Chapter 25
“You’re late. Was there a problem?”
Ryder was already shaking his head in quick denial before our boss had even come into view around the corner of the narrow hallway. As with the exterior, the inside of this secret building was industrial beige, as if Dakota’s iciness had sucked all color out of the surroundings. Her words—and then her presence—pulled the aggression out of her second-in-command more efficiently yet.
“No problem, alpha,” Ryder answered, gruff voice lowering yet further as we paced together across cool white tiles. “Ember is here as ordered. Ready and willing to work.” He finished his words with head bowed, speaking to the ground beneath our feet rather than to the female in front of our eyes.
But, for Dakota, total submission wasn’t good enough. “Late means
