FATED TO THE LYCAN BEAST

Six

I knocked on the heavy walnut door of Justin's office. When no answer came, I pushed it open and stepped inside.

He didn’t look up, his fingers flying over the keyboard. The bond didn’t care about his focus. It pulsed in the air, thick and hot, crawling under my skin. Heat coiled low in my stomach, and I forced it down. I would not let this arrogant Lycan see me flustered.

“Close the door.” His eyes stayed on the screen.

The lock clicked behind me. My heels sank into the plush carpet as I crossed the room, stopping at a subtle boundary where the rug’s pattern shifted.

Only then did he glance up.

His gaze moved slowly over me—my shoes, my tights, my legs. It paused at my chest before lingering on my lips. When his eyes finally met mine, there was nothing hidden in them. Hunger burned openly, and my heartbeat kicked up in response

He leaned back in his chair like a king surveying his court. “Finally decided to grace my office with your presence.” A smirk curved his mouth.

Arrogant bastard.

“You summoned me,” I said, my voice cool.

“I did.” His smirk deepened. “Though I half expected you wouldn’t show. Like you didn’t show up at the hotel.” His tone was light, but his eyes glittered with amusement. “My memory, you see, is excellent.”

Ice rushed through me, followed by a spike of heat. This was a game. He wanted to watch me squirm.

“My apologies if there was a misunderstanding about my duties that night,” I said evenly. My hands clasped behind my back to hide their tremor. “I was occupied with other important matters.”

He rose from his chair with unhurried grace, circling the desk.

“Occupied?” he echoed, voice smooth and dangerous.

He closed the distance, stopping just inches away. His scent hit me hard, the bond magnifying it until it drowned out everything else.

“Or maybe you reconsidered,” he said, one brow arching. “Didn’t want to slum it with a Lycan for the night?”

He was baiting me, trying to push me into admitting the bond’s pull.

I lifted my chin. “My duties are to the Lycan government, as per the Queen’s arrangement with my pack.” I let the word duties hang between us.

His eyes flashed gold. Before I could move, my back hit the wall. His body pinned me there, hands braced on either side of my head. The air between us crackled, thick with lust.

“Don’t play games with me, little wolf.” His breath was hot against my cheek, making my skin prickle.

His gaze dropped to my mouth, then back to my eyes. ““You wanted me that night. I saw it. Don’t bother denying it.”

His hips pressed into mine. The jolt went through me like lightning, straight to my core.

“Every werewolf female at that pathetic festival wanted a piece of Lycan royalty,” he said, voice cutting. “You’re no different. A warm body. A distraction.”

The words were meant to burn—and they did. A confusing mix of fury and unwanted arousal clawed through me. I hated him for making me feel this way.

“Get your hands off me,” I forced out.

A low laugh rumbled in his chest, vibrating against me. “But I like them where they are.”

His thumb brushed my cheek, gentle for one fleeting second, then slid down to my throat, resting over my pulse. My heart leapt beneath his touch.

“You’re trembling,” he murmured. “Still want to pretend you feel nothing? Still think you’re too good for one night with me?”

A night with him?

Why the hell did he keep twisting this into something so simple, so base?

But I couldn't think straight. The contradiction between his cruel words and the fire in his eyes sparked a dangerous curiosity inside me.

What was this crazy Lycan up to?

“Perhaps,” I said slowly, “I’m more interested in what you’re hiding.” I leaned in, voice low. “You reek of secrets, Justin. Far more than you reek of Lycan arrogance. What’s really going on behind this big, bad wolf act?”

For a heartbeat, his face cracked—surprise flashing in his eyes. Then it was gone, replaced by something darker.

He moved so fast my breath caught. His mouth hovered a whisper from mine. I could taste the storm on him.

“Watch your words, little wolf. I don’t like being cornered,” he murmured, his voice low and velvet-dark.

My pulse roared in my ears, but I pushed forward.

“Too bad. Because the other night, I saw you at the beach. With a werewolf Seer.”

His breath hitched, sharp and unguarded.

I didn't stop. “Funny, isn’t it? Lycans claim to be stronger, purer… and yet there you were.”

The gold in his eyes dimmed to cold irritation. He stepped back like I’d struck him.

Fury and longing twisted together in my chest until it hurt to breathe.

“You love digging where you don’t belong,” he said finally, voice like ice. “That habit will cost you more than you’re willing to pay.”

The warning hit deep, but I didn’t flinch.

“I’m not afraid of you,” I said quietly.

“You should be,” he said, lifting my jaw with his index finger.

His lips hovered over mine. I felt my hair rise on the arms and nape of my neck and the sensation of my thighs flooded with warmth

And then—

“Justin, darling? Are you in there?”

He tensed. His jaw flexed and he cursed under his breath.

“Bathroom,” he said, curtly.

“What?”

“Now. Don’t make a sound.”

“Why? We weren’t—”

His glare cut me off. “Don’t argue. Go.”

The doorknob clicked. I bolted, barely avoiding a toppled stack of files, and squeezed into the narrow bathroom.

I eased the door almost shut, leaving the smallest crack.

Wendy swept in, her heels sharp against the floor. “There you are,” she said lightly. “I was starting to think you’d vanished again.”

Justin didn’t answer.

“This wedding is stretching me thin,” she said with a pout that sounded practiced. “Especially with the date so close. I want everything perfect.”

My stomach rolled. Wedding. Real.

“Of course, love.” His voice was smooth, calm. “Everything will be perfect.”