[Blackthorn Enterprise—Late Evening]
Blackthorn Enterprises was supposed to be empty.
That was the plan.
Kaelen stepped out of the private elevator but when he saw the surroundings, he frowned. This wasn't the floor he was supposed to be in.
He stepped back and started pressing the button to his floor only to realize the elevator access had been temporarily restricted to the twentieth floor.
When he stepped out again, the quiet of the building settled around him like a familiar weight.
He took one step forward and felt it.
The pull snapped tight in his chest, sharp and sudden, like a hook driven straight into his ribs. His breath stalled as the sensation flared, demanding attention.
Kaelen stopped instantly.
The curse reacted before he could stop it.
He closed his eyes briefly, grounding himself the way Elder Varyn had taught him, slow breath, controlled posture, iron restraint over the wolf stirring beneath his skin.
The pull didn't vanish but it weakened which was enough.
His eyes opened, jaw set as he scanned the dimly lit lobby.
Everything looked normal, still and silent.
He turned toward the nearest security desk.
"Is the building clear?" he asked.
The guard straightened at once, surprise flashing across his face before discipline snapped into place. "Sir—no. Some departments are still inside."
Kaelen frowned. "At this hour?"
"Yes, sir. Operations and Finance. There was an urgent project and overtime was approved."
The words landed heavier than they should have.
Kaelen glanced toward the elevators again, the faint pressure in his chest responding immediately. It was tugging, subtle but insistent.
He exhaled slowly.
"You weren't informed. sir?" the guard asked cautiously.
"No," Kaelen replied.
He should have turned back, he knew that. Elder Varyn's warning still echoed in his mind yet his feet didn't move.
The pull tightened just enough to make the decision for him.
"You can resume your work," Kaelen said quietly.
"Yes, sir."
Kaelen didn't look back as he moved deeper into the building.
He told himself he was only confirming security, only ensuring nothing was out of place but the truth was sharper.
Something inside Blackthorn was calling to him and Kaelen chose not to ignore it.
….
[Operations Department—Twenty second Floor]
The Operations floor was quieter than usual but not tense.
Screens glowed softly in the dimmed lights, keyboards clicked in uneven rhythms and half-empty coffee cups were scattered across desks like casualties of a long day. Jackets hung off chair backs and sleeves were rolled up.
Jacob stood near the center aisle, hands raised slightly as he addressed the team.
"I know this isn't ideal," he said, his voice carrying easily. "And I promise I won't make a habit of springing last-minute overtime on anyone."
A few tired smiles surfaced.
"But the deadline was moved up and there wasn't another option," he continued. "So—thank you. I will make sure this is noted properly."
He glanced toward Lyra then, expression apologetic.
"And Lyra," he added, "I swear I am not secretly evil. Second day and I have already trapped you here."
A couple of people chuckled.
Lyra smiled back. "It's fine, really. I am still learning, so I am mostly helping with the smaller tasks anyway."
"That still counts," Jacob said. "And I owe you one."
Mira leaned over from the neighboring desk. "At least the overtime pay will be worth it."
Lyra raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
Mira grinned. "That designer bag you have been staring at online for months? This is destiny."
Lyra laughed softly. "You are assuming I won't panic and spend it all on groceries."
"Well, that would be tragic," Mira sighed.
The moment felt easy and ordinary.
Lyra turned back to her screen, fingers moving over the keyboard as she double-checked a spreadsheet Jacob had handed her earlier.
Then—
She stilled and her fingers froze mid-typing.
The sensation returned, not stronger, not weaker but just there.
Lyra slowly drew in a breath, her eyes flicking up toward the darkened ceiling.
Around her, nothing had changed. The others were still working, Jacob was speaking quietly to someone near the printers and Mira was humming under her breath.
No one else seemed to notice.
Lyra swallowed and forced her hands to move again, telling herself that it was nothing but the unease lingered, curling low and quiet in her chest, refusing to be dismissed.
Somewhere in the building, something had shifted and Lyra had the unsettling feeling that she wasn't the only one who felt it.
….
[Lobby]
Riven arrived at lights that shouldn't have been on.
He slowed the moment he stepped into the lobby, his eyes lifting instinctively to the upper floors where a few windows glowed faintly against the dark glass façade.
And there was a new scent, something strong, powerful, lingered in the air.
Riven frowned as unease settled in his heart.
It didn't feel right.
He crossed to the security desk. "Why is the building active?"
The guard straightened. "Sir, some teams are working overtime. Operations and Finance."
Riven frowned. "Who approved that?"
The guard hesitated. "It was already logged when my shift started."
Riven's unease sharpened. "Who signed off?"
Before the guard could answer, another spoke up, quieter. "The Alpha arrived minutes ago."
Riven froze.
"What?"
"Alpha Blackthorn," the guard clarified. "I was on the twentieth floor when I saw him."
The words hit hard and Riven didn't waste another second.
He turned sharply and headed for the inner doors, already pulling out his phone.
Riven broke into a brisk stride with his control slipping just enough for instinct to take over.
The building felt wrong now, too alive and too charged. He felt it in his bones, the same tension he had felt during the council meeting.
Kaelen shouldn't be here.
Riven quickly took the elevator to the twentieth floor.
He was supposed to meet Kaelen around nine. But after he finished the meeting with the council earlier than expected, he decided to come early and check everything was in place before he arrived.
Kaelen wasn't supposed to be here yet.
And if he was here and he had sensed the new smell, he must have followed it.
The thought that chilled him most wasn't exposure, it was timing because if Kaelen had felt it again, felt her again, then control wouldn't be the only thing at risk.
"Kaelen," he muttered under his breath. "Please tell me you stopped."
…