Page 13 of Auditing the Alpha

“Yeah,” he agreed, sounding equally inarticulate.

As my mind cleared, questions began to resurface. “Your eyes,” I noted, looking up at his face. “They’re normal again.”

Indeed, his features had returned to fully human—amber eyes with round pupils, normal teeth, regular nails.

He smiled lazily. “I can control it, mostly. Except during the full moon. Or intense emotions.”

“Like lust?” I suggested.

“Like lust,” he agreed, stroking my back. “Among others.”

I traced patterns in his chest hair, trying to reconcile the man beside me with what I now knew. “So you’re really…”

“A werewolf,” he confirmed. “Born and raised. Third generation Alpha of the Pine Peak pack.”

“Alpha,” I repeated. “That explains a lot about your family dynamics.”

He chuckled. “They’re going to be insufferable now. They knew you were my mate before I admitted it to myself.”

“Mate,” I echoed, testing the word. “Is that why I felt so drawn to you? Some kind of werewolf magic?”

Klaus propped himself up on one elbow, looking down at me seriously. “No magic. Just… recognition. Compatibility at a level beyond the physical.” He traced my cheekbone with his thumb. “It doesn’t compel you to do anything. You still have free will.”

“Good to know,” I said drily. “Since I just had sex with a werewolf I’ve known for three days.”

He winced slightly. “Too fast?”

I considered this, then shook my head. “Surprisingly, no. It feels… right.” I looked up at him curiously. “What would a full claim involve? You mentioned it earlier.”

Something heated flashed in his eyes. “More than just a temporary mark. A permanent bite, during the full moon, with intent from both parties.” He brushed his fingers over the spot he’d bitten. “It creates a bond. Not mind-reading or anything dramatic, but… awareness. Connection.”

“Like werewolf marriage,” I suggested.

He smiled, but his eyes remained serious. “Something like that. But more permanent.”

The implication hung between us, neither frightening nor unwelcome, just… significant. I nestled closer to his warmth, feeling strangely content despite the absurdity of the situation.

“The snow’s still falling,” I noted, glancing toward the window.

“We’ll be here at least until tomorrow,” Klaus confirmed, pulling a blanket over us. “Possibly longer.”

I smiled against his chest. “Guess my audit will take longer than expected.”

His laugh rumbled beneath my ear. “Such a shame.”

As I drifted toward sleep, warm and sated in the arms of a werewolf during a blizzard, I had to admit—Pine Peak might not be so bad after all.

Chapter 6

I woke to the smell of coffee and bacon, sunlight streaming through the cabin windows, and the realization that I’d slept with a werewolf. Not the typical morning after scenario I was used to.

Klaus stood at the small stove, wearing only low-slung jeans, his back to me as he flipped pancakes. The morning light highlighted the muscular planes of his shoulders, and I took a moment to simply appreciate the view.

“I can feel you staring,” he said without turning around.

I propped myself up on my elbows. “Just admiring the scenery.”

He glanced over his shoulder, a smile crinkling the corners of his eyes. “Sleep well?”