Page 67 of Fetch Me A Mate
Rowan descended the stairs, his wolf pacing beneath his skin. Through the front windows, he could see the silhouette waiting on the porch. Tall, perfectly postured, wearing a coat that probably cost more than most people's rent.
He opened the door to face Danarius, alpha of his old pack, looking exactly as polished as he always had.
"Hello, Rowan." Danarius's smile was sharp as winter. "You look well. Domestic life agrees with you."
"What do you want?"
"Straight to business. I always respected that about you." Danarius stepped into the lobby without invitation, his pale eyes cataloguing every detail. "Lovely place. I can see why you'd want to stay."
"You're not welcome here."
"Aren't I? This is a business establishment, isn't it? I'm just a traveler seeking accommodation." Danarius moved toward the parlor, his polished boots clicking on the hardwood. "Though I must say, the service seems lacking."
Rowan followed, keeping distance between the alpha and the rest of the inn. "State your business and leave."
"My business is you, naturally." Danarius settled into one of the parlor chairs like he owned the place. "The pack misses its former alpha. Your expertise, your... particular talents. I was kind in giving you a lenient timeline. I hope you see that."
"Find someone else."
"We tried. Didn't work out well." Danarius examined his manicured nails. "Seems there are some situations that require your specific approach to problem-solving."
"Not my problem anymore."
"See, that's where you're wrong." Danarius looked up, his smile cold. "That little situation with Sarah Trident? It's evolved."
Rowan's hands clenched into fists. "Sarah's safe."
"For now. But her human boyfriend has become... entrepreneurial, as I told you before. Now he even has started shopping around his story to journalists, researchers, anyone willing to pay for supernatural secrets."
"Handle it yourself."
"We tried. He's clever, your Sarah's boy. Set up safeguards, insurance policies. If anything happens to him, everything he knows gets released automatically." Danarius's tone turnedconversational. "Video evidence, detailed testimonies, locations of pack territories across three states."
Rowan felt his wolf press against his ribs, demanding action. "And what do you think I can do about that?"
"You know the human, you understand his psychology. Help us convince him that cooperation is in everyone's best interest. Or we handle it our way. Messier, but effective." Danarius rose smoothly, moving to examine the inn's renovation work. "Beautiful craftsmanship. Someone clearly cares about this place."
The threat was implicit but unmistakable. Rowan stepped closer, his wolf rising to the surface.
"Stay away from the inn."
"Why would I threaten this lovely establishment? Unless, of course, you give me reason to." Danarius ran his finger along the restored banister. "But I'm a reasonable man, Rowan. Resume your position as pack enforcer. Help us resolve the Sarah situation permanently. Do that, and this charming inn remains completely untouched. You have my word."
"Your word's worthless."
"Perhaps. But it's the only guarantee you're going to get." Danarius reached for his phone, scrolling through what looked like official documents. "Amazing how much paperwork small businesses generate. Health inspections, zoning compliance, fire safety certifications. So many opportunities for bureaucratic complications."
"I said no."
"I heard you. But I wonder if you understand the full scope of what you're refusing." Danarius pocketed the phone and moved toward the front door. "This inn means something to you. More than just a job, I'd guess. More than just a place to hide from your responsibilities."
Rowan's wolf erupted in a snarl, recognizing the probing tone. The alpha was fishing, looking for leverage.
"My responsibilities ended when I left the pack."
"It looks like you've acquired new ones." Danarius paused at the door, his hand on the handle. "New priorities. New... attachments."
"You don't know anything about my life here."
