Someone I want.

"We're sorry that this is sudden," he says, lowering his voice, softening it as if that might ease the tension. "But no matter how sudden it is, we're certain that it will be worth it- to you. We come as your elders, your parents, leading you through the right ways, just as we led the great Alpha Eryx."

By now, I already know what they're talking about. I resist the urge to scoff.

I keep my face blank, but irritation simmers beneath my skin, hot and restless.

He continues with that same patronizing calm, like everything he says should be received as some sacred gift.

"We were hoping we could strengthen our bonds more, our packs..." he goes on, gathering momentum as he unveils his true purpose.

He gestures proudly toward the girl. My eyes follow out of habit, not interest.

"Look, isn't she amazing?" His voice is laced with excitement now, hopeful and expectant, as if presenting a prize.

He looks at her like she's some carefully polished ornament, a gift meant to impress.

"I guarantee that she will make a perfect mate for yo..."

He starts to continue but abruptly stops, his eyes glued at the door.

I feel her before I see her, a crackle under my skin, like static. Nearly everyone in the room shifts their gaze toward the door at once.

A ripple goes down my spine. My wolf snaps to attention.

I turn.

Mira.

She stands frozen in the doorway, as if she's just walked into something she was never meant to see.

Her eyes lock on the girl far too long, like she recognizes her.

All the attention lands heavy on her, pinning her in place.

She gathers herself, lifts her chin.

"I'm sorry for the interruption," she says, her voice low and strained, trembling enough for me to catch every note of it.

She steps forward, quick but stiff, holding herself together.

She stops near Morgana. My brother can't stop staring at her, as if reading her like an open book, as though something about her won't let him look away.

His face shows no anger at the interruption, only a cold, searching curiosity.

Mira leans in, whispers something to Morgana. Morgana frowns, then nods, replying under her breath.

Mira turns and rushes out without a single glance at me.

My heart pounds, every beat thick and heavy. My entire body tenses, every nerve locked on her.

My wolf paces inside me, claws scraping under my skin.

She heard them.

Without thinking, I'm already on my feet, moving after her.

I don't know if she senses me behind her, but her steps pick up, urgent, shaky, like she's trying to outrun something.

I want to call her name, to stop her, but the hallways echo too easily. Anyone still outside the boardroom might hear.

If they heard me chasing after her, they'd wonder. They'd speculate.

And if she weren't so insistent about keeping us secret, I wouldn't care about any of that.

I wouldn't hesitate right now.

I'd shout if it meant reaching her. But I made her a promise: to be patient, to protect her from this exact kind of attention.

My pace quickens to match hers.

When I catch up, I reach for her shoulder, gently, she shoves my hand away like it burns her.

She turns, not fully, hands clenched at her sides, breath uneven and sharp.

Her eyes glisten, fighting tears she refuses to let fall.

"What? What's wrong? I know what you heard, but I'm not the one who arranged it. It doesn't matter, okay? They're here to push their own agenda, I don't care what they're trying to do. You..."

But before I can finish, she walks away again, head ducked as if shielding herself, afraid someone might catch what's between us.

And honestly, someone probably already has.

For the first time, I don't know if I even care, but she clearly does.

I grab her wrist, firm but careful, refusing to let her slip away.

"I don't want anyone to see this. Please, let go and go back inside before they realize it's me you came to talk to," she says, voice held steady by force alone. I hear every crack beneath it.

I don't let go. This moment feels like a breaking point, if I release her now, I might lose her completely.

"If you don't want anyone to see, then come to my room. We can talk there," I blurt, low and desperate.

I hate the way I sound. I hate how she makes me feel.. raw, on the edge of begging. She brings out a side of me no one else ever has. The need to hold on, even when everything screams to let go.

"I have work, and you have a meeting," she replies, still avoiding my eyes, her voice clipped, distant.

"Mira, these people showed up without warning, okay? I didn't even know what they were here for, I..."

"I get it," she cuts me off, steel in her tone, but I can hear the strain beneath. She just wants it over. Wants to disappear.

As much as it kills me, I let go. Slowly. My fingers trail off her wrist like it physically hurts to release her.

Before she can leave, I say, "When you're done, come to my room."

"Okay," she answers, barely a whisper.

But I know that voice. I know she won't come.

So I add, quiet but unyielding, "If you don't come, I'll come find you in those servant quarters myself. Just so you know. Because I need you to understand I had no idea about this meeting, and I don't care what they're proposing."

She freezes, shoulders dropping just a little. I see her hesitate, feel my words sink in.

"Okay," she repeats, clearer this time.

Only then do I let her go fully. She walks away, brisk but steadier.

I stand there, breathing hard, trying to rein in the storm inside me. Everything feels wrong, splintered.

Watching her cry cuts me open. The fear of losing her is a weight in my chest I can't shake.

And knowing those visitors are still in there, acting like they have any right to decide my life, burns through me like acid.

I turn back, jaw clenched, and head for the boardroom.

Just as I reach the door, my brother steps out, face unreadable. He stops like he was coming to look for me.

He catches my eyes. "You okay?"

"Absolutely," I answer without pause, brushing past him into the room.

I don't sit.

Morgan's father is still standing there, no doubt waiting for a dramatic reaction.

My breath is hot, my body still taut, but I hold my calm like a shield. I scan the room, then fix my gaze forward.

"Sorry about my sudden exit," I say evenly. "I'm not feeling well, I needed to use the bathroom. But don't worry, I heard everything before I stepped out. And it's unfortunate I don't even have to consider it, because I already have someone I love. I already know who I want to spend my life with."

Their faces shift, but I don't bother to study them.

"I appreciate your concern. But in the future, I'd prefer these matters be discussed with me personally before bringing a whole meeting together. Before dragging her here, putting her through this, only to find out the man she was meant to meet already belongs to someone else."

I let the silence bite.

"So next time, talk to me first. Thank you for your time."

I turn and walk out.

Behind me, I hear them murmur, someone asking which pack the woman I'm talking about is from.

I don't look back.