Wolf Endangered (Willow's Forbidden Pack #2) - Avery Song Page 0,9

black with red ties, all of whom bowed as we exited the vehicle and made our way onto the red carpet that ran up the many flights of stairs.

The building blended perfectly with the rich, busy streets of East NYC - a long time coming in comparison to when I was but a child and decided I'd make this entire district a secret base. Back then, the surroundings weren’t close to developed, which left it looking rather bare in comparison to now.

It was an impulsive buy, one I wasn’t originally keen on because of the lack of investment benefits. With hot spots soaring in California, NYC was like an empty shoebox to most investors.

This building was trash before, but one thing that was unique was how the energy of the living flowed effortlessly through the walls. It was an illumination far different from any building in this district, and that was something I couldn't possibly ignore.

With Roberto running it, no one saw any value, but my instincts knew better.; that leadership and control wouldn't last forever in these realms. As long as you had enough money and moved like a snake in a thick forest, no one would see you when you made your first strike.

Our striking moment is approaching.

Every step we took brought people to a stop, bowing at our arrival, something I'd made sure wouldn't happen last time I'd brought the Forbidden Pack to these parts. I did it on purpose, informing my resources that we had to lay low because of a few mega deals we had in Cali.

None of them were supposed to know of this place, but by then, Dimitris had earned my trust enough to see a glimpse of my power.

He knew I respected him or else I'd overthrow him and destroy everything he worked years to obtain from his previous world of poverty.

I wasn't the type to be a leader, to motivate others to play to my tune and do what was obvious. The way I led was out of silence. My arrival should’ve already ignited my followers to discover everything I needed to know about any potential enemies on our dartboard, and that required discipline and consequences that only I could deliver.

Consequences they all knew would be theirs if they dared to fuck up.

By the time we reached the elevators, a woman was already waiting for us - her hands trembling while she carried a red folder that I was sure had everything we'd need for my brewing plans.

Dimitris would be pleased.

"Requested files, Prince," she announced and bowed her head further. "Zane has been contacted. He's in a tricky situation and can't promptly arrive. However, he's sent a woman."

She rose up to see my obvious frown and she quickly added, "S-She states she's acquaintances with the individual needing care."

That caught my interest, while my world of black and color briefly focused further right. I almost missed the flicker of golden teal, but I caught it fast enough.

"Ms. Clementine," I announced. The shift in the others' energies behind me only confirmed they hadn't sensed Aurelia's energy at all.

"You pick up fast," Onyx muttered, before adding, "Aurelia, come out already. We're wasting time."

There was her unique giggle, and her energy flashed through the spot she'd been deliberately hiding in. She was such an intriguing individual, and her friendship was more intriguing seeing as they were rather opposite in nature.

Yes, Willow held a psychotic side to her that was triggered when her body became an imbalanced concoction of power, but Aurelia? She was fucking crazy, and someone you'd want on your side of the playing field.

If she'd been with Zane, that told me she’d already made connections with him.

Or killed him. Would be a waste of talent if she had.

"Should I even ask how you got here?" Onyx inquired as Aurelia now joined our group. I couldn't see her physical appearance at the moment, but I could assume she was dressed in elegant attire like she'd come from an extravagant ball with her hair having a slight levitating force to it.

"Nope." Her voice was rather deadpan.

That explains why her energy is rather murderous.

"Shall we?" I questioned, my words encouraging everyone to get into the waiting elevator. I knew that the walls were gold with mirrors and red foil designs that gave off a shimmering glow.

The elevator guard pressed the top button of the 70-floor building, and we rode out the speedy rise in silence. Once we arrived, the doors opened right into the penthouse suite