The crystal chandeliers of the Waldorf Historia cast a fractured golden light over the Apex Foundation gala.
To the human staff it was just another high society charity event filled with eccentric old money billionaires.
To Khloe Harrison the lead event coordinator for the evening it was a high stress tightrope walk.
She adjusted the earpiece hidden beneath her dark sweeping hair her clipboard pressed tightly against her chest like a shield.
She needed this distraction.
It had been exactly ninety two days since her world had shattered.
Five years.
She had given five years of her life to Damian Cross.
They had met in college building a life together in a cramped apartment sharing instant noodles and grand dreams of the future.
Khloe had worked double shifts to put Damian through his business masters.
But the moment he landed an executive position at a mysterious logistics firm everything changed.
He became distant cold and obsessed with pedigree and status.
Three months ago he had packed his bags looking at her with an icy detachment she didn’t recognize.
You are just too ordinary Khloe he had said standing by the door.
I need someone who can survive in my world.
You don’t have the bloodline for it.
She thought he was just being an arrogant corporate climber.
She had no idea that Damian’s world was entirely literal or that his new promotion involved securing his place as the future beta of the prominent Crescent Ridge Werewolf Pack.
Khloe sighed shaking off the memory and focused on the catering staff.
But as she turned toward the grand staircase her breath hitched.
Descending the marble steps was Damian.
He looked sharper more dangerous dressed in a bespoke tuxedo that screamed generational wealth.
But it was the woman on his arm that made Khloe’s stomach drop.
Valerie Dupont.
She was a vision of intimidating beauty draped in a blood red silk gown that clung to her curves diamonds glittering at her throat.
She carried herself with the predatory grace of royalty.
Unbeknownst to Khloe Valerie was the daughter of the southern pack alpha the political marriage Damian had traded Khloe’s heart for.
Khloe stepped back desperate to blend into the shadows near the champagne fountain.
She prayed he wouldn’t see her.
But Damian’s senses were sharper than any humans his head snapped in her direction his gaze locking onto her across the crowded ballroom.
A cruel triumphant smirk touched his lips.
He leaned down whispering something into Valerie’s ear.
The stunning woman laughed her eyes flashing gold for a fraction of a second and together they began walking straight toward Khloe.
Panic flared in Khloe’s cheSt. Her feet felt glued to the floor.
Well well Damian’s voice was smooth carrying a deep unnatural resonance that vibrated in Khloe’s cheSt. If it isn’t Khloe still fetching drinks and organizing napkins I see.
Khloe lifted her chin fighting the tremble in her hands.
I’m the lead coordinator Damian.
It’s a professional event.
If you need something from the staff I can direct you.
Valerie looked Khloe up and down her nose wrinkling slightly as if she had caught a foul odor.
Is this the little human you told me about darling?
The charity case?
Damian chuckled pulling Valerie closer the very same.
I told you she was fiercely dedicated to her little mundane life.
He looked back at Khloe his eyes darkening with malice.
You really shouldn’t be here Khloe.
The Apex gala is for a different breed of people.
You’re completely out of your depth.
In fact it’s pathetic watching you pretend you belong in the same room as us.
The cruelty in his voice was a physical blow.
The few wealthy guests standing nearby were beginning to stare.
Khloe felt the hot humiliating sting of tears threatening to spill.
She had spent three months crying over this man feeling inadequate wondering what was wrong with her.
Now he was purposely trying to break her in public just to amuse his new fiancée.
Excuse me Khloe whispered her voice cracking.
She took a step backward just wanting to escape wanting the marble floor to swallow her whole.
She spun around blindly and collided hard against a solid wall of muscle.
She gasped her clipboard clattering to the floor.
Strong incredibly warm hands instantly gripped her waist to steady her.
The scent that hit her senses was intoxicating a heavy rich blend of dark cedar petrichor and something deeply masculine that made her heart skip a chaotic beat.
Careful a low gravelly voice rumbled above her.
It sounded like rolling thunder.
Khloe looked up.
The man holding her was breathtakingly beautiful but in a terrifying untamed way.
He had sharp aristocratic features a strong jaw shadowed by dark stubble and piercing storm gray eyes that seemed to see right through her.
He was dressed impeccably in a midnight blue Tom Ford suit but he wore it like armor.
There was a dangerous coiled stillness to him.
Over the stranger’s broad shoulder Khloe saw Damian.
