Page 25 of Billionaire Wolf Needs a Fixer

"I want you to stop pretending everything's okay when it's not," he said, his tone uncharacteristically serious."You've been off all morning, Krista.And don't think I haven't noticed the way you and Levi keep looking at each other when you think no one's watching."

My cheeks flushed, and I looked away, suddenly very interested in the pattern of the carpet."It's complicated," I muttered.

"It always is," Zane replied, leaning forward."But that doesn't mean you have to deal with it alone.I'm here, you know.Always have been."

His words hit me harder than I expected, and I felt a lump form in my throat.Zane had been my rock for as long as I could remember, the one person I could always count on no matter what.And here I was, shutting him out without even realizing it.

"I don't want to lose myself," I admitted quietly, my voice trembling."I've worked so hard to get where I am, Zane.He says he'll always be here, but what if he isn't?How can I risk it all?"

Zane was silent for a moment, then he reached over and squeezed my hand."Krista, you're not going to lose yourself.You're too damn stubborn for that.But you can't keep building walls around your heart just because you're scared of getting hurt.Love isn't a weakness.It's a strength."

I blinked at him, surprised by the intensity in his words.Zane wasn't usually the type to get deep or philosophical, but when he did, he had a way of cutting straight to the heart of things.

"You sound like a Hallmark card," I joked weakly, trying to lighten the mood, but my voice cracked, betraying how much his words had affected me.

Zane smirked, leaning back in his chair."Yeah, well, someone's gotta knock some sense into you.And if Hallmark wisdom is what it takes, so be it."

I laughed softly, the sound shaky but genuine."Thanks, Zane.I don't say it enough, but I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Probably burn the place down," he said with a grin, but his eyes were soft."Now, let's get back to work.We've got a scandal to fix."

I nodded, feeling a little lighter than I had all morning.Zane was right.I didn't have to figure this out alone, and I didn't have to choose between my career and my heart.I could trust the people around me to help me find the balance.

That afternoon, I found myself on the terrace, the cool ocean breeze brushing against my skin as I stared out at the waves crashing against the sprawling grounds of Levi's estate.My conversation with Zane still lingered in my mind, and I knew I needed to talk to Levi.Really talk to him, not just dance around the edges of what we were both feeling.

I heard the sliding door open behind me, and a moment later, Levi's presence filled the space beside me.He didn't say anything at first, just stood there, his hands in his pockets, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

"Hey," I said softly, breaking the silence.

"Hey," he replied, his voice low and steady.He turned to look at me, his blue eyes searching my face."You okay?"

I nodded, though I wasn't entirely sure if it was true."I've been thinking."

"Always a dangerous pastime," he said with a slight smirk, but the humor didn't reach his eyes.He was watching me carefully, like he was bracing for something.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself."We're connected forever through the mate bond, right?"

He didn't hesitate."Yeah."

My chest tightened at the certainty in his voice, but I pressed on."And you don't want me to change?You're not asking me to give up who I am or what I've built to become a trophy girlfriend?"

Levi stepped closer, his expression softening."Krista, I fell for you because of who you are, because you're strong, independent, and fearless.I'm not asking you to give that up.I'm asking you to let me be a part of it."

His words hit me like a wave, knocking the air out of my lungs.I wanted to believe him, to trust that this could work without losing myself in the process.But the fear was still there, gnawing at the edges of my resolve.

"I'm scared," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper."I'm scared of getting hurt.Of messing this up.Of losing myself in you."

Levi reached out, his hand brushing against my cheek, his touch gentle but grounding."I'm scared too," he said, his voice raw with emotion."But I'd rather face that fear with you than without you.You're not alone in this, Krista.We'll figure it out together."

His words were like a lifeline, pulling me back from the edge of my doubts.I looked into his eyes, seeing the vulnerability there, the same vulnerability I felt.

"Okay," I said softly, leaning into his touch.

He pulled me into his arms, and I let myself sink into the warmth of him, the safety of his embrace.It wasn't perfect, and it wasn't easy, but it was real.And it was exactly where I was supposed to be.

The moment was shattered by the sound of the sliding door opening again.Garrett stepped out, his expression grim.

"We've got a problem," he said, his tone urgent.

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