Aurora sat at the bar of the Maison Bourbon, nursing a glass of expensive whiskey she didn't want. The jazz music was soft and sultry. The lighting was dim and intimate. Everything about the place screamed old money and older secrets.
It was exactly the kind of place Marcus Blackwood would come to unwind after a long day of running his pack.
She had done her research. Every Friday night for the past six months, he came here alone. He sat in the same booth in the corner, ordered the same drink, and stayed for exactly one hour.
Aurora checked her watch. 9:47 PM. He would walk through that door any minute now.
Her heart was pounding so hard she could feel it in her throat. Ten years of planning had led to this moment. The moment she would see her parents' killer face to face.
The bartender, a vampire who looked barely twenty but probably hadn't been that young for decades, refilled her glass without being asked.
"You seem nervous, honey."
"Just waiting for someone."
"First date?"
Aurora almost laughed. If only it were that simple.
"Something like that."
The door opened. Aurora felt the change in the air immediately. Power walked into the room like a living thing. Every supernatural creature in the bar - and there were several - turned to look.
Marcus Blackwood had arrived.
Aurora kept her eyes on her drink, but she could feel him in her peripheral vision. Tall. Broad shoulders. Moving with the fluid grace of a natural predator.
He was more impressive in person than in photographs.
Focus. Remember why you're here.
Marcus walked past her toward his usual booth. Aurora caught his scent as he moved - pine, leather, and something wild that made her wolf, Cora, stir restlessly in her mind.
"Mate," Cora whispered suddenly. "Mate, mate, MATE!"
Aurora gripped her whiskey glass so hard her knuckles went white.
No. That's impossible.
But even as she thought it, she knew it was true. The pull she felt toward him wasn't just attraction. It was deeper. Biological. Unavoidable.
Marcus Blackwood was her fated mate.
Her parents' killer was her fated mate.
This can't be happening.
Aurora forced herself to turn around casually, as if she were just looking around the bar. Her eyes met Marcus's across the room.
The world stopped.
Golden eyes locked with violet ones. Aurora felt like she'd been struck by lightning. Heat raced through her body. Her wolf howled in recognition and joy.
Marcus's whiskey glass shattered in his hand.
The sound of breaking glass echoed through the sudden silence in the bar. Amber liquid splashed across his table and dripped onto the floor.
Aurora couldn't breathe. Couldn't think. Her body was betraying her in the worst possible way. Every cell was screaming at her to go to him. To touch him. To claim him.
"Why him?" she thought desperately. "Why does it have to be him?"
Marcus was staring at her like he'd seen a ghost. His golden eyes were wide with shock. Then they narrowed as his predator instincts kicked in.
He knew she was dangerous. She could see it in his face.
But he couldn't look away either.
Aurora forced herself to stand up. Her legs felt like water, but she managed to walk over to his booth. Every step was torture. The mate bond was pulling at her like a physical force.
"Are you okay?" she asked, gesturing to his bleeding hand. "That looks like it hurt."
Her voice came out steadier than she had any right to expect.
Marcus looked down at his hand like he'd forgotten about it. Blood was seeping from several small cuts where the glass had broken.
"I'm fine." His voice was deeper than she remembered. Rougher. "It's nothing."
"You should probably clean that up. Glass cuts can get infected."
She pulled a clean napkin from the dispenser on his table and held it out to him.
Marcus stared at the napkin for a long moment. Then, slowly, he reached out to take it.
Their fingers brushed.
Aurora gasped. The contact sent electricity racing up her arm and straight to her heart. For a moment, she saw something flash in Marcus's eyes. Recognition. Desire. Confusion.
"Thank you," he said quietly.
"You're welcome."
Aurora stood there for a moment, not sure what to do next. Her plan had been to approach him, introduce herself as a lawyer working with supernatural families, and gradually work her way into his circle.
She hadn't planned for this. For the mate bond. For the way her body was reacting to his presence.
Get it together. He killed your parents. The bond doesn't change that.
"I'm Aurora Johnson," she said, extending her hand for a proper handshake. "I'm new in town. Legal consultation."
Marcus looked at her hand, then back at her face.
"Marcus Blackwood."
He shook her hand. This time, Aurora was ready for the contact. But it didn't help. The moment their skin touched, she felt like she might spontaneously combust.
Marcus felt it too. She could see it in the way his pupils dilated. The way his breathing got slightly deeper.
"Johnson," he repeated slowly. "I don't know any Johnsons in the legal field around here."
"I'm from Boston. I specialize in contracts for... unique clients."
"Unique how?"
