Chapter 24

JAX'S POV The reports piled higher on my desk with each passing hour. Three dead from the rogue pack's attack, six wounded, and territory lines redrawn yet again. The numbers blurred before my eyes as I tried to make sense of our dwindling resources. A familiar scent—jasmine and dark magic—filled my office moments before the door swung open. I didn't need to look up to know it was Ivanka. Only she would dare enter without knocking. "I'm busy," I said curtly, keeping my eyes on the casualty reports. The last time she came to my office like this, she spent an hour trying to convince me we'd make the perfect power couple. As if I had time for her games with everything that was happening. "Oh, but I have something interesting to show you." Her voice carried that playful lilt that usually meant trouble. I could picture her perfectly without looking—the way she'd be leaning against my doorframe, that sly smile playing at her red-painted lips. "Unless it's about the rogues, I don't have time.