Riley's POV The car ride was a blur. My mind was still reeling from the encounter with Kirk, from the unexpected intrusion of Karl, from the suffocating weight of unspoken emotions and dangerous desires. I tried to question Karl about our destination, but he simply chuckled, his hand resting lightly on the steering wheel, and told me to relax and enjoy the ride. He knew me too well. He knew I needed a moment to gather my thoughts, to process before speaking, and he wouldn’t push me. His silence, however, felt reassuring, a sharp contrast to the storm raging within me.We pulled up to a building that initially surprised me. It wasn’t the tranquil garden I’d envisioned, nor the quiet corner of the mansion. It was a modern, sleek building, all glass and steel, with the word "Gallery" discreetly etched above the entrance. An art gallery."Karl," I asked, my brow furrowed in confusion. "Why are we at an art gallery?" I felt a knot tightening in my stomach. Was he leading me here as a dist
Riley's POV I didn't expect Kirk to show up to my study, at least not this early. Despite how much I tried to maintain a nonchalant attitude, it seems my wolf was all eager to meet him. I didn't know the kind of game he was trying to play by being suddenly nice. But, if there's one thing I know, I know I wouldn't give him the chance to just get into my head. I seized the moment of his hesitation. I turned my attention away from him, back to the canvas, hoping the physical gesture of dismissal would make him leave. I just needed him to go. I needed to be alone. I needed to breathe.But then, I felt it. A sudden warmth against my back, the familiar scent of pine and something uniquely him, surrounded me. His arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me tightly against his chest. I froze, my breath catching in my throat.No. He wouldn’t dare.My wolf, however, let out a delighted sigh. Oh, the traitorous thing. For a moment, just a blissful moment, I relaxed in his embrace. It was an invol
Kirk's POV The sun was barely up, a pale light filtering through the trees, when I pulled my beat-up truck into the long, winding driveway of Norman’s mansion. A few domestic staff were already moving about, hushed and efficient. A stern-faced butler, perfectly uniformed, spotted me immediately. He probably knew who I was, Norman’s wild card brother, the one who caused trouble. He gave me a stiff nod, no warmth in his gaze, just a cold, practiced deference."Prince Kirk," he said, his voice flat, devoid of emotion. "Prince Norman is currently at the office.""Figures," I muttered, a small, wry smile playing on my lips. "I’m here to see Riley. For her final healing dose. Where is she?"The butler hesitated for a split second, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes, before giving a precise instruction. "She is in her personal study, Prince. The third door on the left, down the west corridor." He sounded like he was reciting a well-rehearsed line.Her study? That was a surprise.
Norman's POV “Are you really okay?” I asked in a concerned tone, lifting my gaze to stare at her. “Did Kirk say anything to offend you?”“No,” she responded with a small smile on her face as she raised her head to look at me. But, I could tell she only forced the smile so I knew definitely something was amiss."Good," I said, trying again. "You know, I closed the deal with the investors. It went exceptionally well. A huge win for the company's standing. It will secure our prosperity for decades." I waited, expecting at least a congratulatory comment, a question about the details."That's… good, Norman," she said, her voice still quiet, still detached. She didn't turn her head. She just kept looking out the window, as if the passing trees held more interest than my achievements.A flicker of irritation pricked me. She was usually so supportive, so engaged in these kinds of matters. This was unlike her. Was she truly still so ill that she couldn’t even summon an iota of enthusiasm? Or
Kirk's POV Peter flinched. It wasn't a big movement, just a quick, sharp twitch of his shoulders, like he'd been poked with something cold. His eyes, which had been narrowed with curiosity, went wide, then narrowed again, but this time with a mixture of shock and something like genuine fear. He went silent, the usual easy flow of his conversation abruptly cut off. He just stared at me, his gaze sweeping over my face, searching, trying to decipher if I was joking.I watched him, my own jaw tight. My wolf, which had been a restless storm moments before, was now a coiled spring, silent and watchful. It sensed Peter’s processing, his hesitation. It also knew the weight of what I had just said. Peter stayed silent for a long moment, the hum of the bar slowly returning to fill the void. He didn't make a sound, just kept looking at me, his eyes trying to pierce through my calm exterior. Then, slowly, as if he'd finally seen past the initial shock, his expression shifted. The alarm remained
Norman's POV The crunch of the gravel under the tires of my sedan was a welcome sound. Finally, this endless business meeting was over. Two full days of dry numbers, persuasive pitches, and endless negotiations with those private investors. Necessary, of course, for the company's future, for solidifying our standing in the market. But draining. Utterly draining. All I wanted was to get home, to my study, and review the final contracts in peace. And of course, to get Riley.My driver for the day was a stern-faced man named Gareth. Soon, he pulled the vehicle to a smooth stop in the small clearing before Kirk’s rustic cabin. I glanced out the tinted window. The place looked as rough as I remembered—a jumble of rough-hewn logs, a smoking chimney, and a general air of wildness that always irritated me. It reminded me too much of Kirk himself, messy and uncivilized. I preferred order, structure, things precisely where they belonged.I stepped out, adjusting the cuffs of my suit jacket. Th