THE WEREWOLF BILLIONAIRE WICKED STRANGER

Serena James was not supposed to be on the third floor.

Her room was on the first floor, Room 30-the cheapest room in Crestwood Royal Manor. It had a flickering ceiling light, a narrow bed, and a window that looked directly onto the parking lot.

But after the day she'd had, Serena barely cared where she was.

Her head was spinning, partly from the wine and partly from the shock she still hadn't been able to process.

Mark was gone.

Her fiancé of three years had emptied their joint account, taken most of his belongings, and left her with one final piece of information that had hurt more than anything else.

He had chosen her cousin.

Serena tightened her grip on the handle of her suitcase and squinted at the number on the door in front of her.

"Room 30," she muttered.

The hallway seemed unusually quiet. The carpet was thick beneath her shoes, and the dim golden lights made everything look slightly blurred.

She lifted her key card and pressed it against the lock.

Beep.

The light turned green.

Serena frowned.

"That was easy."

Her room downstairs had required three attempts every time she used the key.

She pushed the door open.

Then she stopped.

Something was wrong.

Very wrong.

Room 30 was small and plain. This room was enormous.

Floor-to-ceiling windows stretched across the far wall, offering a breathtaking view of at night. A large bed stood in the center, surrounded by expensive furniture. A marble floor reflected the soft lights from the ceiling, and a private bar occupied one corner of the room.

Serena stared.

"This isn't my room."

She looked back at the door. 300

Not 30.

"Oh, no."

She turned to leave.

Then she noticed the man standing near the windows.

He was on the phone.

Serena froze.

He wore only a pair of black trousers, leaving his broad shoulders and muscular chest exposed. His dark hair was slightly disheveled, as though he'd been running his hands through it.

He didn't seem to notice her at first.

"No," he said into the phone. His voice was deep and controlled. "Move the meeting to tomorrow."

A pause.

"I don't care what the Pack Elders think. If they want to speak to me, they can wait."

Serena's eyes widened.

Pack Elders?

What kind of company had she accidentally walked into?

The man turned slightly.

"And make sure the documents are delivered before-"

His gaze landed on her.

He stopped speaking.

Serena stopped breathing.

For several seconds, neither of them moved.

Then her suitcase slipped from her hand and landed on the floor.

The sound finally broke the silence.

The man's expression hardened.

"Who are you?"

Serena swallowed.

"I'm sorry."

"That's not an answer."

"I think I've made a mistake."

He slowly lowered the phone from his ear.

"You think?"

Serena pointed weakly toward the door.

"I was looking for Room 30."

His eyes narrowed.

"You're in Room 300."

"I noticed that."

He stared at her.

Serena forced herself to keep talking.

"The numbers looked similar, and I'm a little... distracted tonight."

"A little?"

She frowned.

"Do you always interrogate strangers who walk into your room by accident?"

"No."

His answer came immediately.

"Only the ones who somehow manage to get into a room nobody is supposed to enter."

Serena looked at the key card in her hand.

"I don't understand. The door opened."

"So I noticed."

He ended the call and slipped his phone into his pocket.

Serena took a step backward.

"I'm leaving."

She bent to grab her suitcase.

Before she could lift it, he was standing in front of her.

She hadn't heard him move.

Serena looked up.

He was much taller than she'd realized.

"Wait."

"I really need to go."

"You do."

His gaze moved over her face.

"You've been crying."

Serena stiffened.

"That isn't your business."

"No."

His voice softened slightly.

"But you're standing in my room at midnight with a suitcase, red eyes, and a key card that shouldn't have opened this door. I'd like to know why."

She looked away.

"It's been a bad day."

"That much is obvious."

Something about his calmness irritated her.

Maybe it was because she had spent the entire evening trying not to cry, and now a complete stranger had noticed in less than a minute.

"My fiancé left me," she said.

The man's expression changed.

Serena continued before she could stop herself.

"He took the money from our joint account and left me for my cousin."

Silence filled the room.

The man's jaw tightened.

"Your cousin?"

"Yes."

"That was his choice?"

Serena gave a humorless laugh.

"Apparently."

"And he left you with nothing?"

"Pretty much."

