Chapter 259 The Fox in the Elevator


    <b>Leslie’s </b>POV


    Finished


    My discussion with Adler went more smoothly than I could have hoped. On the core issues, our views aligned almost perfectly. The calm sandalwood of his pheromones filled the air, steady and reassuring, easing my mood.


    Half an hourter, we left the office. Dusk had fallen; the setting sun spilled through the ss windows, painting the corridor in warm gold and crimson.


    I walked him to the elevator and asked casually, “Eren hasn’t shown uptely. Did the assassination scare him off?”


    Adler smiled politely, his sandalwood scent asposed as ever. “He’s lived through war. Fear doesn’t shake him. I just found him a few tutors. His assignments… are heavy.”


    His tone carried a hint of teasing, his eyes soft with fatherly indulgence.


    Iughed, though a pang of sympathy stirred inside me.


    Poor cub. So this was the life of the Golden Pack heir–so little freedom.


    <i>Pups </i><i>belong </i><i>in </i><i>the </i><i>wild</i><i>, </i><i>not </i><i>chained </i><i>to </i>books, Asphodel growled in my chest.


    I ignored him. “Good. I’ll visit when I can. He’ll be happy.”


    “You don’t need an invitation. He keeps mentioning you,” Adler added, gentle encouragement


    woven into his scent.


    We stood before the elevator. Before the chime could sound, a low, familiar voice came from behind. “Heading home already?”


    I froze. Turning, I found Kirby still there.


    He sat in his wheelchair, mint pheromones curling in the air, tinged with a probing edge. His gaze was fixed entirely on me, lips curved in a faint, unreadable smile.


    Adler inclined his head politely. Kirby gave a cool nod in return, but his eyes never left me, as though I was the only one who existed.


    “You’re done here, <i>so </i>you’re free. Let’s go home together,” he said lightly, but beneath the words lingered a quiet intimacy, as if there was some unspoken right between us,


    Home? The word caught me off guard. I nced at the time–it was, in fact, the end of the workday.


    9:20 Thu, Sep 18 B


    …


    :


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    Chapter 259 The Fox in the Elevator


    I opened my mouth to refuse. “I still have-”


    Kirby cut me off, his tone airy. “I sent the guards away. It’s just me now.”


    Finished


    He paused, his voice carrying a hint of mockery. “You wouldn’t leave me to go home alone, would you?”


    I nearly rolled my eyes. Dramatic.


    <i>Weak</i>, and <i>still </i><i>angling </i><i>for </i><i>sympathy</i><i>, </i>Asphodel sneered. <i>A </i><i>male </i><i>wolf </i><i>ying </i><i>at </i><i>helplessness</i>.


    I forced down my impatience. The elevator chimed.


    Adler stepped back, gesturing politely for us to enter first.


    But Kirby didn’t move. Instead, he looked up at me with wide, deliberately vulnerable eyes, mint pheromones threaded with expectation.


    I understood instantly.


    In front of another top Alpha, he wasn’t about to wheel himself inside. And there was no universe where Adler would push him.


    That left me.


    Suppressing a sigh, I stepped forward and pushed him in, standing behind the chair.


    His mint scent deepened,ced with satisfaction, lips curving like a fox who’d gotten what he wanted.


    The doors stood open for a beat, but Adler didn’t join us.


    He inclined his head. “I left those flowers behind. Best not to. Excuse me.”


    His sandalwood pheromones remained calm, faintly distant.


    Kirby gave a shallow nod and a polite smile, but before I could react, he pressed the close button himself.


    Deliberate.


    The elevator sank into an awkward hush.


    I pulled out my phone, messaging Cameron about follow–ups, my pinewood pheromones leaking with faint impatience.


    When the doors opened on the ground floor, Shane was already there, his rocky aura solid and


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    9:20 Thu, Sep 18 B..


    Chapter 259 The Fox in the Elevator


    immovable.


    I stepped out, only to hear Kirby call behind me, “Leslie—”


    I hesitated. Right. He was waiting for someone to push him.


    I frowned and started back, but Shane strode forward, a gust of purpose in every step. “Princess, this kind ofbor is my duty.”


    81


    Finished


    His tone brooked no refusal. Swift, efficient, he seized the handles and wheeled Kirby forward at a pace that rattled the chair.


    Behind me came the sound of wheels skidding, Kirby’s low hiss of frustration, his mint pheromones tinged with bitter exasperation.


    My lips curved faintly.


    Now this is <i>entertaining</i><i>, </i>Asphodel chuckled darkly.


    Send <b>Gifts </b>


    。