The cruel smirk was still glued to her ex-fiancé’s face waiting for Khloe to embarrass herself further waiting to laugh at her retreat.
Something inside Khloe snapped.
It was a reckless stupid impulse born of sheer heartbreak and desperation.
Before she could think Khloe gripped the lapels of the stranger’s expensive suit.
She pulled herself up onto her tiptoes putting her face mere inches from his.
Please kiss me she whispered her voice trembling her eyes wide with a frantic plea.
My ex is watching.
Please.
Dominic Hayes the Alpha King of the North American territories had attended the Apex Gala out of sheer tedious obligation.
At thirty-four he was the most feared and respected wolf on the continent.
He ruled an empire of packs with an iron fiSt. His wealth immeasurable his power absolute.
Yet internally his wolf was going mad.
A decade.
He had searched for his fated mate for a decade and the loneliness was beginning to curdle into a dangerous feral rage.
He had stepped away from his security detail seeking a moment of quiet away from the sycophantic alphas begging for his favor.
Then a tiny frantic woman in a simple black dress crashed into his cheSt. Dominic caught her instinctively.
As his hands touched her waist a jolt of electricity violently shocked his system his breath caught.
The ambient noise of the ballroom faded into white static.
Vanilla rainwater wild flowers.
The scent hit him like a physical strike.
His inner wolf dormant and brooding for years suddenly roared to life slamming against his ribs.
Mate the word echoed in his mind fierce and possessive.
She was human.
He could tell by the steady fragile rhythm of her heartbeat.
But she was his.
Then she looked up at him with those wide tear-filled brown eyes gripped his lapels and begged him to kiss her to spite her ex.
Dominic’s storm gray eyes darkened to an obsidian black.
The gold of his wolf threatening to bleed through.
He glanced over her shoulder.
He saw the wolf she was running from a weak arrogant beta from the Crescent Ridge pack standing with the southern alpha’s daughter.
The realization that this low-ranking mut had hurt his fated mate had made her cry unleashed a wave of dark suffocating dominance from Dominic’s core.
With pleasure Dominic growled softly.
He didn’t just kiss her.
He conquered her.
Dominic’s large hand slid to the back of Khloe’s neck tangling in her dark hair angling her head exactly how he wanted it.
He pulled her flush against his chest eliminating the space between them and brought his mouth down on hers.
For Khloe the world simply ceased to exiSt. She had expected a polite brief peck a favor from a stranger.
Instead she was engulfed in a consuming fiery heat.
His lips were demanding but incredibly skilled completely taking over her senses.
A strange phantom weight settled over her shoulders making her knees weak.
She melted against him her hands sliding from his lapels to grip his broad shoulders as a soft moan escaped her throat.
She didn’t know that the phantom weight she felt was Dominic’s alpha aura exploding across the ballroom.
To the humans in the room the air suddenly felt heavy as if a thunderstorm had materialized indoors.
To the werewolves scattered throughout the gala it was absolute knee-buckling terror.
The undeniable suffocating pheromones of the alpha king staking a claim washed over the crowd.
The music abruptly stopped as the string quartet faltered.
Every single wolf in the room froze their instinct screaming at them to submit.
Damian Cross felt it the hardeSt. The moment Dominic Hayes’s aura flared Damian’s inner wolf cowed whimpering in utter submission.
Damian’s knees literally gave out.
He dropped his crystal champagne flute.
It shattered loudly against the marble floor.
Beside him Valerie Dupont went deathly pale trembling violently as she was forced to avert her eyes bowing her head in involuntary deference.
Damian stared in absolute horror at the man kissing his ex-fiancée.
He recognized that profile.
Every wolf knew the face of the king Dominic Hayes the ruthless predator who had once eradicated a rogue pack of two hundred wolves without breaking a sweat.
And he was kissing Khloe.
Not just kissing her he was marking her with his scent claiming her in front of the entire werewolf elite.
Dominic slowly broke the kiss though he didn’t release Khloe.
He kept her securely tucked against his side his arm a steel band around her waiSt. He lifted his head and fixed his terrifying predatory gaze directly on Damian.
The message in Dominic’s eyes was clear silent and deadly.
Mine.
Khloe blinked her head spinning completely intoxicated by the kiss.
She slowly pulled back her cheeks flushed a deep crimson.
She glanced over her shoulder expecting to see Damian laughing.
