1

Lilith’s POV
“If you’re serious about advancing in life, you’ll do this, Lilith,” Sylas, my boss, said with the same predatory look he always gave me-like I was his last meal.
I rolled my eyes and scowled. If I had a dime for every time I’d heard that manipulative line, I wouldn’t need to be here enduring his nonsense. It was just another way for him to get what he wanted-another task no one else would touch. For three long years, Sylas had been trying to lure me into his orbit, his saggy, aging body a stark contrast to the delusion of power he thought he wielded. No other female in the office was treated this way-just me.
But I wasn’t, nor would I ever be, his side chick. He must have missed that memo. Honestly, it’s a miracle I haven’t killed him yet.
“Take your interview and shove it up your ass where it belongs. That’s the only action you’re getting from me,” I snapped, throwing the file at him with enough force to make my point clear.
I couldn’t care less about football. It was barbaric, and once college was over, no one gave a damn about it. The professional league didn’t even allow shifters-too much potential for chaos. Imagine grannies in the stands, puking up their overpriced hot dogs as heads went flying across the field. Yeah, no thanks.
“Lilith, get your sweet little tail over to the frat house and interview those players,” Sylas ordered, raising a brow like he was giving me the privilege of a lifetime. “They’re future Alphas-every she-wolf’s wet dream. The papers would sell out overnight. Can’t believe we haven’t covered them yet.”
I scoffed. Everyone knew the infamous Ashford brothers didn’t do interviews.
“You kiss your mate with that mouth?” I shot back, kicking his foot off his desk. “Douchebag.”
Sylas smirked, knowing he had me cornered. I needed his recommendation, and he damn well knew it. Good she-wolves were expected to be obedient, to finish school and settle into domestic bliss if they hadn’t found their mate. Not me. I wanted a career, my own money, my independence.
The Full Moon Times, the largest shifter newspaper, was losing its junior editor to retirement next year. That position had my name on it. I could almost taste it. All I needed was a foot in the door-an internship, anything to prove myself. I had the talent, the tenacity, and the instincts no one else could match. I always got the story.
But football players? Really? It was the journalistic equivalent of watching paint dry. Here’s your headline:
*”Aspiring Reporter Dies of Boredom. Public Mistakes It for Performance Art.”*
“Look, sugar,” Sylas said, leaning back with that greasy grin I despised. “You do this for me, and I’ll let you write your own damn recommendation letter. Say whatever the hell you want, and I’ll sign it. Deal?”
His hand was outstretched, sweaty and reeking of stale pizza and cigarettes. I hated this office. The futon in the corner confirmed what everyone suspected-his mate had thrown him out, likely because he was screwing the nanny. Disgusting.
I grabbed a tissue, wrapped it around my hand, and shook his. As I pulled away, he yanked me into his lap. My hand pressed against his chest as I tried to steady myself.
“I’ve got a list of questions I want answered,” he said, his breath hot and foul. “Don’t let me down, Lilith.”
“Brush your damn teeth,” I hissed, scrambling to my feet.
As I stood, my lap brushed against his crotch, and the evidence of his excitement made my stomach churn. The urge to stomp him into oblivion surged through me, but the thought of touching him again-even with my shoe-was unbearable.
*KNOCK KNOCK.*
“Sylas, I have those advertisements for your approval,” Sonia, his secretary, announced, walking in and catching me mid-escape from his lap.
Perfect. Just perfect.
“This isn’t what it looks like,” I snapped, grabbing the file from his desk. “If he was on fire, I wouldn’t waste the spit to put him out. And for the love of the goddess, get an air freshener in here.”
Sylas’s obnoxious laughter followed me into the hallway. “Love you too, Lilith!”
I took a deep breath, desperate for the stench of him to dissipate. But it clung to me like a curse. The first thing I did when I got home was rip off my dress and toss it straight into the trash. It wasn’t cheap, and I liked it a lot, but it was irreparably contaminated. Sylas-level contaminated.
—
**Later that Night**
When the campus nightlife was in full swing, I prepared myself for the mission ahead. I pulled half of my hair up, letting loose blonde curls cascade down my back. It was a warm night, and I took full advantage, slipping into a dress that my conservative mother would describe as “a jezebel’s attempt at modesty.” High heels completed the look.
My mother still clung to the outdated belief that good she-wolves waited patiently for their mate. According to her, only the virtuous were blessed with one. Whatever.
Maybe that’s why my first sexual experience was a threesome-equal parts curiosity and rebellion. Long story short, neither gender had won me over completely.
Four years after my first shift and still no mate. Most shifters found theirs around seventeen. Maybe I was forgotten. Maybe I was destined to be alone. And maybe I didn’t care. I didn’t need a mate to enjoy myself-or my life.
I grabbed the file from my bag and glanced at the names. Only one photo. They were brothers. How different could they be? Shoving the file back into my bag, I cut across campus, feeling nostalgic. One more week of classes, then finals. Three years of calling this place home, and soon, it would all be over.
