Taming the Beast

by Alicia Montgomery

  “Mer!” Lara exclaimed.

  “She doesn’t need them,” Meredith glared at Jade. “Right?”

  The brunette bit her lip and shook her head. “I used to wear glasses…before the accident. But with the shifter healing and abilities, I didn’t really need them anymore.” She remembered that after her spine completely healed, her vision became a perfect 20/20. The glasses were her last link to her past. Before the accident. Before her entire life turned upside-down. She was using them as a crutch, something to hide behind.

  “Now there’s nothing hiding your gorgeous face,” Meredith said, as if reading Jade’s mind. “It’s time to show the real you.”

  Jade sighed. This was going to be a long day.

  ***

  Sebastian entered Grant’s office not knowing what to expect. The CEO was sitting on his desk, his brows drawn in a frown as he looked at some papers. Nick Vrost was standing to his right, his icy blue eyes zeroing in on Sebastian as soon as he came in. There it was again as if Nick’s contempt towards him was something physical. He could feel the wave of negative energy coming from the other man.

  Grant’s head popped up, and he nodded at Sebastian. “Good, you’re here. Take a seat. This won’t take long.” His voice was cool, even, and didn’t give away a hint of emotion.

  “In that case, I’d prefer to stand,” Sebastian replied.

  “Whatever you want,” Grant stood up and walked around his desk. “Now, tell me, why were you having Dr. Cross followed? And don’t lie. Nick told me everything.”

  “I wasn’t lying,” Sebastian stated. “It was to protect her.”

  “And you think she needed protection because…”

  “Someone wants her dead. Whoever this sick fucker is, he’s escalated from just wanting to kidnap her.” The look Grant gave him confirmed his suspicions. “Who is it?” Sebastian asked, his voice turning deadly.

  “One of our rivals,” Grant said. “That’s all I can tell you for now.”

  I’ll find out anyway, Sebastian thought. And when he did, that motherfucker wasn’t going to be around much longer. Keep her safe, The Beast hissed. Kill him.

  Nick suddenly stepped forward, and the air in the office grew thick.

  “Nick, stand down,” Grant held his hand up.

  “But—”

  “Nick,” Grant whipped his head towards the other man. “Let me handle this.” He turned back to Sebastian. “Look, Dr. Cross isn’t just an employee. She’s practically family, and I don’t want her hurt, but I can’t ask her to stop her work, either. So why don’t we just make this official? I want to hire Creed security to protect her.”

  “Grant, you can’t be serious!” Nick protested. “He’s practically stalking her!”

  “Nick, Sebastian obviously has some stake in keeping Dr. Cross safe.” Grant eyed Sebastian. “And he’s done a great job so far. I can’t think of anyone else who would do his best to make sure no harm comes to her.”

  Nick opened his mouth to protest, then shut it close.

  “Great. If you agree, Sebastian, we’ll sort it out.”

  “Yes,” Sebastian nodded. “I’ll personally see to it that Dr. Cross is safe.” And the bastard trying to kill her won’t see the light of day once I find out who he is. He made a mental note to tell his team to start researching Fenrir’s biggest rivals.

  They worked out more details of how they would go about protecting Jade. Creed Security would be in charge of Jade’s security detail, just in case there were any leaks at Fenrir. Only Sebastian would know who would be watching Jade and when, and would only reveal the details to Grant or Nick if necessary. After sorting out other matters, Grant declared that he had another meeting, signaling the end of their meeting. Sebastian could still feel Nick Vrost’s glare on his back as he left, but he paid the other man no mind. All he cared about was that he could protect Jade and keep her close.

  He stepped into the private elevators, his mind making a checklist of things to do. The elevator stopped on the 33rd floor, and as the doors opened, feminine laughter and chatter greeted him

  “…And he’s so hot, too! I don’t think Jade could have done better for a first Tinder date!” Lara Chatraine said to her companion.

  “I think she should wear that black dress. What do you think?” It was the tall blonde, Jade’s bodyguard. “Would it be too much to wear sexy lingerie for a first date? We don’t have a lot of—” The woman, Meredith, if he recalled correctly, shut her mouth the moment her whiskey-brown eyes landed on Sebastian. Lara’s face, on the other hand, could barely contain her shock and surprise.

  “Ladies,” he acknowledged.

  “Mr. Creed.” Lara nodded as they entered the elevator. The two women faced away from him and remained silent.

  Sebastian’s jaw clenched, the muscles ticking. They were obviously talking about Jade and some hot date she was having. Something ugly reared its head, and it wasn’t even The Beast this time. Thinking about Jade and some stranger she met on a dating app going out to dinner, his hands all over her, taking her dress off to reveal whatever sexy lingerie she was wearing…fuck, he was going to go insane. Maybe it was a mistake, agreeing to Grant’s offer. He should have taken Lara and Vrost’s advice instead and stayed away from her, for his sake. But, he wasn’t going to back off now. Instead, he decided he would just have to get someone else on his team to work on this job.

  Chapter Nine

  “So, tell me again what you do, Jade?” Daniel asked.

  “I’m a researcher at a food company,” Jade replied as she speared some chicken onto her fork and took a delicate bite.

  “Sounds interesting,” he said.

  “It’s quite boring actually.” She took a sip of her water and looked at the man from over the rim of her glass. Daniel Lane was handsome, with his dark hair and piercing green eyes. He reminded her of a younger Grant Anderson. Though she would never admit to anyone, she might have had a tiny crush on the Alpha when she first met him. When she saw Daniel’s profile on Tinder, she immediately swiped right and, much to her (and her friends’) delight, was matched with him.