Instead she saw Damian kneeling on the floor among shattered glass gasping for air looking as though he had just seen a ghoSt. Even the haughty Valerie was staring at the floor shaking.
Khloe was confused.
Did Damian slip?
Why was the room so quiet?
She looked back up at the handsome stranger suddenly mortified by her own audacity.
She had just assaulted a billionaire in the middle of a high society event.
I I am so sorry Khloe stammered stepping out of his embrace instantly missing his warmth.
I don’t know what came over me.
Thank you.
I I have to go.
Dominic let his arm fall his wolf screaming at him to snatch her back to drag her out of the hotel and lock her away in his estate.
But he saw the genuine panic in her human eyes.
If he pushed his world onto her right now she would bolt in terror.
He needed to be tactical.
Take care little one Dominic said his voice a smooth dark velvet.
Khloe didn’t look back.
She picked up her clipboard turned on her heel and practically sprinted toward the staff exit vanishing through the swinging kitchen doors.
Dominic stood perfectly still watching the door she had disappeared through.
The lingering scent of vanilla and rain on his suit jacket was already driving him insane.
A man stepped out from the frozen crowd moving with lethal grace.
It was Jasper Cole Dominic’s beta and closest confidant.
Jasper stopped beside his king glancing at the terrified wolves still holding their breath across the ballroom.
She has no idea who you are does she?
Jasper asked quietly.
She doesn’t even know what I am Dominic murmured.
A slow dangerous smile spreading across his lips.
He turned his gaze back to Damian who was still trembling on the floor sweating through his tuxedo.
Jasper yes Alpha.
Cancel my flight to Seattle.
We’re staying in New York.
Dominic adjusted his cuffs his eyes never leaving Damian’s terrified face.
And find out everything there is to know about that man’s history with my mate.
I want to know exactly how thoroughly I need to destroy his life.
The morning after the Apex Gala Khloe sat at her cramped desk at Pinnacle Event Management staring blankly at a spreadsheet.
The memory of the kiss still burned on her lips a visceral heat that made her skin prickle every time she closed her eyes.
She had spent the entire night convincing herself it was a stress-induced hallucination.
Billionaires in Tom Ford suits didn’t kiss normal girls with such devastating passion.
And Damian dropping to his knees.
Pure coincidence.
Perhaps he’d had too much champagne.
Her phone buzzed pulling her from her thoughts.
It was an urgent summon from her boss Gregory Pierce.
When Khloe walked into the glass-walled office Gregory looked like he was on the verge of a cardiac arreSt. He was pacing clutching a leather-bound folder.
Khloe Gregory gasped pointing to the chair opposite his desk.
Sit.
Do you know who Hayes Enterprises is?
Khloe frowned.
Of course.
They own half the commercial real estate in Manhattan and control the largest international shipping syndicate on the East CoaSt. Why?
Their CEO’s office called ten minutes ago Gregory said wiping sweat from his forehead.
They want to retain our agency for their annual corporate summit.
It’s a multi-million dollar contract Khloe.
It would set Pinnacle up for the next decade.
He paused leaning over the desk.
But there is a catch.
The CEO specifically requested you as the lead coordinator.
If you don’t take the account they walk.
Khloe’s heart did a strange erratic flutter.
Me?
But I’ve never worked with Hayes Enterprises.
I don’t care if you’ve never heard of them Gregory stressed.
You are going to the Hayes Tower at noon.
Do not mess this up.
Two hours later Khloe stood in the opulent minimalist lobby of Hayes Enterprises.
Her cheap sensible heels clicked against the Italian marble as a sleek elevator shot her up to the penthouse executive suite.
When the mahogany doors to the CEO’s office swung open all the air left her lungs.
Sitting behind a massive desk of reclaimed black walnut was the stranger from the gala.
Dominic.
He was dressed in a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up exposing forearms corded with muscle.
You Miss Harrison Dominic said.
His voice was that same dark velvet that had haunted her dreams the night before.
He stood his imposing height instantly dominating the massive room.
I’m glad you could make it.
You Dominic breathed out her professional composure fracturing.
You’re Dominic Hayes.
I am he said walking around the desk.
He didn’t invade her personal space sensing the rapid anxious flutter of her human heartbeat but his storm gray eyes mapped every inch of her face with intense possessive focus.
Please sit.
Is this a joke?
