I've felt desire before. Lust. Even love, back when I was naive enough to believe in it.
This is something else entirely. Something that feels like destiny and tastes like forever.
Something that terrifies me more than any hunter ever could.
By the time I reach the IronFang building, I'm soaked to the skin and shaking—though whether from cold or adrenaline, I can't tell. The lobby falls silent as I enter, water dripping from my clothes onto the polished marble floor.
Some employees recognize their CEO and quickly look away. Others stare openly at the strange man who apparently decided to go swimming in his business suit.
I ignore them all and head straight for the elevator.
My penthouse office feels like a sanctuary after the chaos of the storm. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer a panoramic view of the city, and I stand before them now, watching lightning fracture the sky.
She's still out there somewhere. The woman with storm-cloud eyes and a scent that's already burned itself into my memory. I could find her if I wanted to. My wolf senses are strong enough to track her across the city.
The smart thing would be to forget her entirely. I have enough complications in my life without adding a mysterious young wolf to the mix. Especially now, with hunters potentially closing in on my territory.
My phone buzzes with an incoming call. Graham's name flashes on the screen.
"Grant? Thank God. We've been trying to reach you for an hour."
"What's the situation?"
"We've got reports of suspicious activity near the eastern border. Could be nothing, but..." Graham's voice is tight with concern. "Maybe you should come in early today."
I glance at the envelope Luther gave me, still tucked inside my jacket. "I'm already here. My Office, ten minutes."
"Copy that."
I end the call and try to focus on the immediate threats facing my pack. Try to push thoughts of gray eyes and rain-soaked skin to the back of my mind.
But as I change into dry clothes from the emergency stash I keep in my office closet, I catch myself breathing deeply, searching for any lingering trace of her scent on my skin.
And when I close my eyes, all I can see is the way she looked at me in that moment before I pulled away. Like she was drowning and I was air.
I’m obviously projecting, I realize with a start. For the first time in years, the restlessness is gone. The aching loneliness that's been my constant companion has quieted to a whisper.
As soon as I walk out of the closet there's asoft knock on my door.
“Come in,” I say, finishing up the buttons on my shirt.
Graham and Nate enter my office, already chatting among themselves. “Jeez, they said you got stuck in the rain, but was it that bad?” Nate asks.
“What do you mean?”
He gestures to my hair, and I sigh. I'd forgotten to dry it off. I go back to the closest and pick up the towel there to get the job done as my wolves wait for me.
“How'd the meeting go?”
If there are people I trust most in this office, it's Graham and Nate. Both men have continually proven how reliable they are. That's why I feel comfortable being away.
Still, there's something they currently have that I would rather do without. Even just looking at them, I can tell.
“I'm going to need both of you to calm down,” I state.
Graham and Nate share confused looks. “I don't understand,” Graham says.
“You both look like you're ready to bolt out of here. Don't worry. Your mates aren't going anywhere.”
