Chapter 3
Chapter 3
84%
20)
As I’m cleaning myself and the kitchen up, I hear him leave. I rinse off the plates and pans before sticking them into the dishwasher. Once the counters are wiped down, I go back to my room to change and rinse off not wanting to smell Silas while I’m around Mr. Thorne.
I’m going to be late for work again. It’s kind of a habit of mine when we have to work in the headquarters. I hate being in the middle of the city, risking bumping into my siblings or worse. My father. I can’t exactly explain that to Mr. Thorne because he has no idea I’m a wolf. It wouldn’t be pretty if he found out.
Zander Thorne is a descendant of a very old and very powerful demon hunter lineage. He’s trained and a complete fucking moron. The only reason he’s come this far is that I’ve been removing real threats since we met. The man is a genius, but he has zero survival skills.
His taste in women is horrible. His longest relationship lasted three months, and he spent three hours getting over it before he was all over the next top model. Today is the anniversary of his father’s death, which means he’s going to be a little moody.
I get in my Bentley and check the back seat for his gift and favorite cupcakes. When I get to Thorne Labs, I put everything in his office. Of course, he’s not here yet. He probably went out and got shit-faced last night. He was probably drunk all day while I was out betraying the old man and the entire organization I helped build.
The things we do for the ones we love.
Working is one of my favorite outlets. I love this shit. Arguing with rich assholes no better than me and getting my way. Crunching numbers, charts, and meetings. All of it. It’s taken me to some pretty great places. I am very good at this. It’s a calling just as demanding as killing.
“You get me these?” I smile, looking away from my computer to see Zander Thorne eating a pink cupcake in my doorway.
He doesn’t look like he got shit-faced last night. In fact, he looks fantastic and smells great. I inhale, taking him in properly. He’s wearing his usual Versace suit, perfectly tailored to his body. I’m proud to say that I helped get him there by pretending to be a mortal at the gym.
Me, the alpha rogue bitch in a gym filled with gross sweaty mortals all because of this man right here. I can do curls with how much he can bench. It’s cute watching him struggle. It’s cute watching him do anything. Humans are fascinating. At least this one is.
“Hey,” I greet him. “You look okay.”
“Yeah, I had a chill night,” he says, coming in to sit in my guest area.
“Good,” I say, sitting back a little shocked. That’s very off-brand for the most eligible bachelor in Magique City.
“Did you do anything cool yesterday? You bailed before the meeting in the morning.”
“I had a family emergency. Nothing too crazy.” I nod.
“Everything okay?”
“Who knows? The crisis was averted, though. I’m still a little stuck on you having a chill night. Were you with someone?”
“Thank you for the cupcakes and the signed G-Eazy album. You’re the best,” he taps my desk.
What. The. Shit?
The day went by slowly without him coming in and out of my office as usual. At the end of the day, I can’t wait to get home to my Maine coon, but I stop at his lab to ask if he needs anything. He waves me off.
1/3
Wed, 13 Aug
Chapter 3
84%܀
The rest of the week goes by similarly. I’ve actually gotten rest, and my bruises are doing great. What the fuck is he doing?
Friday night, I stop at his lab to find him gone. I walk in to see if there’s anything that can clue me into his weird behavior. Nothing. It’s spotless. I hear his voice when I’m leaving and backtrack to find him in his office. I tap on his door. He waves me in and ends his call.
“What’s up?” he asks once he hangs up.
“I was just headed out. Did you need anything from me before I head out for the weekend?”
“You’re not going to be available this weekend?” he asks unbothered.
“No. My lease is up at the end of the month. I’m packing up.” I remind him for the eighth time.
“Sit,” he says, shaking his head. “Where are you going? You live in one of the safest parts of the city.”
“I’m moving closer. I told you I was buying the clock tower six blocks down.” Safest part of the city my ass.
“I thought you were joking. Are you out of your mind? Magique City is dangerous to us. You know the wolves are all over the place right now. They’re at war.”
“I am aware, Mr. Thorne. I’ve lived here my whole life. What’s going on with you? Did your mom give you shit about getting married again?”
“No,” he smiles. Oh, I don’t like that. “I’ve just been spending time at home with Cyn. She’s not adapting to the training well, and my mom has me watching her.”
A lie just came out of this man’s mouth. His entire demeanor tells me as much. His breathing hitched, and his heart is racing. The longer I stare at him, the more he squirms in his chair. Fuck, I love the effect I have on him. It’s just not the one I want. It never has been. Our relationship has always been professional, and my obsession with him has been one-sided.
Everyone sees it. How I fawn over him. How I give him every fucking little thing his spoiled heart desires. I’ve killed for this man, and not once has he ever looked at me the way I want him to. I nod and push off the seat to leave.
“Well, if that’s it. I’m leaving,” I say, trying to hide the hurt in my voice. He doesn’t lie to me. Never. But here we are, the lie leaving a sour taste in my mouth.
“Stay, hang out,” he tries to stop me. “Tell me about the family emergency.”
“I mean no offense, Mr. Thorne, but my personal business is my own.”
Hurt crosses his features before he masks it and nods.
“Right, sorry,” he sits back probably wondering what the fuck he did wrong.
The answer is nothing. He has no obligation to tell me a single thing or even want me the way I’ve wanted him for a long fucking time. As of late, things have been changing between us. We’re both pulling away. I’m not sure what I’m holding on to, but it stings to see that he can give less fucks about the distance I’ve been trying to create for the past six months.
I get home, and the only thing that clears my mind is my sewing machine. The rapid clicking sound and the pretty pattern of the stitching- who the fuck am I kidding? I get up from my sewing station and pull the book on the shelf back to get to the keypad behind it.
My sketch wall opens up, revealing my KNAVE setup. I take a seat at my keyboard, and my fingers work their magic to bring up all the security footage in Mr. Thorne’s penthouse. I’m not as good at this as Perry, but she’s taught me enough to know my way around this shit. If I ever have a problem, I can call her.
“All right. What were you doing this past week, Zander?” I ask and rewind the video feed. “Show me what’s got you sober.”
