His secretary rang. “Sir, there is a woman here to see you.”

“Really?” Bryce brightened for a moment—she’s gonna say yes!—only to deflate as Chanice entered. With her came the smell of wolf. Someone had been hanging with her pack before coming over here.

“Darling, it’s been ages.” She used such arrogant airs, and yet Chanice was younger than him at twenty-four. Twenty-four and angling for a husband. Grandfather would be more than happy if he settled down with her.

But Bryce somehow doubted she’d agree to anything fake. Chanice was all about advancement and social status. She’d make a perfect trophy wife, but he could easily see her eventually becoming a widow. Whereas Bryce would prefer to live to a ripe old age, which meant he’d stay far away from the woman.

Of course, he thought that now. As a teen, he’d been more than happy to take what she offered.

“I didn’t know you were back in town,” he remarked.

She waved a hand, showing off her manicure, a sharp contrast to the woman he’d met with her nails cut to the quick. “I was, but my fiancé”—and, yes, she made sure to flash the ring—“had some family stuff to attend to. So I joined him.”

“Congrats on getting engaged.” He wondered what poor SOB in her pack had gotten stuck with her. Must be one of the richer ones because she wouldn’t settle for anything less than loaded.

“Yes, I’m quite excited about it.”

“Do I know the lucky guy?”

“You’ve met him, I think, but enough about me.”

He almost retorted, Since when? “What do you want?”

“How have you been? Still single I see?” Her peek at his hand was less than subtle.

“Hopefully not for long.”

“Oh. You’ve met someone?” No mistaking the narrowing of her gaze and the lower tone of her voice.

“Yes.”

“Who?” Forget any attempt to sound nice. She almost barked the word.

“I can’t say. She’s kind of shy.” And not interested, yet. But he planned to work on that.

“Well, that’s just lovely.” Which, given the inflection, sounded more like, you prick.

So, of course, he just had to keep needling. “Great girl. Cares for her ailing mother. Just graduated college.” But never got a decent full-time job. She went straight home and, according to his research thus far, rarely left it.

“Sounds wonderful.” Spoken through gritted teeth.

“She is, but I doubt hearing about my love life is why you’re here.”

“Can’t an old friend pop in to say hello?”

He spoke bluntly. “You never have before.”

“You never used to be so boorish either.” She stood. “I should go. I am meeting my fiancé for lunch.”

“Give him my regards.” Also give the man Bryce’s thanks for saving mankind from her clutches.

Once Chanice left, he tried to work but found it hard to concentrate. He’d chosen to ensconce himself at the corporate downtown offices today rather than at the factory, wanting to make himself accessible in case she came looking. Foolish really. His kitten had seemed rather adamant on the phone.

Yet…he couldn’t help but believe she was softening and as intrigued as he was.

So intrigued Bryce had done something he’d never thought he’d do. He’d stalked a woman under the guise of reconnaissance. He’d discreetly shadowed Melanie home the day before, the only way of finding out where she worked or lived. Only then did he manage to set his secretary on a background search.

What he discovered deepened the mystery. First, Melanie Rusch wasn’t a native of Towering Oaks. Her mother had moved here about three years ago—a year after her daughter left for college, and Maizie got booted for non-payment of rent.

Since arriving in Towering Oaks, Maizie Rusch had been evicted from two more properties and would have added a third to that if she hadn’t fallen ill.

Which was where Melanie came in. She’d been in town several months now. She’d worked a few part-time jobs, but discreet inquiries as to why they didn’t last long resulted in one simple answer: The mother.

Mother Rusch constantly called and harassed, making it impossible for Melanie to do her job.

What a prize.

His digging also revealed Melanie was single, with no social media to speak of, although he did manage to find a picture of her at college, smiling happily during exam week, a kitten in her lap as part of the college’s de-stressing programs.

His obsession with her was a tad crazy. He could argue all he wanted that she was perfect for the sham, yet, the more he dug, the more curious he found himself about the woman—and the cat.

How had she come by her lynx side? He’d have to meet the mother in person to be sure, but he’d wager it wasn’t her since the woman had never presented herself upon arriving in town, which was in clear defiance of the rules all shifters abided by.

Which left the missing father. A man not named on paper. Not even on the birth record he’d managed to have dug up.

Unknown.

What man left behind his child?

I’d never do it. Bryce might be many things, including an arrogant liar who was determined to pull the wool over his grandfather’s eyes, but he did take his responsibilities seriously. So seriously he was prepared to marry a stranger.

A woman he felt compelled to see, which was why he told his secretary he had to leave early.

Exiting the building, he paused. He couldn’t have said why except something nagged him. Tugged him into turning. He spotted her across the street, chin tilted upwards, staring at the office building, chewing her lower lip.

Only one reason for her to be here.

Me.

He strode across the street, confidence oozing and stopping traffic. Melanie caught sight of him halfway, and he could see by her startled expression she thought about running.

She came close.

Then her shoulders straightened, and he could almost see resolve pouring from her.

“Hello,” he said, coming to a stop in front of her, hands shoved in his pockets. “Did you come to see me?”

“No.”

“Are you really going to lie?”

She sighed. “Fine. You caught me. I came to see you.”

“Did you make a decision?”

Even the thought of it had him tingling, and he might have let out an exuberant whoop when she announced, “I’ll become your fake wife.”