Page 7 of Claimed By Fur and Fangs

She winked. "You'll have to figure that out on your own."

I raised my cup in a mock toast. "Challenge accepted."

And just like that, I was hooked.

We sat there for a moment, sipping our coffee in the quiet cafeteria, the noise from the rest of the hospital drifting in and out.

As Amelia finished her cup and set it down, I leaned forward slightly, unable to resist. "So, you think you'll let me take you out for real sometime?" I asked, my voice low but hopeful.

Her eyes sparkled, a playful glint shining through. "Well, if the coffee date goes well," she said, her smile teasing, "maybe."

I set my cup down, heart racing, and without thinking, I leaned in closer, my breath catching in my throat. Amelia didn’t move away. She stayed right there, her eyes flickering to my lips, then back to my eyes.

“I’m going to kiss you now. If you don’t want it, you can just tell me to stop” I whispered.

My hand reached up, gently cupping her face as I closed the distance between us. The kiss was soft at first, just a brush of lips, but the moment I felt her respond, it deepened, and everything else seemed to fade away.

“Am I interrupting?” Aidan said.

Chapter Three

Aidan

Seven hours ago…

The ride home was a blur of anger and confusion. I leaned back in the black SUV, my fists clenched, trying to understand exactly what happened.

“Julian, what the hell happened? How did that fire start?”

“We’re still investigating, sir. It could be sabotage, but we don’t have enough to go on yet.”

“Sabotage, huh?” I muttered, rubbing my temples. "Make sure to contact the fire department and police. I want to be informed about everything regarding the investigation. If it was sabotage, I want to be the first to know. I’m so curious to find out who had the audacity to mess with me.”

“Yes, sir,” Julian said, his pen flying over the paper. “I’ll make it a priority.”

I stared out the window, clenching my jaw. “And I want a detailed report on the incident, how many injured, how many critical. If there’s any chance of fatalities, I want to know now.”

“There are no confirmed deaths yet, sir. Mostly burns, smoke inhalation, some broken bones. We’re still compiling the list,” Julian responded, keeping his tone even.

“Good.” I gritted my teeth. “At least no one’s dead. Yet.”

The car sped through the dark streets, but I couldn’t stop thinking about Amelia.

How’s it possible she looks so much like Alma? Oh, Aidan focus…I thought.

“Sir, are you alright?” Julian asked, glancing at me, clearly sensing something was off.

I didn’t answer right away. Instead, I found myself rubbing my hand over my face.Amelia—she hadAlma’seyes. I couldn’t shake the feeling.

By the time we reached my mansion, I was already out of the car before it fully stopped, eager to escape the thoughts chasing me.

Fergus was waiting by the door, his sharp eyes taking in my expression. He didn’t ask questions, just raised an eyebrow as I walked past him into the house.

“I came immediately, I heard the news about the fire… what happened? Who’s behind it?”

“I don’t know yet,” I snapped, my frustration building.

“You don’t have to worry Julian, and I will investigate the matter closely. But it seems like something else is bothering you”

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