A Virgin for the Wolf

by Harmony Raines

  A Virgin For The Wolf

  ***

  All rights reserved. This book, or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner without the express written consent of the author or publisher.

  This is a work of fiction and is intended for mature audiences only. All characters within are eighteen years of age or older. Names, places, businesses, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, actual events or places is purely coincidental.

  © 2013 Harmony Raines

  Silver Moon Erotica

  Smashwords Edition

  ***

  Chapter One

  - Nathaniel Greystone -

  Nathaniel Greystone stood listening to Mrs Pierce, struggling to pay attention to his PA because his mind was on other things. He had just returned from a family wedding, one of his younger brothers had at last found his mate and settled down to breed the next generation of Greystones. Nat should be happy about it, but the main topic of conversation at the wedding seemed to be his own lack of a mate.

  Usually there was no rush, or pressure, to find a mate, but when you are pack alpha, it was seen as your duty to breed. “Set a good example” were the words mostly used. He sighed, the problem was you couldn’t conjure a true mate from thin air, and he had to be sure that he chose the right one, this had always worried him.

  Thankfully when he had collared his younger brother Hal, and asked him how he found his mate, he said that he knew as soon as he saw her. There was no second guessing; no doubt whatsoever that she was the one. This eased Nat’s mind in some ways, but also convinced him he had not met her yet.

  Now the only problem was he would have to throw himself into socialising with the opposite sex more than ever, casting a big net, they called it. Yet Nat had been ready to settle down years ago, and did not relish the thought of so much female attention, and when you were as rich as Nathaniel Greystone, there was always plenty of that.

  He had become fed up of loose women who were happy to bed him and then gain bragging rights, so he had abstained from sex for the past year, hoping against hope that he would be lucky and find his true mate.

  “So, Mr Greystone,” Mrs Pierce’s voice cut into his musings, “I know you always seem to have a sixth sense for these kind of things, so if you could interview Miss Carter, I would be most grateful.”

  “I’m sorry, Mrs Pierce, you say the woman in question provided false information on her CV?” he asked.

  “Yes, she said she had the correct qualifications, but when I double checked, she attended the classes, but did not pass any exams, she dropped out.” Mrs Pierce looked at her boss closely; his mind was not quite back in business mode yet, unusual for Nathaniel Greystone.

  “Then why don’t you deal with it? End her trial and find someone else, you know I cannot stand liars and cheats.” He tried to keep his annoyance covered.

  “Normally I would, but her work has been exemplary, I have yet to hire someone so keen to prove herself,” Mrs Pierce said defensively.

  Nat studied Mrs Pierce closely, his PA was both experienced and trusted, and she rarely got emotionally involved. “But she provided false facts,” he stated.

  “Yes, I know. But I would see it as a personal favour if you would speak to her, it would seem such a pity to let someone so hard working and conscientious go,” Miss Pierce insisted.

  “Very well, Mrs Pierce, your opinion has always meant a lot to me, if it means so much to you I will speak with her.” He looked at his watch, it was nearly 5.00pm, he might as well get it over with and if needs be send her home at the end of the day, save any embarrassment all round. “Where is she?”

  “Filing, shall I send her to your office?” Mrs Pierce said heading for the door.

  “No, I’ll find her.” He left the office and headed to have a look at her desk first, he had learned you could tell a great deal about someone by what was, and wasn’t on a desk.

  Pausing by the side of her desk he took in the very neat appearance of it, everything tidied away. This could mean two things, a very private person or one who was trying to hide something. Usually the office workers filled their desks with needless nik naks, not Miss Carter.

  His eyes slid over her small bag, zipped up, and then over to the one personal item hidden by the side of her computer. Leaning towards it he saw a smiling boy of about fourteen, hair tousled as though he had been playing outdoors.

  Interesting, no picture of a significant other, so she must be a single parent. Tricky, she could need the job for the money, but how committed would she be if the child got sick and needed her at home? Still nothing wrong with strong family instincts. The picture of the child also told him, Miss Carter must be a lot older than he had imagined.

  Having seen enough he headed off to filing.

  Walking into the confined space he found a woman crouched down, indeed filing. She didn’t hear him come in and he had a moment to take in her curvaceous body. The swell of her hips, and the roundness of her bottom. Just right for breeding.

  He sighed, he was becoming obsessed with this mating thing, and anyway she was much too old for him. Clearing his throat he made his presence known, he had better get this out of the way, and go and start his woman hunt.

  She jumped, turned around briefly and he noted her age, only twenty at the most. Looking startled she rose to her feet, turning towards him. He watched her lips move, but did not hear a word she said, there was a ringing in his ears, and his vision became clearer, his whole being centring on the woman standing before him.

  In that instant he knew she was his mate, there had never been a need to go out and find her, she had come to him. He smiled, his devastating smile. In complete contrast to how women usually reacted she looked like an animal trapped by a big bad wolf, if only she knew.

