A Loss of Control

He glared at his watch, irritated by Jaxon's tardiness. The private party should have been a welcome distraction, but instead, it only deepened his frustration. His brother, Asher, was absent again, and his absence made everything feel worse. It had been getting harder for him to stay calm, especially after his outburst the previous night.

He had never lost control like that before. Sure, he had confronted Jaxon numerous times, more times than he cared to count, but it had always been deliberate, always under control. Last night, though, something had snapped. The fact that he'd attacked Jaxon like that... it planted seeds of unease in his mind.

Lately, he hadn't been himself. His wolf, restless and agitated, paced relentlessly inside him, denying him any real rest. The party around him was lively, people laughing and enjoying themselves, but he felt like a spectator in his own body. This wasn't his scene. It was Asher's. He preferred working, staying several steps ahead of everyone else, outmaneuvering and outsmarting them all. Yet here he was, stuck in a party that did nothing but irritate him further.

As much as he tried to remind himself that this was all part of the job, that this was a professional event, the annoyance only built. He drank more than usual, hoping to dull the edge, but it barely worked. His wolf, always alert, was making it impossible to lose himself in the alcohol. And all he could do was scan the room for Jaxon, wondering where the hell he was.

Was he with the woman he was supposed to bring tonight? If he was, then Jaxon was wasting his time, and his own. He could've been out there, doing something productive, handling business, but instead, he was stuck here, surrounded by people who treated this like a vacation. Someone had to stay focused, and that someone was him.

Finally, a staff member informed him that Jaxon had arrived. Immediately, his wolf stirred, pacing faster in response to the growing anticipation. He couldn't shake the feeling that something important was about to happen, and it only served to worsen his mood. He didn't need the distraction, but his wolf was relentless.

He abandoned his secluded booth, where he'd been sulking with his drink, and made his way to the bar. He'd been drinking alone for too long, and the space felt too confining. At the bar, he ordered something stronger, hoping it might help ease the tension. But no matter how much he drank, he remained annoyingly sober, his wolf wouldn't allow it.

As soon as he settled at the bar, his eyes immediately scanned the room for Jaxon. It didn't take long to find him, sitting at a table in a quieter corner. But it wasn't Jaxon who caught his attention.

It was the woman sitting with him.

The moment he saw her, every sense in his body sharpened. It was as if he was waking up from a deep, disorienting slumber, suddenly aware of every sight, sound, and sensation. His heartbeat quickened, and his focus locked onto her, unwavering. He watched as she laughed with Jaxon, completely unaware of his presence.

She was captivating, breathtaking, even, and for the first time in a long while, he felt something stir deep inside him. His wolf growled in approval, and every instinct screamed that she was something more, something important. The hollow emptiness inside him that he had long ignored suddenly seemed to vanish. The sight of her filled that void, as if she had breathed new life into him.

But there was one problem. She wasn't with him.

She should have been. She's mine.

His wolf agreed with him, its deep, primal growl vibrating through his chest. There was no mistaking it: She was his mate.

He didn't waste another second. Without thinking, he pushed himself up and made his way toward them. His movements were swift and determined, as if an invisible force was pulling him closer. She turned toward him just as he approached, her doe-like eyes widening in recognition.

He reached their table, and the world seemed to narrow until only she existed in his vision. He didn't care that Jaxon was there, didn't care that anyone else in the room might be watching. All that mattered now was her.

"Hello, mate,"