Page 5 of Obsessed Wolf Daddy

"Tell me about it. I've just signed off on some more transfers from the West Coast offices. A start-up in an area with no resources was always going to be an uphill battle." His words remind me of the conversation we've had so many times since I decided to return to my pack and launch Brite Corp in the mountains.

"Build it, and they will come. Isn't that what they say?" I remind him. Unlike Jonah, I'm not concerned. My name alone has enough people clambering to be part of any project I turn my hand to. We turn more people away than we could ever employ on the tech side. Having said that, finding reliable and experienced functional staff like receptionists has strangely been more of a challenge.

And Jonah has a habit of loving and leaving them, which means they feel compelled to leave me, too.

"So, we're agreed. Not my receptionist," I say, leveling him with a stare that shows how much I mean it.

He rolls his eyes but nods. "Agreed, for now. I might revisit this conversation if things don't pick up around here, though."

"Not having fun?" I ask, already knowing the answer. Jonah is missing our old life in LA. "Give the mountains a chance. You always said you want to explore your wolf's natural instincts. Better to do that out here than in the city."

Jonah is a half-shifter who grew up in the human world. He’s a true friend, but I see his darkness. He's repressed his wolf side for so long that it occasionally breaks through in unhealthy ways, though he presents as a typical Californian surfer. Many would be forgiven for thinking he's all fun and laid-back, but I know the truth. He's one of the smartest men I know, intensely ambitious, and potentially more dangerous than most full shifters.

I've learned the best way to keep Jonah on the straight and narrow is to keep him busy. He needs to be occupied in both mind and body. This trait of his is also useful for me because there's always lots to do.

I stand, stretching my limbs after working for the last few hours. Hell, maybe I should occupy my body more than my mind sometimes. The truth is, I woke early because I couldn't get that girl off my mind. Over the last few weeks, I've consumed every scrap of information I can find on Saffy. Pretty much her entire life story, from the mess with her awful-sounding parents, to her being raised with her brother Zack, and now her burgeoning career in cybersecurity. I even know her best friend is named Emily, and her favorite color appears to be cornflower blue, if social media is to be believed.

And there's no boyfriend, but I already knew that because I would have smelled him on her. And then I'd have gotten rid of him.

I turn and look out at the mountain range. This view is the entire reason I bought this plot and built the new facility with my office at the center, towering over the cliff drop and affording me a view I'd dreamed of for years. A little narcissistic, perhaps, but what's the point of all this success if I don't get the office and the view I want? I get Jonah's reservations, but for me, coming back to the mountains has been the right move. I thought I was doing it for Annie, but in reality, I was the one who needed this.

I just didn't realize it until I got here. And now I think I know why.

Saffy.

Weeks of preparation, fast-tracking the internship program, just to get her here. I contemplated a more direct route, but after hours of researching her history and watching her from afar, I see her naivete and innocence. Both are things that should put me off, but somehow only spur me on. Unlike Jonah, I care very much about my carefully curated image. My shareholders depend on it, as does my daughter. My tastes may be as dark as his, but they'll never make the front pages because I'm careful about who I play with.

So the question is, can Saffy handle my attention?

I guess we're going to find out.

But for now, I turn my attention back to Jonah. I can't have him getting bored and causing chaos by reverting to destructive behaviors. He's worth too much to the company. "I've sent over those files,” I tell him. “There's enough in there to keep you busy for the next couple of weeks. It's make-or-break for that department. I'm not throwing money at it anymore if they can't turn it around."

He nods, and I see his mind working. He's as shrewd as I am, which is saying something.

"But I can't have you sitting around after work,” I continue, “so come check out the fresh snow on the ridge tonight. It's about time you let your wolf run."

Jonah looks doubtful, and I know why. He struggles to control himself in wolf form. "I don't know, Cole. Don't you have to get back to Annie?"

I laugh. "Nice try. I'm having dinner with Annie, but the nanny is staying over all week. We can still run later."

He blows out a breath, shrugs, and stands. "Yeah, whatever. We can run. I still don't like the snow, though."

"You'll get used to it.”

"I'm here for you, Cole. But I'm not giving up the beach forever, man."

"Yeah, I know."I'll cross that bridge when we get to it, I think to myself.

I need to steer the conversation away from Jonah missing his precious waves. Thankfully, I'm saved by the intercom and my admittedly very sexy receptionist, Carla. "Mr. Matherson, you wanted to be notified when the interns arrived."

I thank her, grab my jacket, slide the tailored material over my shoulders, and fasten the buttons. I turn to find Jonah looking at me quizzically. "Since when do we give a shit about the interns?" he asks, and gives a laugh.

I take a deep breath and keep my face neutral. "These are Tanya's students. I'm expecting great things, to be honest." Clapping him on the back as I walk toward the door, I add, "You're the one worried about staffing issues out here. These interns are homegrown and cheap."

Jonah follows me onto the gallery landing outside my office, which overlooks the reception area. I immediately spot Saffy standing with two other interns, talking to Carla.

"I still don't get it. This isn't like you at all. I mean—" Jonah's words die on his lips as he clocks who I'm looking at. "Oh, my. This is actuallyexactlylike you. Looks like I’m not the only one looking for some entertainment out here.” He laughs again.

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