The Alpha's Temporary Mate (Fated Match) Read Online Free Page B

the agency’s protection and ensure no other woman got in over her head. Plus Kieran had a point—with the time she’d spent researching werewolves for her job, she did already understand the culture and hierarchy of a pack.
    She was the right woman for the job, damn the man.
    “I want that room with a lock Aoife was talking about.”
    Triumph gleamed in his expression. “Absolutely.”
    “And you make sure to stick to all points of the contract.”
    “Of course.” He straightened as he added, “But you should remember the no sex clause was written to ensure no woman felt she had to sleep with me for money.”
    Chloe arched a questioning brow.
    “You turned down my check, sweetheart. There’s no money involved between us.”
    She opened her mouth to argue, only to realize he had a point. The magic she’d woven into the contract was only binding if money exchanged hands. Her deal was with Vivian, not Kieran.
    A fact she had little doubt the wolf would use to his advantage.
    “Make it two locks on the door,” she growled.
    Kieran pushed away from the desk with a chuckle. “Pack a bag. I’ll come by tomorrow after work to collect you.”
    As he strode from the room she wished she could come up with a decent excuse for not doing this.
    Unfortunately, the infuriating wolf was right. She really was perfect for him.

Chapter Three
    “W ow.”
    There was really nothing else to say.
    Chloe stepped through the door of Kieran’s home and stopped. Her heels rested on the black and white checkered floor of the entranceway. Ahead of her she saw a black twisting staircase leading to the second floor, and to her left, arched doorways offered teasing views of the elegant living room set up before bright glass windows.
    “Welcome home,” Kieran purred in her ear as he took her coat.
    Leaving her suitcase by the door, Chloe wandered farther into the penthouse where she’d be spending the next few weeks. Art set on marble pedestals lined the entranceway, lit by a sparkling chandelier above.
    Several doorways led to various parts of the house, but she moved toward the natural light and stepped into a very masculine living room. The color palette of Kieran’s home was based on earthy tones. Brown and black leather couches were arranged around the spectacular view of central park. She noted a spacious balcony beyond the windows as well. Given the real estate prices of the city, she didn’t even want to guess at what a home this size would cost.
    Her own investments had been doing well in the past decades, but it would take her lifetimes to accumulate the wealth that older supernaturals enjoyed. It made her wonder whether this was Kieran’s money or that of his pack. Wolves had a tendency to share their possessions amongst their clan the way a family would.
    “Bedrooms are upstairs,” Kieran said from behind her, as she stared out the large windows. “The kitchen is fully stocked if you’re hungry.”
    Unable to help herself, she pushed through the balcony doors and stepped outside.
    Wind whipped her hair around her face as she took in the wide patio that extended half the length of the penthouse.
    She heard the door opening behind her as she strode to the edge of the balcony. The black iron railing was smooth beneath her hands as she waited for her host to reach her.
    “Beautiful view,” she murmured.
    His hand appeared next to hers as he leaned forward on the rail. “We don’t like to be away from the forest. My inner wolf is always clamoring for wide open spaces, which can be hard to come by in this city.”
    “Wouldn’t it be easier to live outside New York then?”
    He glanced at her with a grin. “Perhaps. But there is so much life in this place. Many of my pack choose to stay here. Easier for work, for mingling with other supernatural members of the community. But we do organize several retreats throughout the year to give the pack an excuse to leave the city behind and go somewhere every wolf can be