3. Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Dangerous Desires

Axel

The intercom buzzes, interrupting my brooding thoughts about last night's rogue encounter.

"Mr. Anderson," my secretary's voice crackles through. "There's a Ms. Taylor here to see you."

My jaw clenches. Lila. Of course she'd show up unannounced, throwing my carefully planned day into chaos. Just like she's done with every other aspect of my life since I first laid eyes on her.

"Send her in, Carol," I growl, steeling myself for another confrontation. I straighten my tie, a futile attempt to armor myself against her effect on me.

As the door swings open, her scent assaults me - vanilla, cinnamon, and a hint of defiance. My wolf surges forward, desperate to claim what he sees as ours. I shove him back ruthlessly.

She's not ours. She can't be.

The very idea is dangerous, not just to me but to my entire pack.

Lila marches in, chin raised, eyes flashing with determination. Her auburn hair is pulled back in a messy bun, a few strands escaping to frame her face. I force myself not to notice how it softens her features, how it makes her look younger, more vulnerable.

"Mr. Anderson," she says curtly, "I'm here to show you the changes I've made. I want this inspection over with."

Her tone grates on my nerves, the demanding note in her voice setting my teeth on edge. Who does she think she is, barging in here like this?

"Ms. Taylor," I reply, matching her coldness. "This is highly irregular. I decide when re-inspections happen. You can't just show up and demand my time."

"With all due respect," she counters, her eyes narrowing, "my business is suffering. I've addressed every issue you raised. I need this resolved. Now."

I stand, using my height to loom over her. It's a cheap intimidation tactic, I know, but I need to maintain control of this situation. Of my reactions to her. "Fine. Show me. But this better not be a waste of my time."

The walk to her truck is tense, silent. I can feel her irritation radiating off her in waves, matching my own frustration. This woman is nothing but trouble. A complication I don't need. A distraction I can't afford.

At the truck, Lila launches into a rapid-fire explanation of her changes. "I've labeled everything," she says, pointing to neat, handwritten labels on every container. "I've upgraded the refrigeration system," she continues, opening a gleaming new fridge. "I've even reorganized the storage to maximize efficiency and food safety. It's all up to code now."

I inspect each change meticulously, looking for any flaw, any reason to delay approval. But damn it, she's done a thorough job. Every issue I raised has been addressed, often going above and beyond what was strictly necessary.

"I've also implemented a new cleaning schedule," she adds, showing me a detailed chart. "And I've retrained my staff on proper food handling procedures."

Her dedication is impressive, I have to admit. But I can't let her see that. Can't let her know how much her determination affects me.

"Satisfied?" she asks, her tone challenging. There's a flash of something in her eyes - pride, maybe, or defiance. It makes my wolf stir restlessly.

I'm about to respond when a scream pierces the air. Lila jumps, her eyes widening. The scent of her fear spikes, setting my protective instincts on edge. "What was that?"

Shit. Not now. Not here. The timing couldn't be worse.

"Stay in the truck," I order, my voice leaving no room for argument. My wolf is already clawing to get out, sensing the danger nearby. "Lock the door. Don't come out until I return."

"But—" Lila starts, her stubbornness showing even in the face of potential danger.

"That's an order, Ms. Taylor," I snap, already moving towards the sound.

"Who do you think you are giving me orders?" she shouts.

"For once in your life, do as you're told," I shout back at her.

I don't wait for a response, trusting that Lila will heed my warning. My long strides eat up the ground as I rush towards the source of the scream. The wolf within me growls, eager to face the threat head-on.

Another scream. Closer this time.

My heart pounds in my chest, adrenaline coursing through my veins. I round the corner of a building, my senses on high alert. The metallic scent of blood hits my nostrils, making my stomach churn.

Please, let me be in time, I pray silently, pushing myself to run faster. Don't let me be too late.

