Chapter 58

Renee

I had a very simple plan for when I got home: eat and sleep. Not necessarily in that order. I had no plans for a shower, though I definitely needed it, and I didn't think I'd be coming up with one either. I was stuffing the last of my things into my tote bag when I felt the shift in the air. The smell of too sweet perfume filled the air like someone had bathed in it. I recognized it and wondered if the Goddess brought me back to fix my life or be tortured longer because I didn’t even have to look up.

Vivian was glaring at me, coming right for me, but not so fast that I was sure she was going to try and start a fight. She probably knew there were enough eyes and cameras that it wouldn't be a good idea. Her heels clicked across the polished floor loudly, and I realized that she was always that fucking loud. My senses growing was one thing, but Vivian had a way of being the squeakiest wheel in any situation even when she was dead wrong.

I sighed, packing my stuff and turning to leave. She blocked my path. I met her gaze and tried to move around her again, but she blocked me again, glaring at me.

"Is there a reason you're in my way?"

"You think you're going to get away with this."

I blinked at her. "Are you done?"

She snarled. "No I'm not fucking done."

"Because I am. Move. I'm tired and not in the mood, so either get to the point or get out of my way."

I shut down my computer.

"I don't know what you've said to Neil, but it would be in your best interest to remember where your loyalties lie and stop cavorting around with him."

I looked up slowly. She stood with her arms crossed, chin tilted in that way that meant she thought she was making a good point. Her eyes flicked over me, as if she could see proof of something written on my face.

"Take what suits you and tell Dad to ---"

“What are you talking about?” I asked flatly. "More importantly why should I care?"

“Don’t play dumb,” she said, stepping closer. “Now that you’re not marrying Tyler, you’re circling Neil. It's obvious--"

"Ah," I said. "I didn't say that right."

"You---"

"I don't care." I glared at her. "And now that I'm not marrying Tyler, I'm more than free to do whatever I want."

I brushed past her.

"So you admit it, you fucking---"

I zipped my bag and leaned on the nearest table, my migraine making the floor shift beneath me.

“If you’re finished—”

She grabbed my arm and I swung on instinct. She barely avoided it but her eyes widened as she stared at me. I didn't care what she saw, and I didn't care as I glared at her. My head was killing me and I wanted to go home.

Now.

"Don't ever touch me again," I said. "Or I promise, you won't like what happens next. Leave me alone, Vivian."

She snarled rushing to cut me off again, but she didn't touch me.

“You think things are hard for you now?” Her voice dropped to a hiss. “Keep sniffing around Neil and you’ll find out just how much harder it can get. You don't exactly have any friends in high places."

I smiled, small and cold. “You should worry about your own problems, Vivian. One of us isn't on the outs with Alpha Brightclaw.”

Her jaw twitched.

I walked past her without waiting for a response, heels clicking just as sharply as hers had. I felt… better. Not on top of the world. Not invincible, just better. I wasn't stupid enough to think that this was the end. I knew Vivian well enough from my past life to know that she didn't know how to give up, especially when she felt that she'd been wrong. And me not following her little plan, getting closer to Neil and everything else was definitely wronging her.

The more I thought about It, the more curious I was about what had driven Vivian and Dominic apart in my past life. She might be a greedy little wench, but there was no way that she would have decided that killing me was the only option forward if she had been still in Dominic's good graces.

I stopped, frowning at the thought. There was something off about the way I was thinking about him. That feeling that I Of worried that I'd felt before wasn't there, but it was something else. Something about the way that he was situated in my mind was prodding at me. Seeing him as Vivian's father seemed… odd, even though I knew that's what he was. Thinking of him as Alpha Brightclaw, Dominic or even daddy alpha settled better in my mind. Maybe it was just because I had more faith in Dominic's character than I wanted to admit.

I shrugged it off and kept walking. I was nearly out the door when a ripple of awareness swept over me, low and humming, like a plucked string vibrating in my chest. I felt this presence in the building and thought it wasn't near it was near enough.

I knew it was Dominic I was feeling, but I didn't understand why. I didn’t need to see him to know he was somewhere in the building. The bond between us had grown quiet these past few weeks, but the way it was flaring right now was… startling. Why now? Had something happened? I froze for half a heartbeat, hand tightening on the strap of my bag, fighting the ridiculous urge to turn around and go find him. Just to see him. Just to… check in.

I knew deep down that something had happened, something had changed. I could feel myself reaching out to him. I stumbled back, retracing my steps until I could turn and see the elevator. He was… in another elevator. If I got in one now I could catch him on the upper floor.

But I didn’t move. I couldn’t.

Instead, I turned and pushed open the door and stepped into the crisp evening air, letting it bite against my skin and chase away the heaviness.

Chasing this odd feeling, especially with Vivian in the building, with everything that was still happening in the office was ridiculous.

“Heading out?” a familiar voice called.

I turned and found Neil at the bottom of the steps, tucking a phone in his jacket pocket, his hair tousled from the wind. He gave me a quick smile, warm and easy, and my tension ebbed just a little.

“Yeah,” I said. “Finally.”

"Damn right," he said with a low groan. His stomach growled.

And I laughed. "Pasta didn't last that long, hm?"

He shook his head, resting his hand on his stomach. "You ate all the steak."

I gasped and swatted his shoulder. "I did not!"

He laughed. "You did, but you looked like you needed it."

He turned looking into my eyes. "You still look tired but you look better. Much better than earlier."

My lips twitched, and I nodded. "Migraine's back, but I ---"

My stomach let out a loud growl. My face heated, and he burst into laughter.

"Seems like you didn't eat enough steak."

"Neil!"

"I'll have to let mom know to make enough for three of me." I scowled at him and he grinned. "And growing wolf needs more steak."

I huffed. "Good night, Neil."

"Wait," he caught my hand, gently. Still smiling at me. “Some of my team is going for dinner and drinks. Just something lowkey. It might turn into a karaoke if Greg has his way. Would you like to come?”

His invitation was casual, but there was something underneath it. Not from him, but from me. My heart fluttered. My stomach wsa full of butterflies. My eyes burned with tears. His eyes widened as he stared down at me. Then, his gaze softened and he stepped closer, opening his arms.

"What?"

He hushed me, drawing me into his arms, hugging me close. The shuddering sigh of relief, the way my whole body melted and leaned into him, breathing his scent in deeply as he held me was amazing.

I had no words for this quiet awareness building in me. This sense of utter safety. I realized I could feel him, too. It wasn't the same pull I felt toward Dominic, not the same kind of awareness, something more subtle. I could feel his heart beating in sync with mine. Felt the tingle of his magic, his very soul, against my skin. It was so soothing. So welcoming. Protective and utterly understanding, like I didn't have to explain why I was suddenly so overwhelmed. Like he already knew. Maybe he did.

"It's alright," he whispered. "I promise you're welcome to come." He squeezed me closer. "I promise I want you to come. If you want, okay?"

I sniffled and nodded.

"So how about it, Renee?" He asked, resting his head atop mine. "Want to come out and see my teammates make a fool of themselves?"

I sniffled and nodded. "Sounds great."