Chapter 1 #2
“I’ve waited as well, but what do you expect from us?” She asked.
“I want us to explore things, but I believe you were meant for me. It’s my job to convince you that’s true.”
“Hm, your job?”
“It’s a job I take seriously. I want us together more than anything, but I’m willing to take things slow.” Carlos offered. They stayed up talking, sitting close, and occasionally kissing for a few hours, then she started yawning. “You’re tired. I’m being selfish keeping you up all night.”
“I could use some sleep. We’ll be working together all day tomorrow.”
“True. Let me walk you to your room.” Carlos took her arm and led her down the hall. She was just two doors down.
Pulling her into his arms, he kissed her slowly and sensually, making her want nothing more than to drag him to her bed, but she held herself back.
She needed to wait until she was sure she knew him and that she was not just another conquest. If she was sure he wasn’t using her for easy sex, it would even be alright if it didn’t work in the end.
“Think of me.” He said before he left her at her door.
As she lay in bed, sleepiness rolled all over her, and she drifted off to sleep. When morning came, her phone rang. “This is your good morning wake-up call,” Carlos said when she answered.
“Good morning.” She replied.
It was time to get up, shower, and dress. Now she followed her nose to breakfast. Carlos sat at the head of the table waiting for her. He rose and pulled out her chair, helping her sit, then someone brought her food. This was a hearty breakfast that would see her through her busy workday.
“Would you like coffee, orange juice, or both?” Carlos asked.
“Both.” She replied, and her drinks were brought for her.
Cally wasn’t used to being taken care of like this, but it was nice. She ate her food and sat back, relaxing as she finished her juice, then started on her coffee. “You look good sitting here.” He commented. “Just like you should always be here.”
Her cheeks blushed, and she smiled. “Thank you.”
“Would you like a coffee to go?”
“That would be nice.” She agreed.
He nodded to the waiter who brought two coffee travel mugs for them to take with them.
Carlos stood and helped her from her chair, then escorted her to his SUV.
All his wolves seemed to drive similar ones.
They headed out to the office, which she’d not seen before.
Carlos had overseen finding, buying, and remodeling the building during the time she’d been gone.
Refitting for the business was nearly complete, and new customers would start signing up for services today, but only a few.
Trucks, two fully outfitted ones, had also arrived in the last week with fully trained people to take on the first new customers as they signed up. That was what they’d be doing.
“Are you excited about getting started?” Carlos asked.
“A new business is always exciting, but the job isn’t really new for me.”
“It will be new for me. I’ve had some training, but this will be my first time working my own business.”
“You’ll do great. There’s a lot to learn, but you won’t have to learn it all at once.” Cally observed.
“I’ll have you as my teacher, and that will make it easier for me.”
She had to agree. Cally was a patient teacher and had learned her job well. Carlos was also special to her, so she would do her best for him. “We’ll work hard so you get the hang of it quickly.”
“Here we are,” Carlos said as he turned into a driveway.
“It’s nice. Why did you get such a large place?” She asked as she saw a big two-story house.
“I have living quarters upstairs for some of my crew. The master downstairs is also for quarters, and the rest is used for storage, office space, a bathroom, a breakroom, and a place for customers to wait if we’re busy.”
Cally didn’t say anything. There was always something to fill the space. It was just that many first-time owners bought small buildings, then later replaced their initial building with a larger one or added on to it. This one would work even if the business grew.
They entered, and she saw flowers on her desk. “Thank you, Carlos. They are beautiful.”
“You’re welcome. I thought they would brighten your day.”
“Let’s run through everything we need to get started.” She went over her list and checked to make sure it was all there. It was.
“What do we do now?” He asked.
“We check for orders in case someone took an early one.” Checking through the desk and on the top, she found no orders.
It was time to open, and the first call came in. Calls came in steadily with an order, maybe every five calls. For sending out limited invitations, calls were high volume. Carlos went out to pick up lunch while she covered the phones. She was happy to see that business looked good.
Carlos came back with sandwiches, and he took the phone calls while she ate.
