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A xel took in theblueprints laid out in front of him. He couldn’t focus properly, and he knewwhy. Alice.

She’d hauntedhis dreams and all his waking moments.

He’d sent the flowers on a whim, only realizing his terrible mistake when he was filling out the card details.

She would hate him for making her the center of attention.

Would she forgive him? He’d hoped that by leaving his phone number she’d get in touch with him, but he’d heard nothing from her all day.

Surely, she felt the connection too. The desire which burned deep within them, and which would only be sated once they mated. God, he hoped it was soon. He needed her. The urge to regain his wits was pressing. He had work to do, and not only the bar.

He hadn’t lied to her when he’d told her he’d worked his way through college. He had. He simply hadn’t mentioned what he had been doing.

Art thievery.

Back then, shifting was still hidden to the general public.

He was an unknownand he had taken advantage of his prowess to get into places and steal what was asked of him: rare and valuable pieces of art.

He’d made a lot of money and eventually started to meet others who were also into the same thing.

His pride had formed. He’d become the king of the pride, and before he knew it, they had become a well-known art gang.

He rarely did any thieving nowadays, that’s what he had a pride for, but occasionally he took the odd job here and there, and he supervised all his family’s work to ensure success.

He glanced at the blueprints again. It was Alice’s office building.

That’s how he’d known where she worked. He’d caught a glimpse of her work badge the other night.

His client wanted a piece of art the CEO of the company had in his office.

Apparently, it hadn’t been painted by a famous artist, but it was unique.

According to his client, the missing piece to his collection.

Axel’s client had told him he’d tried to buy it from the CEO but hadn’t been able to. So, he’d come to him.

Access to the building wasn’t hard, but the mission had two major problems. One was getting to the top floor and then out.

The second was the hyenas. Natural lion enemies, they worked at the building and were quick-witted.

It wasn’t the first time the predator shifters got in their way—nor would it be the last.

He checked the time again. Alice should be about to arrive.

He rehearsed his plan. Talk to her and invite her out to dinner.

That was it. He had to take things slowly with Alice or she’d panic.

A night out where they could relax and get to know each other more intimately was perfect.

The lion within him roared with displeasure, sending a jolt of pain across his spine.

The beast wanted more, but it was going to have to wait.

Abruptly, the sting dissipated. Axel sniffed the air. She had arrived. Her unique scent tinged with fear reached him. The animal was already attuned to her presence even if his human side still had a fight ahead of him

Axel folded the blueprints and stuck them into the pocket of his jacket. He had to make a move soon, but right now, Alice was his priority.