The stranger looked at her suitcase.

"You came here alone?"

"Yes."

"Why this hotel?"

"Because they didn't require a credit card deposit."

His eyes narrowed.

"You paid cash?"

"Is there a problem with that?"

"No."

He studied her for another moment.

"What's your name?"

Serena hesitated.

"Why?"

"Because I asked."

She almost laughed.

"That's not a good enough reason."

For the first time, something resembling amusement touched his face.

"Fair enough."

He stepped back.

"My name is Brandon."

"Just Brandon?"

"Brandon Crestwood."

Serena stared at him.

Her eyes moved toward the name printed on the hotel brochure sitting on the table.

Crestwood Royal Manor.

Then back to him.

"You own this place."

"One of several properties."

Of course.

She closed her eyes briefly.

"Great."

"What?"

"Nothing."

"You're disappointed?"

"I'm embarrassed."

"Why?"

"Because I accidentally walked into the owner's penthouse."

"You didn't just walk in."

He looked at the key card.

"You were given access."

"I didn't ask for it."

"I know."

Something about the way he said it made Serena look at him again.

His eyes were unusual.

Amber.

Not brown. Not hazel.

Amber.

For one strange second, she thought she saw something flicker inside them.

Gold.

She blinked.

The color was normal again.

"You should go back downstairs," Brandon said.

"I was planning to."

He stepped aside.

Serena reached for her suitcase.

Then Brandon suddenly inhaled.

His expression changed.

He stared at her as though he'd just noticed something he hadn't seen before.

"What?"

He didn't answer.

Instead, he took one slow step toward her.

Serena's fingers tightened around the suitcase handle.

"What is it?"

"You smell different."

She frowned.

"Different from what?"

He seemed to struggle with the question.

"Rain."

"What?"

"You smell like rain."

Serena stared at him.

"I think the wine is affecting you too."

He ignored the comment.

"Have we met before?"

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"Very sure."

His gaze remained fixed on her.

Then he whispered, almost to himself, "That's impossible."

Serena became uncomfortable.

"Look, Brandon, I don't know what you're talking about. I just want to go back to my room."

He nodded slowly.

"You should."

She picked up her suitcase.

Then he caught her wrist.

Serena looked down at his hand.

"Let go."

He immediately released her.

"Sorry."

His expression had changed again.

He looked genuinely surprised by his own action.

Serena rubbed her wrist.

"What is going on with you?"

"I don't know."

At least he sounded honest.

She took another step toward the door.

Then he said, "Wait."

She turned.

"Why?"

"I need to ask you something."

"What?"

His gaze moved to her face.

"Do you feel anything strange?"

Serena almost laughed.

"Besides the humiliation of being dumped, losing my money, getting drunk, and walking into a billionaire's bedroom? No."

Brandon's lips twitched.

"Billionaire?"

"You own this hotel."

"That doesn't make me a billionaire."

Serena looked at him.

"Are you seriously going to argue about that?"

"No."

He almost smiled.

For a moment, the tension between them eased.

Then a low sound came from somewhere deep inside him.

A growl.

Serena's smile disappeared.

She stared at him.

"Did you just... growl?"

Brandon's expression became serious.

"No."

"You definitely did."

"You should leave."

"I agree."

She turned toward the door again.

A sharp pain suddenly shot through her foot.

Serena gasped.

The glass on the floor.

She had forgotten about it.

A thin piece had cut her ankle.

Blood began to trickle down her skin.

Brandon's entire body went still.

His eyes dropped to the wound.

Then he moved.

Too fast.

One moment he was several feet away. The next, he was kneeling in front of her.

Serena stared down at him.

"How did you-"

He grabbed her ankle carefully.

"Don't move."

His voice had changed.

It was deeper.

Rougher.

"Brandon?"

He wasn't listening.

His eyes were fixed on the blood.

The amber had disappeared.

Gold filled his irises.

Serena's heart began pounding.

"What is wrong with your eyes?"

He looked up.

For the first time, she saw something in his expression that frightened her.

Not anger.

Fear.

"Who hurt you?"

She blinked.

"The glass."

"Not that."

His fingers tightened slightly around her ankle.

"Who broke your heart?"

