Page 7

Chapter 7

NATE

“Mr. Barlow!”

I pause and turn around, watching a young guy in a suit rushing to meet me. I glare at him, hoping this will warn him to back off. He notices my expression and slows down.

“Yes?” I ask curtly.

I've seen him around before, but not enough to know who he is, and certainly not enough to care.

The office lobby is crowded with people, which isn't surprising on our typically busy workdays. I'm not early to work either, because getting out of bed has always been a struggle on its own.

“Sorry to bother you, Mr. Barlow. I was hoping you could help me with something.” He produces a bunch of papers I didn't notice him holding.

“I don't know who you are.”

“My name is Dave Mel—"

I grab the documents, scanning through them at the speed of light. “What is this?” I ask, frowning.

“It's the first files for the Madison case.”

“So you can read? That's good. Now explain why you're shoving these papers in my face?”

Dave gulps and takes a step back. Even a shifter would be wary at how annoyed I am right now. I don't expect a human to have the courage to stand up to me. “I was told to bring it to one of the department heads for a good look.”

“And you brought it to me? Out of everyone, you brought it to me? Do I look like I have the time for minor things like this?”

The color drains from his face. “I—I—” he stammers. “I'm sorry, it—”

“What's going on here?” Graham asks, appearing seemingly out of nowhere. “Is everything okay?”

“Since you need help so badly, give it to Graham over here,” I say, pointing at my friend. “He'll help you out. But never bring anything this lightweight to me again, especially when I'm not in my office.”

“Yes, sir!” the boy says. I'm surprised he hasn't wet his pants given how much he’s shaking.

I walk away from the two of them, who are stunned for different reasons. I head up the elevator to my floor and walk out as soon as the doors open.

I walk toward the cubicles, my pace slowing as I notice two interns chatting and laughing. Both of them freeze when I get close to them.

“What time is it?” I ask.

One looks at his watch. “It's a few minutes after nine.”

“And you think this is the best time to stand around not working?”

“I—um …” the second one stutters. “We were waiting for—”

“I don't give a shit what you were waiting for. If you want a job here you have to fucking earn it and you can't do that by standing around chatting. Get back to work!”

Both men scramble away. I spot Olivia looking at me with a shocked expression as silence descends on the rest of the floor.

“Are you all going to just stare at me?” I growl. “Isn't there work to be done? Why are all of you doing absolutely nothing?”

Everyone starts acting busy immediately, even though it's clear that most have little to do. I go to my office and close the door, heading for my chair. The door doesn't close, though. A big hand holds it open before it shuts.

Graham enters my office with a frown tugging at the corners of his mouth.

I glance at my computer, finding the boot-up animation more appealing than the lecture I know is inevitable. “Nate?” Graham says almost in warning.

“Yes?” I respond, still looking at the screen.

“What's up with you?”

“What do you mean?”

He folds his arms. “You almost ate that guy's head off in the lobby. I saw what you did at the cubicles too. Those people are going to need therapy because of you.”

“Oh please, I wasn't that harsh.”

Graham sighs. “You definitely were. I thought you'd be better this morning considering …”

I eye him suspiciously. “Considering what?”

Graham chuckles a bit before closing the door. He comes to the chair just across from me and sits comfortably. “Are you really going to make me say it?” he asks.

“I have no clue what you're talking about.”

“For fuck’s sake—I'm talking about your time with your mate.”

My eyes grow to twice their size. “The fuck? How do you know that?”

“So I was right?” he muses, clearly pleased with himself. “Not many people would notice it, but your scent has a slight change. It's not surprising, especially if you've been intimate with your mate. What I don't get is why you're so annoyed.”

“Because I wasn't supposed to. I gave in and—”

“You gave in? Did she force you?”

“No.”

“Then why are you talking about it like it's not something you wanted to do.”

“It's complicated, you wouldn't understand.”

“ Me ? The guy that kept asking you for advice even when you didn't want to listen?” Graham persists.

“It's not the same thing and I don't want to talk about this any further. If you'll excuse me I have work to do.”

Graham sighs, but lifts his hands in surrender. “Sure, whatever you say. I'm here if you need to talk though.”

I nod as Graham gets up and leaves without another word. I type mindlessly on the keyboard for the next few minutes before releasing a long breath. I can't get her off my mind. Why can’t I get her off my mind?

Madeline's face, her glorious body, her gorgeous voice, that intoxicating scent, all of them plague me.

I left the hotel yesterday, wanting to return for even more intimate moments. It had taken my supernatural willpower to walk away from her like I did. Now, a night has passed and she's still all I can think about.

“Why did I have to sleep with her? I could've just kept saying no. So stupid.”

All I've done now is complicate things between us. Despite what I told her, the encounter was far from meaningless. I can't even convince myself it’s a lie. The truth is, being with Madeline felt right in a way nothing else ever has.

What if I break her heart again? I'd never forgive myself for something like that.

My office is far too silent to sit in with these thoughts. I get up and walk away from the enclosed space.

The second I march into the hallway, Madeline's sweet scent hits me, tickling my nose and traveling through my brain. I try to shake off the feeling, but it's no use. When I turn, Madeline is walking toward me.

She’s confident, her head held high. There's a subtle glow about her—not the desperate eagerness I once knew her for, but a serene self-assurance that draws me in more powerfully than any flirtation could have.

Oh, this is what Graham was talking about? I look past her and start walking toward the elevator. Madeline's eyes stay on me. “Hi, Nate.”

I ignore the greeting, and see a flicker of disappointment cross her face before she composes herself and continues walking.

It feels like I'm being tugged back to her as I try to move away. She clearly has a hold on me that I may never be able to break free from.

For the rest of the day, I find ways to ignore Madeline completely. I manage to make it all the way to my house without having another incident.

Still, when I get home, my mind is too uneasy to rest. I do the next best thing and pick up my phone to dial a number I haven't called in years.

The ringing goes on and on, but just when I'm about to give up, the person on the other end picks up. “As I live and breathe,” Henry says. “Is it really you, Nate?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Damn, it's been a while.”

“Why didn't you tell me Madeline was coming back?” I ask, curtailing the small talk. “I told you to watch her and keep her safe with the pack. She left and you didn't even tell me?”

Henry heaves a sigh. “Madeline found you?”

“She's interning at my office as we speak. That's a big step from just finding me.”

“I had no idea you were working there, man. You gotta believe me.”

“You were supposed to watch her, Henry. You promised you'd do that for me.”

“Look, she's not the only one who left, okay? Hunters attacked us and a few people were sent to safer locations while the rest of us are trying to strengthen what we have here.”

I feel instantly contrite. “I'm sorry.”

“It's alright. If I'm being honest, I'm more relieved now that I know she's with you. It means she's got a better chance of staying safe.”

As much as I want to argue, Henry is right. With all the drama concerning hunters, Madeline's best bet is being close enough for me to keep an eye on her. It's for her safety. It's not like I have feelings for her … I don't.