Page 13 of Billionaire Wolf Needs a Fixer

She hesitated, her eyes scanning the room."Do you feel that?"

I frowned."Feel what?"

She shook her head."Never mind.Probably just my imagination."

Her unease set me on edge.My wolf stirred, sensing something I couldn't see."Stay close," I said quietly.

She nodded, her fingers tightening around my arm.

The ceremony ended, and we made our way to the after-party.The room was packed, the air heady with perfume, cologne, and the scent of champagne.Krista was immediately swept into conversation with a group of actors and studio executives, her laugh ringing out above the noise.I watched her from across the room, a glass of whiskey in my hand.

"Levi."

I turned to find Dante Grimshaw standing beside me, his smile cold and calculating."Fancy seeing you here.I didn't think you had it in you to show your face in public."

"Dante," I said evenly."Still stealing other people's ideas?"

His chuckle was low, humorless."Always so charming.Tell me, how's the investigation going?"

My grip tightened on the glass."Wouldn't you like to know?"

He leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper."Be careful, Levi.You're playing in dangerous waters."

"And you're drowning," I shot back.

His smile didn't falter, but his eyes darkened."We'll see."

He moved away, disappearing into the crowd.My wolf snarled, wanting to chase him down and rip his throat out.But I stayed where I was, my gaze finding Krista again.She was watching me, her brow furrowed.

The night wore on, the tension between us palpable.Finally, Krista excused herself, and I followed her onto the balcony.The cool night air was a relief, the noise of the party muted.

"You okay?"she asked, leaning against the railing.

I joined her, the city lights stretching out before us."Just thinking."

She looked at me, her eyes soft."About what?"

"Everything."I hesitated, then added, "You."

Her breath hitched, but she didn't look away."Levi..."

I reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face.Her skin was warm beneath my fingertips, and I couldn't stop myself from leaning closer.Her scent, her warmth, her presence, it was intoxicating.

"Krista," I murmured.

Her lips parted, her breath catching as her eyes flickered to mine.For a moment, the world narrowed to just her and me.My wolf growled low, urging me to claim her, to make her mine.But I held back, my fingers trembling as they traced the curve of her cheek.

"Levi," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the hum of the city below."What are we doing?"

I didn't have an answer.Not one that made sense.All I knew was that being close to her felt right in a way nothing else ever had.But this wasn't the time or the place.I forced myself to pull back, my hand dropping to my side.

"We're playing a part," I said, my voice steady despite the storm inside me."That's all."

Her eyes searched mine, and for a second, I thought I saw something like disappointment flash across her face.But it was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by her usual mask of confidence."Right.Of course."

She straightened, brushing an invisible wrinkle from her gown."We should get back inside.People will talk if we're out here too long."

I nodded, though every fiber of my being screamed to stay.To keep her close.To protect her.But Krista wasn't someone who needed protecting.She was a force in her own right, and I knew better than to underestimate her.Still, the thought of letting her walk back into that viper's nest made my chest tighten.

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