Chapter 3: Dangerous Games
Chapter 3: Dangerous Games
Sterling Industries occupied the west tower of Manhattan's most prestigious business complex. Luna adjusted her blazer, noting the marked difference between Sterling's chrome-and-glass aesthetic and Romano Industries' classic architecture. Even the scents were different – while Romano's had been rich with old wood and leather, Sterling's lobby smelled artificial, nearly sterile.
"Welcome to the team, Miss Stone." Marcus Carrington's handshake was too firm, his smile never reaching his cold blue eyes. "Alessandra spoke highly of your credentials."
Luna kept her expression neutral, though her wolf bristled at the mention of her rival. The she-wolf had personally approved her hiring – a power move that screamed trap. "I appreciate the opportunity, Mr. Carrington."
"Please, call me Marcus." He gestured to the floor-to-ceiling windows. "I trust you'll find our marketing department more innovative than our competitors'. Romano Industries may have tradition, but Sterling leads the future."
The dig at Dante's company wasn't subtle. Luna forced a polite laugh, careful to suppress her wolf's growl. "I look forward to contributing to that innovation."
"Excellent." Marcus checked his Rolex. "The quarterly investors' meeting starts in ten. Charlotte will show you to your office."
Luna followed the petite human secretary through Sterling's maze of cubicles, memorizing the layout. Her new office overlooked the atrium connecting Sterling and Romano towers – a view that seemed more like psychological warfare than architectural convenience.
"The break room's down the hall," Charlotte explained. "Card access only for the executive floors. Oh, and watch out for the connecting bridge to Romano's building. The card readers glitch sometimes, and security gets testy about accidental crossovers."
Luna's wolf perked up at the mention of access to Dante's building. "Noted. Thank you."
Once alone, Luna began systematically exploring her office. Sarah's brother had warned her about Sterling's surveillance system, but the three hidden cameras seemed excessive for a mid-level marketing position. She pulled out her laptop, angling the screen away from the cameras' view.
The morning passed in a blur of orientation meetings and project briefings. By lunch, Luna had identified two other wolves in the marketing department – both clearly loyal to the Carrington pack based on their territorial scent-marking.
She waited until the lunch rush died down before heading to the break room. The fewer witnesses to her investigations, the better.
The connecting bridge to Romano Industries stretched across the atrium like a glass spider web. Luna's wolf stirred restlessly, drawn to their mate's proximity. She forced herself to focus on the coffee machine instead.
"The espresso's terrible."
Luna froze. That voice – deep, rough, holding the same power that had haunted her dreams for the past week – belonged to Dante Romano.
She turned slowly, fighting her wolf's desperate urge to submit. Dante stood in the break room doorway, his massive frame blocking her escape. His gray suit was impeccable, but shadows lurked under his eyes. Fighting their bond was taking its toll.
"Mr. Romano." Luna gripped her coffee cup tighter. "Wrong building?"
"Meeting with Marcus." His nostrils flared, scenting her. A muscle ticked in his jaw. "You shouldn't be here."
"Considering you rejected me, you don't get a say in where I work." Luna lifted her chin defiantly.
Dante moved faster than she expected, crowding her against the counter. "This isn't a game, Luna. Sterling Industries isn't safe for unmated wolves."
"Neither is Romano Industries, apparently." She met his gaze steadily, even as their wolves howled for contact. "At least Sterling offered me a job instead of humiliation."
Pain flashed across his features. "You don't understand—"
"Then explain it to me." Luna stepped closer, close enough to feel the heat radiating from his body. "Explain why you rejected our bond. Explain why you're letting Alessandra parade around as your future mate when we both know she'll never truly be yours."
Dante's eyes flickered gold, his wolf surfacing. "I can't."
"Can't or won't?"
"Both." He gripped the counter on either side of her, caging her in. "Stay away from Sterling Industries, Luna. Please."
The plea in his voice shook her. Dante Romano didn't beg – he commanded. Whatever held him back from their bond was serious enough to crack his Alpha pride.
Their wolves seized the moment of weakness. Luna felt her canines lengthen as Dante's scent overwhelmed her control. His head dipped lower, drawn by the same primal need. For a heartbeat, she thought he might kiss her.
"Dante?" Alessandra's voice shattered the moment. "Security said you were – oh."
Luna used Dante's momentary distraction to duck under his arm. Her wolf raged at the retreat, but survival instinct won out. "Ms. Carrington. I was just getting coffee."
"In our break room?" Alessandra's smile showed too many teeth. "How convenient."
"The bridge scanner malfunctioned." Dante's voice was rough. "Miss Stone got locked out of Romano's side."
Luna's head snapped up. He was lying to protect her cover. But why?
"Security should fix that." Alessandra wrapped herself around Dante's arm. "We wouldn't want any unfortunate accidents."
The threat hung heavy in the air. Luna nodded stiffly and headed for the door, her coffee forgotten. She made it halfway across the bridge before her legs gave out.
Leaning against the glass wall, Luna fought for control. Her wolf clawed at her insides, desperate to return to their mate. The rejection bond burned like acid in her veins.
But under the pain, questions multiplied. Why had Dante warned her about Sterling? What did he know about her new employers? And most importantly – why was he protecting her cover when he'd been the one to reject her?
Luna straightened, smoothing her blazer. She'd come to Sterling Industries looking for answers about her mate's rejection. Instead, she'd stumbled into something bigger – something that made an Alpha protect his rejected mate while remaining bound to another.
Her wolf settled into hunting mode. Luna Stone had never backed down from a fight, and she wasn't about to start now. Whatever game Sterling Industries was playing, she'd find the truth.
Even if that truth destroyed both companies in the process.