Once she was done, it was his turn. He was doing well at securing the business.
His trucks were already on the way to install the new security systems ordered today.
This part of things was going well. How their relationship would go was still left to be seen.
By the end of the day, she felt Carlos had learned a lot, and they had a dozen new customers.
They headed home tired but happy after working overtime on the paperwork.
Supper was waiting for them, and they ate and then went for a walk.
It would help her keep her trim figure to get that exercise every evening before bedtime.
Wolves rarely had weight problems, but changes from humans could cause problems until their bodies fully adjusted.
It was called residual human issues. In time, they went away.
Her alpha walked at a slower pace than usual so she could keep up easily. “It’s such a pretty night,” Cally observed.
“The moon and stars are out, and it’s not too cold.”
“Are you sure it’s safe?”
“I believe so. Those who tried to get you before were dealt with. Not that it’s ever safe with a beautiful woman that other males want.” Carlos noted.
She was aware he had guards just out of sight. If anyone attacked, they would rush up to save the day. There was the sound of a lonesome wolf howling. “One of yours?”
“No, that’s a strange wolf. Some of my guards will head that way to see what’s going on.”
“Maybe that’s what they want? To divide up your guards?” Cally wondered.
“Those headed that way will be from the pack house. The ones with us will stay with us. Do you feel like a good fight?”
Yes, she did. “Wouldn’t bother me. How about you?”
“I live for a good fight,” Carlos admitted.
It didn’t hurt that she’d changed to wolf months ago and taken several courses, including advanced fighting techniques from Tyne.
She was quite good if she did say so herself.
The change had so far had nothing but positive effects on her life.
Carlos seemed to forget, even though he’d encouraged her to do it and was aware she had.
The scent was a clear indicator. That was okay, though.
If he wanted to baby her by walking slower or trying to protect her, that was fine.
He just wanted to be her protector. That was Carlos being a gentleman.
Nothing happened for a while, but when it did, all hell broke loose, and he couldn’t have done it alone.
Cally’s instincts and training kicked in, and she went on autopilot.
No one had to tell her she was amazing to watch, but Carlos had better start fighting or he’d get sidelined.
Ouch! That had to hurt, but getting punched would get Carlos’ head hacked in the fight.
She was like a tornado, refusing to be taken.
Some of her cousins had been taken in the past, and none had a good experience.
One of them, she was sure, had even killed an alpha who had force-mated her.
Then she escaped. That’s what Cally would have done, too.
No way would she allow someone to do that to her.
The opposing force was being taken out, and anyone with sense would run, but they kept trying to get to her.
That made no sense. The only time she’d heard of a similar thing was when a female alpha had bred and trained males to do this.
That female had only been after males. No way it could be her.
There were only a few left, and they still didn't have the brains to run.
His men were taking out the last few stragglers who had entered the fight later.
Carlos came over to her. “You were amazing to watch. We need to get some training like that here.”
“Most of my training came from Tyne. I'm sure you could work out a deal with him. Do you plan to train those females who want it?”
“Most of the females in my pack have had self-defense. If they wish to participate, I'm all for it. I guess I need to talk to Tyne and see what we can work out.” Carlos replied.
“I wanted to go on the walk for the exercise, and I thought it would relax me, but instead, all the excitement has gotten me worked up. It's a good thing I have my e-reader with me.”
“What kinds of books do you read?”
“I've read Ariel’s and Roc’s books, but I also read detective books and cozy mysteries. Do you read?” Cally asked.
“I read detective books once in a while, but mostly I read action-adventure books.”
“Right now, it seems like we're living in an action-adventure story. I know they took out many of the wolves that came after me before, so this must be a new group or the remnants of the old one with new wolves added.”
“It seems there's no end to alphas willing to abduct a white wolf regardless of the punishment,” Carlos observed. “Let me walk you back to the house. Would you like a hot cup of tea? Maybe that will settle you so you can sleep.”
“That would be nice.”
They walked back to the house and sat at the table. Then Carlos placed an order, and they sat there chit-chatting until the tea came. “What kind of tea is this? It smells familiar.”