34

Ranger

“What happened?” I kept my eye on Aspen as she raced down the staircase, never letting the top of her head get too far out of view, and mind-linked with Ivan.

“It was the cupcakes,” he explained. “The Omega grabbed the delivery intended for our Luna and when I went to intercept her at the elevator, she’d already fallen.”

“I want names. Now.” I growled as I caught the metal bar to the fire escape door and stopped it from closing in my face.

The elevators were out of service for the time being while the EMTs worked on the Omega downstairs. Fallon was already secured in the penthouse suite while Ivan searched for information.

I’d have preferred to throw Aspen over my shoulder and put her somewhere safe too, but from the protective rage rolling off her, I knew she’d fight me every step of the way.

And I hadn’t intended on fighting with her at all today, but things were not going according to plan.

My phone buzzed in my pocket and I pulled it out, seeing the response to the emergency text I sent.

Mattox: ETA 3 hours.

Mattox: We’ll be there in 2.

I shoved the phone back in my pocket, still keeping my eye on Aspen. Every single female in this place was now a threat and I wasn’t discounting the males either.

“What happened to her?” Aspen was growling as the group of gathered contestants got out of her way. They parted, eyeing her suspiciously, and the Omega whispered her name.

I wasn’t sure if they could sense the anger from my beast that was currently rattling my chest, but I made a point to stare back at them, to let everyone gathered know in no uncertain terms that this would not go unpunished.

Someone had threatened my mate.

And that someone was going to die.

Ivan stepped around the corner, acknowledging me with a nod.

“If anyone so much as breathes too close to her, kill them,” I said.

“Roger that, Alpha.”

I took one last look at Aspen, assuring my beast she would be okay, and turned back to the stairwell.

The linger of her touch was still on my skin, driving my wolf insane with need, but I was good in a crisis and could compartmentalize despite these new sensations raging inside me.

I caught Molly just as she was rushing out of the conference room with the production team by her side. The color drained from her face when she saw me.

“Mr. McCaw.” She forced a smile. “I’m a little busy if you don’t mind.”

“Is that so?” I leaned against the wall, blocking her way. “Heading to your lawyers I hope since they are the only ones who can save you right now.”

She signaled for the team to run ahead and Molly turned to me, pressing her hands together under her chin. “I understand that you’re upset.”

I smiled with my fangs extending. “What gave you that idea?”

Molly let out a shaky breath. “Technically, there was no breach of the contract. Nothing happened to Aspen.”

I didn’t like the way she said her name.

Molly must have noticed because she quickly corrected herself, “Miss Nuva is still unharmed, correct? I think I can use this situation to our advantage. Just give me a few more days and I promise to work something out.”

“What I wanted was for Aspen to stay safe.” I growled, towering over the woman. “And you’ve already broken that promise. Why should I trust you now?”

I had to give her credit for standing her ground and not cowering like any other human would have. Molly raised her chin, eyes softening with what I’m sure were fake tears. “As I said, Aspen wasn’t hurt even if the intent was there. It’s all spelled out in the contract you had amended and you’ll see we haven’t broken any terms. But I do have a show to run, Mr. McCaw. One you signed up for and must adhere to the rules. So, if you’ll excuse me…”

“I want the ballot box,” I said, not moving an inch.

Her fake eyelashes fluttered. “The ballot box?”

“The one with the votes from the nesting trial.” I cocked my head to the side. “You’re not using it, right? I see no reason why I can’t look through it.”

Because I still needed to know who the third Alpha was that voted for Aspen. Now more than ever since there was a threat made on my future mate.

“Of course, Mr. McCaw.” Molly smiled, thinking she was getting the better end of the deal. She wasn’t, but I knew how to bide my time. “I’ll have one of our new security hires bring it to your room after the ball tonight. Now if there isn’t anything else I can do for you, I need to check on our girls.”