Aurora smiled. It was the same smile she'd practiced in the mirror for hours. Mysterious but approachable. Professional but with just a hint of something more.
"The kind of clients who prefer to do business after dark."
Understanding flickered in Marcus's eyes. She was talking about supernatural clients. About the hidden world that most humans never saw.
"I see. And what brings you to New Orleans?"
"Work. Some of the old families here need help updating their agreements. The Supernatural Accords Committee recommended me."
That was mostly true. Sarah Whitmore had connections on the Committee. She'd made sure Aurora's name came up when they were looking for outside legal help.
"The Accords Committee." Marcus leaned back in his booth. His golden eyes never left her face. "They don't usually recommend outsiders."
"I come very highly recommended."
"I'm sure you do."
There was something in his tone that made Aurora's skin prickle. Did he suspect something? Or was he just being careful?
The bartender appeared at their table with a towel and a dustpan.
"Sorry about the mess, Mr. Blackwood. Can I get you another drink?"
"Two," Marcus said, still looking at Aurora. "Whatever the lady was having."
"I should probably get going," Aurora said. "I have an early meeting tomorrow."
"Stay." The word came out like a command. Then Marcus seemed to catch himself. "Please. It's not often we get legal experts from Boston. I'd like to hear more about your work."
Aurora hesitated. This was going too fast. She needed time to process what had just happened. To figure out how to handle the mate bond.
But she also couldn't pass up the opportunity to get closer to him.
"One drink," she said.
Marcus smiled. It was the first genuine smile she'd seen from him, and it transformed his whole face. For a moment, he didn't look like the cold, dangerous pack leader from the photographs.
He looked like a man who was genuinely happy to meet her.
Aurora's heart clenched. This was so much harder than she'd thought it would be.
The bartender brought their drinks. Aurora sat down across from Marcus in the booth, careful to keep some distance between them. Even so, she could feel the heat radiating from his body.
"So," Marcus said, raising his glass. "What should we drink to?"
Aurora looked at him over the rim of her whiskey. Ten years ago, this man had destroyed her life. Now fate was playing the cruelest joke imaginable by making him her mate.
"To unexpected meetings," she said.
"To unexpected meetings."
They clinked glasses. Aurora took a sip of her drink and tried to ignore the way Marcus was looking at her. Like he was trying to solve a puzzle. Like she was the most interesting thing he'd encountered in years.
"Tell me about these old families," he said. "Anyone I might know?"
"I'm not at liberty to discuss specific clients. Confidentiality."
"Of course. Professional ethics."
"Something like that."
Marcus leaned forward slightly. The movement brought him closer to her, and Aurora caught another whiff of his scent. It made her wolf pace restlessly in her mind.
"Can I ask you something, Aurora Johnson from Boston?"
"Sure."
"Have we met before? You seem... familiar."
Aurora's blood went cold. But she kept her expression neutral.
"I don't think so. I'd remember meeting you."
That was true enough. She'd never forget the night she first saw Marcus Blackwood. Standing in the doorway of her burning home, giving orders to kill her family.
"Hmm." Marcus sat back again. "Maybe you just have one of those faces."
"Maybe."
They sat in silence for a moment. The jazz music filled the space between them. Aurora was acutely aware of every small movement Marcus made. The way he drummed his fingers on the table. The way he tilted his head when he was thinking.
The mate bond was like a constant hum in the background of her thoughts. Her body wanted to move closer to him. Wanted to touch him. Wanted things that made her sick to think about.
How can I be attracted to him? How can my wolf want him when he's the one who killed our parents?
"You're thinking very hard about something," Marcus observed.
"Just work stuff. Tomorrow's meeting."
"Ah yes. The monthly Committee gathering. Dry stuff, mostly. Budget discussions. Territory disputes. Nothing too exciting."
"I'm sure it'll be educational."
"I hope you're not easily bored. These meetings can go on for hours."
Aurora smiled. If only he knew what she had planned for tomorrow's meeting.
"I'm sure I'll find ways to stay interested."
Something shifted in Marcus's expression. For a moment, his eyes went sharp and predatory. Like he'd heard something in her tone that he didn't like.
"You know," he said slowly, "most lawyers I've met are pretty straightforward. They say what they mean. But you..." He paused. "You seem to have a lot of hidden meanings."
Aurora's heart started beating faster. Was he on to her?
"I don't know what you mean."
"Don't you?"
Their eyes met again across the table. Aurora felt trapped by his gaze. Like he could see right through all her carefully constructed lies.
But then Marcus smiled and shook his head.
"Sorry. Occupational hazard. I'm used to people having ulterior motives."
