Chapter 0301

"I'm not leaving until you do. You might be finished talking, but I'm not." Victor's voice is firm, and I exhale sharply.

"You don’t understand the danger you’re in. I have suggestions, but we need privacy."

"Fine." I move behind the counter to clock out and grab my purse before approaching him. "Let’s go."

The evening air is cool as we step outside. "Funny how I was perfectly safe before you showed up," I say, making air quotes around the word 'safe.'

His expression darkens. "A week ago, you didn’t have a wolf. Now you’re an Alpha female with a Guardian. Every Alpha male will hunt you the moment word spreads about Gregory’s death."

Aurora flinches in my mind. 'What’s wrong?'

'I remember Gregory and Evander. Evander was the wolf who carried the Guardian spirit before me. Gregory was his human.'

I narrow my eyes at Victor. "How did you know Gregory?"

"I know all three Guardians—or did. My reputation with them isn’t stellar. But I called Adrian, Alpha of Blackthorn Pack, last night to confirm which Guardian had died. They fought vampires recently, and one Guardian was killed. That’s how you inherited the spirit."

He steps closer. "They want you to visit. I told Adrian I’d try to persuade you. You’ll be safe there… until you let me mark you."

I freeze. "Excuse me? Mark me?"

Victor looms over me, his gaze intense. "Yes. My canines in your neck, yours in mine. Then we mate. The bond seals."

"Not happening, old man. I’m fine where I am."

His laugh is dark. "You’re happy working a human job, sneaking around pack territories at night, hoping no one realizes what you are? That no Alpha will force you into his pack and claim you?"

His fingers tilt my chin up. His breath is warm against my lips. "And I’m not old."

I scoff, but my pulse betrays me. Heat pools low in my stomach. Aurora purrs in my head, practically ready to shift and rub against him. Traitor.

'He’s our mate. Look at him. Strong. Powerful. I wonder if—'

"Aurora!"

'If you won’t act, I will.'

Before I can stop her, she surges forward. My lips crash against Victor’s.

He doesn’t hesitate. His hand tangles in my hair, holding me in place as his mouth claims mine. His tongue sweeps past my lips, and a growl rumbles from his chest.

I grip his shirt, dizzy. His scent—spice and storm—overwhelms me. My knees buckle, but his arm locks around my waist.

His kiss is demanding. Dominating. I’ve only been kissed once before, at eight years old, by a packmate on a dare. This is nothing like that.

Wait—what am I doing?

I shove him back. "That can’t happen again."

Victor smirks, rubbing his nose against mine. "Your wolf disagrees." He kisses my nose before releasing me.