Serena's throat tightened.

"What?"

"Your fiancé."

She stared at him.

"How do you know?"

"I can smell it."

She pulled her foot away.

"That doesn't make any sense."

"No," he said quietly. "It doesn't."

He stood.

Before Serena could react, he slipped one arm beneath her knees and the other around her back.

She gasped.

"What are you doing?"

"Your foot is bleeding."

"I can walk."

"I know."

"Then put me down."

"No."

Serena pushed against his chest.

"Brandon!"

He carried her toward the bed as though she weighed nothing.

"This is kidnapping."

"No."

"Then what is it?"

"An argument you'll lose."

Despite herself, Serena stared at him.

"You're unbelievable."

"I've been called worse."

He lowered her onto the edge of the bed.

Serena immediately pulled her injured foot onto the mattress.

Brandon crouched in front of her.

His expression had become almost frighteningly serious.

"You need to be careful."

"I'm beginning to think you're the one I should be careful around."

His eyes met hers.

"You're right."

The answer surprised her.

Before she could respond, a knock sounded at the door.

Brandon's head snapped toward it.

Serena looked at him.

"Are you expecting someone?"

"No."

Another knock.

Then a man's voice came from outside.

"Mr. Crestwood?"

Brandon's expression hardened.

"Stay here."

Serena stared at him.

"Why?"

He looked toward the door.

"Because whoever is outside shouldn't know you're here."

A chill moved through her.

"What does that mean?"

Brandon didn't answer.

He walked toward the door.

Then he stopped.

He looked back at her.

For a moment, the strange gold returned to his eyes.

"Serena."

"Yes?"

"Whatever happens next, don't open that door."

She nodded slowly.

Brandon reached the door.

The knocking came again, harder this time.

And somewhere beyond the penthouse walls, thunder rolled across the night sky.

Serena stared at Brandon's back.

She had come to Crestwood Royal Manor to escape one betrayal.

She had no idea she had just walked into something far more dangerous.

Because the man standing between her and that door was not simply the owner of the hotel.

And whatever was waiting outside had not come for him alone.

It had come because of her.

Serena woke up alone.

For several seconds, she simply stared at the ceiling, trying to remember where she was.

Then the memories came rushing back.

The room.

The stranger.

The kiss.

She turned her head.

The other side of the massive bed was empty, but the sheets were still warm. Whoever had been there had not left long ago.

Serena slowly pushed herself upright.

A faint scent lingered around her-cedar, rain, and something she couldn't quite describe. Something wild.

Her eyes moved around the room.

Her green dress was lying neatly over the chair.

Neatly folded.

She frowned.

She had certainly not left it that way.

Her gaze dropped to the pillow beside her.

A black card sat there.

Serena picked it up.

There was no name on it. Only a gold wolf's head embossed in one corner and a number written beneath it in sharp handwriting.

She stared at the card.

"What the hell?"

Her stomach tightened.

Was that supposed to be payment?

Her cheeks burned.

She remembered almost everything now, except the parts her mind refused to put together clearly.

His eyes.

Amber.

She had never seen eyes like that before.

His voice came back to her.

"You opened the wrong door, little stranger."

Serena swallowed.

She remembered his hands through the fabric of her dress, the strange heat of his body, the roughness in his voice.

Then everything became a blur.

She didn't want to think about it anymore.

She grabbed her dress and hurried into it.

Within minutes, she was out of the room.

She kept her head down as she walked through the hotel.

The receptionist avoided looking at her.

A couple near the elevator glanced in her direction.

Serena pretended not to notice.

She walked faster.

By the time she pushed through the glass doors of Crestwood Grand Hotel, she was practically running.

Outside, the morning air hit her face.

She stopped on the sidewalk and took a deep breath.

It had been a mistake.

That was all.

She had been exhausted after working a double shift at the diner. At the front desk, the boy had given her a key with a number that looked like 30.

She had thought it was her room.

Instead, she had opened Room 300.

And walked straight into a stranger's life.

Serena shook her head.

"Never again."

She walked away without looking back.

She didn't know his name.

She didn't want to know it.

And she certainly didn't expect to ever see him again.

She was wrong.

