Page 13 of Mane Attraction
Lev felt his mouth curve into the kind of smile that had gotten him into trouble since he was sixteen. The grin was pureconfidence and challenge, the expression of a man who’d never backed down from anything in his life.
“I wouldn’t expect you to.”
Her lips tightened, annoyance flashing across her features. But underneath that irritation, he caught something else—a flutter of awareness. She sensed it too, the inexorable pull of the mate bond, even if she didn’t understand it.
His lion settled slightly as he watched her try to deny the attraction crackling between them. Every minute in her presence made him more intrigued, more invested in this impossible situation. She was tough and direct, completely unimpressed by him—something he’d never known he wanted in a woman.
A good challenge,he thought, leaning back in his chair.Xelene Warren might be the strongest, most appealing, most infuriating woman I’ve ever met.
That realization should have bothered him. Instead, it made him pay attention in a way he rarely did with anyone.
Xelene reached into her sleek portfolio folder, her movements precise and efficient. She withdrew a single sheet of paper and slid it across the desk toward him, her fingers not quite brushing his as he reached for it.
“I need you to answer these questions honestly and thoughtfully so I can get a clear picture of who you are and what we need to work on.”
Lev glanced down at the page and felt his eyebrows climb toward his hairline. The paper was covered in neat, professional font—fifty questions that ranged from basic personality assessments to deeply personal inquiries about his fears, motivations, and relationships.
Thorough didn’t begin to cover it.
“This is pretty private stuff you’re asking me to reveal.” He looked up to find her watching him with unwavering intensity, those green eyes missing nothing.
“That’s the only way we’re going to get to the bottom of why your life is so chaotic.”
Her casual judgment about his life sent a spike of irritation through him. “My life isn’t chaotic. It’s just not the way others think I should be living.”
“Well, what others think about you—especially since you need to become king soon—matters more than what you think about your life at this point.”
The blunt assessment hit him like a slap, and Lev felt his jaw clench. Everyone wanted to tell him how to live, what to prioritize, who to become.
She’s not wrong,his lion pointed out unhelpfully.The pride needs stability. They need to trust their future king.
Lev pushed that thought aside and focused on the immediate problem. If Xelene wanted him to bare his soul on paper, she could damn well give him something in return.
“Fine.” He set the questionnaire aside and leaned forward, fixing her with his most intense stare. “I’ll fill this out and give it to you—but only if you have dinner with me tonight.”
Janice’s face lit up with delight, a knowing smile spreading across her features. “That’s probably a good idea, Xelene. It will help you get to know him better.”
I like this woman already,Lev thought, shooting Janice a grateful look. She clearly understood the value of strategic alliances.
“Janice.” Lev stood, his height allowing him to project the kind of presence that made people listen. “Could I have a minute alone with you? There’s something I’d like to discuss.”
Xelene’s confusion was almost comical. She glanced between them, clearly trying to figure out what possible business he could have with her assistant that didn’t involve her directly.
“I’ll give you two a moment then,” Xelene said slowly, rising from her chair with fluid grace.
The moment the door clicked shut behind her, Lev moved around the desk and leaned against it, crossing his arms over his chest. Janice watched him with bright, curious eyes, her expression expectant.
“I didn’t want to spook Xelene,” he began, deciding that honesty was his best strategy, “but the reason I fled the office so fast is that Xelene is my fated mate.”
Janice’s eyes widened, and then her face broke into a grin that could have powered the entire castle. “Oh, this is too good!”
“You know about fated mates?”
“I did some preliminary research last night on shifters. A fated mate is like a soulmate but more intense in the shifter world, right?” She practically bounced in her seat. “Xelene has been refusing to settle down for years. I’ve been trying to get her to find a guy and stop with the one-night stands, but she insists she doesn’t want commitment.”
“Well, I can relate to that too well.” Lev’s mouth twisted wryly. “But I need your help with Xelene. I need to know what makes her tick, ways to win her over.”
Janice’s expression grew more serious, though her eyes still sparkled with mischief. “It’s going to be harder than it looks. Xelene is secretive even with me, and she’s incredibly guarded emotionally. I know some ways to crack her open, but she’s built some serious walls over the years.”
