“You’re late,” I say before Beck even swings a leg off his bike. He shrugs like it doesn’t matter. “Traffic.” “You ride a motorcycle. That excuse doesn’t work on me.” Beck grins, sharp and lazy. “Had to stop for coffee. Figured you’d be even more of an asshole without it.” He tosses a crumpled up coffee cup my way. I catch it midair.

  We’re parked behind an abandoned warehouse on the edge of town — neutral ground. I don’t trust anyone enough to meet on my own turf. Especially not the kind of alpha we’re about to see. Too much testosterone. Too many teeth behind fake smiles.

  Beck leans against his bike and takes a long sip of his drink. “So, what’s this guy want?”

  “He says it’s about territory. Wants to redraw lines. Says he’s being ‘boxed in.’”

  Beck snorts. “Yeah, well, maybe if he wasn’t such a territorial prick, people wouldn’t mind having him as a neighbor.”

  I don’t respond. He’s not wrong.

  My wolf is already restless, pacing beneath my skin. He doesn’t like meetings. Doesn’t like threats wrapped in civility. He’d rather bare teeth than shake hands. “Let’s just get this over with,” I mutter.

  But something catches my eye before we mount up. Across the lot. Movement. Small, quick. A flash of color near the school fence. Then I see her.

  She’s leaning against a car. Talking to another girl, laughing at something, fingers tucking her hair behind her ear like she doesn’t even realize how dangerous she looks. Not in a seductive way. Not even in a challenging way. It’s something else. Something quieter. A hum I can feel in my bones.

  Beck follows my line of sight and raises a brow. “Uh oh. Don’t tell me that’s what’s got your hackles up.” I don’t answer. I’m already stepping toward the edge of the lot, instinct buzzing.

  “Knox,” Beck calls out, cautious now. “We’ve got a meeting in fifteen minutes.” I ignore him. Because she’s looking this way now.

  And for a second — a single breath — it feels like she sees straight through me. Not just the man. But the wolf. The beast.

  She blinks, and the moment’s gone. She climbs into the car with her friend and drive off. Beck walks up beside me, quiet for once. “That her?” I nod. “The one you felt before?” Another nod. Beck lets out a low whistle. “Shit.”

  I stare at the spot where her car used to be, jaw tight. “She’s not pack,but she’s a wolf. I can feel it.”

  Beck looks at me tilting his head. “You think she knows she’s in our territory? I mean you said she’s a wolf right?” I continue staring off after she left and shrug my shoulders. “ I have no idea, now let’s get this shit over with. I don’t like being out in the open.”

  Beck pushes off his bike with a grunt. “Yeah, no shit. You’ve been twitchy since we got here. Thought maybe you were just pissed you haven’t gotten laid in a while.”

  I shoot him a look that shuts him up fast. He holds up his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. Alpha mode activated. Got it.”

  We move toward the old office building, boots crunching over gravel and broken glass. It used to be some kind of construction firm back in the day. Now it’s just cracked walls, hollow rooms, and rot — perfect place for a meeting you don’t want overheard.

  Our backup is scattered in the woods behind us. Hidden. Watching. Waiting for a signal. I don’t like walking into anything without eyes on the exits.

  Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

  Beck falls in step beside me, his posture loose but I know better. He’s ready. Always is.

  We push the door open — hinges groaning — and step into the gloom. Sunlight filters through busted blinds, painting lines across the dust-heavy air. It smells like mildew and rust. Perfect.

  He’s already here. Elias Mercer. Alpha of the Ridgehill Pack. Leaning against a desk like he owns the place, dressed too clean for the setting. Two of his men flank him, both built like they’ve eaten wolves smaller than them.

  “Knox,” Elias says, voice smooth, calculated. He doesn’t offer a hand. Good. I wouldn’t take it anyway.

  “Elias,” I return, flat. I let the door swing shut behind me with a bang.