  After all the times he had imagined this happening, this was not how he thought it would be. Surely it would be like some old movie, she would know instinctively who he was, and how they were destined to be together and then fling herself into his arms. Instead she looked for an escape route, only to look even more worried in realising there was none.

  “Can I help you?” she asked, this time he heard the words.

  “Yes.”

  She looked at him, expecting something more.

  “Sorry,” he said, shaking his head and smiling his winning smile again. Holding out his hand he introduced himself. “I am Nathaniel Greystone.”

  Straight away her manner changed, but still not the reaction he usually got. Instead she became less fearful, and more guarded. Her body language was enough to tell him that, yes, she had lied, and now wanted to know whether he knew it.

  “Nice to meet you, Mr Greystone,” she was appropriately polite.

  He wanted to say, “Call me Nat, want to go and make some pups?” but realised that was a little premature. Instead he said, “Likewise.” Their hands met and the earth didn’t so much move, but his world shifted a little on its axis. He wondered if she could feel it too, the slight buzzing in the palm of his hand, the exchange of energy, energy that resonated on the same frequency.

  As he watched she definitely seemed to relax, the tension draining from her body. Now he had to decide how to play it, the strong alpha male, or the laid back bachelor. His raging beast took over, he was the alpha male, and she needed to know she was his mate.

  Knowing she was already on rocky ground he would leverage that, he did not have the time to court her for months, she was going to do his bidding, and enjoy it.

  “Miss Carter,” he said, straightening up. “We have found a discrepancy on your application.”

  Sh
e paled; he could tell she was wavering on how to play her part. “Oh, are you sure? I thought the information was correct.”

  “Come now, Miss Carter, we both know that is not true.” He moved in closer, the beast with the scent of its prey tantalisingly close.

  She blushed and fiddled nervously with her hair. “I’m sorry. I simply wanted the opportunity to demonstrate how well I could do the job. With no firm qualifications I have struggled to do anything other than waitressing, and I need a career, Mr Greystone.”

  “I have a zero tolerance for people, especially employees, who lie, Miss Carter.” This close to her he had trouble controlling the wolf in him; he wanted to make her kneel before him so he could mount her here and now.

  “Again, I can only apologise, I needed the job. I can assure you it’s the first time I have done anything like this,” she said, trying to remain calm.

  “And I am supposed to take your word for this?” he asked, confident he could bend her to his will.

  She changed tack. “Hasn't Mrs Pierce been pleased with my work?”

  “Yes, as a matter of fact she has. Which is why I am happy to come to some arrangement.” He projected his strong desire onto her, usually women fell into his arms at this point, it was so easy.

  “An arrangement?” she repeated. “I am not sure I understand your meaning.”

  He moved in close to her, rubbing her arm sensuously with the back of his hand, as it rose up he brushed against the sensitive flesh on the side of her breast. For a moment he knew he had her, Miss Carter's pupils dilated and he could hear the beat of her heart as it quickened. Her lips parted and he leaned into to kiss her, deal done, she was his and his life would finally be back on track.

  Suddenly she pulled back, stamped on his foot, making him move. She had a clear exit, and she took it, quickly. As she disappeared out of the door she said, “I am not that kind of girl, Mr Greystone. I will collect my things and leave.”

  He stood stunned, watching her leave. How could that have not worked? He was a very successful business man, a billionaire. Reading people and predicting their behaviour was second nature.

  So why, when it was the most important moment in his life, had he got it so wrong?

  ***

  Chapter Two

  Miss Ellie Carter walked back to her desk, head held high. She nodded and smiled to her work colleagues, as though everything was normal. Sliding into her seat she quickly took the photograph of Thomas, and the few other personal items she had brought in and put them in her bag.

  She glanced at the clock, five minutes until it was time to leave, she couldn’t wait that long. Luckily her bag was small so she took some files from her desk and hid it beneath them, and walked out of the office.

  Placing the files down on an empty desk on the way to the elevator, she left the floor of Greystone Holdings and went down to the foyer. Trying to look normal she headed towards the main doors, feeling guilty when security watched her. Ellie kept her cool, and left the building.

  It took her an hour to get home, and only when she was safe in the shabby apartment she shared with Thomas, who thankfully wasn’t home yet, did she let her emotions go. Almost staggering to the sofa she collapsed in a heap and began to cry.

  It had all been going so well, she had worked harder than anyone else in the office, Mrs Pierce had praised her, letting her know she would be getting a permanent contract if she kept up her hard work. It wasn’t fair that just because she hadn't got a stupid piece of paper that confirmed that she was qualified to do the job she had lost out again.

  Failure, that was what she was. Would nothing ever go right?

  After five minutes of self pity she pulled herself together, as she always did. She would have to work out what she was going to do now, there wasn’t enough money in her bank account for more than one month's rent, and she certainly wouldn’t be getting a pay check for the two weeks she had worked at Greystone.

  She tried not to berate herself over what had happened. It had been done for a reason, a chance to make a better life for her and Thomas; if she had been careful with the money she would have been able to save enough for a college fund for him.

