And somehow more satisfying than any of the encounters Leyden had chased for years.
Chapter Sixteen
Alpha Taylor arrived precisely at two, flanked by his beta and a third wolf Leyden didn’t recognize. Leyden rose from behind his desk to greet them, Connor standing at his side.
“Taylor.” Leyden extended his hand. “Good to see you again.”
“Leyden.” Taylor’s grip was firm, his smile easy. He was a handsome wolf in his mid-forties, salt-and-pepper hair cut short, laugh lines around his brown eyes. “Appreciate you making time for this. I know you’ve had some recent...complications with your pack structure.”
“All sorted now.” Leyden gestured to the chairs. “Please, sit. Can I get you anything? Water? Coffee?”
“Water’s fine.” Taylor settled into the chair across from Leyden’s desk, his beta and companion taking the seats flanking him. His gaze slid to Connor, lingering. “New beta?”
“Alpha mate,” Leyden corrected, pride warming his chest. “This is Connor. Connor, Alpha Taylor of the Ridge Creek pack.”
Taylor’s eyebrows rose. “I didn’t realize you’d settled down. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” Leyden fought the urge to reach for Connor’s hand, settling for a brief smile in his mate’s direction. Connor’s expression remained neutral, but tension radiated through the bond.
They spent the next twenty minutes discussing trade agreements - Taylor wanted access to the river that ran through Leyden’s territory for fishing rights. He was offering a percentage of the catch and expanded hunting privileges in his western forests. Reasonable terms. Fair compensation.
But Taylor kept finding excuses to lean closer to Leyden, his body language open and inviting. Compliments about Leyden’s negotiation skills slipped into comments about his “sharp mind”and “decisive leadership.” Nothing overtly inappropriate, but the flirtation hummed beneath every word.
Leyden tried to steer the conversation back to business, hyperaware of Connor’s increasing rigidity beside him.
“I think we can make this work,” Leyden said, pulling up the contract on his tablet. “Let me send this to my lawyer for review, make sure the territory boundaries are clearly defined…”
“Always so thorough.” Taylor’s smile turned appreciative, gaze drifting over Leyden in a way that made his skin crawl. “I’ve always admired that about you. Among other things.”
Connor’s chair creaked.
“I appreciate the compliment,” Leyden said carefully. “But I should clarify…”
“You know, when I heard the rumors about your availability, I thought maybe we could discuss more than just fishing rights over dinner sometime.” Taylor’s tone dropped, suggestive. “If you’re interested in expanding our...relationship beyond business.”
Fury blazed through the bond, hot and sharp enough to make Leyden’s breath catch.
“I thought I’d made it plain I’m not available.” Leyden tilted his head, exposing the claiming bite on his neck. The mark had healed to a silvery scar, unmistakable to any wolf who looked. “If anyone else told you otherwise, they were lying - something you should’ve picked up through their scent. As I said, Connor is my mate. My fated mate.”
Taylor blinked, genuine surprise crossing his features. “Oh. I didn’t - my apologies.” His gaze flicked between them, confusion creasing his brow. “I can see the scars clearly, of course, but I didn’t smell the mating bond. Usually that’s pretty obvious when two wolves have...”
He trailed off, but the implication hung heavy in the air.
Connor’s growl started low, building until the windows rattled in their frames. The sound reverberated through Leyden’s bones, primal, furious, and absolutely terrifying. Taylor’s beta shot to his feet, hand moving to his alpha’s shoulder.
“Connor.” Leyden reached for his mate through the bond, pushing calm and reassurance. “It’s fine. He didn’t mean…”
But Connor’s wolf was too close to the surface, hackles raised at the perceived slight. Another growl ripped free, deeper this time, the kind of sound that preceded violence.
Taylor raised both hands, palms out. “Easy. I wasn’t trying to cause offense. I just assumed…”
“You assumed wrong,” Connor bit out, each word sharp as glass. His green eyes had gone nearly feral, pinning Taylor with a predator’s stare. “About everything.”
“Clearly.” Taylor stood slowly, movements careful and non-threatening. “I’ll just - we should go. Let tempers cool. Leyden, send me that contract when you’re ready. We’ll arrange another meeting.”
“I’ll be in touch,” Leyden managed, still flooding the bond with soothing energy.
Taylor and his wolves left quickly, the door clicking shut behind them. Connor remained rigid, breathing hard, fists clenched at his sides.
