some time off. If I need a ride anywhere, I’ll get one of Dad’s drivers.”
Ralph smiled. “Thanks. I’ll take you up on that. Maybe Fran and I will have lunch uptown and go to a matinee.”
“Good idea. Have fun. I’ll be in touch tomorrow.” As Aidan entered the tall building and headed for the elevator bank, he realized he envied his driver, who’d been married to Fran for almost thirty years. They still loved each other, still enjoyed simple things like lunch and a movie. Aside from the fact they were both werewolves, they lived a fairly typical middle-class life.
Most of the time Aidan was happy about his privileged position in the Wallace empire. But a less privileged position would mean he’d be free to mate for love and not political expedience. He might look forward to a marriage like Ralph and Fran’s.
He still wouldn’t be able to choose a human like Emma, though. Sex with humans was common,but marriages were almost unheard of. A Were would never be able to keep his or her wolf status a secret from a spouse, so the spouse had to be trusted with the sensitive knowledge that a werewolf community existed. Understandably, that made the rest of the pack extremely nervous.
Because of Aidan’s strong attraction to Emma, one that was mate-worthy, he’d have to steer clear of her, and he would, right after he fixed the current problem. Stepping out of the elevator, he walked across thick green-and-brown patterned carpet. Weres preferred something that reminded them of grass and the spongy texture of the forest floor.
Plants abounded here in the lobby. Aidan glanced at the giant flat-screen running videos similar to his that featured trees and waterfalls. Visitors thought the Wallaces were eco-conscious, and they certainly were that. But the decor was a matter of personal sanity more than a statement about conservation. Being surrounded by images of nature soothed his father and any other members of the pack who felt overwhelmed by the noise of the city.
From the lobby Aidan moved through the open double doors leading to the receptionist’s office.
Gabrielle, a thirty-five-year-old Were who’d moved to New York from the San Francisco pack, looked up from her computer as he arrived. A redhead in human form, she transformed into a russet she-wolf. She was stunning either way, and had caught the eye of several members of the Wallace pack. But she’d recently ended a relationship in San Francisco and wasn’t interested.
“He’s expecting you, Aidan. Go on in.”
“Thanks.” In a detached sort of way, he noticed that he wasn’t interested in flirting with her, either. When she’d taken the job, he’d thought they might enjoy a no-strings-attached affair, but she hadn’t been ready for that. He’d continued to be friendly in hopes that she’d change her mind. But after an evening with Emma, he realized he didn’t care whether Gabrielle changed her mind. At some point, he’d have to rid himself of what was becoming an obsession with the lovely Ms. Gavin, but he couldn’t expect to do it until he’d finished the business at hand.
Opening the hand-carved door into his father’s office, he allowed his eyes to adjust to the dim light. Howard Wallace didn’t appreciate the floor-to-ceiling windows that graced nearly every Manhattan office of any size and importance, including this one. He didn’t give a damn about the skyline, but he liked being up here, away from the traffic noise.
The office was scented with evergreens and peat moss because they were here in abundance in various planters around the room. Foliage covered the windows so that only a few rays of sunlight penetrated through the dense array of greenery. Aidan loved the feel of his dad’s office and had used many of the design elements in his own apartment.
His own office was on the floor below this one, but his team used it more than he did. His job kept him on the move, which he happened to like.
Howard rose from his
Ralph smiled. “Thanks. I’ll take you up on that. Maybe Fran and I will have lunch uptown and go to a matinee.”
“Good idea. Have fun. I’ll be in touch tomorrow.” As Aidan entered the tall building and headed for the elevator bank, he realized he envied his driver, who’d been married to Fran for almost thirty years. They still loved each other, still enjoyed simple things like lunch and a movie. Aside from the fact they were both werewolves, they lived a fairly typical middle-class life.
Most of the time Aidan was happy about his privileged position in the Wallace empire. But a less privileged position would mean he’d be free to mate for love and not political expedience. He might look forward to a marriage like Ralph and Fran’s.
He still wouldn’t be able to choose a human like Emma, though. Sex with humans was common,but marriages were almost unheard of. A Were would never be able to keep his or her wolf status a secret from a spouse, so the spouse had to be trusted with the sensitive knowledge that a werewolf community existed. Understandably, that made the rest of the pack extremely nervous.
Because of Aidan’s strong attraction to Emma, one that was mate-worthy, he’d have to steer clear of her, and he would, right after he fixed the current problem. Stepping out of the elevator, he walked across thick green-and-brown patterned carpet. Weres preferred something that reminded them of grass and the spongy texture of the forest floor.
Plants abounded here in the lobby. Aidan glanced at the giant flat-screen running videos similar to his that featured trees and waterfalls. Visitors thought the Wallaces were eco-conscious, and they certainly were that. But the decor was a matter of personal sanity more than a statement about conservation. Being surrounded by images of nature soothed his father and any other members of the pack who felt overwhelmed by the noise of the city.
From the lobby Aidan moved through the open double doors leading to the receptionist’s office.
Gabrielle, a thirty-five-year-old Were who’d moved to New York from the San Francisco pack, looked up from her computer as he arrived. A redhead in human form, she transformed into a russet she-wolf. She was stunning either way, and had caught the eye of several members of the Wallace pack. But she’d recently ended a relationship in San Francisco and wasn’t interested.
“He’s expecting you, Aidan. Go on in.”
“Thanks.” In a detached sort of way, he noticed that he wasn’t interested in flirting with her, either. When she’d taken the job, he’d thought they might enjoy a no-strings-attached affair, but she hadn’t been ready for that. He’d continued to be friendly in hopes that she’d change her mind. But after an evening with Emma, he realized he didn’t care whether Gabrielle changed her mind. At some point, he’d have to rid himself of what was becoming an obsession with the lovely Ms. Gavin, but he couldn’t expect to do it until he’d finished the business at hand.
Opening the hand-carved door into his father’s office, he allowed his eyes to adjust to the dim light. Howard Wallace didn’t appreciate the floor-to-ceiling windows that graced nearly every Manhattan office of any size and importance, including this one. He didn’t give a damn about the skyline, but he liked being up here, away from the traffic noise.
The office was scented with evergreens and peat moss because they were here in abundance in various planters around the room. Foliage covered the windows so that only a few rays of sunlight penetrated through the dense array of greenery. Aidan loved the feel of his dad’s office and had used many of the design elements in his own apartment.
His own office was on the floor below this one, but his team used it more than he did. His job kept him on the move, which he happened to like.
Howard rose from his
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