Chapter 2: Irune POV
It’s 8:30 PM. I didn’t plan to stay at the office this long. Normally, I leave the design company in Simone’s hands, as it was more of a gift for her, but for the last six months, I’ve been drawn here—and I don’t know why. Before that, I only stepped foot in this building once a year.
What the hell is wrong with me?
I sit at my desk, spinning my phone in my hand, staring down at it like it holds the answers. After a long pause, I finally dial Dr. Jamerson.
He answers on the second ring.
“Alpha, is everything okay?”
“I… I need you to run some tests.”
“Who am I running tests on?”
“…”
“Alpha?”
“Never mind. Forget I called.”
“Yes, Alpha.”
Dammit. I’m losing it.
I grab my suit jacket and overcoat and head to the elevator. As soon as I step inside, a wave of exhaustion hits me like a freight train. What the hell? In 28 years, I’ve never felt anything like this. I feel like I could sleep for days.
I might not be the strongest Alpha, but I sure as hell am not this weak. I lean my head against the elevator wall and close my eyes as the car descends.
Ding.
The elevator stops at the 6th floor.
Who the hell is still working this late? I don’t want to talk to anyone right now. Hopefully, they get on and keep their damn mouth shut. I keep my eyes closed—until something slams into me.
Seriously? How do you not see me? I’m not exactly hard to miss.
I open my eyes, ready to snap at whoever wasn’t paying attention, when a wave of heat slams into me.
The elevator feels like an oven. It’s suffocating. I grab my necktie to loosen the torture device that now feels like a noose around my neck.
I glance down and see a petite, butter-toffee-skinned woman sprawled on the floor, unconscious. Did she hit me so hard she knocked herself out?
Humans are so fragile.
As much as I want to walk away and let someone else deal with this, I can’t leave her here. That would be… irresponsible.
I hit the emergency button.
“A woman passed out in the elevator,” I notify the security desk. “Send an ambulance, AND GET SOMEONE TO FIX THE HEAT IN HERE.”
I look at her lying on the elevator floor. She is stunning. Hips and ass for days, perfectly proportioned. Most women would die for her figure. Her natural hair loc’d. It looks like she’s dyed it, but it complements her skin tone perfectly. I am almost tempted to touch her skin. It looks smooth and soft. Too bad she is human.
When we reach the first floor, the security guard is already waiting. My shirt is soaked through with sweat, just from the short ride in the elevator.
“Take her. Stay with her until the ambulance arrives.”
“Yes, sir. What should I tell them happened?”
I sigh.
“Tell them she ran into the wall. Have them check her nose.”
I look at her one more time, taking in her features.
If she were a she-wolf, I might…
Dammit. What is wrong with me?
Malik stirs in my mind, stretching and taking over for a second.
She looks like my kind of prey, Runey Boy. He says, laughing*.*
I have told you many times to stop calling me that mutt! I’ll find us someone to play with. I’ve been feeling restless too. We need a release.
He pauses.
She’s too weak for us. But... I agree. She’s beautiful. You could also use your left hand like you usually do.
Go back to sleep—you’re annoying as hell.
I push Malik back into the depths of my mind and pull out my phone to call J.R.
He wasn’t my first choice for Beta, but he’s loyal—and always down for trouble.
He’s probably already into something—or someone.
“Alpha,” he answers with a grin in his voice. “Please tell me this isn’t about work.”
“Not tonight. I need to blow off some steam. Gather the guys—meet me at the club.”
“Easy. We’re already here. Oh, and Simone’s here too.”
Perfect. She’s always eager to help me unwind. She’s not the best, but she’ll do.
“You know she still thinks she’ll be your Luna, right?”
“I’ll let her hold on to that delusion—for now.”
As I step outside, the heat and exhaustion that had been clinging to me disappear. I roll my shoulders.
Hey Malik, I ask, do you think this is what the females feel when they go into heat?
If so, then screw that. This is annoying as hell.
How should I know? Malik grumbles. But I do know something’s off with this office.
That gives me pause.
“What do you mean?”
You’ve noticed it too. All this weirdness with me—and with you—it started about six months ago. Around the same time, we started showing up here again.
“But we’ve been here before. Just not as frequently.”
Exactly. And now something’s changed. I feel like it's connected.
He has a point.
Is someone targeting me?
I pull out my phone and dial Evan, my Gamma.
“I want a full background check on every new hire in the last year,” I say as the phone line connects.
Just then, I feel a tap on my shoulder.
I spin, teeth bared, canines extending, ready to attack.
How the hell did someone get this close to me without me noticing?
And then I see them—those deep, dark brown eyes locking onto mine. Peering into me.
The heat surges back. This time I can’t hold it together.
I can’t breathe.
Shit.
Not good…
It’s getting dark.
I…
can’t…
keep…
myself…
Up.