  Beck crosses his arms. I stand still, sizing them up. My wolf bristles beneath my skin. He doesn’t like being caged, and this place feels too tight. Too closed in.

  Elias grins, but it doesn’t touch his eyes. “Appreciate you agreeing to meet. Figured it was time we had a little… clarity.”

  Clarity.

  That’s code for: I want something, and I’m going to pretend it’s a favor.

  I narrow my eyes. “Then talk.”

  Elias leans forward, his grin sharpening like a predator. He knows how to use words to poke, to prod, to pressure.

  “I’ve been thinking about the boundaries,” he starts, letting the silence hang between us like a challenge. “The territory you’ve got — the land you’re sitting on — it’s prime. My pack’s growing, and frankly, we’re being boxed in. You know how it is. A bigger pack needs more room. I’m not asking for all of it, but some expansion would help everyone.”

  I listen to him, taking in the words, then I can’t help but let out a sharp laugh.

  “You think your pack is growing?” I shake my head, amusement creeping into my voice. “Your pack’s smaller than mine, Elias. You’re barely scraping by with the handful of wolves you’ve got left. And the last thing I need is more of your misfits clogging up my borders.”

  His smile falters, just slightly, but he pushes through it, trying to keep the upper hand. “Well, you see, that’s where you’re wrong. More land means more space, more resources, and with that comes more power. You and I both know how valuable territory can be when it’s properly used. You’ve got the numbers, Knox, but I’ve got the connections. I’ve got supplies, weapons. If you had access to those, your pack would be unstoppable.”

  I raise an eyebrow, letting my gaze lock onto him. “I’ve got enough weapons to keep anyone out of my territory. And I don’t need your ‘connections,’ Elias. I’ve never had trouble protecting my own.”

  His gaze hardens, but he pushes the folder toward me anyway. “You’re not listening. Think about it. You could have even more. More weapons, better prices. You could keep the wolves under your thumb while your pack’s growing and expanding.”

  I laugh again, this time louder, more incredulous. “You really think I’d trade land for a handful of guns and ammo? My pack’s already solid. We’ve got what we need. What you’re offering is nothing but a cheap deal wrapped in gold.”

  Elias stares at me, his lips twitching as if he’s trying to control his temper. “I’m offering you something, Knox. And you’re acting like it’s nothing.”

  “No, you’re offering me a distraction. And I’m not interested in anything you’ve got to offer.” He leans back in his chair, frustration lining his face, but I don’t care. I’m done with his games.

  “Here’s what you’re gonna do,” I say slowly, my voice turning colder. “You’ll stay in your lane. Keep your pack’s paws out of my territory. If you want to do business, you come to me directly. No more of this back-and-forth. No more playing games.”

  Elias stands up slowly, his hands flexing at his sides. “This isn’t over, Knox,” he says, voice low. I stand too, giving him a cold smile. “Oh, it’s over. You just don’t know it yet.”

  “You know he’s probably gonna start a war right?” Beck says, his tone low and serious. He watches me carefully, like he’s waiting for a reaction.

  I look at him, smirking. “I hope he does,” I reply, leaning back in my chair, my fingers tapping the edge of the table. “Then I can get all of his precious ‘connections.’”

  Beck chuckles, shaking his head. “Always looking for the long game.”

  “Of course. If he’s dumb enough to make a move, I’ll use it to my advantage. No one plays me, Beck. Not even him.”

  Beck’s grin widens, and he leans in closer. “I’m glad I’m not on your bad side.” I glance at him, my smirk turning into a more knowing smile. “You’re smart enough to know where to stand, Beck. Keep it that way.” He raises his hands in mock surrender, chuckling under his breath. “Don’t worry, boss. I know where the line is.”

  I step out into the open air, the wind sharp with pine and something else — something faint, but unmistakable.

  Her.

  Even now, I can still feel her. Like static in my blood. This territory shit will sort itself out.

  But her? She’s the real problem. And I’m not sure I want to solve her.