She parked at the police station fifteen minutes later, unable to resist checking her phone one more time before heading inside. The morning was bright in her eyes as she sat in her patrol car, fingers wrapped around her phone.
Alpha Wolf:“I know this sounds insane, but I dreamed about you after we matched. I was too stunned to text you. But you were on my mind the whole night.”
Valeria’s heart hammered against her ribs. Goosebumps rose on her arms despite the warm car. “What was the dream about?”
Alpha Wolf:“You were in some kind of danger. I was trying to protect you, but you kept slipping away from me. I woke up feeling like I’d failed you somehow.”
She stared at the message, her mouth going dry.
“I have to go into briefing. Talk more later?” Other officers were walking into the station. Her shift was about to start.
Alpha Wolf:“Have a good shift.”
Valeria clutched her phone to her chest, grinning like an idiot in the police station parking lot. She’d found her fated mate. This was really happening.
“Someone win the lottery this morning?” Officer Holt asked as Valeria practically floated into the station.
“Something like that,” she replied, unable to keep the smile off her face. Her bear was purring so loudly inside her mind she could barely hear anything else.
The morning briefing felt surreal, her dad’s voice washing over her while her mind spun with possibilities. Her phone burned in her pocket, silent but somehow still commanding all her attention. She forced herself to sit still, to focus, to be professional, but her skin tingled with the excitement of her secret.
“Update on last night’s incident at Fate Mountain Diner,” her dad was saying, spreading photos across the briefing table.
Valeria forced herself to focus, leaning forward to study the images. The pictures showed extensive damage throughout the restaurant, shattered windows catching the camera flash, broken furniture scattered like battlefield debris, overturned tables creating an obstacle course of destruction. It looked like a war zone.
“Steel Protection,” Gabriel added, pointing to one of the photos. “Six ex-military and security specialists with legitimate security licenses and backgrounds that check out clean.”
“Legally, it was self-defense,” her dad continued. “But the property damage was extensive. Owner Shane Keenan banned them from the diner permanently.”
Officer Blackthorne shook his head, running a hand through his dark hair. “Community’s rattled after everything with Crown Mountain. People are on edge about any new group rolling into town.”
“911 dispatcher Rebecca Matthews filed a detailed incident report,” her dad said, consulting his notes. “These guys aren’t criminals, but they’re... disruptive.”
Her dad’s eyes found Valeria across the table. “Officer Reynolds, I want routine monitoring on Steel Protection headquarters. 1019 Main Street.”
Valeria straightened in her chair, trying to look alert and professional despite the giddy energy coursing through her veins. “Yes, sir. What specifically am I watching for?”
“Watch for more incidents,” her dad said. “Community disturbances. Public confrontations. We need to know if there’s going to be more trouble before it happens.”
1019 Main Streetturned out to be a large, two-story brick building with professional signage reading “Steel Protection” in clean, modern lettering. Six motorcycles sat outside, their chrome gleaming in the morning sun.
Valeria parked across the street with a clear view of the building’s entrance. After an hour of watching normal businessoperations, she allowed herself a break to check her phone. Her heart raced when she spotted the messages waiting for her.
Alpha Wolf:“I can’t stop thinking about you. This is crazy, right? I’ve never felt anything like this.”
Valeria’s chest fluttered as she typed back, her surveillance temporarily forgotten. “Not crazy. I keep looking at your photo and getting butterflies all over again.”
Alpha Wolf:“Tell me something about yourself. Something real.”
She stared at the message, her throat tight with emotion. “I’ve always felt like I don’t quite fit anywhere. Like I’m trying to live up to something I’ll never reach.”
Alpha Wolf:“I know that feeling. Spent my whole life protecting people but sometimes wonder if I’m just making things worse.”
“You sound like someone who cares too much, not too little.”
Alpha Wolf:“Maybe we both do. What is it you’re trying to live up to?”
“Family legacy, I guess. Everyone expects me to be as good as my dad and brother, but I keep screwing up.”
