Page 16 of Auditing the Alpha

“Fair enough.” He adjusted the bag of supplies he was carrying. “Coming to the run tomorrow?”

I nodded. “Klaus invited me.”

Something like approval flashed in Theo’s eyes—so similar to his brother’s. “Good. That’s… significant.” He clapped me on the shoulder with his free hand. “See you then, city boy. Try not to overthink it.”

With that cryptic advice, he continued down the street, whistling a Christmas carol.

By seven o’clock, I was showered, dressed in my own clothes again, and waiting anxiously in the inn’s lobby. Klaus arrived precisely on time, looking devastatingly handsome in dark jeans and a charcoal sweater that emphasized the breadth of his shoulders.

“Hi,” I said, suddenly shy despite everything we’d shared.

His smile was warm. “Hi yourself.” He gestured to the door. “Ready?”

Dinner was at a small Italian restaurant on the edge of town—intimate without being overly romantic, quiet enough for conversation. Klaus ordered a steak so rare it was practically mooing, while I opted for pasta.

“So,” I said after our food arrived, “tell me more about tomorrow night. What should I expect?”

Klaus took a sip of his wine. “We gather as a pack at our property. There’s a clearing in the woods where we shift together as the moon rises. Then we run—hunting, playing, strengthening pack bonds.”

“And what will I be doing during this… run?”

“Watching, initially,” he said. “From the safety of a raised platform we built for human guests. Later, if you’re comfortable, you could join us at the bonfire after we shift back.”

I twirled pasta around my fork. “Will you… recognize me? When you’re shifted?”

“Of course,” he said, looking surprised at the question. “We retain our human consciousness, Jordan. Our memories, our feelings. We’re just… more instinct-driven in wolf form.”

“And these instincts…” I hesitated, unsure how to phrase my concern.

Klaus reached across the table to take my hand. “Are not dangerous to you,” he finished firmly. “Especially not my instincts toward you. If anything, I’ll be more protective, more attuned to your safety and comfort.”

I nodded, somewhat reassured. “And the… claiming bite you mentioned. That can only happen during the full moon?”

His eyes darkened, pupils dilating slightly. “The permanent one, yes. The transformation enhances the connection.” His thumb stroked across my knuckles. “But that’s not on the table yet, Jordan. That would be months away, after you’ve had time to fully understand what you’d be committing to.”

The thought should have terrified me. Instead, I found myself oddly comforted by his patience, his willingness to give me time.

“Thank you,” I said simply. “For not rushing me.”

His smile was tender. “You’re worth waiting for.”

The rest of dinner passed pleasantly, our conversation drifting to lighter topics—my life in Chicago, his childhood in Pine Peak, favorite books and films. By dessert, I’d almost forgotten the supernatural element entirely. Klaus was just a man—an extraordinary, compelling man who happened to turn into a wolf once a month.

After dinner, he drove me back to the inn and walked me to my door. Unlike a typical date, there was no awkward moment of decision—we both knew where this was heading. As soon as my door closed behind us, Klaus had me pressed against it, his mouth hot and demanding on mine.

“Missed you today,” he murmured between kisses. “Could still smell me on you.”

I groaned as his teeth grazed my neck, right over the mark he’d left the night before. “Is that weird? That I kind of like the idea of smelling like you?”

He growled approvingly, hands sliding under my sweater. “Not weird. Perfect.”

We made it to the bed eventually, leaving a trail of discarded clothing in our wake. This time was different from the first—less frantic, more exploratory. Klaus took his time, mapping my body with hands and mouth, learning what made me gasp and arch against him.

When he finally entered me, it was with agonizing slowness, his eyes—still human but burning with intensity—locked on mine the entire time. He moved with deliberate control, adjusting his angle until I was a writhing mess beneath him.

“Klaus,” I panted, close to the edge. “Please.”

He understood, increasing his pace and reaching between us to stroke me in rhythm with his thrusts. “Come for me, Jordan,” he commanded softly. “Let me see you.”