Rowan and I haven’t spoken in years. That happens after the military. You’re so consumed by it that once you’re out, you try to build a life away from it.
At one point, I thought we’d form a pack together. But Rowan was always meant to be a pack alpha. Last I heard, he’d made chief of police.
“Erm, excuse me? Sir? You’re not allowed back here.”
The hairs on my neck rise at the sharp tone, a prickling rushing over my spine.
When I turn, I’m hit by the brightest green eyes I’ve ever seen.
And they’re in narrowed, accusing slits, aimed right at me.
When I face her fully, those fierce eyes sweep over me, from my boots to my shoulders, snapping back to my face. Her scowl falters a little then, but her arms stay crossed tightly over her chest.
The pictures did not do her justice.
She’s standing on a set of stairs, staring down at me, dressed in all black. Knee-high heeled boots, skinny jeans showcasing long, lean legs, and a skin-tight jumper not hiding a single curve. Her illustrious, long pink hair is tied back in a high, slick ponytail.
My alpha stirs. My fingers twitch.
And she’sstilllooking at me. Not only that, but the toe of her sleek boot taps against the glass step as she waits for my response.
“My apologies, I’m looking for my packmate.” I hold out my hand.
Her scrutinising gaze darts to it, then back to me, before she languidly descends the stairs.
The sway of her hips and the sharp click of her heels have me transfixed. My alpha huffs, watching intently while she walks straight up to me.
She tilts her head back, and back, her eyes widening a little, but her gaze never wavers. I come from a long line of tall alphas, and that was before my dormant genes were triggered, and she’s… small. So small in comparison to me.
I could pick her up with one arm, sling her over my shoulder like she weighs nothing.
But that look tells me she’d fight, wouldn’t make it easy, and that just makes me want to do it more. My other hand flexes in my pocket.
She’s already recomposed, expression stern, standing strong and unfolding her arms to slip her small, manicured hand into my large, calloused one.
Every hair on my body stands to attention.
My fingers curl over hers, gentle but firm. “I’m Kaiden Vale. I’ve heard a lot about you, Revea.”
Her gaze seems to soften, the vibrant colour turning glassy, pink lips parting. She blinks it away as we shake, her wicked assertion coming back tenfold.
But I’m trained to notice microexpressions, meaning when she swallows, I find myself tracking the movement along her smooth, bare throat.
My alpha rumbles louder beneath my skin. Such a pretty neck. It would look so good with my teeth—
“Pack alpha?” she asks, voice raspier than before.
I nod, realising we’re still shaking. I gently pull back, slipping that hand in my pocket, trying to ignore my prickling palm.
She flexes her fingers, and I wonder if she felt the same thing, then she slips it back into the fold of her arms.
Finally, I catch sight of my right-hand man as he descends the stairs behind her.
“You’re late.” He doesn’t even look up from his tablet.
“I was busy, Syl, runningourbusiness.”
“You never even told me he was coming,” Revea adds with a quick glance over her shoulder, voice a little sharp.
