Chapter 2

Back at my desk, I scanned the office. Men in expensive suits walked the halls. Any one of them could be Lykos.

The only saving grace was that I'd never sent him a photo of my face. He wouldn't recognize me.

I opened our chat history again, combing through for anything I might have missed.

Finally, I found it. A conversation from last month.

He’d said he was shopping downtown and wanted to buy a pinky ring for an important pack ceremony. He’d asked me to help him pick one out. I chose a black obsidian and silver ring for him, and he bought it.

I stood up, pretending to walk to the break room, but really I was just pacing the hall, carefully checking the hands of every man who passed. Most wore gloves or no jewelry at all.

I came up empty.

Back at my desk, I hesitated, then decided to test him.

I sent Lykos a message:

"Honey, are you wearing the ring I picked out for you today?"

He replied instantly. "Of course."

"I wear it every day. Seeing it is like catching your scent."

Just then, the internal phone on my desk rang.

"Riley, my office. Now." It was my boss, Liam.

Liam Blackwood. A werewolf in his early thirties, the younger brother of our Alpha, Kaden Blackwood. His rank in the pack was high.

As I reached his office door, I heard his voice from inside. But it wasn't his usual cold, hard tone. It was so sweet it made my stomach turn.

"Baby, I miss you so much," he was saying into his phone. "Can you come by the office later?"

"I might have to work late tomorrow. The Alpha is coming back for an inspection… I need to be prepared…" Liam’s voice was full of respect and awe.

Alpha Kaden. The supreme leader of the entire Blackwood Pack. A man rumored to be cold and celibate.

"Okay, baby. See you in a bit." Liam hung up.

I knocked.

"Come in."

"Riley, sit." He pointed to the chair across from his desk. "I need you to prepare a report for tomorrow's meeting."

"Yes, sir," I nodded, trying to keep my voice professional.

Liam started explaining what he needed, but when he reached for his coffee mug, my eyes locked onto his right hand.

On his pinky finger was a black obsidian and silver ring.

It was identical to the one I’d chosen for Lykos.

My pen slipped from my fingers and clattered to the floor.

"What is it?" Liam looked up, his brow furrowed.

"N-nothing," I stammered, bending down to get the pen, my heart pounding against my ribs. "It just slipped."

"Your ring… it's really unique," I ventured, my voice shaking slightly.

Liam glanced down at it, a small smile playing on his lips. "Oh, this? You think so?"

I pressed on, needing to be sure. "When did you get it?"

He frowned, looking puzzled. "Last month."

"Yeah? You like it?"

I quickly pulled myself together and waved a hand dismissively.

"Oh, no reason. Just curious."

Then I practically fled his office.