Evening wrapped the city, streetlights buzzing soft. Ava Francis stood at the bus stop, her dark hair loose, freckles faint in the low light, waiting after a day at Lone Wolf Tech. Last night's werewolf meeting in Blackwood Forest—Mara's "hunt's close," the king's weak pulse in his coma—stuck in Ethan's mind, not hers.
Ethan Nicolas pulled up, his dark hair sleek, green eyes bright, wearing a black hoodie and gray sweatpants—looking sharp. He spotted Ava and rolled down his window. "Hey, Ava. Need a lift?"
Ava glanced over, surprised but tired. "Sure, thanks." She climbed in next to him.
They drove through the streets, city lights zipping by. Ethan kept it chill. "That hotel night—wild, huh?"
Ava smirked. "Yeah. You and Tara were all over it—lovers, right? Everyone saw."
He laughed, quick and light. "Guess so. People talk." He didn't go deeper—she didn't see his hidden side, and he kept it that way.
"You sure?" he asked, eyes on the road. "Me and Tara?"
"Pretty sure," Ava said, leaning back. "Club, meetings, hotel—you two stick. I'm done guessing."
He shrugged, grin small. "Fair enough." WolfSnap buzzed in his pocket, growls low—she didn't hear, lost in the ride.
They pulled up to her house, a warm little spot with glowing lights. Ava opened her door. "Thanks for the lift. Come in for a bit?"
Ethan nodded. "Yeah, sure." He followed her inside.
Ava's younger sister, Lily—around 16, all grins with messy hair—jumped off the couch. "Ooh, who's this? Your boyfriend?" she teased, eyeing Ethan.
Ava rolled her eyes. "Cut it, Lily. This is Ethan—my boss."
Ethan smirked. "Hey, Lily. Not her boyfriend—just a ride."
Lily giggled. "Sure, boss guy. You're too cool for just a ride."
Ava waved her off. "Ignore her. Coffee?"
"Nah, I'm good," Ethan said. "Can't stay long."
They chatted—work, the weather—nothing big. Ethan's thoughts drifted to the forest—Mara's hard stare, Kael's grunt, the king's crash. flashed: a rainy alley, Sophie's last words. "I'll change for us," he'd said, claws hidden. Her cold eyes snapped, "You're not human—over." She'd walked off, and he'd shut down since.
"See you tomorrow," Ava said, walking him out.
"Yeah, night," Ethan said. He drove away, WolfSnap's hum steady, the hunt still lurking.
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Morning light hit Lone Wolf Tech, the office waking slow. Ava walked in, with Riley beside her. They'd bonded last night at Ava's dad's place—late tea, Paul's garage tales, Riley's dry humor fitting Ava's vibe. Now tight friends.
"First days suck," Ava said, nudging Riley as they moved through desks. "Stick with me—Ethan's a mess, but he'll keep you."
Riley smirked, holding a folder. "Thanks—mess is fine if it pays."
Ethan stood by his desk, green eyes bright, still in his black hoodie and gray sweatpants—sharp as ever. He waved a tablet, yelling at Tara. "Tara—what the hell is this?" he snapped, loud and firm. The tablet showed WolfSnap's investor pitch—due tomorrow, big for cash flow. "Numbers are off, slides are trash—you messed it up!"
Tara flinched, her flirty grin gone, hands shaky at her desk. "I thought I fixed it—"
"Thought?" he barked, slamming the tablet down—screen cracked loud. "This isn't a guess—fix it, or you're out!" His green eyes flashed, a growl slipping out—werewolf edge showing. Tara scrambled to her laptop, mumbling, "Sorry, I'll—"
"Move it," he cut in, pacing fast. The king's coma and pearies Aliens pressed on him—jungle stakes closing in.
Ava caught the shout, her Ethan-Tara lover idea wobbling. Lovers don't yell like that, she thought, glancing at Riley. "Rough start," she muttered.
"Yeah," Riley said, watching Tara fumble. Ava stepped up. "Ethan, this is Riley. She's new—needs a job bad. Helped her dad run his shop, knows her stuff. Claire's a wreck—give her a shot."
Ethan turned, face firm but calm. "Hey, Riley. Start today. Welcome." Ava's quick pitch stuck with him—sharp, real.
Riley nodded. "Thanks—starting now." She stepped back, ready.
WolfSnap pinged on Ethan's desk—growls got wild and loud. Ava's phone buzzed, synced up. "Your app's still junk," she said, dry.
Ethan grabbed his phone, dialed fast. "Jake, it's me," he said, voice sharp. "Need you in Singapore—big business deal. Pack for a month—might drag on. Head out now."
To be continued...
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