Chapter 4
I couldn’t sit around the office waiting for applications to roll in.
Who the hell knew how long that would take?
So, I decided to head to Paws, Claws, & Fangs for a beer and hopefully some company.
The bar was a favorite haunt among the locals, filled with shifters, vampires, and other supernatural beings.
I pushed through the door, and the rowdy atmosphere was exactly what I needed to get my mind off all the bullshit I was dealing with.
Logan, my friend who had been turned into a vampire just a year ago, was already at the bar nursing a drink.
His dark hair was tousled, and his sharp features looked slightly anxious as he leaned back against the counter.
Despite his new status, he still had that awkwardness of someone trying to navigate a world he hadn’t quite mastered yet.
He spotted me and waved, his characteristic grin lighting up his face.
“Mack! Over here!” he called, motioning for me to join him.
I made my way over, plopping down on the stool beside him. “You look a little less broody today,” I commented, raising an eyebrow.
“Yeah, well, it’s hard to be pouty when you’re drinking in a place like this,” he replied, the hint of a smile breaking through. “I’m still trying to figure out how to handle this whole vampire thing. You know how it is when you first get turned—everything seems so intense.”
“Trust me, I can imagine,” I said, recalling the stories he had shared about his transition. “So, what’s on your mind?”
“I just keep thinking about how I ended up here,” he said, his expression turning thoughtful. “I messed up back in my old life, and now I’m stuck in Arrhythmia trying to make sense of it all.”
I sighed, knowing how tough it could be to adjust. “You’ve got time, Logan. Just take it day by day.”
“Yeah, I know. But I still feel like a rookie,” he admitted, taking a sip of his drink. “I can’t shake the feeling that I’m not cut out for this whole supernatural world.”
“Hey, it takes time to find your footing,” I said, clapping him on the shoulder. “You’re still figuring it all out. Just don’t let the past drag you down.”
Logan gave a small nod, but I could see the uncertainty lingering in his eyes. “Speaking of figuring things out, what’s up with you? My vampy senses are telling me that you’re pretty pissed off. It’s so weird being able to feel other people’s emotions.” He shivered.
I sighed again, running a hand through my hair. “I just found out that my assistant, Lisa, took off with millions of dollars from my company. It was a huge betrayal, and it left me scrambling to pick up the pieces.”
Logan raised an eyebrow. “Lisa? That’s a name I’ve heard before. She’s a demon, right?”
“Yep.”
“She was pretty charming, wasn’t she?”
“Charming enough to suck me in and give her a job with a fuckton of responsibilities,” I replied, irritation creeping into my voice. “She managed to fool everyone in the office into trusting her. I’m such an idiot. I really thought I could trust her.”
“Demon charm can be hard to resist,” Logan said, shaking his head. “From what I’ve seen, they know how to play people like a damn board game.”
“Exactly,” I said, taking a sip of my beer. “And now I’m left with the mess. I can’t risk hiring someone like her again. I can’t afford to make that mistake again, which is why I’m looking to hire someone from outside our world—someone human who doesn’t come with the same kind of baggage.”
“Smart move but be careful. You know the rules of Arrhythmia,” Logan said, leaning back against the bar. “Just make sure you take your time with this new hire. You don’t want to be blindsided again.”
“I won’t. I’m determined to find someone trustworthy, someone who won’t stab me in the back,” I said, feeling the weight of the situation pressing on my chest. “As far as the rules go. Well, rules are meant to be broken, right?”
“Uh-huh.”
My phone buzzed, indicating that I had a new alert. “Huh. How about that?”
“What’s that?” Logan asked with an arched brow.
“Looks like I got a hit on my ad.” I read over the resume. “She sounds experienced and pretty impressive.”
“What’s her name?” Logan asked. “I’ll look her up and see what kind of a digital footprint she has. It’s a good way to avoid the crazies.”
“Audrey Lawerence.” I liked the way her name rolled off my tongue, but I wasn’t about to admit that to Logan. I didn’t need him giving me shit about anything else.
Logan pulled up her Facebook and Instagram accounts and showed me what he had found.
“Nothing too crazy. She clearly loves her cat.”
“And freaking hawt!” Her images clearly caught my bear’s attention. It was hard as hell, but I managed to keep my opinion to myself.
