Chapter 2

Erin's POV

Green's hand moved toward my zipper. "Department Head, if you keep me satisfied. I'm already hard for you, baby. I want you to use your mouth first, just like Anna."

"I think I can do even better than Anna," I whispered, while secretly reaching for the letter opener.

Green loosened his grip and started unbuckling his belt. "That's a good girl."

I spun around quickly, plunging the letter opener into his forearm. He screamed in pain as blood immediately soaked through his sleeve.

"You crazy bitch!" he howled.

I followed with a knee to his groin, using enough force to double him over without revealing my supernatural strength.

"Listen, you piece of shit," I spat, "touch me again, and next time this letter opener goes straight into your throat!"

Before he could recover, I sprinted away, his curses following me down the hallway.

"You're DONE, Erin Grey! You hear me? You're FUCKING DONE!"

Outside, tears finally broke free, streaming down my face as I walked aimlessly through the streets. Everything I'd fought for—my career, financial stability, my home—had vanished in just a few hours.

I need a drink. No, I need SEVERAL.

I stumbled into the first bar I found, slid onto a barstool and ordered a double whiskey, neat. Two drinks later, my tears had dried, replaced by a numbing anger that settled deep in my bones. I assessed my situation: jobless, student loans overdue, landlord probably already changed the locks.

Fucking fantastic. Hiding as a werewolf among humans was hard enough, now unemployed too. Go back to the pack? No, that's not an option...

When I tried to pay, my credit card showed less than $200 available.

"Here you go, honey," the bartender said, pouring me another whiskey. "This one's on me. Don't let the bastards ruin your night."

Just as I finished that free drink, I heard an argument outside the bar's side door—a small alley running alongside the building.

"Hand over the wallet and that watch, rich boy!" a rough voice demanded.

Looking out, I saw three street thugs surrounding a man in a suit. The suited man seemed different—my keen werewolf senses picked up a non-human scent.

Wait, that smell... he's... a werewolf? Here?

One thug flashed a switchblade. "Don't waste our time! Now! Unless you want that pretty face cut up!"

The suited man remained unnaturally calm. "I suggest you reconsider. This won't end well for you."

Maybe it was the alcohol, or the anger I'd accumulated all day, but something drove me into that alley. I staggered forward, deliberately playing drunk.

"Adam! Babe, I've been looking everywhere for you!" I called out loudly, sidling up to the suited man.

I leaned close, whispering in his ear. "Play along, I'm helping you." Up close, I was certain I smelled werewolf.

For a moment, his pupils dilated slightly—he definitely sensed what I was—but he recovered quickly, slipping his arm around my waist. "Sorry, sweetheart, got held up."

When our bodies touched, we both felt each other's wolf nature hidden beneath our human exteriors, though neither of us acknowledged it.

He's a werewolf, and a powerful one at that...

I turned to the thugs. "Hey, is there a problem? My husband causing trouble?"

"Back off, bitch. This isn't your business," one thug growled.

I pulled out my phone, pretending to dial. "Yes, officer, in the alley next to Murphy's Bar. Three men with knives."

The thugs hesitated, glancing nervously at each other.

"She's bluffing," one began to say, but I cut him off.

"They're wearing red hoodies, black jackets, and gray beanies. Yes, I can identify them."

As they hesitated, I grabbed the suited man's hand. "Run!"

We bolted from the alley, with shouts behind us. "She played us! Get them!"

The suited man ran fast, but controlled his speed to match mine. We weaved through downtown alleys with footsteps pounding close behind.

"This way!" he suddenly pulled me into a gap barely wide enough to squeeze through. We pressed ourselves sideways into it, pressing against the wall. The space was so tight I had to press against him, my back to his chest.

I could feel his strong pectoral muscles rising and falling with each breath, his arm wrapped protectively around my waist, securing me between him and the wall. More surprising was the unmistakable hardness I felt pressed against my backside.

Oh my God...

I bit my lip to keep from making a sound. His breath fell hot and rapid against the nape of my neck. Footsteps of our pursuers rushed past the gap, but my attention was completely consumed by the man behind me.

"I think we lost them," he whispered in my ear, his voice husky and sensual. His lips nearly grazed my earlobe, sending a tingle throughout my body.

I couldn't help shifting slightly backward, brushing against his hardness. His breathing immediately became more ragged, his arm tightening slightly.

"Let's wait until they're farther away," he said in a low voice, but I could hear the restrained desire.

My mind began racing with uncontrollable thoughts of what it would be like if he took me right now in this alley. Pushing me against the wall, tearing my clothes off, entering me from behind...

Focus! This is NOT the time!

Minutes later, certain our pursuers were gone, we carefully squeezed out of the narrow gap. I turned to face him and realized just how close we were standing. In the dim light, his eyes were like deep sapphires, focused intently on me, filled with wild desire.

"Thank you," he said, his voice deep and sexy. "That was clever thinking. Not everyone would risk themselves for a stranger."

I knew what he meant underneath—thanking me for helping a fellow wolf. The primary rule for werewolves surviving in human society was non-interference, but mutual aid in dangerous moments was an unwritten rule.

I shrugged, which was barely possible in the tight space. "No big deal." I stepped back but swayed from the combination of alcohol and adrenaline.

He quickly steadied me, strong arms encircling my waist. That simple touch sent heat coursing through me.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his brow furrowing slightly.

"Not my lucky night," I said with a bitter smile. "Lost my job, discovered my boss is a sexual predator, and now I'm homeless. Just perfect."

He studied my expression. "Where do you live? I'll take you home."

"That's the problem," I sighed. "My landlord changed the locks yesterday. I'm two months behind on rent."

He hesitated before saying, "You need rest. There's a hotel nearby. I can help you find a place to stay."

Under normal circumstances, I would immediately refuse such an offer from a strange man. But exhaustion, desperation, and alcohol were affecting my judgment. Plus, my wolf instincts told me he meant no harm. In some way, meeting another werewolf made me feel both cautious and oddly secure. Encountering one of your kind in the human world was both a danger and an opportunity.

My gaze drifted past his shoulder to a small hotel's neon sign flickering in the darkness nearby.

"That hotel looks decent," I pointed toward the neon light, "at least better than sleeping on the street."