A CLANDESTINE WOLF

CHAPTER 2

A couple of days later, Karen strode into the sleek skyscraper that housed Hayes Corp, a legacy business inherited by him and his two siblings from their parents, and as soon as he stepped inside, he was taken aback by what he saw. Right at the entrance, there was a strikingly familiar gentleman engaged in a heated discussion with the lady manning the information desk. "You just don't get it, I absolutely MUST secure a meeting with one of the Hayes siblings right this instant, it's crucial for my own well... Business!" The tall man, whose name Karen recalled vividly, was doing his best to keep his composure, and it was working, almost.

Approaching them, Karen felt his heart quicken its pace, though he couldn't pinpoint the reason. Was it because he was about to converse with his idol in a matter of moments? "Is everything alright, Miss Maria?" He gazed at her, completely disregarding the man beside him.

"Good morning, sir, well..." She glanced at the young man and then at Karen. "...Mr. Ford here wishes to speak with you or one of your siblings, but I explained to him that without an appointment, it's not feasible!"

Matthew, with eyes wide, listened intently. His Mate was one of the renowned Hayes - how did he not realize it sooner? Fate had a strange way of playing its hand, that was certain! If it weren't so crucial for his group, he would have simply turned on his heel and left, but instead, he interjected. "Oh, hey there!" An idea struck him.

"Aren't you the individual I assisted a few days back?" He gave a slight bow, and Karen's heart raced once more upon hearing the other's voice so near to his ears. It sent a chill down his spine, leaving him perplexed.

"I-I don't understand what you're saying!" Karen replied quickly, raising a hand as Matthew attempted to clarify, causing him to fall silent immediately. "Miss Maria, I do have some time to spare to chat with him. If someone needs to speak with me, I'll be free again in about two hours."

A sly grin appeared on Matt's face; it was simpler than he had anticipated.

The young woman nodded, and Karen gestured for Matthew to follow him.

They headed to the elevator, and as the doors shut behind them upon entry, Karen turned to the younger man and let out a sigh. "What's this all about? Why do you want to have a conversation with me?" He assumed it was related to the previous incident, thinking that Matthew had discovered his identity and now sought money.

Almost as if reading his thoughts, Matthew responded with a shrug. "I'm not the type to stoop to blackmail; I came here unaware that you were one of the Hayes brothers. I require your assistance for my business, strictly professional matters, nothing else."

Karen felt foolish for assuming that the person who had aided him would turn out to be unkind afterward. Unfortunately, in this line of work, there were numerous individuals like that, only pretending to be pleasant to gain the most advantage.

"Alright, let's continue our discussion in my office." The elevator came to a stop, and they exited the confined space, inhaling the fresh air of the floor. "Would you like some coffee or another drink?" Karen inquired, and Matthew nodded. "Water would be perfect!"

Karen instructed one of his employees to fetch two glasses and two bottles of water before they proceeded to the office.

"We'll commence our discussion once the water arrives. I prefer not to be interrupted during our conversation." Karen settled behind the large desk as Matthew took the seat opposite him. They positioned themselves face to face, allowing a moment to scrutinize each other's features.

There was something off about that man - Karen pondered. He felt a desire to be near him, a longing to touch him, but why did he feel that way? Matthew gulped audibly as he detected a scent emanating from Karen that he found incredibly alluring. It stirred something within him, causing him to unconsciously bite his lower lip.

Karen had his lips slightly parted, gliding his tongue over the lower one in a deliberate, unhurried manner, causing Matthew to swallow hard as he followed the moist tip with his gaze.

A knock on the door broke their reverie, prompting them to sit up straight. "Enter!" Karen called out loud enough for the employee to hear.

The worker placed the glasses and bottles on the table, then exited after a respectful bow.

Both immediately reached for the cool water, pouring it into the glasses and taking a refreshing sip. "Aaah, so invigorating!" Matthew grinned, avoiding Karen's gaze by looking at his drink.

"Yeah, it's really refreshing." Karen chuckled, realizing it was time to delve into the conversation.

They both leaned back in their chairs and sighed. "So..." They simultaneously uttered, signaling the beginning of their dialogue.

The tension in the room was palpable, their energy was intense!

"You go ahead, Mr. Ford, I need to understand the purpose of your visit," Karen maintained a professional demeanor, though he was still captivated by the young man before him. His thoughts were scattered, but he needed to focus!

"Alright! So, where do I begin?" Matthew glanced down at his hands resting in his lap.

"The reason you require my assistance - I mean, our assistance!" He quickly corrected himself.

"Here's the deal, I run this small business, and someone betrayed us, making off with some crucial assets before leaving. Now we're in a bind, and until we both mate, I need to revive the company!" Matthew didn't realize his slip-up, but Karen did. He arched an eyebrow, scrutinizing Matthew's expression once more.

"What do you mean by 'until we both mate'? Are you referring to collaborating?" Karen recalled encountering the term 'mate' in one of their books at home, but surely Matthew couldn't mean the same thing. It seemed absurd... It was a tale about wolves, and everyone knew it was just a myth.

Matthew appeared startled, did he say that? "What? Oh! Yes, I meant collaborate, of course!" He chuckled, brushing off the slip.

Why did he entertain thoughts of mating with him? Perhaps instinct? Whatever it was, he couldn't let it happen again! He had committed to mating with Chris in a year; he needed to push aside any thoughts of Karen as his mate!

You're quite intriguing, Mr. Ford. So, what's your exact desire from us? Funds? Laborers? Let's stick to the matter at hand, why Matthew is here, and nothing more.

"Hmm, it's more along the lines of the former, but rest assured, you'll benefit as well. We possess a vast expanse of the Woodland, and I've discussed with others who agreed to sell portions of it. I heard you were seeking a location for a garden, and it might be an ideal fit for your enterprise." Naturally, Matthew wouldn't part with it if Hayes Corporation planned to construct a factory there. That land was their sanctuary. They intended to keep the sold section far enough away to remain concealed.

"Oh! I must confess, I was indeed scouting for the perfect site for my venture! How did you learn about it when it hadn't been made public yet?" Karen grew wary of Matthew. Aware of their adversaries, he speculated if everything was orchestrated. The near assault, followed by Matthew's rescue, and now this proposal!

Matthew scratched his neck, flashing a sheepish grin. "You see, after I rescued you that time, I revisited the spot to ensure your safety, and there on the ground was a document with the words HayesCorporation." He fished out the paper from his pocket.

"So, you knew I belonged to the Hayes?"