A

ack coffee steaming in my hands. It's just a job, I tell mysel

ubicles arranged in neat rows, floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of the forest, and the constant hum of productiv

ook up to find Vincent standing near the conference room, his dark suit immaculate, his expression unreadable. O

can play

timelines. Vincent's calendar is packed with meetings, site visits, and conference cal

for what's to come. Just keep your head down

around a polished oak table, laptops open, coffee cups steaming. Vincent st

n as I slip into an empty chair near the back. But something shifts in

boy I used to know-harder, more controlled. There's a coldness to him n

e meeting, his dark ey

rough the room like a blade. "What's your a

res like physical weights, judging, evaluating. The omeg

ars the delays are primarily due to environmental impact reviews. The forestry depa

ever leave mine. "And

necessary. The cost of expedited results will be less

ion doesn't change, but something flickers in his e

hen turns back to the ro

ons resuming the moment they hit the hallway. I g

stops me halfway to th

ger. Vincent doesn't wait for my response befo

and like an eager puppy. When I finally make it to his office, he's standing

I ask, keeping my voic

up immediately.

The click of the latch sounds

ne of the leather chair

fer to

eyes assessing. "Still can't

't ask nic

," he says, leaning back against his chai

what?" I ask, confu

ar one night and then show up here acting like we'r

myself and my wolf to ignore

one," I say,

ody radiating that Alpha energy that would make most wolves cower. Instead

ted to leave

an inch from mine. God, I love how much I'm getting

ietly, but there's

cking years I've been wondering what I di

y resolve. Almost. But then I remembe

tell you somethin

hes. "That's

erk my arm free. "Can I go now

door, but his

not don

, desperation he's trying to hide. For just a second, I l

I say softly. "We've be