18. Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Eighteen

J asmine

Contrary to what Bold promised, the Warriors office is not a bustling hive of activity. In fact, the one room equipped with desks and computers is empty. Instead, one of the other rooms on the main floor is filled with wolven males engaged in anything but work.

Several are lounging on couches. It looks like there's a game of poker going on at one table, and there's a lively game with rocks and sticks happening on the floor in the corner. The room echoes with good-natured chatter and laughter. The air is thick with the scent of … males.

I wasn't always a prim and proper licensed professional. There was that day right before I got sent away that my best friend Ariel and I snuck into the guys' locker room at school. It doesn't seem to matter whether it's men or wolven; there seems to be a funky smell in a place few women dare to enter.

"Well, well, well. Look who decided to grace us with his presence!" A broad-shouldered wolven with a wicked grin saunters over, his tail swishing playfully. "Our hero , and he brought a friend."

The male snaps his fang-filled jaw. A woman who didn't just survive a threat on her life and a run-in with the bomb squad might be intimidated. Me? I don't even flinch—especially when I see the merry look in his shocking blue eyes. This redhead's handsome enough to break some hearts.

"Cool it, Fang," Bold growls, but there's no real heat behind it. "Hey guys, if you didn't meet her last night, this is Jasmine. Jazz, meet the crew."

I'm suddenly surrounded by curious faces, wagging tails, and some covert and not-so-covert sniffs. Bold introduces me to his coworkers: Fury, Stealth, Fang, and Courage.

"So, you're the one who's been keeping our boy busy," Stealth teases, elbowing Bold in the ribs. "About time he found himself a mate."

Bold growls and snaps, his tail bristling, a clear warning. By the ferocity of his growl, I don't think he was playing. His "Knock it off" is superfluous after his display of dominance. It's endearing of him to keep their playful exuberance from scaring me, but after surviving Nature's Edge and bomb threats, I don't intimidate easily.

Lash, a lean wolven with striking amber eyes, leans in to stage-whisper conspiratorially. "Don't mind Stealth. He's just jealous because the last female he tried to court ran away screaming, after biting him—on the ass."

The others burst into raucous laughter as Stealth takes a playful swipe at Lash. Well, maybe not quite too playful; his claws were fully extended.

I observe their antics with fascination and amusement. Their easy camaraderie is palpable, their bond evident in every shared look and inside joke.

Bold shows me around the office—which is empty of both staff and basic resources except for some antique desks and possibly even more antique computers.

"Is anyone actually working?" I whisper.

"There are two two-male patrols 24/7, and every inhabitant of the Zone has HQ's number programmed into their phone. Trust me, we're on it."

He leads me down a short hall and announces, "The training room." It's a large no-frills space with weight benches along one wall. "We take our job seriously," Bold explains as we watch two males with coal-black fur spar in the training ring. "Keeping the Zone safe, protecting our people… it's not just a paycheck. It's a calling."

I nod, understanding that sentiment all too well. "Like my work with my clients."

"Exactly." Bold's eyes soften as he looks at me. "You get it."

As we continue the tour, I get a kick out of Courage. He's always got a quip or wisecrack. The best word to describe him is smartass. But he never says anything hurtful. I think we could be friends.

"So, Courage," I venture during a lull in the conversation. "How did you end up joining the Security team?"

He shrugs, a small smile playing on his lips. "Wanted to make a difference, same as Bold. We grew up next door to each other, though he was a little older than me." He pauses to address his next words to Bold. "Right old male?" He waits obligingly for Bold's playful snarl before he adds, "We watched each other's backs. Joining the force just seemed right."

"He's a smartass, but there's no one I'd want at my back more than him," Bold murmurs, as if he read my thoughts. "One of the best."

As we say our goodbyes and head upstairs, I feel a newfound appreciation for Bold and his world. The camaraderie, the sense of purpose, the unwavering loyalty… it's a beautiful thing for an only child like me to witness.

"Thank you for sharing that with me," I tell him softly, slipping my hand into his. "Your friends, your work… it's amazing. You're amazing."

Bold ducks his head, but I catch the pleased glint in his eye. "I'm glad you got to see that side of my life. The guys… they're more than just coworkers. They're my pack. My family."

Pack. Sometimes I forget his animal DNA, but he does have a pack. I wonder if humans would get in less trouble if we felt as accepted by our friends and family as the wolven do.

Squeezing Bold's hand, I marvel at the way it engulfs mine so completely. "I envy you your pack. And I feel honored to be included, even just for a little while."

It's crazy. We've shared no more than a few kisses, no promises implied or intended, yet I feel like I belong here—with Bold.