Did I sound too needy? Will he stop talking to me now? The guy is clearly not into relationships. He couldn't have been clearer about it.
I increase my pace, postponing my freakout for when I’m in the safety of my apartment like an adult.
As soon as I close the door behind me, I lean back with a thump.
What the fuck did I just do?
Chapter Nine
Matt
Letting Oliver walk out of my apartment might have been the most difficult thing I’ve ever done. But when Bree, a 911 dispatcher and fellow Bureau agent, told me about the call she just got about a fire in a building that had a few recent wolf sightings, I had no choice but to move quickly.
Werewolves, like humans, made very bad decisions when panicked.
She had diverted the call to my firehouse, and the cavalry was on its way. I’m not due for my shift until tomorrow, but I can lie and tell them I was in the neighborhood and wanted to help.
I make it right when they’re parking. With all the frenzy, convincing the captain to let me join is easier than expected. We’re looking at a multistory apartment building with fire creeping up from the third floor. The smell of smoke is heavy in the air. People are running about frantically, and a crowd isgathering.
The fire isn't out of control yet, but it’s only a matter of time. We need to act fast.
I gear up quickly while Cap throws instructions at us. We start the evacuation from the ground floor. When we reach the third floor, I smell them. A werewolf. Transitioned. Probably around forty. My feet automatically take me to the door leading to the hallway.
“Sam, take the apartments on the right,” I call back, running to the one on the left. I turn the knob on the door, and something must be working for me because it opens without a hitch.
“I’m here to help you,” I murmur, just loud enough to be heard over the crackles of fire engulfing the apartment. “I know you didn’t mean it. Come out, and I’ll get you out safely.” I don’t know how the man is tolerating the smell of heavy smoke filling the apartment.
I slowly start walking towards the sound of low growls. It's coming from the kitchen on the left. “Come on, man, it's not going to be a problem. I'm here to help,” I try again.
I'm hoping I don't have to shift. It's always a bitch to explain the rips in my clothes. When I’m in the kitchen, I spot a white wolf, average size, almost the height of the counter, quietly staring at me.
“That’s right. I got you,” I whisper, and the wolf growls again, louder.
Fuck, I need to use a more direct approach. I kneel and look into his eyes. I focus on him with intent, letting power flow through me.
“Turn,” I growl.
We don't like to publicize the concept of alphas, but ourspecies is just sane enough to recognize and surrender to whoever’s stronger out of self-preservation. It’s instinctive, almost impossible to fight. So, with a dozen knuckling sounds, the wolf immediately shifts back into a man. A very naked man.
“What the fuck is happening. I didn't know what to do,” he blabbers.
“It's okay. Come with me.” I help him up. I take a throw blanket from the couch and hand it to him. “Wrap it around yourself.”
He follows my instructions. I listen for signs of life in the other apartment when we’re outside.
I can feel faint heartbeats coming from deep inside the apartment. I see Sam with two wide-eyed people in tow. “Take him too,” I tell him. “I’ll check the other apartment.”
He nods. The man joins the two women, and they rush downstairs.
I turn the knob, but my luck seems to have run out. The fire hasn’t reached this apartment yet, but the knob is still hot. I break the lock quickly and kick the door open, knowing no one is standing on the other side.
“LAFD, I’m here to help,” I shout. I can’t smell any werewolves, but there are humans. More than one. It’s difficult to get the exact number over the smoke filling the apartment.
“Just make a noise, any noise, and I’ll come get you,” I shout again.
No response. Not even movement.
I walk deeper inside. No one in the bedrooms, kitchen, or bathrooms.
