Alex stepped into Lupus Corp, the tip of her red umbrella resting on the floor as she took in the sheer size of the place. Even though she had been in the building once before, she hadn't had time to look around. Now, in the light of day, she could see groups of employees in power-suits enjoying cups of coffee in the seating areas arranged around small zen gardens. A mix of marble, wood and glass, the thirty-story building had a nature-meets-corporate-world feel; not a surprising choice for a werewolf-run company.

A beep-beep sound had her reaching into her pocket for her phone. The sleek black rectangle was forced on her by Gabriel who said he couldn't believe a phone-less person still existed in this world. Alex had pointed out that living in the forest in hiding didn't really call for a cell phone, but he was having none of it. He wanted her to be 'reachable at all times'. She would have protested if she didn't know he was worried about the Korovic werewolves causing trouble for her.

The way Gabriel told the story, the Korovic Alpha was already making problems for him and now that they knew she was with him, they could try to make things difficult for her too. Alex understood all of that, and appreciated that she had probably made matters worse with the risotto stunt, but she refused to be locked in a hotel room. So, they had come to an understanding: she would keep him posted with her movements, not leave the hotel and keep the phone on her at all times and in return he would get rid of the guards.

Biting her lip, Alex read the message on the phone: Access is granted with facial recognition scanners at reception. I've got you covered, so don't stop at the desk and just come straight up to the 24th Floor.

Alright, so she was only following one of Gabriel's three requests, but she had made no promises. Plus, it was his employee that called her out of the blue and asked if she would come to Lupus Corp to help him run some tests. Sure, Bertie admitted that he hadn't exactly secured Gabriel's permission. He also admitted that it was no coincidence that he called just when Gabriel had to leave for a breakfast meeting in Washington DC. All in all, the scientist made it patently clear that if they got caught, there would be trouble. But hell, after three days of being cooped up in a hotel , Alex needed a change of atmosphere.

Avoiding eye contact with the receptionist, Alex moved into an elevator with a small crowd, pressed 12 then shifted to a corner. People moved in and out of the elevator, some casting curious glances her way, but most unsurprised to see someone they didn't recognise. This was a massive building with hundreds of employees working in the many different companies under Lupus Corp. Hospitality, Health, Technology, the global corporation had its fingers in some major pies and Gabriel Moncrief was the head of it all.

"There you are!" Bertie appeared on the other side of the elevator doors, his black cross earrings dangling with excitement.

The two men beside her bowed respectfully at the sight of the red-haired scientist who was far too busy rubbing his hands in glee to notice. "Come, come, quickly. Follow me!"

Alex walked around the werewolves, using her umbrella to avoid contact as she followed Bertie's fluttering lab coat to a familiar room.

"This place, really?" She frowned at the sight of the chair where she had been forcibly injected only days ago.

"I know, I know, I figured you might not love it," Bertie apologised, moving to the counter where there were several test tubes of varying colour. "But this is the only room where my staff will not disturb me with inane questions." He flashed her a grin, "they're not allowed in here."

"I see," Alex propped her umbrella beside the door. "I guess you want me in the chair?"

"Yes, please!" Bertie gave her a thumbs up, then returned to preparing his test tubes. "You know I'm surprised you agreed so readily to this."

"Why? Its just a little blood, and you made it sound like it would be of help to your people," Alex sat, then pulled her legs to her chest and leaned back, trying to relax.

"Your people?" Bertie looked over his shoulder, his eyes full of curiosity, "Are you really not thinking of completing the Turn?"

The image of a wolf, snarling as it sank its' teeth into her leg, flashed through her mind. "No."

Bertie turned back to his tubes, sighing. "I hope for the Alpha's sake, that you change your mind."

"Why?" She watched him intently now, deciding to ask the question she had been avoiding for some time. "Can't humans and werewolves be... together?"

"Casually? Sure!" The scientist dragged a rolling chair and a tray full of tubes to sit beside her. "But Humans are not allowed to know of our existence so for a werewolf, living together with a Human just means hiding what you are. Plus our species physiology doesn't allow for procreation with Humans, so long term relationships don't pan out well, especially for royals who are obligated to have children."

So Gabriel was obligated to have children and it couldn't be with her. That was not something that Alex should care about, after all, she had always assumed they would part ways soon. But somehow, assuming they wouldn't last and knowing they couldn't was different. There was an uncomfortably tight feeling in her chest.