"What kind of occupation requires that much paranoia?"
"The kind where trust is a luxury you can't afford."
Aurora nodded like she understood. And in a way, she did. She'd spent ten years learning not to trust anyone.
"That sounds lonely."
"It is."
For a moment, Marcus looked genuinely sad. Aurora felt an unexpected pang of sympathy before she caught herself.
Don't feel sorry for him. He chose this life. He chose to be a killer.
Her phone buzzed with a text message. Aurora glanced at it quickly.
"How's the reconnaissance going? - S"
Sarah, checking in. Aurora typed back quickly under the table.
"Complicated. Will call later."
"Business?" Marcus asked.
"My assistant. Making sure I have everything ready for tomorrow."
"Dedicated."
"She has to be. I'm not the easiest boss."
"I can imagine."
Aurora finished her drink and stood up. The mate bond protested the increased distance between them, but she ignored it.
"I really should get going. Thank you for the drink."
Marcus stood too. He was tall enough that Aurora had to look up to meet his eyes, even in her heels.
"Will I see you at the meeting tomorrow?"
"Probably. I'll be sitting in with the legal advisors."
"Good. I'd like to continue our conversation."
I'm sure you would.
"That would be nice."
Aurora turned to go, but Marcus caught her wrist gently. The contact sent another jolt of electricity through her body.
"Aurora."
She looked back at him. His golden eyes were serious now.
"Be careful in this city. New Orleans can be dangerous for outsiders. Especially ones with... unique clients."
Was that a threat? Or was he actually trying to warn her about something?
"I can take care of myself."
"I'm sure you can. But if you ever need anything... anything at all... call me."
He pulled a business card from his jacket pocket and pressed it into her palm.
Aurora looked down at the card. Simple black lettering on heavy white stock. Marcus Blackwood, CEO, Blackwood Enterprises.
"Thank you."
"Use it."
Aurora nodded and walked away. She could feel Marcus watching her until she disappeared through the door of the bar.
Outside, the night air felt cool against her overheated skin. Aurora took several deep breaths, trying to calm her racing heart.
What the hell just happened?
She'd gone into that bar with a plan. Get close to Marcus. Gain his trust. Find the right moment to reveal who she really was and make him pay for what he'd done.
Instead, she'd discovered that fate had a twisted sense of humor.
Marcus Blackwood, the man who had murdered her parents, was her fated mate.
The one person in the world she was biologically programmed to love was the one person she had every reason to hate.
Aurora pulled out her phone and called Sarah.
"How did it go?" Sarah asked immediately.
"We have a problem."
"What kind of problem?"
Aurora closed her eyes and leaned against the brick wall of the building.
"The kind where the universe decides to play a practical joke on me."
"Aurora, what happened?"
"He's my mate, Sarah. Marcus Blackwood is my fated mate."
Silence on the other end of the line.
"Sarah?"
"That's... that's actually not entirely unexpected."
"What do you mean?"
"I'll explain when you get back to your hotel. But Aurora... this might actually work in our favor."
"How can this possibly work in our favor?"
"A mate bond is the strongest connection two supernatural creatures can share. If you can use it right, you'll have access to him that no one else could ever get."
Aurora thought about the way Marcus had looked at her. The confusion in his golden eyes. The way he'd seemed genuinely happy to meet her.
"But what if..." She couldn't finish the sentence.
"What if what?"
"What if I start to feel something for him? What if the bond makes me forget why I'm here?"
"Then you remember that he killed your parents. You remember the blood on the walls of your childhood home. You remember being ten years old and hiding in a closet while your world burned around you."
Aurora nodded, even though Sarah couldn't see her.
"You're right."
"The bond is just biology, Aurora. It doesn't change what he did. It doesn't make him less of a monster."
"I know."
"Get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a very important day."
Aurora hung up and started walking back toward her hotel. The streets of the French Quarter were alive with music and laughter. Humans stumbled between bars, completely unaware of the supernatural world around them.
Above her, the blood moon was still visible through the storm clouds. It seemed to be watching her. Judging her.
Why him? she asked the moon silently. Of all the werewolves in the world, why did it have to be him?
The moon didn't answer. But somewhere in the distance, thunder rumbled like dark laughter.
Aurora touched Marcus's business card in her pocket. Tomorrow night, she would sit across from him in that conference room. She would look into those golden eyes and remember what he had done to her family.
And maybe, if she was very careful and very lucky, she would find a way to use the mate bond against him.
After all, the strongest weapons were often the ones your enemy never saw coming.
End of Chapter 2