“Could be a crazy cat lady situation going on.” He shrugged and scrolled through more cat pictures.
“Nah. She’d have like fifty cats. Not just one.”
“True dat.”
I fired off a reply asking to meet her in person to see if she would be a good fit. Just the thought of that had me imagining all those curves fitting perfectly against me.
After a few more drinks, I decided to wrap things up. “I need to meet her in her hometown. It’s a small place, but I feel like I need to see her in person,” I said, glancing at Logan.
“Just be careful,” he said, his expression turning serious. “You don’t want to get too involved before you know what you’re dealing with.”
“Yeah, I know,” I replied, waving him off. “I’m just looking for a new assistant. That’s it.”
Logan smirked. “Sure, buddy. Just remember—if she’s as hot as her social media pictures, your bear might have other plans.” Besides, Valentine’s Day is coming up. You might just find yourself a sweetheart.”
“Bro, fuck off.” I rolled my eyes, but he had a point. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something in the universe was shifting, and I was eager to see where it would lead.
I hopped on the first morning flight that I could get.
The bullshit with Lisa had been tamped down by the excitement I felt about this prospect with Audrey.
When I arrived at the diner she had mentioned in her email, I felt a sense of uneasy energy coursing through me.
I entered the diner, and the scent of coffee and bacon made my stomach growl.
It was a modest place, with worn booths and checkered floors, but it had a homey charm that made me feel at ease.
I took a seat at a booth in the back, my gaze flickering toward the entrance.
Moments later, the door swung open, and in walked Audrey. Time seemed to slow as my breath caught in my throat. She was stunning, and that was an understatement. Her social media pictures did her no justice. None at all.
Her long blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders, and those bright blue eyes shimmered with a life all their own.
“I bet she’s a firecracker.”
“Yes, indeed,” my bear replied.
Her shapely figure was accentuated by her fitted clothes, and I couldn’t help but admire the way her hips swayed as she walked toward me. My mouth actually fucking watered. My bear was at full attention.
But there was something off—an undercurrent of tension that I couldn’t quite place as she glanced around nervously. Still, the instant I caught her scent, a primal instinct kicked in. There was no denying it.
“Fuck!”
The realization crashed over me like a wave, leaving me breathless. Suddenly, I was desperate for her, like a drug addict craving his next fix.
“Finally! We found her!”
My bear stirred within me, excitement coursing through my veins.
Do you feel that? The pull? The connection?”
“Yeah, I do,” I replied. “But something feels off. She seems…tense.”
“It doesn’t matter. She’s ours. We need her. We need to claim her.”
“Hi! You must be Mack,” she said, her voice warm and inviting and music to my fucking ears.
“Yeah,” I managed to respond, my voice low and gravelly. “It’s great to finally meet you, Audrey.”
As we settled into our seats and made small talk, I could feel the chemistry sizzling between us. She was sharp, witty, and daring. The way her eyes sparkled when she spoke made my heart race. I was utterly captivated by her presence, and there was no denying it.
So, why are you so eager to leave town?” I asked, my curiosity piqued. “What’s pushing you to get away from your life here?”
Her expression shifted slightly, and I could see a flicker of vulnerability behind her sad smile. “I just…I need a change. I’ve been stuck in the same routine for too long, and it feels like my life is going nowhere. I want more than what this small town offers.”
I nodded, understanding the yearning for something greater. “That makes sense. Sometimes you have to take a leap to find out what you’re truly capable of.”
“I guess I just want to feel alive again,” she admitted, her gaze steady.
As she spoke, I could sense her uncertainty. We talked about the job, and she lied about her experience. I could taste every single lie that left her mouth. It was subtle but unmistakable. I knew she wasn’t being entirely honest about her experience. I couldn’t figure out why she would lie.
“She’s lying, Mack. I can taste it.”
“Yeah, I know,” I thought back to my bear, feeling the urgency coursing through my veins. “But it doesn’t matter. She’s our mate.”
The conversation flowed easily after that.
Her laughter was contagious. Her dreams for a better life hit hard.
She didn’t lie about that. I couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like to have her by my side.
I could see us building a life together, a partnership that transcended just work.
I simply couldn’t figure out why she would lie about her skills.