The Ashford brothers lived in a lavish green house that screamed wealth. Their parents probably hired an entire staff to maintain it. Must be nice.
Inside, the air was charged with music and the buzz of conversation. I made my way to the keg, snagging a beer without paying. The guys guarding it didn’t even ask-they were too busy staring at my cleavage.
Oh, I still had it-like some clueless freshman ever stood a chance with this fine piece of tail.
“Have you seen Caden around?” I asked, watching the guy’s smug grin dissolve in an instant.
I didn’t bother with a last name. Everyone knew Caden. Whether they loved him, hated him, or wished they were him, the guy was infamous. I’d heard plenty of rumors about the Ashford brothers, but I’d somehow managed to avoid crossing paths with them until now. Honestly, it was a small miracle. Their reputation as arrogant, self-absorbed jerks preceded them, and I couldn’t stand jocks.
The guy lounging on the couch stood, leaning in way too close as his hands gripped my hips.
“I’m right here. You don’t need anyone else,” he said, tilting his head as if he was irresistible.
“Desperation isn’t flattering,” I shot back, my tone icy as I gave him a look that could peel paint.
Before he could blink, I twisted his hand up behind his back, a move my cop ex had drilled into me during our relationship.
“He’s probably out back!” he squeaked, wincing as I let him go.
“The pleasure was all yours,” I quipped, downing the rest of my beer and shoving the empty cup at him.
The grass was still damp from last night’s rain, and my heels sank into the soft earth with every step. Fantastic. This, right here, was why I didn’t bother with frat parties. Just a bunch of jersey-chasing girls and overinflated egos.
*”Reporter falls into a sinkhole; party continues unbothered.”*
I scanned the crowd and spotted a guy who screamed “pompous asshole.” He had the vibe down perfectly: the smug smile, the crowd of sycophants, and a horde of girls who looked ready to throw themselves at him. If ego-fluffing was a sport, they’d all be gold medalists. Future Alpha, indeed.
When he finally turned toward me, I knew I’d found Caden. His broad shoulders and muscular build fit the image, but I wondered how he’d fare in a real fight. Probably more concerned about breaking a nail than breaking a sweat.
Patience wasn’t my strong suit, so I waited only a minute before cutting through the crowd and walking straight up to him. Confidence was my armor-it always threw men off, and occasionally, women too.
“Hey, Caden,” I said casually, as though we were old friends.
Before he could respond, one of his lackeys stepped between us, his arm outstretched like a barrier.
“Whoa, you can’t just walk up to Caden and talk to him,” the guy said.
Our eyes locked, and that’s when it hit me. The scent. Smoky, like a roaring campfire with undertones of charred wood. It was intoxicating, primal. My wolf surged forward, howling for recognition. My body reacted instantly, betraying me in the worst way.
*Mate. Mate!* My wolf, Rose, was practically howling. *It’s finally happening! We’re going to be marked!*
I couldn’t break his gaze. I wouldn’t. Mate or not, he wouldn’t know the effect he had on me. But he wasn’t reacting. Why wasn’t he reacting?
“Why are you staring at him like that? Trying to get child support or something? You look like he owes you money,” the lackey sneered.
Finally tearing my eyes away, I smirked at him. “Do I *look* pregnant, asshole?”
“Do you wanna be?” Caden’s voice cut through the tension, drawing my focus back to him.
The words hit me like a sucker punch. His tone was calm and cool, but there was something else-an edge that made my wolf nearly roll over in submission.
*YES, WE DO!* Rose practically purred.
I swallowed hard, forcing my composure to hold. My career was on the line here. Three years of hard work at the school paper, and I wasn’t about to throw it all away-not even for a mate who set my entire body ablaze.
“Unfortunately for you, no. But I do need to speak with you. Privately,” I said, keeping my voice steady.
It was a bold move, asking a favor while turning him down. A future Alpha, no less. Yeah, this would go over great.
Before he could respond, another voice sliced through the air.
“You can speak to me.”
The commanding tone froze me in place. I turned halfway, my breath hitching. My gaze landed on another male, identical to Caden in every way.
*Oh. Ohhh. Ohhhhhh!* Rose was losing her mind.
My jaw slackened as I struggled to process what I was seeing. Twins. Identical, impossibly perfect twins. Their broad shoulders and striking features were almost too much to handle.
“Allow me to introduce myself. Caleb Ashford,” the second twin said, flashing a grin that could have powered the entire campus. “I see you’ve already met my brother.”
My throat dried as I tried to respond. “Yes, I… need to *speak* to you both alone,” I stammered.
The words tumbled out awkwardly, and I immediately cringed.
“I’m pretty sure you had it right the first time, *mate*,” Caleb said smoothly, stepping closer. His lips curved into a knowing smile, and I felt the full weight of the word-*mate.*