Chapter 1: Trinity POV
“Trinity…”
“Trinity…”
“TRINITY, WAKE UP!”
Who is calling my name like that?... Why do my eyes feel so heavy?… Wait. No one should be in my bedroom!
My eyes flew open. I looked around in confusion. This isn’t my bedroom.
I’m at the office?
Ty burst into hysterical laughter.
“You fell asleep at your desk again. You would think your job was boring. At least you keep me entertained when you nap.”
Classic Ty—always with the commentary. Better him than Simone. She’s been looking for a reason to fire me since the day Mr. Taylor hired me. I don’t know what her problem is. You’d think I killed her cat or something.
“Was I talking in my sleep again?”
“You know it. Today’s dream was muy interesante.”
I raised an eyebrow. I never remember my dreams. It's been that way since I was a kid. My mom used to listen to them while I slept, said they were always “far-seeing” whatever that meant. Around my sixteenth birthday, she suddenly stopped. I think the last one scared her. She never said what it was about, but I could tell—it shook her to her core.
Now, Ty’s the one keeping tabs on my dream life. Honestly, he seems more invested than I am.
“I didn’t know you had the hots for the big boss” he teased.
“WHAT? I DO NOT! And keep your voice down!”
“Haha, you could’ve fooled me. Sounded a lot like a wet dream about Mr. Cooper. Also… maybe keep your hands out of your pants while you’re at work.”
My eyes nearly popped out of my head. I had felt some…moisture… but figured it was just the heat. It's been sweltering in here for weeks. I’ve complained to the facilities manager, but they insist nothing’s wrong.
I was starting to think it was just me until last week’s design meeting when Mr. Cooper barked, “WHY THE HELL IS IT SO DAMN HOT IN HERE? FIX THE AC OR SOMEONE’S LOSING THEIR FUCKING JOB.”
Even with that outburst that man is fine as hell. I’ve never seen a sexier human being. His tailored suits hug every muscle like they were sewn onto his body. I'd give anything to be that Vicuna wool pressed against him…
I waved a hand in front of my face, trying to snap myself out of it.
Ty chuckled. “Your signature tell. I know where your mind was,” he said, raising his eyebrows.
“Anyway,” I muttered, “since I’m awake, let’s grab some lunch.”
“Lunch? Girl, you’ve been asleep for an hour. You slept through lunch. I’ve never met anyone who loves sleep like you. And the fact that you can pass out anywhere? Impressive.”
He wasn’t wrong. I’ve loved sleep since I was a kid. During school breaks, I’d sleep until 1 PM, eat, nap, eat again, then straight back to bed. That was the life.
Lately, though… It’s different. I never feel rested. No matter how much I sleep, it’s not enough. My mom keeps telling me to go to the doctor. I know she thinks I’m just being lazy, but honestly, I think she just wants me to come home. She knows there are no pack doctors in the city—I’d have to return to the countryside to see Dr. Lankston, the pack’s head physician since before I was born.
I miss her, but Red Crescent stopped feeling like home a long time ago. I prefer living among humans. There’s less pressure—no warrior training, no pack duties, and no pressure to find my “fated-mate”. As the daughter of two Betas, everyone expected me to be a strong warrior. But training was never my thing.
Most of the warriors would spar with me just for an easy win. I did the bare minimum. It pissed off my dad enough that he disowned me.
So much for unconditional love.
Alpha Marcus called me a disgrace to wolfkind and didn’t hesitate to approve my request to leave. I never got the chance to make amends with my dad before he died.
Being that pack’s Beta, he was second only to the Alpha. I begged Alpha Marcus not to send him out on that last mission. Something in me screamed not to let him go, but the Alpha called me selfish, then proceeded to tell me my dad was not a coward like me.
My father didn’t even make it two yards outside the territory before fifty rogues attacked him. The whole situation felt… off. When I asked for an investigation, I was shut down. Even my mother told me to let it go.
She has not been able to shift into her wolf since. She says she can communicate with her, but Heaven is too weak to shift.
Dad’s death took a part of her.
I promised myself I wouldn’t let that happen to me.
I never completely severed my pack connection. Occasionally, I feel a faint hum. But the longer I stay away, the more it fades.
I’ve been a lone wolf for six years now, and honestly? I love it here. The city’s chaos suits me. Times Square is my favorite spot— the lights, entertainment, people watching, endless food choices… It’s everything.
Adjusting wasn’t easy. I wear earbuds to cut down the noise, and I dab herbs in my nose to dull the overwhelming smells. City life is intense for wolves, which is why most stay in the countryside. Zuri can mask our scent in our human form so as not to draw the attention of other wolves. I’m not sure how she does it. It doesn’t seem to be something that a lot of wolves can do. That’s exactly why I came here.
“Hey,” Ty snapped, “are you asleep again? With all this napping, you'd better hope you don’t lose your job. I won’t cover your half of the rent. These design boards aren’t going to create themselves.”
He was right. I opened my laptop to review my current project.
Ugh. This must be why I fell asleep.
I usually love designing new spaces, but this one’s stressing me out. Miss Kline wants her living room redone using only muted tones—browns, tans, neutrals. Clean and simple.
Don’t get me wrong, I love an earthy aesthetic, but the only thing I like brown or tan is my man. Chocolate, mocha, caramel—any shade will do just fine. Mr. Cooper’s shade is nice too. His skin looks so smooth.
Focus, Trinity. This is your most challenging project yet. I still don’t know why she asked for me specifically. I tried to hand it off—no takers.
“Sigh…”
“Hey, Ty? Do you know why Miss Kline is so adamant about me handling this?”
Before he could answer, the phone starts to ring.
“Thank you for calling Design Inc., Trinity speaking, how may I help you?”
“Trinity, darling! Miss Kline here. How are you, dear?”
Great. I swear she has cameras in my office.
“Miss Kline! I was just discussing your project,” I said, rolling my eyes.
I glare at Ty as he chuckles.
“Good things, I hope. How are the plans for my new living quarters coming along?”
“Well, I have some ideas. I can send them over for your review—”
“Let’s do dinner tomorrow. I have another matter I’d like to discuss. Be here at 7.”
“Let me check my calendar—”
“Great! See you then.”
“Wait—hello? Hello?... AHHHH! I didn’t even agree!”
“What was that?” Ty asked.
“I guess I’m having dinner with Miss Kline tomorrow.”
I needed to put together some concepts—fast.
The rest of the day flew by. When I looked up again, it was 8:30 PM. I don’t even remember Ty leaving. I scanned my sketches and felt a rush of pride. Tomorrow morning, I’ll add the finishing touches before printing and mounting them.
I smiled at the final design. I think she’ll love it. Natural light pouring in through her patio doors will highlight the gold-toned kitchen appliances. A chocolate-fur sectional for the living room—elegant and cozy—with gold and tan pillows. A custom glass chandelier from Walter. Saddle-brown area rug flecked with gold.
I packed my bag, still visualizing the space.
Just as I shoved in the last paper, the elevator doors opened—and I ran face-first into Mr. Cooper.
The temperature in that tiny box soared to what felt like a thousand degrees.
Even through my herb-filled nose, I could smell…Freshly baked caramel cake.
His eyes locked on mine—burning straight through me.
I was on fire. He felt the surge in temperature, too, as he struggled to loosen his tie.
The room spun. Colors faded.
And then… nothing but darkness.