"I don't believe I've seen you here before."
Athena's lips curved into a lazy smile she didn't quite feel. "First time," she murmured, swirling her martini glass like she'd been born doing this. "But I was told this is the only place worth my time."
The manager's smile didn't falter, but his eyes narrowed ever so slightly, as though measuring her words.
And in that tiny pause, Athena realized… This is the moment her act would be tested.
___________________
Kraven dragged a hand through his hair, exhaling hard as if the movement could scrape the restless storm out of him.
It didn't.
The sting of rejection still burned like acid in his chest, and every second in Athena's company was gasoline poured over open flame.
He hated how she made him feel… like he wasn't in control, like she could make his wolf restless with nothing more than a glance, a tone, a defiant tilt of her chin. He should've put her in her place hours ago.
