Chapter 1 Ch 1

New job, new town, new life. This was the change I had been aching for since I graduated high school. Attending a community college had saved me a fortune, sure, but living with my parents for an extra two years was enough to make anyone slightly insane. This insanity was exactly the reason why I chose Bloomberg as my new hometown.

Technically, it chose me, I guess. I applied to several jobs in several different cities, but I only received interviews for two. This job, as a receptionist, seemed more exciting than the clerk job I could've had. The salary wasn't much, but it would be a good starting point. Besides, my new job involved high-end, luxury homes and properties. I loved looking at beautiful things.

My eyes flickered over my reflection in the mirror propped against the bare wall of my small bedroom. I wanted to look professional on my first day, so I chose a simple knee-length black skirt and a long-sleeved white blouse with my favorite gold necklace. The skirt clung to my wide hips but the blouse gave my curves room to breathe. Heaven knew clothes seemed to get tighter as the day passed. Slipping into black pumps, I finally moved away from the mirror.

I snatched up my black leather purse and car keys on the way out the door. A chilly spring breeze swept back, piercing the thin shirt. The weather here was cooler than back home, but summer was coming. The heat would be unbearable soon enough.

Although I had driven to the office yesterday for my interview, I didn't want to get lost so I plugged the address into my GPS just in case. I made note of the street names as I drove, and tried to remember important places, like Walmart, the mall, and Taco Bell. Those were the main premises of my entire life. I was so grateful this town had all three.

Once I reached the older brick building, I parked close to the front and gathered my purse. The woman who had hired and interviewed me, the manager, had told me I didn't need to bring in anything except a smile. I could certainly manage that. My heels clicked against the cement while I teetered to the door. It had been ages since I'd worn heels, but I could adjust. I liked how they made my legs look, even if my toes were going numb.

The things we do for beauty, I thought with an eye roll before stepping into the warm lobby.

Angelica, my boss, flashed her pearly whites in a welcoming smile from behind the desk. The same desk that would now be mine. My belly tingled nervously.

"Good morning, Rylee," she greeted.

My own smile faltered for a moment. "Oh, it's just Lee. Sorry."

"That's right!" She chuckled embarrassedly and smacked her head. "I forgot you go by a nickname. Forgive me, this morning has already been hectic."

"Wow, really? It's hardly even started." I joined her behind the desk and placed my purse down. Hectic was not a word I wanted to hear on my first day.

"Yes, dear," she said with a sigh. "The phone has been ringing nonstop. We have two families interested in different houses on opposite ends of town...and their appointments are three hours apart."

We ran through the schedule and, since we had a moment, she taught me how to book appointments through the computer software. The phone rang and she instantly picked it up. Her voice became light and enthusiastic. I knew I'd have to practice that. For whatever reason, talking on the phone wrecked my communication skills. I could overcome that, though.

From then on, the day was hectic. I tried answering the phone and booking appointments, which was a more burdensome task than I expected. Then, when I wasn't on the phone, I was doing paperwork and running background checks on our more serious clients. Lunch was brief, more like a snack break with my sandwich in the break room, before I was back at it. I honestly didn't understand how Angelica had been doing all of this and her management duties alone.

By the end of the day, I was more than ready to return to my shabby little apartment. I wanted to kick these stupid heels off and change into sweatpants. A bowl of cookie dough ice cream sounded like a dream, just like whatever hot actor would be featured in my movie choice of the night.

We began closing things down at five. I shut off my computer and pulled my purse over my shoulder. Angelica entered the lobby with a tired smile, her dark lipstick still looking perfect after a day like this. I marveled her, truly.

"So," she started, "would you like to meet your real boss?"

My brows rose. Real boss?

Sensing my confusion, she chuckled and said, "I mean, the top boss. My boss. He's also the owner of Lakewood Real Estate."

"Oh," I replied with understanding. "Sure. Right now?"

"He's still in his office." Angelica shrugged. "Might as well. He doesn't come out much and probably wouldn't even notice we hired someone new, but he will be signing your paycheck...so I suppose it makes sense."

This time I laughed. "I suppose so."

I followed her down the hall connected to the lobby to the very last door. It was currently closed, but I could hear voices through the door. Times like these reminded me of my other side, my supernatural side that had remarkable hearing. I was so used to blending into the natural world that I often forgot I wasn't fully human. One can turn into the person they portray themselves to be...hopefully, in a good way.

Angelica knocked on the door. "Mr. Coulter?"

"Come in," responded a deep voice.

Pushing the door open, she stepped inside. I smoothed down my skirt and followed her. The oddest, most unusual thing happened. My eyes were drawn up from the floor like they were magnets. They looked past the wood floors, up the mahogany desk, over the back of a desktop, and then locked with a pair of brown eyes. My chest immediately tightened.

Mate, my mind stated. I didn't understand how I knew so instantly, without question, but I did. Our eyes held for what seemed an eternity before I recalled we weren't alone. Burying my nails into my palm, I glanced at the figure perched on the corner of his desk.

She was youthful-looking, probably my age, with striking auburn curls and glowing green eyes. She was a human, I could smell the floral aroma. Her trim figure was clad in a business casual dress that matched her eyes. My senses were coming alive again, as if this moment with my mate was bringing back all the canine parts of me I had tucked away. Everything suddenly looked brighter, smelled stronger, felt tighter.

Perhaps it was because my instincts registered this human as a distinct threat.

"Mr. Coulter," Angelica told him, drawing my attention back to my mate, "this is our new receptionist, Lee."

"Pleasure to meet you," he said, holding my gaze captive. "I wasn't aware we had found someone new. This is wonderful news."

For the first time since I came into the room, I observed the rest of him. Thick dark hair combed out of his face, bushy brows, rosy lips, a square jaw, and extensive shoulders that poured down into a defined chest. Well, it looked defined from what I could see with his shirt in the way. He wasn't Hollywood gorgeous but definitely something out of my teenage dreams.

"It's wonderful news for me, too," I squeaked out, even if I wanted to say the opposite. How was I going to work for my mate? This would be disastrous. "It's nice to meet you as well, Mr. Coulter."

"Don't bother with formalities." He waved his hand—a very large, muscled hand—in the air. "It's just Tandan. Right, Angie?"

His manager chuckled and glanced at me. "He knows I can't help it. Mister is just habit."

"Yes, well, it's entirely unnecessary," he told her. "Anyway, Lee, glad to have you on the team."

"Thank you." I dipped my head and inches back for the door, itching to be free of this situation as much as I wanted to be alone with him. "I should be on my way. Have a good evening, everyone."

"I'll walk you out," Angelica piped before waving at the two we were leaving behind.

We didn't speak until we were outside. I was dying to ask who the redhead was, desperately afraid of my suspicions. Instead, Angelica bid me goodnight and I returned the favor. As soon as I was in my car, I felt the blood rush to my face.

Oh, God, what am I going to do?