Reba’s POV


    “No,” I said quickly–too quickly. My voice sounded strained even to my own ears. I swallowed hard, trying to appear normal while my mind raced. “About your coat…”


    “Ah, yes.” He straightened up, a movement so fluid it seemed almost predatory. “You can return it to me whenever you want. No rush.”


    I nodded, grateful for the chance to end the conversation. “I’ll wash it and give it back to you.”


    Professor Lane’s eyes remained fixed on me, curiosity evident in his gaze. “You’re very special, Ms. Brown. I look forward to seeing you in ss.”


    The way he emphasized “special” sent a jolt of recognition through me. Did he know? Could he somehow sense my connection to Dominic, to the werewolf world?


    Back at my apartment that evening, I stared at Professor Lane’s business card, turning it over in my fingers as I debated what to write. After taking his coat to the dry cleaner’s, I had promised to let him know when he could expect it back. My thoughts kept returning to that moment when I’d caught his scent–that subtle hint of werewolf that had set all my instincts on alert.


    I picked up my phone and began typing a message, then deleted it, then typed again. I kept shifting positions on the couch, unable to getfortable. Each version seemed either too formal or too casual. Why was this so difficult? It was just a text about a coat.


    Finally, I settled on:


    [Hello, Professor Lane. This is Reba Brown, the student who created a water disaster on your coat today. I’ve taken it to professional cleaners and will bring it to you after Thursday’s ss. Again, my sincere apologies.]


    My thumb hovered over the send button for several seconds before I finally pressed it. I set the phone down on the coffee table, only to pick it up again secondster to check if there was a response.


    When the phone finally buzzed, I practically lunged for it. The reply was brief but carried that same hint of humor I’d noticed in person:


    [Ms. Brown, I’m pleased to know my coat is receiving professional care. No rush for Thursday. Hope this encounter doesn’t involve any liquid idents. Looking forward to it.]


    I found myself smiling at the message, a strange warmth spreading through my chest. My fingers hovered over the keyboard, uncertain how to respond, when the phone suddenly vibrated with an iing call. Dominic’s name


    shed on the screen.


    A wave of warmth washed over me, apanied by an unexpected pang of guilt as I quickly closed the text


    conversation with Professor Lane. My hand trembled slightly as I answered.


    h


    “Hi, I answered, my voice softening automatically, tension I hadn’t realized I was carrying melting away at the


    sound of his name.


    ‘Little doe,” Dominic’s deep voice came through the speaker, instantly making me miss him with an intensity that surprised me. “How was your first day of ss<b>?</b>”


    I settled back against the couch cushions, feeling a genuine smile spread across my face. “It was… eventful. I managed to soak my professor’s expensive coat within minutes of arriving on campus. I left out my suspicions about Professor Lane possibly being a werewolf–it seemed too uncertain to mention over the phone.


    Dominic’s rich chuckle vibrated through the phone, sending a pleasant shiver down my spine<b>. </b>“Only you could make such a memorable first impression.”


    “Trust me, it wasn’t intentional,” I groaned, though I was smiling. “How are your business going?”


    “There are no major problems. Will everything be fine after the negotiations with Collins Group.”


    “That’s wonderful,” I said, genuinely pleased. The Collins family, particrly Elizabeth, had been a source of tension between us. The thought of her still made my stomach clench unpleasantly. “When will you be back?”


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