Feral Desires

CLAUDETO BE HONEST, I couldn’t concentrate on what was being said throughout the conference meeting. A set of eyes lingered on my body, and I tried my hardest to ignore her.As soon as the meeting ended, I jumped out of my seat, avoiding mingling with the other ranking members, and made my way to the double doors. At the top of the stairs, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I forced myself not to curse.I turned around and sucked in a breath. The woman, gripping her knees and breathing heavily, looked up at me. She stood to her full height, glaring at me while dangling her nude heels between us.“I had to embarrass myself in front of everyone downstairs to catch up to you. Why are you running away from me, my mate?”I could only stare at her. When she reached out and touched my arm, I jumped back as if burned. The tingle where she touched me made it all too real.“I’m not ready,” I blurted out. She frowned, looking at me like I was mad—maybe I was.“W-what?” she choked, stepping closer. H

CLAUDEI sat across from my father, the room thick with the silence of the lies I was about to spin. He leaned forward, eyes narrowing as he studied me.“So, you’re saying Alpha Landon wants you at this meeting with the Federal werewolves… government officials?” His voice carried doubt, his fingers tapping the edge of the table.“Yes,” I replied, gripping my phone a little tighter.“And he didn’t think to tell me first?” His brow furrowed deeply.I met his gaze without flinching. “No.”He rubbed his beard—a beard I couldn’t seem to grow no matter how hard I tried. “It sounds suspicious.”“We’ve grown closer since our last meeting at his pack. He said he sees great potential in me as a future Alpha.” I spread my hands across the table, forcing myself to relax, or at least appear relaxed. “Don’t you think I have potential?”My father cleared his throat, a faint smile pulling at the corner of his mouth. “Of course, son. This could be a big opportunity for our pack.” His tone was clipped,

NIKOLIAThere was something about this boy—something that kept me from walking away. I hadn’t come here to take someone. My only objective was finding information about my missing cargo—twelve containers, worth over a billion dollars. Yet here I was, tugging at my tie, my eyes trained on him—Tate.Or at least, that’s what he wanted to be called.“Before we start anything, I think it’s best we get to know each other first.” My voice was calm, controlled, as I slipped my hands into my pockets and leveled my gaze on him. He was watching me with wary eyes, like he wasn’t sure if he should trust me. Smart.“How about we start with your name?” I added, keeping my tone neutral, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—hesitation, uncertainty.“But you—”“Your real name,” I cut him off, watching the way his breath hitched, the way his chest rose and fell a little quicker now.“How did you—”“I didn’t,” I said with a small shrug. “You just don’t look



 NiKOLAI



HE WAS FINALLY HERE.


Pressing against the wall, I watched Jonny Hernandez stride down the hall, flanked by two thick-necked goons. The prick had the audacity to steal from me, and now he was holed up on this swanky, heavily-guarded yacht, probably thinking he was untouchable. I usually had my men handle these sorts of personal errands, but this time... hell, I wanted to look him in the eyes myself before I made him pay.


I peeked around the corner. The two guards had parked themselves outside a door, just under one lazy surveillance camera hanging in the corner. Perfect.


I let my fingers tap against the wall, a small sound, just enough to get their attention. Predictably, both heads swiveled in my direction. Like clockwork.


"Evening, gentlemen," I said, sliding my hands into my pockets as they stepped toward me. "Is Jonny allowing visitors?"


The bigger of the two grunted, "No visitors."


I shrugged, my lips curling