  Tomorrow she would simply have to go back to Scottie's and ask for her old job back, they had been sorry to see her go so hopefully she might be able to pick up some shifts. Maybe that was where she belonged anyway. Perhaps the only thing she would ever be good at was being a waitress.

  Wiping her eyes she went to the small kitchen and began to prepare dinner. Thomas would be back soon, and he was always hungry when he came home. They could sit down and he could tell her all about his day, and tomorrow she would start to pick the pieces up again, certainly she'd had enough practice at that.

  Pulling pans out of the cupboard, and heating the oven she set to work on dinner. Nothing fancy, money didn’t stretch far, but at least they would not go to bed hungry. Ellie had done that a few times in the past too, not that it had ever made her shift a few pounds, which seemed impossible.

  She smiled, at least if she got her job back at Scottie's they would eat well, the owner knew her situation and was always generous with the leftovers. No, she could make things work, a second job, perhaps at the grocery store, would make life easier.

  The door opened and Thomas came in. “Hey, Ellie, something smells good.”

  “Hi, Tom. Get washed up and we can sit and eat. Had a good day?” she asked.

  “Yeah, how about you? The new job still going great?” His voice got closer, and then he was in front of her and she knew she would have to tell him her news.

  “No. I got fired, they found out I didn’t actually pass my exams.” She stopped what she was doing and looked at him.

  “Really, I thought you said it was going well?” He opened the fridge and took out a soda.

  “It was, and then the boss himself, Mr Greystone, came back.” She could picture him vividly, too vividly, the things she wanted him to do to her, the places she wanted him to touch. Clearing her throat she tried to concentrate on Tom.

  “How bad was it?” Tom came and put his arm around her, she leaned on his shoulder, goodness he was growing into a young man, trouble was he constantly needed new clothes as he grew out of everything so fast.

  “Could have been worse, but it’s done with now.” Although the thought of never seeing Nathaniel Greystone did not sit well with her emotions. Maybe she should have listened to his offer of an arrangement; it was probably the only way she would ever know what it was like to be with a man. Wow, she sounded desperate.

  “I know, but you were best in your class, it’s not fair that that counts for nothing, I bet you would have got the highest mark out of your whole class if you had sat the exam.”

  The hugged him. “Thanks, Tom, but the fact that I didn’t sit the exam means I wasted two years of my life.”

  “Look, I’ll ask around see if there is any work I can do, to help out here while you get straight.”

  “No, Tom. The best thing you can do is study, get good grades, perhaps you might get a scholarship, your head teacher thinks it is a real possibility.” Tom being successful and happy would make up for all the sacrifices she had made.

  “I feel bad though, you having to work so hard.”

  “It'll be worth it when you become a successful and then you can buy me a nice house, with a garden.”

  “You're on,” he said giving her a big squeeze. “Right I’ll get changed and wash my hands, I am starving.”

  He left the kitchen, walking to his bedroom when there was a knock at the front door. “Can you get that?” Ellie called. “It will probably be for you anyway.”

  “Sure,” he answered.

  Ellie went back to preparing dinner, wondering if she would have to make it go three ways, Tom always had friends around. It was something she encouraged, because it was something her mother had never liked her to do.

  “Ellie,” Tom said, poking his head back around the door. “It’s for you.”
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  “Who is it?” she mouthed. No one ever came to see her, unless she owed them money.

  Tom shrugged. Wiping her hands on a cloth she went out to see who it was, shocked to find Nat Greystone standing in her shabby apartment.

  Tom stood looking at Nat, she could tell by his expression he was intrigued as to why a man like this was coming to see his plump sister, men basically ignored her, she was invisible to the opposite sex unless she was bringing them their order.

  “Mr Greystone,” she said giving Tom a look that said make yourself invisible. “I believe our business was concluded at your office.”

  “I am afraid I don’t see it that way, Miss Carter,” Nat said smoothly.

  Ellie felt the colour drain from her face; he was going to press charges. Could you be charged with falsifying your CV? She wasn’t sure, but if a rich and powerful man such as Nathaniel Greystone wanted it, she thought he would probably be able to persuade the right person it was in the public interest.

  Tom saw her face too, and sprang to her defence, much to Ellie’s horror. “My sister was just trying to make things better for us.”

  “Sister, ah, now it makes a bit more sense,” Nat said looking at Ellie. “Where are your parents?”

  “That is none of your business.” Ellie moved to the door. “Please leave, Mr Greystone. I’m sure the police have better things to do than deal with any charges you might want to press.”

  “You made it my business when you falsified information on your application, so I’m not going anywhere until you have heard me out.” Nat went over to the sofa and sat down. “Don’t worry; I am not interested in involving the police, as long as you do as I ask. Now please sit down, Miss Carter, and I’m sure your brother has somewhere he could go to give us some privacy.”

  Ellie thought back to what Nat Greystone had implied in his office, and despite her earlier thoughts, she had no real intention of being persuaded to do him any personal favours. “This is not a good time, we were about to eat.”