---

Three weeks later, Serena was on her knees beside the toilet in their tiny Queens apartment.

She had barely managed to reach the bathroom before vomiting again.

Her whole body shook.

Her curly hair stuck to her forehead, damp with sweat.

Another wave of nausea hit her.

She closed her eyes and waited for it to pass.

A knock sounded on the door.

"Serena?"

Maya's voice.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"You've been in there forever."

"I'm coming out."

Maya sighed from the other side.

"Girl, you've been sick every morning this week. That's not normal."

Serena flushed the toilet.

"It's probably stress."

"Stress doesn't have you running to the bathroom at seven every morning."

Serena didn't answer.

She heard Maya's footsteps disappear down the hallway.

Slowly, Serena lifted her head.

Her reflection stared back at her from the cracked mirror.

She looked exhausted.

Dark circles surrounded her eyes. Her lips were pale, and her skin looked almost gray.

Without thinking, she placed a hand over her stomach.

Something inside her felt different.

She had felt it for days.

She had tried to ignore it.

Yesterday, she had bought a pregnancy test.

She had been too afraid to use it.

Now she couldn't avoid it anymore.

Serena reached for the small box beside the sink.

Her hands trembled as she opened it.

A few minutes later, she stood frozen.

Two lines.

She stared at them.

Then she looked again.

"No."

Her voice was barely audible.

She picked up the test.

Two lines.

There was no mistake.

Serena slowly sank onto the bathroom floor.

"Please..."

Her eyes filled with tears.

She was pregnant.

She had only been with one man in the past year.

One man.

One night.

One terrible mistake.

She pressed both hands over her face.

She was twenty-four years old, working two jobs just to help pay her mother's hospital bills. She barely had enough money for herself.

How was she supposed to raise a baby?

How was she supposed to tell her mother?

And the worst part was that she didn't even know the father's name.

Serena let out a shaky breath.

Then her phone buzzed.

She looked toward the sink.

Unknown number.

She ignored it.

The phone buzzed again.

She stared at it.

Again.

And again.

"Who keeps calling me?"

On the fourth attempt, she snatched up the phone.

"Hello?"

Silence.

Serena frowned.

"Hello?"

Then she heard it.

That voice.

Deep.

Familiar.

The voice that had appeared in her dreams more times than she wanted to admit.

"You left without saying goodbye, little stranger."

Serena froze.

Every bit of color drained from her face.

Her fingers tightened around the phone.

"How did you get my number?"

A quiet laugh came through the speaker.

"I own the hotel."

She didn't speak.

"I also own the building where you work."

Her heart began pounding.

"And half the businesses around it."

Serena stood slowly.

"Who are you?"

"You already know who I am."

"I don't know your name."

A pause.

"Brandon."

She swallowed.

"Brandon what?"

"Crestwood."

Her eyes widened.

Crestwood.

The hotel.

She remembered the sign outside.

Crestwood Grand Hotel.

"Listen," she said quickly. "Whatever you want, I don't have it. I don't want your money, either."

"I didn't call about money."

"Then why are you calling me?"

"Because you disappeared."

"It was one night."

"It wasn't just one night."

Serena closed her eyes.

"Look, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have gone into that room. I made a mistake. It won't happen again."

His voice became quieter.

"It wasn't a mistake."

Something about the way he said it made her skin prickle.

"What are you talking about?"

"I've been looking for you."

Serena's grip tightened around the phone.

"Why?"

"Because I couldn't forget you."

She didn't know what to say.

Then his voice changed.

Lower.

More intense.

"And because my wolf hasn't stopped looking for you."

Serena frowned.

"Your what?"

"My wolf."

She pulled the phone away from her ear for a second and stared at it.

Was this man serious?

"Okay," she said slowly. "I think I understand now. You're crazy."

He laughed softly.

"You'll understand soon enough."

"I don't want to understand anything. I want you to leave me alone."

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"Because you're carrying my child."

Serena stopped breathing.

The room seemed to go completely still.

"What?"

"I can smell it."

Her hand instinctively moved to her stomach.

"You're lying."

"Three weeks and two days."

Her eyes widened.

"What did you say?"