"Course if you just completed the turn, you wouldn't have to worry about any of that. There would be no more avoiding touching people, no more pain and you'd be free to be with our Alpha -"

"Save your breath, Bertie." Alex cut him off.

"Oh, fine! I was just saying because I want the Alpha to be happy..." the scientist mumbled.

Happy? Alex thought of the women that were continuously circling Gabriel. If the ridiculously beautiful Marianne and Katya weren't enough, there were females eyeing him everywhere he went... all he needed to do was nod and he could replace Alex in an instant. He'd be plenty happy without her.

"I guess you've known Gabriel for a while?" She pulled up her sweater sleeve when Bertie reached for a rubber tourniquet band and turned towards her arm.

"I've known of him for as long as I can remember. The Moncrief's are royalty among us werewolves, you know?" Bertie smiled, then seeing her raised brows he rolled his eyes. "Fine, you don't know. Anyway, my family flew over from London for Gabriel's inauguration as Alpha. My mom belonged to the Moncrief pack before she married my dad, so she wanted to be here. The whole thing was done in grand scale; think British royal wedding but only werewolves allowed. The after party was insane and Gabriel was awesome."

Alex laughed at the fan-boy look in Bertie's eye while he looped the tourniquet around her arm and pulled carefully so as not to touch her. "You seem to think highly of him."

"Everyone thinks highly of Gabriel, even his enemies. Which, by the way, is due to the fact that he's one of the most capable alpha's to have lived. Brains, vision, power and charisma don't often come as a package deal and it's even rarer to find someone with those qualities who genuinely cares for his people. Plus, did I mention general awesomeness?" Bertie grinned, holding a butterfly needle to the inside of her elbow, "Alright, just take a deep breath." The small prick was barely worth noticing, and soon the first tube was filling with blood.

"It didn't hurt, did it?" He asked, switching the tube once it filled half-way. "I mean, me touching you. I was careful not to eat anything that gives me gas before you came."

"That's very considerate," Alex snorted, analysing the pain she had drawn from him: "Stiff neck, sore wrist and what's wrong with your left toe?"

"Ah man, seriously? I stubbed it yesterday while getting out of bed." Bertie apologetic look was so comical she laughed.

"Just go on with your story."

"Ah, right," Bertie switched tubes once again. "So after I heard Gabriel talk about his plans to expand research on werewolf medication, a totally visionary move, I put together some of my ideas and sent his assistant an email. I didn't think he'd get back to me really, but exactly three weeks later I received a check big enough to cover tuition and living costs through a doctorate degree and a note : ."

Curt and to the point, that definitely sounded like Gabriel. "Was he already in Lupus Corp then?"

"Nope," Bertie changed to the last test tube, then looked up at her with a smile in his eyes. "He was running his family business, but he planned to be the CEO of Lupus."

And Gabriel's plans always work out. Alex could almost hear the unsaid words and wondered what that meant for her. Did he have any plans for her?

"Alright, we're done!" Bertie smiled. He took the needle out and pushed a piece of cotton on the tiny prick mark. "Just press it down for a moment."

Alex did as she was told, then after rummaging around in a drawer, the scientist bent his red spikes over her arm one last time and placed a small superhero plaster over her skin.

"Spiderman, really?" Alex asked.

"What?" He shrugged, "he's good at science, has an awesome theme tune and wears a lot of red, what's not to love?"

"Bertie, you are a very odd man."

Placing the tubes full of her blood into what looked like a microwave, Bertie laughed. "That's funny coming from the only half-turned human-werwolf in existence."

"Professor?" The urgent knocking on the door had them both turning their heads. "Professor, code blue!"

"Bollocks," Bertie ran a hand over his face, then looked at her. "I believe we've been caught."

"What do you mean?" Alex reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone: the screen was blank! Had she forgotten to charge the blasted thing? "But, Gabriel is out of town."

"My meeting was cancelled."

Alex lifted her head, her eyes taking in a pair of designer jeans and broad shoulders in a cashmere before reaching Gabriel's angry blue eyes. Bollocks.

"Hi boss, what a pleasant surprise," Bertie gave his best innocent smile as he moved himself further from the door.

The cuteness had zero effect on Gabriel, "I'll deal with you later, professor." Then he was pointing straight at her, the light glinting off his diamond wolf-head cufflinks as he crooked his finger, "You, follow me."