But then I felt a shift in the atmosphere as the door opened again, and I tensed, instinctively preparing for another confrontation. I had no idea why the hairs on my arms suddenly stood on end. Why my bear was ready to charge forward and attack.
Another guy walked in—this one was dressed sharply, his demeanor exuding confidence. I could see that he was sizing up the situation, his gaze flicking between Audrey and me.
“What’s going on here?” he asked, a challenging tone in his voice.
I felt my bear stir anxiously within me. This wasn’t good. The look on Audrey’s face was incredulous. I felt her tense up.
“What do you want, James?” Her tone was hard and unforgiving.
“You were supposed to meet me so we could talk last night.” He sneered at her.
“There’s no point. I told you weeks ago that we’re done. You need to leave me alone.”
I felt a growl rising up from my chest. My bear was primed and ready to rip this mother fucker’s head clean off his shoulders.
“I think it’s time for you to go,” I said, pushing away from the table and unfolding to my full height.
“Who the hell are you?” he demanded, his gaze narrowing. He backed up a bit. Most likely feeling my bear’s agitation. It’s funny how humans can feel that magic without knowing fully what it is. I’ve been told that it feels like pure danger to them. I hoped like hell that’s what this scumbag felt.
“I’m the one who’s offering her a job,” I replied, my voice steady. “You need to leave her alone.”
Audrey looked between us, a mix of confusion and irritation on her face. “I really don’t need this right now,” she said, her voice firm as she stood up, ready to defend herself.
“Just let me talk to her for a minute,” he insisted, stepping closer.
“Back off,” I warned, feeling the bear clawing at the surface.
“We’re not going to let anyone hurt her.”
Before I knew it, I was standing between them, my instincts fully engaged. “I said, back off.”
The guy hesitated, clearly weighing his options. There was a moment of tension, and I knew I had to act quickly. “You don’t want to mess with me,” I growled, my voice low and dangerous.
Finally, he relented, throwing up his hands in mock surrender. “Fine. But this isn’t over,” he said before turning on his heel and storming out.
I exhaled slowly, my heart racing. I turned back to Audrey, who was watching me with a mixture of amazement and gratitude. “Are you okay?” I asked again, wanting to make sure she felt safe.
“I am now,” she said, her voice softening. “Thank you for standing up for me.”
I nodded, feeling a surge of affection for her. “I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”
“Let’s talk about the job,” I said, wanting to refocus on what brought us together in the first place. “I think you’d be a perfect fit, and I really want you on my team.”
“Really?” Her excitement poured through that single word.
“Really. When can you start?”
“As soon as you’ll have me. I just need to pack up a few things in my apartment and get Muffin ready to go.”
“Muffin?” I asked, not wanting to know that I’d stalked her social media.
“My cat. I hope it’s okay that I bring her. I won’t leave her behind.”
“It’s perfectly fine. The two of you can stay at my place until we find an apartment of your own.” I tasted my own lie. I knew that once I had her under my roof, I’d do whatever it took to keep her there. To prove to her that she was my fate, and I was hers.
As we resumed our conversation, I couldn’t believe my luck.
I knew in my gut that I had found not just an employee, but someone who could change everything for me.
The pull between us was undeniable, and despite the chaos that had just unfolded, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. A calm I never expected to find.
As I shared more about my plans for the company, I could see her eyes light up with enthusiasm. “I can’t believe this is happening,” she said, her smile infectious. “I was looking for a way out of my old life, and this feels like the perfect opportunity.”
“Then let’s make it happen,” I said, feeling a sense of determination settle within me. The betrayal by Lisa. The trip here to meet Audrey. All of it could be summed up by one thing. Fate.
I reached across the table, our fingers brushing together, and the electric spark sent shivers down my spine. “Welcome aboard, Audrey.”
“She’s ours. I want her, Mack.”
As we continued to talk, I couldn’t shake the feeling of destiny wrapping around us. I felt my bear pushing to the surface, eager to claim her, to protect her. I glanced at her, taking in her features—the way her hair caught the light, the sparkle in her eyes that ignited my very soul.
“We need her, Mack. She completes us.”
“I know,” I thought back to my bear, feeling the urgency coursing through my veins. “But we need to take this slow. She has her own past, and it seems complicated. Besides, she’s a human and knows nothing about our world.”
“Doesn’t matter. She’s meant for us. She can’t deny it any more than we can.”