"That's how long it's been since you walked into my room."

Serena's heart pounded.

"You've been tracking me?"

"I don't need to track you."

"Then how do you know?"

"Your scent changed."

She stared at the bathroom door.

None of this made sense.

"I've been sick," she whispered.

"I know."

Her stomach dropped.

"I've been vomiting every morning."

"I know."

Serena's voice shook.

"How?"

A silence followed.

Then Brandon said quietly, "Because you're carrying my pup."

She backed away from the sink.

"No."

"Serena-"

"No. Don't call me like you know me."

"I know enough."

"You don't know anything about me."

"I know you're scared."

She swallowed hard.

"I am not yours."

His answer came immediately.

"No."

Serena frowned.

"No?"

"You're not mine because I said so."

For the first time, his voice softened.

"You're mine because my wolf chose you."

She almost laughed from disbelief.

"That doesn't even make sense."

"It will."

"I'm not going anywhere with you."

"I didn't ask you to come."

"Then what do you want?"

"I'm coming to you."

Serena's heart stopped.

"Don't."

"I'll be there soon."

"Brandon, stay away from me."

"No."

The word was calm.

Certain.

Serena's eyes filled with tears.

"I don't even know you."

"You will."

He paused.

Then his voice softened.

"My name is Brandon Crestwood."

Serena said nothing.

"And you," he continued, "are the woman my wolf has been waiting for."

The call ended.

Serena stared at the screen.

Her heart was pounding so hard she could hear it.

She slowly lowered the phone.

"Luna?"

The word sounded ridiculous.

Wolf.

Pup.

Luna.

The man was insane.

He had money, power, and apparently no understanding of boundaries.

Serena placed a trembling hand over her stomach.

"I don't care what he thinks."

She looked down.

"This baby is mine."

A strange warmth moved through her chest.

She quickly pushed the feeling away.

Then something outside caught her attention.

A car had stopped in front of the apartment building.

Black.

Expensive.

Its windows were dark enough that she couldn't see inside.

Serena moved toward the window.

A man stepped out.

He wore a black suit and sunglasses.

He stood beside the car for a moment.

Then he looked up.

Straight at her window.

Serena's breath caught.

She ducked below the window.

Her heart slammed against her ribs.

"No."

She slowly raised her head again.

The man was still standing there.

Watching.

Serena backed away from the window.

He had found her.

And somehow, she knew this was only the beginning.

Serena stayed away from the window.

She stood with her back against the wall, listening to the apartment around her.

Nothing.

No footsteps.

No knock.

Just the low hum of the refrigerator and the distant noise of traffic outside.

Her phone was still in her hand.

Brandon Crestwood.

She had a name now.

Somehow, knowing it made the situation worse.

Serena glanced toward Maya's bedroom.

"Maya?"

No answer.

She stepped into the hallway.

"Maya?"

"I'm here."

Maya appeared from the kitchen carrying a mug.

She stopped when she saw Serena's face.

"Girl, what's wrong?"

Serena looked toward the front door.

"There's someone downstairs."

Maya raised an eyebrow.

"Someone?"

"A man."

"Okay..."

"He was looking directly at my window."

Maya lowered the mug.

"Do you know him?"

Serena hesitated.

"Not exactly."

"Serena."

"I met him three weeks ago."

Maya stared at her.

"Wait. What?"

Serena swallowed.

"He's the man from the hotel."

The color disappeared from Maya's face.

"You mean the wrong-room guy?"

"Yes."

"Why is he here?"

"I don't know."

Maya put the mug on the table.

"Did you give him this address?"

"No."

"Your phone number?"

"No."

"Then how did he find you?"

Serena didn't answer.

Because she knew.

He had already told her.

He owned the hotel.

He owned the building where she worked.

Apparently, finding her had been easy.

Maya walked toward the window.

Serena grabbed her arm.

"Don't."

Maya looked at her.

"Why?"

"Just don't go near it."

"Serena, you're scaring me."

"I'm scared too."

That silenced Maya.

For a moment, neither woman spoke.

Then came three knocks.

Both of them froze.

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

Maya whispered, "Is that him?"

Serena's heart began racing.

"I don't know."

Another knock.

