“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.”
5