Khloe asked her grip tightening on her briefcase.
Did you buy out my firm’s biggest contract just because of what happened last night?
Because if you think I owe you something you owe me nothing Khloe Dominic interrupted softly using her first name.
It sounded like a prayer on his lips.
I am a businessman.
I saw how you handled the crisis with the catering staff last night before our encounter.
You are exceptionally competent.
I need the best for my summit.
He paused a faint disarming smile playing on his lips.
And I will admit I was highly motivated to see you again.
You vanished before I could properly introduce myself.
Before Khloe could formulate a response the heavy office doors flew open.
Jasper Cole stepped in his expression tight.
Sir apologies for the interruption.
It’s the Crescent Ridge Logistics subsidiary.
We’ve initiated the asset freeze as instructed but their representative is downstairs causing a scene.
Dominic’s jaw clenched a dangerous shadow passing over his features.
Have security throw him out.
It’s Damian Cross sir Jasper said carefully his eyes flicking briefly to Khloe.
He’s demanding to speak with Miss Harrison.
He followed her here.
Khloe gasped stepping back.
Damian is here.
Across town Damian’s morning had been a living nightmare.
He had woken up to frantic calls from his alpha Conrad.
Over the span of eight hours Hayes Enterprises had systematically dismantled Crescent Ridge’s legitimate human business fronts.
Contracts were voided shipping routes were blocked and their stock was plummeting.
Conrad was furious when Damian confessed what had happened at the gala that he had insulted the Alpha King’s fated mate.
Conrad had physically assaulted him threatening to strip Damian of his beta title and exile him if he didn’t fix it.
Damian needed Khloe to beg the king for mercy.
Bring him up Dominic ordered his voice suddenly lacking all human warmth.
It was the voice of a predator.
Minutes later Damian burst into the office.
He looked ragged.
The bespoke suit from the night before was replaced by a wrinkled button-down and he was sweating profusely.
The moment he stepped into the room he hunched his shoulders his eyes darting to the floor in an agonizing display of submission.
Khloe Damian choked out ignoring Dominic completely.
He fell to his knees right there on the Persian rug.
Khloe please.
You have to talk to him.
You have to tell him we’re friends.
Please.
He’s destroying my life.
Khloe stared in absolute shock.
The arrogant cold man who had discarded her three months ago was weeping at her feet.
Damian what is wrong with you?
Get up.
What are you talking about?
The shipping contracts everything Damian pleaded crawling a pathetic inch forward.
I was wrong.
Okay.
I was stupid to leave you.
I’ll break off the engagement with Valerie.
Just tell Mr. Hayes to call off the corporate dogs.
A low terrifying growl vibrated through the room.
Khloe looked around confused.
It sounded like a large animal was trapped in the walls.
Dominic stepped between Khloe and Damian.
The air in the office suddenly felt thick almost suffocating.
You have exactly three seconds to get off your knees and walk out of my building Dominic said his voice deadly quiet.
Before I tear you apart with my bare hands.
Damian scrambled backward scrambling to his feet terrified of making eye contact with Dominic.
He looked at Khloe one last time sheer panic in his eyes before fleeing the room.
Khloe stood frozen her mind reeling.
She looked at Dominic who was taking a deep ragged breath his eyes closed as he fought for control.
Dominic Khloe whispered.
What is going on?
Why is he so afraid of you?
What did you do?
Dominic opened his eyes.
The storm gray had darkened to a terrifying mesmerizing gold.
I protected what is mine he answered taking a step toward her.
The revelation didn’t happen in the boardroom.
It happened three nights later in the rain-slicked VIP parking garage beneath the Hayes Enterprises building.
Dominic had spent the last three days meticulously proving to Khloe that he wasn’t just a ruthless billionaire.
They had worked late on the summit sharing takeout over spreadsheets.
He listened to her valued her input and treated her with a reverent gentleness that terrified her simply because it felt too good to be true.
Khloe found herself falling and falling hard for a man who seemed to hold the world in his palm but looked at her like she was his entire universe.
But the fairy tale shattered when Khloe walked to her car late that Thursday night.
Stepping out from the shadows behind a concrete pillar was Valerie Dupont.
The southern pack looked deranged.
Her designer coat was soaked from the rain and her eyes were glowing a sickening unnatural yellow.
You ruined everything Valerie hissed her voice distorted dropping an octave.
