Page 12 of Haze

Nikki hums, indicating that my very specific ways of doing things are more intense than everyone else. It’s a conversation we’ve had a few times before. But I’m not about to change how I do things to be less accurate to spare others’ feelings. That would be silly.

Nikki raises her eyebrow. “Besides, what’s the harm in a little more eye candy around here? It’s almost as exciting as when we got that new vet.”

“Please tell me he’s at least—” human...

Nikki shakes her head. “Nope. But I don’t think he’s wolf. I didn’t get any smells, but by the looks of him, there’s no way he is. That man is stacked.”

Mate? My wolf paces.

I roll my eyes. She said she doesn’t think he’s wolf. So, how could that be our mate? I argue back with her.

Heading out to the general portion of the lab, Nikki takes her slides and petri dish to the pathology department.

Veterinary sciences and laboratories for the university are run by wolves. We’ve been running the department since shortly after its creation, and it’s where we’ve developed, tested, and manufactured every heat suppression drug. We’re able to create suppressants for wolves and cats in large enough quantities to be completely sound and with enough efficiency that the only cost for the drugs is the shipping to get it to those who need it.

And, even then, if someone’s afraid and they can’t afford it, like magic—or someone with access to the Ardelean Fund—the drugs get where they need to.

The morning birds, second- and third-year chemistry and biology majors, arrived before me this morning and started checking their experiments. I review numbers, smile, answer questions, give directions, and get everyone underway.

This morning routine means that by the time they go to lunch, I can get square into my project. Then when they leave for the day, I can get a few solid hours of work in before calling it quits myself.

“Morning, Lena.” One of the sophomores greets me.

I wave back at him. I haven’t bothered learning their names yet. Most of the humans will drop out by midterms, and the wolves in the program are too afraid of me to question anything I say.

“Hey, Lena.” Brayden leans up against the bench next to the workstation I’m working at.

“Miss Alden. My office,” Doctor Thorpe orders me, cutting off Brayden’s pass before it begins.

I walk quickly, first in relief and second because Doctor Thorpe never takes such a short tone with me.

Chapter 5

Finn

“I have one member of the team who’s been here for six years now, and I swear she is the most efficient researcher I’ve ever met. Her schedule tends to run a little bit later in the day. I’ll see if she’s available now.” Doctor Thorpe makes his way out of the lab briskly.

I sit and wait for their return. Scrubbing my hand down my face, I’m equal parts angry and exhausted, having tried to hunt down Lena in the city for the last day. Last night, two hours before midnight, I stopped scouring the buildings close to the bar. My wolf and I conceded we had to rest for this day.

That rest did not mean sleep. Unable to push her from my mind, I worked my cock over again and again until, finally, exhaustion took me.

With the sound of footsteps returning, I stand to wake myself up more to meet whatever perky college student Doctor Thorpe wants to—

Lena follows Doctor Thorpe through the door into the office. She falters at the door seeing me, taking a half step back like she’s ready to run.

I’ll only chase you. I shake my head ever so slightly, discouraging her. Though with the way the blue denim stretches across the front of her thighs, I can only imagine the view from behind. My lip twitches, threatening to smile. I tame it back. Having searched all night for her, I'm exhausted to the core, but maybe I'd like the view of her darting off now that hunting her down won’t be as hard. I break, and the smile crosses my face momentarily.

“Miss Kathleen Alden, this is Mr. Griffin O’Leary. He’s our new accounting partner. He’ll be the one to make sure our budgets are in order. You’re our most efficient department...”

Doctor Thorpe could have been tap dancing for all I know.

The way I’m focused on Lena, it doesn’t matter what he’s saying. What are the odds? Kathleen Alden, as in Cade Alden, as in The Leviathan’s little sister, is my mate. I worked so hard to hunt her down when a trip to the pack house or simply showing up to work would have gotten the job done.

Ma was right. While she always expected Magnus and me to go into the family business and become heads of the pack, she damn near forced me to go to Trinity College, where I got my business degree. I’ll have to call her and thank her. It’ll tickle her to have been right and hear those words.

Doctor Thorpe concludes his diatribe. “If we can get the other labs to process with your level of efficiency, I believe we can, in fact, get better equipment.”

“Yes. I can show Mr. O’Leary around and explain my process.” Lena answers obediently in agreement with hesitancy at my last name.

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