Chapter 4

It was my first time at Adrian's team facility.

As a staff member escorted me toward the practice floor, I learned that Adrian and a friend had founded the organization themselves.

No wonder he had always been so busy. Or why buying me every new skin had apparently meant nothing to his bank account.

Some people really did live in a different universe.

The elevator doors slid open with a chime.

My eyes met Adrian's, and I stopped short.

He stood in the backlight wearing his team's black jersey, his features harder and sharper than they had been at home.

So this was Adrian at work.

My heart clenched.

He had apparently just finished a pre-match meeting. The coach and several starters walked behind him, still discussing strategy, but their voices lowered the moment he stepped into the corridor.

Leadership seemed to sit on him as naturally as his own skin.

The group fell quiet when they noticed me.

One of the players gave Adrian an openly curious look.

“Captain, who's this?”

Everyone stared.

Adrian's gaze settled on me and stayed there.

He hadn't looked away once since the elevator doors opened.

The cedar scent in the air deepened.

An adult werewolf's natural scent turned oppressive when strong emotions slipped past his control. Adrian's should have intimidated me.

Instead, it closed around me like an invisible net. Not threatening. Almost protective.

Something tapped weakly against the inside of my chest.

Stronger than last night.

My hand flew to my sternum.

Adrian stepped in front of me, casually blocking the others' view.

“A friend,” he said.

The answer caught me off guard.

Wasn't I his sister's roommate?

“She said she was bringing your match files,” the staff member explained.

Adrian gave a short nod.

“Take her to the lounge. I'll be there in a minute.”

He casually pressed the elevator button, looking like he still had something to take care of.

I glanced down at the folder, then offered it to the staff member.

“Now that it's here, I'll get out of your way. You all look busy.”

I turned to leave.

A hand closed around my arm.

The instant Adrian's skin touched mine, a scorching current tore through my body.

The faint movement behind my ribs became a violent thud—like a beast that had slept too long opening its eyes for the first time in the dark.

Pain punched a gasp from me. My knees buckled.

Adrian caught me against his chest.

I looked up, dazed.

Adrian's black eyes had turned molten gold.

His wolf stared at me through them—restless, exultant, and almost feral with the madness of finding something he had lost.

Then Adrian spoke, and the blood in my veins turned to ice.

“Evelyn.”

His arm locked around my waist. His voice came out rough and low, barely recognizable.

“Why is your wolf answering me?”