"Really? I can help you with that," Alex replied almost immediately, his voice carrying that eager submissiveness she had already learned to recognize. "Do you want to discuss it over a call?"
Hayley let a small pause stretch, just long enough to feel his anticipation sharpen on the other end like a wolf responding to a distant call. "I'm free," she said lightly. "I'll get you a coffee while we talk. Meet me."
There was barely any hesitation.
"Alright," Alex said quickly. "Send me your location. I'll come now."
A slow curve formed on Hayley's lips the moment the call ended.
Easy.
Too easy.
She sent him the location and slipped her phone back into her pocket, eyes narrowing with quiet satisfaction. Erica's so-called mate had already taken the bait without resistance. All it took was the right appearance, the right scent, the right illusion of familiarity.
This face… it really was useful.