Khloe froze her keys slipping from her fingers.
Valerie what are you doing down here?
Are your eyes glowing?
My father called off the wedding Valerie snarled stepping into the dim fluorescent light.
Her fingernails were unnaturally long curving into sharp thick claws.
Damian is a pariah.
Crescent Ridge is facing bankruptcy and my family’s reputation is in tatters because the Alpha King decided to claim human trash as his mate.
Khloe backed away her heart hammering against her ribs.
Alpha King!
Mate!
Valerie you’re not making any sense.
Stop walking toward me.
You don’t even know do you?
Valerie let out a barking cruel laugh that sounded more animal than human.
Damian left you because you’re a weak pathetic human.
You can’t bear wolf pups.
He needed me to secure his beta position.
But then you had to go and throw yourself at Dominic Hayes the most powerful wolf on the continent.
Valerie lunged.
Khloe screamed throwing her arms up.
A massive blurry shape slammed into Valerie from the side with the force of a freight train.
The sound of flesh hitting concrete echoed through the garage.
Khloe stumbled back against a parked car gasping for air.
Standing between her and Valerie was a monstrous terrifyingly beautiful creature.
A wolf but impossibly large easily the size of a small horse.
Its fur was midnight black rippling with muscle and its eyes burned with a lethal golden fire.
The black wolf snarled bearing teeth that could easily snap a human femur in half.
It stalked toward Valerie who was cowering on the ground whimpering in absolute terror exposing her neck in complete submission.
Khloe slid down the side of the car trembling violently.
Her mind couldn’t process the impossibility in front of her.
Monsters were real.
The massive black wolf turned its head looking at Khloe.
Instantly the blood lust vanished from its golden eyes replaced by an agonizing human panic.
The beast stepped behind a dark SUV.
There was a sickening sound of bone cracking and shifting followed by heavy breathing.
A moment later Dominic emerged.
He was wearing nothing but a pair of dark trousers his bare chest heaving his skin glistening with sweat.
Khloe Dominic pleaded dropping to his knees several feet away from her keeping his distance so he wouldn’t terrify her further.
Look at me please.
You’re you’re a Khloe couldn’t form the word.
Tears streamed down her face.
I am a werewolf Dominic said softly his voice trembling with the fear of rejection.
Damian is one too.
He left you because pack law forbade a high-ranking wolf from mating with a human unless they are fated.
Fated?
Khloe whispered.
Like us Dominic said pressing a hand to his chest over his heart.
The moment you crashed into me at the gala my soul recognized yours.
You are my mate Khloe my queen the only woman I have ever or will ever love.
I didn’t want to tell you like this.
I wanted to give you time to know me as a man before you knew the beaSt. Khloe looked at the man on his knees.
The billionaire the monster the man who had carefully handed her a napkin when she spilled coffee on her desk who had systematically destroyed her abuser’s life who had just thrown himself between her and death.
The pieces fell into place.
Damian’s sudden cruelty his talk of bloodlines his terror at the gala.
It hadn’t been because Khloe was inadequate.
She had been caught in a world she didn’t know existed.
Valerie said you ruined him Khloe said her voice shaking but growing steadier.
Damian he made you cry?
Dominic stated simply as if that was the only justification required for destroying an empire.
I will burn the world to ash before I let anyone disrespect you again.
Khloe slowly pushed herself up from the concrete floor.
Her legs felt like jelly but she took a step forward then another.
Dominic stayed perfectly still his golden gray eyes tracking her every movement waiting for her verdict expecting her to run.
Instead Khloe dropped to her knees right in front of him.
She reached out her trembling fingers lightly brushing the hard warm plane of his cheSt. His heart was hammering wildly beneath her touch.
No more secrets she asked her voice a fragile whisper.
Dominic released a shaky breath leaning his forehead against hers.
Never.
My life is yours Khloe.
My empire my pack my heart.
It’s all yours.
Khloe closed her eyes finally understanding the magnetic unbreakable pull she had felt since that very first desperate kiss.
She leaned in capturing his lips in a kiss that tasted of rain adrenaline and absolute certainty.
The alpha king had found his queen and the human event planner had finally found her home.
As for Damian he spent the rest of his days stripped of his wealth and title forced to work as a lowly dock hand in one of Dominic’s shipping yards forced to watch from the shadows as the human he discarded reigned over the werewolf world.
