Chapter 4

Selene

            I gently untangled myself from the arms of the man in my bed and rolled over to check my phone. I had a coded message from the guild. ‘Meeting scheduled for 3’, read the message on my screen. We had a new target. I had worked hard over the last five years, moving up in the ranks, making my way toward the position most coveted. A few more successful hits and I would be named guard to the Priestesses.

I let my eyes wander over the man in my bed, debating if I had time for another romp or if I should send him home. I sighed as I thought back to the pleasure he had brought me during the night. He was a man who enjoyed taking his time, he would have to go rather than enjoy another round in the sack. I gently shook him awake.

“Time to go sexy.” I purred. “I have a work thing I need to get ready for.”

He groaned before rising from the bed. I couldn’t help letting my eyes drag across his taut backside. I wasn’t one for sleeping with the same man twice, but I would definitely be giving him my number before he left. I strutted around the bed, grabbing his phone from the floor, and programming my number in.

“Call me sometime. We can do this again.” I told him before leading him to the door.

I showered and dressed quickly as soon as he left. I let my jet-black hair cascade down around my shoulders rather than pulling it up. I was only going to find out my latest assignment and my head needed a reprieve from the constant bun I wore. I would blend in as I made my way to the meeting point with my fitted black t-shirt and jeans. Blending in was vital to the job and second nature at this point in my career, regardless of whether I was on the job or not.

I found Aurora waiting for me inside the safe house the guild used on occasion. It was rare, but we would have high profile assignments that required us to hide out until things blew over. Once we had even been tasked with keeping a target alive and safe from non-guild attempts on their life.

“Selene. You’re late.” Aurora drawled as I closed the door behind me.

I glanced at the clock on the wall behind her. I was only a couple minutes late; it wasn’t my fault she had scheduled our meet so soon after she had sent the text with the information. I fought the urge to roll my eyes as I took the seat across from her.

            “What’s the job?” I asked, ignoring her irritation.

            “This came down from the King directly. The target lives outside of the Kingdom.” I glanced over the information in the manila envelope she had slid across the table as she spoke. “Word reached the King that this particular Alpha intends to kidnap his daughter.”

“Of course, another Alpha out for power. Don’t men ever learn you can’t force someone to be your mate. Especially not a royal.” I snarled. I hated men who sought power through underhanded tactics.

“That’s why we have been called in. The king has let the man into his home once, trying to secure trade lines. That’s when he set his sights on the princess. You’ll find all the pertinent information in the packet. Don’t forget to burn it once you’re done reading.”

I nodded my acknowledgement as she made her way from the safe house. I studied the image of my target that had been included in the information. He was stunning, even in his photograph he had an air of power that surrounded him. I licked my lips as I committed his crystal blue eyes, shaggy black hair, and strong jaw to memory. I wondered if I could get him in the sack before I completed my assignment. His image screamed sex appeal. I shoved the thought from my mind and quickly set to work memorizing the other information before burning the packet in the small fireplace.

There hadn’t been quite enough information to nail down his routine or how well guarded he was. I found myself crossing into his pack lands two days later. I worked to blend in with the visiting wolves and humans. His security was surprisingly lax, allowing many wolves that belonged to other packs to enter his territory at will. There were rumblings of a rogue problem, leading me to believe the pack wolves were refugees from attacks.

I paid for a hotel room for the remainder of the week, intending to use the cover story of seeking safety from the rogues if my presence was questioned. I was petite for a wolf which meant that most male wolves assumed I was weak and needed protecting. I made it a point to visit places that were heavy with the scent of wolves. Wolves liked to talk, and they would congregate at various establishments to gossip. I needed information about the Alpha’s security. I needed a way to get close.

“Zane said Alpha Lucas is looking to invite the rogues into the pack.” Whispered a she-wolf at the table next to mine in the coffee shop. “He’s been putting together an offer to send them to get the attacks to stop.”

I raised my eyebrows, my ears twitching in interest. I wondered if I could present myself as a rogue to get close to the Alpha or if another wolf in the hierarchy would be in charge. I left a cash tip on my table and made my way out of the coffee shop. I decided I would wander town and see how close I could get to the Alpha’s private home. The packet of information on him said he kept a separate house just between the packhouse and town. If I could get into the house, I could finish the job there.

I took my time, strolling through town and stopping in the little shops along the way so as not to draw suspicion. I was presently surprised to find myself in front of the Alpha’s home just after nightfall. The rogue incursion must have kept the warriors of the pack patrolling the outskirts rather than protecting their Alpha’s home. Making sure no one was around; I kept to the shadows and made my way inside. The house was small but tidy, it was a surprising choice for an Alpha bent on gaining power through any means necessary.

The house was quiet as I made my way through the rooms. My nose detected the faint scent of eucalyptus and pine that set my wolf scratching inside my mind. It was clear the Alpha hadn’t been home in a few days, but his scent was thick in his bedroom. My wolf was going crazy, but I wasn’t certain why. Raina fought to take control of my body, urging me to wallow in the Alpha’s bedding. A low growl rumbled in my chest as I struggled to maintain control. The Alpha clearly hadn’t been here in days. I forced myself to exit through the window and head back toward my hotel room. Raina howled, chiding me for leaving the whole way. I couldn’t placate her, which was unusual. We had been on the same page since she had first appeared. She finally settled when I promised her we would return once I knew the Alpha’s routine. I needed to get him alone to complete my mission.