Page 4 of Auditing the Alpha

“So you’re looking into the Wolffs,” she said, voice casual but eyes intent.

I maintained my professional smile. “I’m not at liberty to discuss my assignment.”

She snorted. “Everyone knows. Small town.” She finally let go of the key. “Good family, the Wolffs. Odd, but good.”

“Odd how?” The question slipped out before I could stop it.

Martha looked both ways as if checking for eavesdroppers in the empty lobby. “They keep to themselves mostly. Only come to town when necessary. Always travel together, like a—”

“Pack?” I supplied.

Her eyes widened slightly. “That’s one way to put it.” She leaned closer. “And they’re always warm. Middle of winter,blizzard conditions, and Klaus walks around in a henley. Not natural.”

I thought of his shirtless wood-chopping and silently agreed.

“And the noises from their property during full moons,” she continued, warming to her subject. “Howling that’ll raise the hair on your neck.”

“Wolves?” I asked, thinking this conversation had taken a bizarre turn.

Martha gave me a look like I was being deliberately obtuse. “There haven’t been wolves in these parts for decades, Mr. Chase.” She pushed a plate of cookies toward me. “Freshly baked. You’ll need the energy if you’re dining with the Wolffs tonight.”

I blinked in surprise. “How did you—”

“Raff mentioned it when he dropped off your suitcase. Said Klaus is picking you up at six-thirty.” She smiled, revealing slightly too-sharp canines. “Word travels fast here.”

My room was small but comfortable, with flannel sheets on the bed and a window overlooking the town’s main street. I unpacked my limited wardrobe, showered in the shared bathroom (which was thankfully clean), and changed into dark jeans and a charcoal sweater. Professional enough for a business dinner but not as formal as my suit.

At precisely six-thirty, a knock came at the inn’s front door. I descended the stairs to find Klaus filling the doorframe, snow dusting his shoulders and beard, his cheeks ruddy from the cold. He wore a dark green flannel shirt that strained across his chest and shoulders, and the sight made my mouth go dry.

“Right on time,” I said, grabbing my coat.

Klaus’s eyes tracked my movement, taking in my outfit with the same intensity he’d shown earlier. “You look… different.”

“Less uptight?” I suggested with a small smile.

The corner of his mouth twitched. “I was going to say ‘good.’”

Martha appeared from the back room. “Evening, Klaus! Taking our city boy to meet the family?”

Klaus nodded once. “Martha.” Just that, but something passed between them that I couldn’t interpret.

“Don’t keep him out too late,” she said, and I could have sworn there was a warning in her tone.

The drive to the Wolff property was quiet but not uncomfortable. Klaus drove with one hand on the wheel, the other resting on the console between us. The truck’s heater blasted warm air, but I still found myself shivering slightly.

Without a word, Klaus reached behind the seat and pulled out a thick flannel blanket, dropping it in my lap. “Still cold?”

I wrapped it around my shoulders, embarrassed but grateful. “Thanks. I’ve got thin blood, I guess.”

“Hmm.” His eyes stayed on the road, but his hand moved from the console to my knee, squeezing once before returning to the wheel. The casual touch left a burning imprint through my jeans.

The main house was lit up when we arrived, smoke curling from the chimney, and I could hear laughter from inside. Klaus parked and came around to open my door before I could reach for the handle.

“They’re excited to meet you,” he said as we walked to the door. “They don’t get much new company.”

“Should I be worried?” I asked, half-joking.

Klaus paused with his hand on the doorknob. “They’re… enthusiastic. And they have no boundaries. But they won’t hurt you.” He held my gaze. “I wouldn’t let them.”