Chapter 45

Adrian didn’t speak.

I wasn’t sure if he stepped closer to me, or I stepped closer to him.

I shivered slightly, goosebumps breaking out on my arms in spite of the heat of the day.

I could feel my heart begin to beat faster. Could feel the warmth of his breath on my face. We were so close.

There wasn’t much air between us, but it crackled with electricity.

His phone rang. We both jumped.

It was becoming a pattern with us. Interrupted right before—

But nothing could happen between us. I knew that.

I reminded myself of that.

“Hello?” Adrian answered. His voice was a shade deeper than usual. He’d probably lowered his tone to cover up the slightly breathless quality in his voice.

Maybe I’d affected him as much as he’d affected me.

He nodded, with brows furrowed. He looked solemn and serious, but there was a slight quirk at the corner of his mouth. He was pleased as well.

I started to step away from him, but he reached up and gently grasped my hand to keep me in place. He didn’t speak, just kept nodding and squeezing my hand.

I was surprised he didn’t move away from me for privacy, but pleased as well.

It felt good to be included, not shunted aside.

“Thank you for letting me know,” he said finally. “You’ll be in touch?”

He nodded for another minute, then hung up.

He blinked several times.

He looked shellshocked. I felt a deep anticipation for what he was about to say, but also wondered if I should walk away and leave him in peace to process whatever the news was. But then he spoke.

“The King is dead,” he said, like he couldn’t believe the words were true.

A long silence stretched between us. The electricity that had been flickering between us evened out into long, undulating waves of anticipation.

“And you’re going to take his place,” I said finally. I couldn’t wait any longer for him to speak.

He nodded slowly, solemnly.

I wondered what I should say.

I almost wondered if I should bow or curtsy or make some dramatic sign of respect. It wasn’t common, but there were werewolf traditions around those formalities at the highest levels. In ceremonies, you might be expected to bow to the King, or take a knee in front of him.

But this was Adrian. I’d known him forever.

Twice in two days, we’d been close enough to feel the other’s breath on our lips, before we were interrupted.

I didn’t move.

“Congratulations,” I said finally. “You’ll be a great King.”

He blinked at me. He looked younger than he had a few minutes ago. Almost a little bit lost. I meant it, though. He had always been a wonderful leader.

I felt myself swell with pride for him, quickly followed by a swoop of sadness.

I was surprised at myself. But even though I’d been telling myself he couldn’t be interested in me, I guessed I’d started to hope. I’d started to think that since he was older and more established, and I’d proven myself, that my family background might not matter in the way it had when we first knew each other. But it did matter.

If he was going to be King, there was no chance he would be able to mate with someone so far below his station. If he wouldn’t risk the stability of his pack to be with me, he certainly wouldn’t risk the stability of all the packs. His whole Kingdom.

The realization stuck in my throat sharply: I cared about him as much as I had when I first knew him.

More.

I cleared my throat. I couldn’t think about that now. I had to get out of here.

I stepped toward him for a congratulatory hug. I wasn’t sure I should let us get into close physical proximity, but a curtsy felt insane and handshake felt awkward and distant.

I aimed for a quick hug with a clap on the back, but felt my body sinking into his embrace immediately.

I felt his breath on my neck, and shivered with the sensation.

It felt like we pulled away from each other in slow motion, both of us wondering if we’d continue to separate, or let the hug turn into a kiss as our chins drew level with each other.

He stepped back suddenly, gave me a jerky nod, and turned away.

I watched him walk briskly across the grounds and sighed softly.

I drove back to the office lost in thought, and was still in a daze when I sat down at my desk.

I wouldn’t be able to settle to any of the work I needed to do. Not right now.

I powered on my new tablet.

There were already several folders on the desktop. I clicked into the one titled “pack school.” There were dozens of neatly labelled important documents. I’d been cc’ing Adrian on all the emails about the school, so that he’d be in the loop. I didn’t think he’d been reading them. And it must have taken him ages to comb through them and transfer the relevant information onto my gift.

I started syncing the rest of my documents, smiling slightly to myself.

It was beautiful and user friendly, and the process was simple. It was what I needed, as well, to do something productive, but largely mindless.

I didn’t get stuck until it was time to set a password. I’d skipped over that when I first turned the machine on, and couldn’t figure out how to get back to it.

I guessed I didn’t really need one. I’d just keep it with me or in my locked desk drawer.

The door opened over my shoulder.

Leo walked in.

“Hey,” I said quickly, pleased to see him. “I feel like I haven’t seen you in ages. How are things going? You couldn’t make it to the ceremony?”

It seemed like it took a second too long for the smile to reach his eyes.

“No, sorry,” he said quickly. “Been traveling a lot lately and just got in this morning.”

I’d seen the travel itineraries for this week. I’d made the travel itineraries for this week. He wasn’t on them.

To be fair, I did have a lot on my mind, and could have missed it.

“How are things going with Hunter?” He asked suddenly.

I launched into a description of the Alpha Ball and the fact that he and Maya had gone public with their relationship.

“I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “You don’t deserve that.”

His face was downcast. He looked more distraught than I could remember ever seeing him. He was usually perky and gregarious, even in difficult circumstances: the person who might try to cheer you up with an off-color joke.

This was strange.

But before I could think any more about his weirdness, the door opened.

Standing on the other side of it was one of the last people in the world I wanted to see.