This time harder.

Maya moved toward the door.

Serena caught her wrist.

"Don't open it."

"Maybe it's the landlord."

"At this hour?"

Maya looked at the clock.

"It's barely noon."

Serena shook her head.

"The man downstairs came here for me."

"Then we need to find out what he wants."

"We already know what he wants."

Maya's eyes narrowed.

"What?"

Serena looked down at her stomach.

Maya followed her gaze.

Her mouth slowly opened.

"No."

Serena nodded.

"Yes."

"You mean..."

"I'm pregnant."

Maya stared at her.

For several seconds, she said nothing.

Then she whispered, "The hotel guy?"

Serena nodded again.

Maya covered her mouth.

"Oh, my God."

Another knock came from the other side of the door.

This time, a man's voice followed.

"Serena James."

Her blood ran cold.

Maya looked at her.

"That's him."

Serena didn't move.

The man's voice came again.

"Open the door."

Maya whispered, "What are we going to do?"

Serena forced herself to breathe.

She had to think.

She couldn't let fear make the decision for her.

She walked slowly toward the door but stopped several feet away.

"Go away."

There was silence.

Then Brandon answered.

"I need to speak with you."

"You can speak from there."

Maya gave Serena a nervous look.

Brandon remained silent for a moment.

Then he said, "You've been crying."

Serena's stomach tightened.

"How would you know that?"

"I can hear it in your voice."

She stared at the door.

"You don't know anything about me."

"I know you're frightened."

"You're the reason I'm frightened."

"I know."

The calmness in his voice irritated her.

"You can't just show up at my apartment."

"I can."

"That doesn't make it right."

"No."

His answer surprised her.

Serena frowned.

Brandon continued.

"But I came because I need to protect you."

"I don't need your protection."

"You do."

"According to who?"

"My wolf."

Serena closed her eyes.

"Please stop saying that."

"Why?"

"Because it sounds insane."

A quiet laugh came through the door.

"You're going to hear it a lot."

She stepped back.

"I am not going anywhere with you."

"I didn't ask you to."

"Then leave."

"I will."

Serena blinked.

"What?"

"I'll leave when I know you're safe."

She glanced at Maya.

Maya mouthed, Don't open it.

Serena nodded.

Brandon spoke again.

"There's something you need to know."

"What?"

"You're not the only one who has been looking for you."

Serena's expression changed.

"What does that mean?"

"It means someone else knows about the baby."

Her hand went instinctively to her stomach.

"Who?"

Brandon didn't answer immediately.

Then he said, "That's why I'm here."

Serena felt a chill run down her spine.

"How do you know someone else knows?"

"Because I found them watching your workplace yesterday."

Maya stepped closer.

"Serena..."

Serena raised a finger, telling her to stay quiet.

"Who were they?"

"I don't know yet."

"Then how do you expect me to trust you?"

"I don't."

She frowned.

"You don't?"

"No. Trust isn't something I can demand from you."

His voice softened.

"But I can give you a reason to make your own decision."

Serena stared at the door.

For the first time since he arrived, she felt uncertain.

Maybe he wasn't lying.

Or maybe he was simply better at lying than anyone she had ever met.

She looked at Maya.

"What should I do?"

Maya shook her head.

"I don't know."

A sudden sound came from outside.

A car engine.

Serena turned toward the window.

Maya followed her.

"Was that another car?"

Serena moved closer to the curtains.

She carefully pulled one corner aside.

A dark SUV had stopped across the street.

Her heart dropped.

A man was sitting inside.

Watching the building.

She released the curtain.

"Brandon?"

"I'm here."

"There is another car outside."

"I know."

Serena looked toward the door.

"You know?"

"I told you someone was watching you."

"Why didn't you tell me there was someone outside?"

"Because I wanted you to see it yourself."

"Why?"

"So you'd understand why I came."

She didn't like the answer.

But she couldn't deny what she had seen.

The SUV was still there.

Maya whispered, "Serena, we should call the police."

Serena reached for her phone.

Before she could unlock it, Brandon spoke.

"Don't."

She stopped.

"Why?"

"They're already gone."

Serena looked through the curtain again.

The SUV had disappeared.

