Page 8 of Half Wolf Mate

She beamed and corrected, “Offices. His firm encompasses a couple of floors. Just head over to the elevators and make your way to the twentieth floor.”

“Thanks.” The security firm was looking and sounding less like a werewolf pack by the minute. It occurred to me to leave before showing up at Mr. Grayson’s office and making a fool of myself, but something propelled me to the elevators. As soon as I entered the building, something inside me stirred as if there was something here for me. It made no sense—like the time I swore something vicious came to life inside me when I’d faced that hunter—but I followed the gut feeling.

The ding of the elevator announced my arrival on the twentieth floor, and I looked up and down the blue-carpeted hallway before stepping out. There were double glass doors withMoon Guardians Private Securityscrawled in bold letters across them.

“Well, here goes.” Hiking my backpack up on my shoulder, I strolled to the office. When I pushed the door open, another receptionist greeted me. This one had wavy blond hair and high cheekbones on a face that belonged on a magazine cover. Her smile was just as bright as the woman’s downstairs. However, her eyes gleamed with curiosity as she inspected me. But not once did I feel self-conscious about the state of my appearance. No, this receptionist projected a warmth and air of non-judgment like my new friend, Macy.

“Hello.” She nodded at me and held up a finger, and that’s when I realized she wore an earpiece. “Sure thing, Mr. Brown. I’ll deliver your message as soon as Mr. Turner gets in.” She paused. “You’re welcome.” She pressed some buttons on the phone and then returned her attention to me, smile still in place.

The woman stepped around the counter, and I lifted an eyebrow. Goodness, was everyone who worked here modelesque? She wore a dress that clung to her tall, lithe frame, and the heels she wore gave the illusion of her legs going on forever.

“Hi, I’m Violet.” She stuck out a hand, which I accepted.

“Sydney Sullivan.”

“Welcome to Moon Guardians. Sydney Sullivan?” Her eyeballs rolled around. “I don’t remember a Sydney in the appointment book.”

“Oh, I don’t have an appointment.”

Violet blinked.

“A friend told me about this place, and I thought I’d check it out. Actually, I was hoping to see Cole Grayson.” I don’t know why, but uttering his name made my heart dance. Strange things have been happening to me since I was introduced to the world of the supernatural. I didn’t know why heat seared my cheeks saying Mr. Grayson’s name.

Violet tilted her head to the side and studied me with curiosity. Then she leaned forward slightly and inhaled deeply. My lips parted, and my eyes darted from side to side. Did she just…smell me?

“Hmm,” she hummed. “Interesting.”

What was so interesting? The fact that I wanted to see her boss or that I might smell like I had journeyed across several states without a shower?

Violet swept me from head to toe, but it wasn’t in a mean way. There was a twinkle in her eyes that bordered between glee and mischief. “Mr. Grayson is busy at the moment, but there’s no way I’m letting you leave without seeing him.”

My eyebrows drew together. “Well, if he’s busy, I can come back. It’s not like I have an appointment.” Although, I had no idea where I’d go to wait until I could see him.

“No, no. You’re seeing him.”

Confused by her insistence, I said, “Okay…”

“Please, have a seat.” She pointed to the section of chairs.

Nodding, I headed to one of the cozier-looking armchairs. When I sat, I almost groaned my pleasure as the cushion welcomed me. Practically living in buses for days had my muscles protesting. A sigh escaped me, finally having something comfortable to rest my weary bones on.

I looked around the waiting area, taking in the carpet that matched the one in the hallway and the office furniture that looked like it cost a fortune. The business was doing very well, and I was certain I’d never be able to afford their service even if I had a job. However, Macy did imply that Mr. Grayson took on pro bono cases…not that he could take on mine. Surely, he didn’t protect half-werewolves from hunters.

“Oh, my god,” I whispered. Was I really buying into the theory that I was a half-wolf?

“Are you okay?” Violet asked from behind her desk.

“Yeah, sure, just admiring the aesthetic.”

She smiled. “You mentioned that a friend told you about us. Do you mind if I ask who?”

I sat taller. “Not at all. I got your business card from Macy Dupart. She has a diner not far from here.”

“Ah, Macy.”

“You know her?”

Violet sighed. “Very well.”

---