Page 27 of Billionaire Wolf Needs a Fixer

My heart twisted painfully at her admission."I'm not trying to keep you in the shadows.I'm trying to protect you!"I snapped, frustration bubbling over.

"From what?The truth?"she challenged, her voice rising."I thought you trusted me!"

I couldn't respond.The truth was, I did trust her more than anyone, yet my instincts were battling against my emotions.I had spent my life protecting those I cared about, and everything inside me screamed that showing vulnerability here would expose us both at our weakest point.

Krista took a step back, visibly hurt."Maybe you don't see me as a partner, then," she said softly, her voice trembling.

"Krista," I started, but the look in her eyes stopped me.She was angry, yes, but there was also a vulnerability there that broke my heart.Deep down, I could see the frustration that had built up in her, and I realized that I had done this to her.I was holding her back when all she wanted was to stand alongside me.

She turned away, tears spilling down her cheeks.The sight hit me like a blow, and every instinct in me screamed that this was not right.I closed the gap between us just as she wiped away her tears with a shaky hand.

"Krista," I said softly, my voice breaking."I never wanted to hurt you."I stepped closer, reaching for her again, but she stepped back, furthering the space between us."I'm sorry," I said finally, my voice raw."I'm scared too.I'm scared of losing you to that monster out there."

She shook her head, the anguish in her eyes piercing through me.Before I could stop myself, I stepped forward again, enveloping her in my arms.She hesitated, holding herself stiff for a heartbeat, but then melted against me, her warm body pressing against mine as I held her tightly.I could feel the rhythm of her heartbeat against my own, steady and strong.

"I can't lose you," I murmured against her hair, letting the storm of my emotions wash over us."I refuse to let Dante take what we have.She sniffed softly, leaning into my chest as if seeking solace in my embrace.The warmth of her presence steadied me, and I felt my resolve beginning to rebuild itself.

"You won't lose me, Levi," she replied, her voice muffled against my shirt."I promise.But we need to take a stand."

I pulled back slightly, searching her face for any sign of doubt.Instead, all I found was a determined fire to fight that mirrored my own."Alright," I whispered, cupping her face in my hands."Let's come up with a plan of attack."

She nodded, her gaze unwavering as I leaned in and pressed my forehead against hers."We'll gather evidence, hit Dante hard and fast where it hurts.But first, we need to make sure we have everything in order."

Krista's eyes sparkled with determination."I have some ideas for getting testimonies from the shelter volunteers and pet owners at the adoption events.Cute videos with puppies and kittens aren't enough anymore.We need people to vouch for your character.If we can showcase the good you've done there, it might balance out the bad press.It's our best shot at humanizing you and villainizing Dante for threatening all of that."

Her enthusiasm ignited something in me, even as the shadow of Dante loomed larger."Fine, but we need to keep this under wraps.I don't want anything leaking before we're ready to move."

"I'll coordinate with Zane," she promised, her lips curling into a determined smile."I'll be safe."

"Good," I said, stepping back.My heart lifted at the thought of her diving headfirst into action.But my body shifted uneasily, caught between wanting to move forward and the alarming feeling rising in my gut that she was putting herself in danger.

Krista grabbed her bag, a determined glint in her eyes."I'll keep you updated," she said as she headed toward the door.I watched her leave, feeling a strange mix of pride and panic surging within me.

I stood rooted for a moment, battling the instinct to call her back.Krista was heading to the animal shelter, a place that housed innocent lives and, by extension, the only good PR I had left.The weight of what lay ahead pressed down on me, but Krista was fiercer than I had ever imagined.She wasn't the type to back down.Still, the thought of her out there on her own made my wolf stir uneasily.

The minute I tried to shake off the growing dread, the mate bond between us pulsed, sharp and agonizing.I froze, my heart racing.

Something's wrong.

Krista's presence, usually a steady force, flickered like a candle in the wind.The bond between us had never felt this strained nor this chaotic.

The wolf snarled, clawing at my insides, urging me to move and go to her.I stumbled back toward the living room, fingers flexing with agitation as my claws itched to burst out.

I grabbed my phone and checked for any updates, but there was nothing.Anxiety clawed at me.I needed to act.Fast.

Without a plan, I raced to the door, flinging it wide open.Then, the change ripped through me.Bones snapped and rearranged themselves, my back arching as it lengthened.Muscles tore and reknit, sinew stretched like molten wire beneath my skin.My jaw unhinged with a wet pop, fangs punching through bleeding gums as my muzzle stretched forward.Claws split my fingertips, slicing through flesh as they surged free, and a scream lodged in my throat, half-human, half-beast.

The world exploded into a barrage of scent and sound as I propelled myself forward.I dashed through the trees and down the winding road toward the shelter.With each stride, my senses sharpened, honing in on the distant sound of tires screeching against asphalt.A sense of urgency clawed at my insides as the bond flared with Krista's fear.And beneath it all, the mate bond pulsed like a living thing, her heartbeat thundering against mine, each frantic thud a knife twisting deeper.I charged out of the mansion, my instincts guiding me like a beacon.

Images flashed in my mind, the gleam of weapons, shadows flicking in and out of view, and the unmistakable sound of danger approaching.I pushed harder, sprinting faster than I ever had before, feeling the power of the wolf surge through me.

As I neared the shelter, I caught sight of Krista's car pulled over at the side of the road.My blood ran cold.The sound of muffled voices reached me, followed by a crisp command that froze me in place: "Get her out of the car!"

No!The wolf snarled at the threat to our mate.

The world narrowed down to a singular focus.Krista.I could sense her frustration and terror.I lunged forward, muscles coiling like springs ready to unleash fury.

I crouched low as I approached the scene, aware of at least three men standing around Krista's vehicle, their aggressive postures accentuated by the glint of weapons.My heart pounded in my chest, driven by the instinct to protect.

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