of windows offered a view so amazing, Niamh could see the snowcapped Mount Fuji in the distance.
A glass box sat in the center of the room with flames flickering inside. It was one of the most modern fireplaces she’d ever seen.
If she wasn’t mistaken, the music filtering softly into the entire area from hidden speakers belonged to the biggest country-pop princess in the world. Not the kind of music Niamh would have guessed a powerful pack alpha might listen to.
It almost endeared her to the mystery wolf.
They passed interesting sculptures and colorful artwork that did much to break up a plethora of white paint everywhere. Velvet furniture in shades of blues and golds was scattered throughout the room. And as they wandered down into it, Niamh saw there was a stylish modern kitchen fitted at the back.
Standing at an island, chopping vegetables, was an equally stylish and beautiful woman.
Her knife stilled as her dark eyes moved past Niamh to the male at her side.
To Kiyo.
Something about the way the woman looked at her companion made Niamh’s stomach flip with uneasiness.
Haruto stopped in front of the island. “Arufua-san.” He gave her a sharp bow and then spoke in Japanese.
This … this was the pack alpha?
She thanked Haruto without taking her eyes off Kiyo. Lowering the knife to the counter, she walked slowly around the island. Niamh’s gaze moved to Kiyo who seemed transfixed by the alpha.
Something sharp and painful cut across her chest at his expression.
To her dismay, she realized it was jealousy.
The female sashayed slowly toward them. Her slender but gently curved figure was accentuated by her tight emerald-green pencil dress. It was sleeveless, showing off her toned arms. It had a high collar but a deep cut that split the neckline, showing off more than a hint of cleavage. The sexiness of the neckline was softened by the length of the dress, which hit her toned calves. Her strong, slender legs were elongated by impressive six-inch black stilettos.
Her black hair was sleek and sharp, cut to skim her elegant jawline. Perfect lips were rouged in bright red.
She was classy and stunning and emanated huge amounts of alpha energy. In her stilettos, she was the same height as Niamh.
Her thickly lashed, dark eyes pinned Kiyo to the spot as she stopped a few yards away from them. On closer inspection, Niamh saw telltale lines around her mouth and eyes. She was older than Niamh. Perhaps even older than she looked. She certainly recognized Kiyo and if he hadn’t returned to Tokyo in twenty-five years, then it would make sense that the alpha was older than her appearance.
“Kiyo-chan … Genki?”
Kiyo grunted at that. “English, Sakura.”
Sakura’s eyes narrowed. “Respect, Kiyo.” Her eyes finally flitted to Niamh. She curled her upper lip. “Mahoutsukai?”
“Yes, she’s a witch. English … Sakura-san. My companion doesn’t speak Japanese.”
“You bring a western witch to our home, Kiyo?”
Our home?
Niamh’s eyes narrowed.
“She’s under my protection.” He sidled closer to Niamh, which made her feel somewhat better.
That feeling dissipated, however, when Sakura gave him a soft smile and stepped toward him. Right into his personal space.
Something possessive and territorial surged through Niamh as Sakura placed a perfectly manicured hand on Kiyo’s chest.
The whole room tensed as lights flickered, and Sakura, still touching Kiyo, shot Niamh a reassessing look. “She is powerful, your little mahoutsukai.” She returned her attention to Kiyo as she trailed her fingertips over his pecs.
Niamh wanted to rip her hair out.
“And territorial of my Kiyo-chan,” she murmured.
That burn in Niamh’s chest, the one she tried so hard to ignore, neared the boiling point at having to listen to this condescending wolf while she stroked Kiyo.
And while he did nothing to stop her.
“She’s just concerned you plan to rip out my heart.”
“It would only be fair.” Sakura’s expression hardened. “Since you ripped out mine twenty-six years, three months, and twelve days ago.”
Oh crap.
Niamh cut Kiyo a filthy look.
The bloody idiot could have told her this was about revenge of the bloody heart!
You had an affair with the alpha and then skipped town and didn’t think that was pertinent to tell me? she yelled in his head.
Kiyo didn’t even flinch.
Niamh’s anger burned. Well, clearly you know nothing about women if you thought we could walk in here and walk back out without a fight. Next time you might want to think about keeping it in your pants.
This time he shot her a dark look that was supposed to quell her anger.
She didn’t care.
She wasn’t afraid of him.
She was afraid of