I race towards the treeline, my senses on high alert. The foul stench of rogue hits me before I even reach the trees. Damn it. Another one, so close to town? What the hell is going on?

As I burst through the foliage, I see her—a young woman cornered against a tree, terror etched on her face. The rogue circles her, its mangy form a twisted mockery of a wolf. Its red eyes glow with malice as it toys with its prey.

I don't hesitate. I let my wolf take over, bones cracking as I shift. In seconds, I'm charging towards the rogue on four legs, teeth bared. The rush of the change, the surge of power, is intoxicating. This is what I was born for. This is who I really am.

But the rogue is fast. Too fast. It dodges my initial attack with unnatural speed, and we dance a deadly waltz of teeth and claws. I manage to wound it, my teeth sinking into its flank, but it gives as good as it gets. Pain flares across my side as its claws find purchase, tearing through flesh.

Just as I think I have the upper hand, pinning it beneath me, it bucks with unnatural strength. I'm thrown off, slamming into a nearby tree. Before I can recover, it's gone, disappearing into the forest.

Fury and frustration surge through me as I give chase, the taste of its blood still on my tongue. But it's no use. The rogue's trail goes cold, leaving me panting and enraged in the middle of the forest.

I shift back to human form, cursing under my breath. Naked and vulnerable, I quickly make my way to a hollow tree nearby where I've stashed emergency clothes. It's a precaution all of us take - you never know when you might need to shift unexpectedly.

As I pull on the jeans and t-shirt, I'm acutely aware of how much time has passed. Lila is still waiting, probably wondering what the hell is going on. I let it get away. I, the Alpha, failed to take down a single rogue. The shame of it burns almost as much as my wounds.

And now, I have an even bigger problem.

The woman I saved is gone too. Vanished without a trace. But I know what happened—she saw me shift. She saw the rogue. And she ran.

Of course she did. Any human would. Seeing creatures like us, a man becoming a wolf, battling a monster—it's not something the human mind can easily process. It's the stuff of nightmares, of horror movies. Not reality. At least, not their reality.

I scan the area, but there's nothing. No tracks, no broken branches. Nothing to indicate where she might have gone. It's like she vanished into thin air.

But I don't have time to track her down. Not now. Because there's someone else I need to check on. Someone who, against all odds, has become central to this mess.

Lila.

As I jog back to the parking lot, my mind races. A rogue attack this close to town, in broad daylight. A human witness. And Lila, caught in the middle of it all. The pieces are there, but I can't quite see how they fit together. Not yet.

I approach her truck, dreading another confrontation. But as I reach the spot where I left her, I realize she's gone. The truck is no longer there, leaving behind only the lingering scent of vanilla and cinnamon mixed with frustration and fear.

Damn it. I told her to stay put. Why can't she ever listen?

I scan the area, hoping to catch a glimpse of her truck, but there's nothing. She's probably halfway across town by now, confused and angry. And who could blame her? I left her alone, with no explanation, after a scream that would have terrified anyone.

As I stand there, staring at the empty parking space, I catch that scent again—the faint trace of something supernatural that doesn't belong. It's stronger now, setting my teeth on edge. It clings to the air where Lila's truck was parked, invisible but unmistakable.

A chill runs down my spine. Whatever's coming, it's not just after the pack. It's after Lila too. And now she's out there, alone and unprotected.

Despite everything, despite how much she infuriates me, despite the danger she represents, I know one thing for certain.

I'll be damned if I let anything hurt her. Even if protecting her means keeping her close and unclaimed. Even if it means denying the pull I feel towards her. Because some things are more important than what I want. The safety of my pack, the secrecy of our world, and yes, Lila's own safety.

As I start making my way back to my office, I make a silent vow. I'll figure out what's going on. I'll stop whatever's coming. And I'll keep Lila safe, whether she likes it or not.

My phone buzzes with an incoming text. It's from an unknown number, but the message chills me to the bone: "We know what she is to you. And we're coming for her."