Page 7 of Destined Bear
As much as I’d like to toss Alessa out on her ass, she is one of the most effective spy shifters we have because of her unassuming shifter form.
“Where the hell were you?”
“Funny you should ask.” The look on her face immediately puts me on edge. “I ran into an old friend of ours. You don’t mind if I bring her in to say hello, do you?”
I don’t need Alessa to say more.
I already have a strong suspicion I know who she’s talking about and what is happening just by the cat shifter’s coy expression. The hairs on my neck rise as I catch the faintest, most familiar whiff in the air. Goosebumps prickle my arms in anticipation. I would know that scent anywhere.
“What is this, Alessa?” Heath asks carefully, but she doesn’t need to respond.
A willowy redhead appears in the doorway of the office, and my heart catches like it hasn’t done in years.
Oh, no way. Not now. This is not what I need today.
Alessa looks over her shoulder. “Come on in, Viv. Say hi.”
Slowly, Vivienne enters the office, her emerald eyes taking in Heath’s dumbfounded expression, then my tense demeanor. Every molecule in my body is pushed and pulled simultaneously, the throb of my heart flooding my ears.
“Vivienne.”
She visibly swallows, and her eyes shadow as Alessa summons her deeper inside my office.
But Vivienne hesitates at the threshold.
My mind spins as I think of something to say. Anything. But the throbbing in my heart makes it impossible for me to hear or focus on anything else.
My eyes trail over her beautiful, pale skin, toward the swell of her perky breasts against her shirt, every suppressed emotion climbing to the surface as I take in my ex-girlfriend for the first time in five years.
The growing flush in her cheeks tells me that she’s just as fiery as ever. Her hair is a bit longer, the red tresses maybe a shade or two lighter, but overall, she’s the same beautiful female she’s always been.
Oh, I have missed her more than I realized. My chest tightens so much, I can barely breathe.
I’m completely lost for words.
When I don’t speak, Heath takes the pressure off me by taking the lead. “It’s good to see you. When did you get back, Viv?”
“I just got in to check on my mother’s condition.” She doesn’t look at us, but she doesn’t need to say anything for me to feel the waves of animosity rolling off her and in my direction.
My chin twists toward her with concern at the mention of the elder. “How is Circe?”
Vivienne’s eyes narrow to slits. “Have you been to check on her? Do you care? She’s one of the most trusted elders in this pack!”
A spark flares inside me. Look at her, coming at me with half a story. What did Circe tell her?
“Of course I’ve checked on her. I’ve visited her several times since she’s come back into the territory. I was the one responsible for unifying the historical society again. She’s still arespected member of this pack. And so are you, Vivienne, even with your damned stubbornness.”
Surprise colors her face, and I realize that her mother hasn’t told her about my visits.
Good old Circe, always creating drama.
But Vivienne isn’t done with me, her embarrassment fueling her anger now.
“My stubbornness?” Her eyes gleam, and my stomach drops. This look is familiar. “If not for your stupidity, none of the mess with Ember Hollow would have happened in the first place. If you had just listened to me back then, if you had just signed the peace treaty not only with Ember Hollow, but all the other territories when I told you?—”
I throw up my hands in disgust, cutting her off mid-sentence. “Is that why you came back to Willow Grove? To rehash all this bullshit? Because I don’t have time to listen to this nonsense right now. I have more important work to do. As the Alpha, remember?”
“Oh, yeah? Like what?” Alessa’s drawling tone grates on my nerves. “Are you looking for another mate to make up for the one you lost from Ember Hollow?”
