now that we’re this close. My wolf stirs restlessly beneath my skin, attuned to the energy in the room, but I push the sensation aside.

I take the lead, grateful for the distraction from Adrian’s proximity. “We all know tensions are rising. The hunters aren’t just lone extremists anymore—they’re organizing. We’ve had incidents near the town borders, and it’s only a matter of time before a real attack happens.” I pause, meeting each man’s gaze in turn. “The gala is an opportunity for us to strengthen alliances, raise funds, and build awareness for the supernatural-friendly community Blackwell Corp is planning. A sanctuary designed to provide protection against hunters. But that also makes it a target.” I exhale slowly. “That’s why we need a coordinated security effort.”

Theo nods, but his expression remains unreadable. “And you think Blackwell Corp should be the one calling the shots?”

Adrian, who has been quietly listening, finally speaks. The low rumble of his voice sends an involuntary shiver through me. “I think Blackwell Corp offers something your pack doesn’t—resources and an infrastructure designed to handle large-scale threats outside of pack politics.” His tone is cool, impassive, but I catch the slight tension in his jaw.

Theo’s shoulders straighten imperceptibly. “Pack politics are exactly why we’ve survived this long. We protect our own.”

Adrian leans forward, clasping his hands on the table. “And yet the threat keeps growing.”

Tension crackles in the air, thick and suffocating. I don’t miss the way Ethan glances between them, clearly entertained by the alpha posturing. My wolf paces restlessly beneath my skin, responding to the charged atmosphere.

I clear my throat. “That’s why we need cooperation. Blackwell Corp has technology and reach. Theo’s security company has experience in supernatural combat. We’re not asking you to hand over control—we want to hire your team to provide security for the gala and, potentially, as consultants for the sanctuary project.”

Theo’s dark eyes study me for a long moment before flicking toward Adrian. “You want to bring us in long-term?”

Adrian exhales through his nose. “If this partnership works, yes.”

Theo leans back in his chair, arms crossing over his broad chest. “Fine. We’ll discuss logistics.”

I feel Adrian shift beside me, his shoulder brushing mine for just a moment. The contact sends electricity racing through my veins, sharp and unexpected. I swallow hard, forcing myself to focus on the discussion—but I don’t miss the way Adrian’s fingers flex slightly against the tabletop, as if he felt it, too.

Ethan grins, leaning toward me slightly. "I gotta say, Maya, I don't remember you being this persuasive back in the day. Maybe I should've taken you out for that drink when I had the chance."

I chuckle, shaking my head. "You would've embarrassed yourself, Maloney."

"Still might," he teases, flashing a grin that would make most women swoon.

Adrian shifts beside me, his muscles visibly tensing. His expression doesn't change, but I can feel the surge of something dark and possessive in his energy. His gaze flicks to Ethan, then to me, sharp and assessing. The temperature in the room seems to drop several degrees.

Interesting.

The meeting wraps up, agreements made, and plans set into motion. As Theo and Ethan leave, Ethan gives me one last wink before stepping out the door. I pretend not to notice how Adrian's hands clench at his sides.

I barely have time to exhale before Adrian's voice cuts through the lingering silence. "My office. Now." There's something raw in his tone, something that makes my wolf sit up and take notice.

I blink, heat crawling up my neck. "Excuse me?"

He turns, already walking away, expecting me to follow. His usual rigid control seems... different. Fractured around the edges.

I glare at his back but, with a sigh, grab my tablet and trail behind him. As I follow him down the hallway, I can't help but wonder what's cracked his perfect facade—and why the thought of finding out makes my pulse race.

Adrian closes the office door behind us with a deliberate click that makes my wolf instincts prickle. The air feels charged, heavy with something I can't—or won't—name. I've barely taken two steps into his sleek, modern office when he rounds on me, his presence filling the space like a gathering storm.

"Who is he?"

I blink, caught off guard by the raw edge in his voice. "What?"

Adrian's gray eyes narrow, and for the first time, I notice the flicker of gold in them—his wolf straining against his rigid control. "Ethan Maloney." He practically growls the name. "You seemed... comfortable with him."

Something inside me stills, the weight of his words settling over me in a way I don’t expect. My wolf stirs, restless, because I know the truth—Adrian is my mate. I’ve known it for a while now, felt it in every heated glance, in every unspoken moment of tension that crackles between us. But this? This is the first time I realize he doesn’t know. Not fully. He’s in denial, refusing to see what’s right in front of him.

The thought is almost laughable.

A startled chuckle escapes me, and I shake my head, my curls brushing against my shoulders. "What? No." I arch a brow at him. "What kind of question is that?"

Instead of answering, Adrian steps closer. The temperature in the room seems to spike, his body heat rolling off him in waves, seeping into my skin. "He's interested in you."

His scent wraps around me, familiar and maddening all at once. He’s too close, too overwhelming, and my pulse betrays me by kicking up a notch. I smirk, using attitude to mask the way my heart pounds. "And why do you care?"

His jaw tightens. "I don't."

"Liar." The word slips out before I can stop it.

Something in his expression flickers—frustration, denial, something deeper he refuses to name. I take a step forward, closing the distance between us until I have to tilt my head back to meet his gaze. His breath hitches, barely perceptible, but I catch it. His eyes drop—to my lips, just for a fraction of a second—before snapping back up. His fists clench at his sides, as if he's fighting something he doesn’t want to acknowledge.

The air between us is electric. Unstable.

And for the first time, I realize that Adrian Blackwell is losing control.

And maybe… just maybe, I want him to.

"Are you asking as my boss," I press, my voice lower, almost challenging, "or as something else?"

He goes completely still, like a predator before the strike. In one fluid motion, his hand captures the back of my neck, drawing me close. My breath catches as he lowers his head, running his nose along the sensitive spot where my neck meets my shoulder. He inhales deeply, and the touch of his lips—soft, almost reverent—against that same spot sends electricity racing down my spine.

Then, just as suddenly, he releases me. His hand runs over his beard—a rare tell of agitation—as he puts distance between us. "We're done here."

I stand frozen, my pulse thundering in my ears, watching as he retreats behind his desk. Every line of his body screams restraint, but I catch the slight tremor in his hands before he clasps them behind his back.

I should be relieved. This is exactly what I wanted when I first started working here—professional distance, clear boundaries, no complications.

But I'm not.

Because for the first time since I walked into Blackwell Corporation, I've seen behind Adrian's mask of cold control. And what I glimpsed there—the raw need, the barely contained desire—matches something wild and wanting in my own chest.

Adrian Blackwell is losing this battle.

And as I turn to leave his office, my skin still tingling from his proximity, I realize something that should terrify me but instead makes my wolf howl in triumph: I don't want him to win.