Her breathing became shallow.

"What the hell?"

Brandon said, "They're not coming back today."

"How do you know?"

"I have people watching the street."

Serena stared at the door.

This man had security everywhere.

He had found her within hours.

He knew she was pregnant before she had even told anyone.

And now someone else was apparently watching her.

She hated that she needed him.

But she couldn't ignore what was happening.

"Brandon."

"Yes?"

"If I open this door, you stay right there."

A pause.

"Agreed."

"And you don't touch me."

Another pause.

"Agreed."

"And you don't tell me what I have to do."

"I won't."

Serena looked at Maya.

Maya whispered, "Are you sure?"

"No."

Serena took a breath.

"But I need answers."

She unlocked the door.

The handle turned.

The moment the door opened, Serena looked up.

Brandon Crestwood stood in the hallway.

He was taller than she remembered.

His black suit fit perfectly, and his dark hair was slightly tousled, as though he had run his fingers through it several times.

But it was his eyes that stopped her.

Amber.

The same impossible amber eyes from that night.

For one brief second, Serena forgot what she wanted to say.

Brandon looked at her.

Then his gaze dropped to her stomach.

Something changed in his expression.

Not triumph.

Not satisfaction.

Something deeper.

Protective.

His eyes lifted back to hers.

"You're really carrying my child."

Serena's jaw tightened.

"Don't make this harder than it already is."

His expression softened.

"I won't."

She folded her arms.

"Then start talking."

Brandon glanced past her at Maya.

"Who is she?"

"My roommate."

Maya stepped forward.

"And you're the man who got my best friend pregnant."

Brandon looked at her calmly.

"Yes."

Maya blinked.

She clearly hadn't expected such a direct answer.

"You're not going to deny it?"

"No."

"Good."

Maya crossed her arms.

"Because if you hurt her, you're going to have a problem."

Something almost resembling amusement touched Brandon's face.

"I believe you."

Serena looked between them.

"Can we please stop?"

Brandon's expression became serious again.

He looked at Serena.

"There are things about my world you don't understand."

"I've already figured that out."

"And once you hear them, your life won't be the same."

Serena stared at him.

"Then tell me the truth."

Brandon held her gaze.

"You aren't carrying an ordinary man's child."

The hallway seemed to grow colder.

Serena's fingers tightened around the door.

"What does that mean?"

Brandon's eyes darkened.

"It means the people watching you aren't interested in you."

He paused.

"They're interested in what you're carrying."

Serena felt her stomach twist.

"What are you saying?"

Brandon stepped closer but stopped before crossing the distance she had demanded.

"I'm saying that our child is already being hunted."

Serena couldn't speak.

Behind her, Maya whispered, "Oh, God."

Brandon looked directly into Serena's eyes.

"And if you want to keep that baby safe, you need to come with me."

Serena shook her head.

"No."

Brandon didn't move.

"Serena-"

"No."

Her voice was stronger this time.

"I don't know you. I don't trust you. And I'm not leaving my home with a man who thinks his wolf gets to decide who I belong to."

For several seconds, Brandon said nothing.

Then he nodded.

"Fair enough."

Serena blinked.

"What?"

"I won't force you."

He reached into his jacket and pulled out a small black card.

He placed it on the table beside the door.

"My number."

"I already have your number."

"This one is private."

He stepped backward.

"If you change your mind, call me."

Serena watched him walk away.

At the end of the hallway, he stopped.

Without turning around, he said quietly,

"And Serena?"

She didn't answer.

"Don't open the door for anyone you don't know."

Then he disappeared around the corner.

Serena stared after him.

Maya slowly closed the door.

Neither woman spoke.

Then Maya looked at Serena.

"Girl..."

Serena swallowed.

"What?"

Maya pointed toward the black card.

"Your life just got a whole lot crazier."

Serena looked at the card.

For some reason, she couldn't shake the feeling that Brandon had left something more dangerous behind than a phone number.

A warning.

Or a promise.

She didn't know which.

But before she could pick up the card, her phone buzzed.

Unknown number.

A message appeared on the screen.

You should have listened to him.

Serena's blood ran cold.

A second message arrived.

They know about the baby now.