Chapter 29
Lea blinked in confusion, the crease between her brows deepening.
“Excuse me p>
The moment the words left his mouth, Syrus realized exactly how they had sounded.
Heat crept up the back of his neck.
For perhaps the first time in his career, the smooth-talking lawyer found himself completely unprepared.
“I-I mean He cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. “I have a message for you from Alpha Wayne p>
The recovery was far from graceful.
Lea’s eyes narrowed immediately. Her expression cooled several degrees as she examined him from head to toe.
“What is it, Mr. Stone?” she asked, folding her arms across her chest.
Syrus opened his mouth to answer. Instead, he found himself distracted again.
Moon Goddess… This woman was dangerous.
Not because she was physically intimidating. Because she made him forget how to speak. A phenomenon he had never experienced before.
Not in court. Not in negotiations. Not even while facing hostile packs.
Yet one sharp look from Lea had him stumbling over simple sentences.
“May I come in?” he asked.
Without waiting for an answer, he stepped across the threshold.
Lea stared at him in disbelief.
The audacity.
Meanwhile, Syrus casually surveyed the apartment.
“Where are the twins p>
Lea’s jaw tightened.
“Mr. Stone.” Her voice carried a warning. “You came to deliver a message, not inspect our home p>
“I brought ice cream.” He lifted the bags as evidence. “For the children p>
His smile turned almost boyish. “Please tell me they’re awake p>
The truth was that Syrus had been curious ever since seeing photographs of Fleur’s children. The resemblance to Christian was impossible to ignore. He needed to see them for himself.
Unfortunately, Lea wasn’t interested in satisfying his curiosity.
“First,” she said firmly, “tell me where Fleur is p>
The concern in her voice was immediate.
Syrus understood why Fleur trusted her so completely.
They weren’t merely roommates. They were family. Two women who had survived life’s hardships together and built a home from loyalty, trust, and shared battles.
“I came because of Fleur p>
Immediately, Lea’s expression sharpened. “What happened p>
Syrus hesitated. Technically, Christian was recovering remarkably well. But telling the full truth would create far more questions than answers.
So he settled for a partial truth.
“Alpha Wayne’s condition worsened p>
Lea’s eyes widened. “What p>
“He needed someone trustworthy to monitor him.” Syrus maintained a solemn expression. “Fleur agreed to stay the night p>
The explanation did not have the comforting effect he’d hoped for.
Instead, Lea looked even more suspicious.
“You have an entire medical team.” Her voice rose slightly. “You’re telling me professional doctors couldn’t manage your Alpha, but Fleur somehow can p>
Syrus nearly smiled.
The fiery little woman standing before him had absolutely no idea how accurate that statement was.
“No doctor can control Christian when he’s determined to be difficult p>
That part, at least, was completely true.
Lea groaned. The frustration on her face was almost amusing.
“You people are insane p>
“Occupational hazard p>
She looked ready to throw him out the window. Syrus found that surprisingly charming.
His wolf, usually indifferent to most women, seemed unusually attentive… Which was inconvenient. Very inconvenient.
He had come here on official business, not to admire Lea’s expressive eyes or the stubborn determination in her voice.
Yet somehow his gaze kept returning to her.
“Mr. Srone.” Her sharp tone snapped him back to reality. “Eyes up here p>
Syrus immediately realized he’d been staring again. A slow grin tugged at his lips.
“My apologies p>
The grin only irritated her further.
Of course it did. Everything about this woman fascinated him.
“Why couldn’t I reach Fleur?” Lea demanded. “I called repeatedly p>
“Security measures.” Syrus straightened slightly.
The answer became more professional.
“Christian has powerful enemies. Certain communication signals are restricted within the penthouse p>
Lea’s expression remained skeptical.
“You expect me to believe that p>
“No.” His smile widened. “But it’s true p>
To his surprise, she eventually sighed. Some of the tension left her shoulders.
At least she knew Fleur was safe. That seemed to matter more than anything else.
“Fine.” She pointed firmly toward the door. “You delivered your message p>
A pause. “You can leave now p>
Syrus blinked.
Leave? Already? He wasn’t finished talking. Actually, he wasn’t sure he wanted to stop talking to her at all.
“Before I go,” he said casually, “are you seeing anyone p>
The question caught Lea completely off guard.
“What p>
“Are you p>
She stared at him in disbelief.
The nerve of this man p>
After several seconds, she finally answered. “I’m divorced p>
The bitterness hidden beneath the words didn’t escape him. Something dark flickered briefly in his eyes.
A wound. Old but not healed.
Syrus suddenly disliked the unknown man responsible for putting that look on her face. Whoever he was, he clearly hadn’t appreciated what he had. Because anyone foolish enough to lose Lea deserved eternal regret.
“Then you’re single.” His smile returned.
Lea rolled her eyes. “I’m also unavailable p>
The lawyer laughed. “I appreciate honesty p>
“You should appreciate rejection too p>
Her response was sharp. Syrus found himself enjoying every second of it.
Lea, however, looked thoroughly unimpressed. She hadn’t dated since her marriage ended years ago. The scars left behind ran deeper than most people realized. Trust wasn’t something she handed out easily anymore.
Certainly not to a charming wolf who seemed incapable of respecting personal boundaries.
“I’m tired, Mr. Stone.” She pointed toward the door again. “Good night p>
The message could not have been clearer.
Most men would have left immediately. Syrus, unfortunately, was not most men.
“Very well.” He sighed dramatically. “Since you insist p>
Lea stared at him, unmoved, entirely immune to his charm.
Another first.
Slowly, Syrus rose from the sofa. For the first time in years, he was the one being dismissed. It was oddly refreshing.
He reached the front door and turned around.
“Good night, Miss Undine p>
Before he could finish offering his number, the door slammed shut directly in his face.
Silence followed. Syrus stared at the closed door.
Then… he laughed.
Most women either feared him, admired him, or fell for his charm.
Lea had done none of the above. Instead, she had thrown him out. Twice.
His wolf stirred with amusement.
Interesting. Very interesting.
As he walked back toward the elevator, a slow smile spread across his face. For the first time in a very long while, he felt the urge to pursue something.
Not a case. Not a negotiation. Not a rival… A woman.
And somehow, Syrus had a feeling that winning Lea’s trust would prove far more difficult—and far more rewarding—than any battle he had ever fought.