Chapter Five

Alpha Kairos’s POV

“She’s coming,” I muttered, staring toward the road like it could tell me who she really was before I even saw her.

Vaughn—my Beta and oldest friend—stood beside me, arms folded, his brows slightly raised. “You sure you want to meet them out here personally, Alpha?”

I gave him a sideways glance. “If she’s staying under my roof for the summer, I want to look her in the eye the second she steps on my land.”

“She’s just a forensic accountant, not a threat,” he said casually.

I didn’t respond. It wasn’t about whether she was a threat. It was about control. And instinct.

“I still don’t like this. Outsiders staying in the pack—it feels like inviting chaos through the front door.”

“You asked for her. She didn’t apply to live here,” Vaughn reminded me. “And Isaac swears she’s the best at what she does.”

That didn’t ease the gnawing suspicion in my gut. “So was Greg. And he stole nearly seven figures from our infrastructure accounts.”

Vaughn quieted. Greg had been a close friend—head of engineering and someone I would’ve trusted with my life. His betrayal cut deeper than I’d let on. Which is exactly why I needed Seren Halliwell. To root out what was left of the rot.

“Alpha,” Alex’s voice buzzed through the mind-link. “Dark SUV and a teal coupe just passed the city gates.”

“They’re here,” I said aloud, nodding toward the driveway.

Vaughn straightened his shoulders beside me. “Let’s see what all the fuss is about.”

It didn’t take long for the vehicles to pull up the long stretch of road leading to the packhouse. The SUV rolled to a stop, windows darkened like secrets. A sleek teal car parked behind it, and from it, stepped a young man—tall, confident, with hair as dark as midnight and a presence that made me immediately alert.

And then I scented it—wolf.

He approached us with an easy stride, holding out his hand. “Alpha Kairos Aspen?”

I clasped his hand firmly, studying him. “Yes.”

“I’m Dorian Halliwell,” he introduced. “My mom’s the one you hired.”

Not what I expected. He looked no older than my son Pax—and just as sharp around the edges. But his eyes…silver, stormy, familiar in a way I couldn’t quite place.

Vaughn stepped forward to greet him. “Nice to meet you, Dorian. Is Mr. Halliwell not joining us?”

The teen laughed lightly, correcting, “I think you mean Miss Halliwell. My mom.”

The SUV door clicked open behind him. I turned, and everything slowed.

She stepped around the vehicle with quiet grace—jeans hugging long legs, a white shirt knotted at the waist, hair the color of honeyed sunlight brushing her shoulders. Her eyes, a matching silver to her son’s, locked on mine with startling composure.

No mark.

No mate.

And yet... a teenage son. My wolf stirred instantly.

“Alpha Aspen,” she greeted coolly, extending her hand.

The sound of my name on her lips made my pulse jump.

“Miss Halliwell,” I replied, shaking her hand. Her skin was soft, but her grip was steady. Confident.

She turned to Vaughn. “Thank you both for the warm welcome. If it’s alright, I’d like to get Dorian and myself settled. I’ve got another matter to resolve before I start Monday.”

“Another matter?” I asked, trying not to sound too interested—but failing.

“A client needed help with a personal financial issue. Nothing major,” she replied with a polite smile. But I didn’t like it. She was supposed to be working for me.

“I see.” My voice dipped, more curt than intended. “Miss Halliwell, as of Monday, you’re on my payroll—and exclusively mine.”

Her eyes narrowed a fraction. “Excuse me?”

“Vaughn will show you both to your rooms.” I turned sharply and stalked inside, my fists clenched. I didn’t want to imagine her fixing someone else’s mess. Not when I’d brought her here for mine.

Behind me, I could still hear her voice. “What the hell was that?”

Inside, I headed straight for my office, ignoring the knowing smirk from one of the junior warriors in the hallway. My wolf, Marek, was already snickering.

“She’s under your skin already. That was fast.”

“She’s supposed to be working, not… entertaining other clients,” I growled inwardly.

“Or maybe you just don’t like the idea of her giving anyone else attention.”

I sank into my chair, rubbing my temples. “There’s no mark on her neck, Marek. She has a son. Where’s the mate?”

“Not your business… yet.”

I hated how intrigued I was.

A knock on my door snapped my attention forward.

“Come in.”

The door burst open, and there she was again. This time, fire in her eyes and stormclouds on her face.

“Alpha Aspen,” she said, voice tight, “was there a reason you felt the need to claim ownership of my time in front of my son and your Beta?”

I stood slowly, meeting her glare. “You agreed to work for me. I assumed that meant priority.”

Her arms crossed. “I don’t take orders outside of a contract. And I certainly don’t appreciate being treated like I belong to you.”

Oh, but you will.

I didn’t say it. But I thought it. And judging by the way her breath caught, she felt the shift in the air.

“You’re in my pack, Miss Halliwell,” I said, walking toward her. “And in my pack, we don’t do half-measures. If you’re mine, you’re mine.”

Her eyes widened—not with fear, but something dangerously close to interest.

“Then maybe next time,” she said through clenched teeth, “you should learn to ask before declaring.”

And just like that, she turned and walked out, spine straight, every step daring me to follow.

Marek growled approvingly in my head. “She’s not afraid of you. I like her.”

I leaned back against the doorframe, watching her disappear down the hall.

And all I could think was—

Shit. This summer just got a lot more complicated.