  They chatted the whole afternoon over the app, and she learned that Daniel was an engineer at some tech startup. His Tinder profile said he loved reading Proust and Thoreau and enjoyed rock climbing on the weekends. Athletic, hot, and smart. He seemed like the perfect date.

  So, they decided to meet at a nice restaurant in the East Village that evening. Daniel was already there waiting for her (which mean he was early, since she arrived at 7 p.m. on the dot). They made some small talk before the hostess led them to their seats.

  “It can’t be as boring as my job,” he said, giving her a smile. “I mostly deal with code the whole day.”

  Daniel seemed like the perfect guy, and she couldn’t believe her luck. She always thought online dating was scary and she’d end up with weirdos. But maybe fate was on her side.

  They finished dinner, and Jade felt more at ease. Daniel was charming and polite, and although he complimented her on her dress, his eyes never lingered too long on her cleavage. Meredith had picked out the dress, saying it was tasteful, but with the right amount of sluttiness. Daniel paid for the dinner and asked Jade if she wanted to have a quick drink at this bar around the corner.

  As they left the restaurant, Daniel offered his arm, and they walked together, enjoying the late New York summer night. Jade shivered involuntarily, which was strange because it wasn’t cool enough to give her a chill. Was someone watching her?

  “So, I have a confession to make,” Daniel said as they stopped walking.

  “What?”

  “Here’s the place I told you about,” he motioned to the bar they stopped in front of. “But, my apartment is also up there.” He pointed towards the windows higher up on the building.

  “Oh.” Jade looked up and then back to Daniel. She took a mental deep breath. This is what she wanted, right? “If you have some wine, maybe we can have a glass or two?”

  “
Your wish is my command.” Daniel motioned for her to follow him, leading her to the door next to the bar. “I have this Italian red you might like.”

  “Sounds great,” she said, trying to sound enthusiastic.

  Daniel plucked his keys from his pocket and opened the door, which led straight to a set of stairs. As they ascended the steps, the door behind them slammed open, making Jade jump and nearly slip down the steps.

  “Dr. Cross.”

  Another shiver rushed down her spine. Oh no. It couldn’t be.

  Daniel twisted his head around and frowned. “Hey, who are you? You’re not one of my neighbors.”

  “No, I’m Dr. Cross’ security detail,” Sebastian said, his voice gruff. His steely eyes turned hard and seemed to glint in the low light of the hallway.

  “No, you’re not,” Jade protested. “The Al—Mr. Anderson told me the truth.”

  “Well, whatever he told you, this is the truth now, darlin’,” he gave her a smug look. “My company’s been tasked to protect you, Dr. Cross. From all kinds of threats.” He eyed the other man, his expression grim.

  “Jade, what’s going on?” Daniel asked.

  “I’m sorry, Daniel,” Jade said. “I think there was some miscommunication at work. Mr. Creed,” she turned to Sebastian, “I don’t know what type of protection you’re supposed to be giving me, but I’m sure it doesn’t extend to my personal life. And aren’t you CEO? Why aren’t you having one of your goons follow me around?”

  “I promised your boss I’d give this job the personal touch,” he answered. “He is my best client.”

  Jade rolled her eyes and then looked up at Daniel. “How about that wine?”

  Daniel smiled and took Jade’s hand, tugging her up the steps.

  “Daniel Lane,” Sebastian called. “Or should I say, Daniel Landers?”

  Daniel stopped suddenly, and then dropped Jade’s hand. He whipped around, facing Sebastian. “How do you know that name?”

  “Oh, I know lots of things, Mr. Landers,” Sebastian drawled. “Like how you’ve got three counts of assault on your record. Are you a man who prefers things a little rough?”

  “What’s going on, Daniel?” Jade asked as she slowly backed down the stairs.

  “I can explain. Jade!” he called, reaching out to her, but she batted his hands away.

  “Tell me, Daniel, did you like it when those girls said no to you?”

  “Don’t listen to him, Jade,” Daniel said, his face suddenly turning serious.

  “What’s wrong? Couldn’t get it up unless they were fighting you?”

  “Shut the fuck up!” Daniel lunged towards Sebastian, but he was too fast. For a large guy, Sebastian moved quickly, stepping aside and letting gravity do its work. Daniel ended up sprawled on the ground.

  Jade gasped. What the hell was going on? She quickly hopped down the stairs, stepping over Daniel’s prone figure as she burst out of the apartment building. She heard Sebastian call her, but ignored him. That asshole! He was still following her around! What the hell did he want with her?

  She walked away faster, not caring which way she was going. But her short legs were no match for him, and Sebastian quickly caught up to her.

  “Let me bring you home,” he said as he stepped in front of her.

  Jade collided into him, and she braced herself by planting her palms on his broad chest. Fudgesicles. The man was built like a rock. “I can take a cab home by myself, thank you very much.”

  “No, you won’t.” He clutched her arm as she tried to get around him.

  “What?!” she exclaimed, wrenching herself away from his grasp. “What do you want?”

  “How about a thank you?” he yelled. He took his phone out of his pocket and showed her a picture of a pretty young girl whose face was marred with a black eye and split lip. “Daniel Landers’ high school girlfriend. And this wasn’t even the worst one! I can’t believe you were going to go up to that asshole’s apartment.”

  Jade turned red. “Thank you!” she screamed at him sarcastically. “Now, leave me alone!” God, she had to get away from him. The humiliation and shame were creeping in, making her cringe. He must think she was terribly desperate for sex if she’d go to bed with someone who liked to hit women. But she didn’t know. Couldn’t have known. Sebastian’s eyes were cold and unfeeling, making her wince.

  “I’m here to protect you, Jade,” he explained in a soft voice.

  “Daniel wasn’t…I mean…” Why did she want to tell him that she didn’t want to sleep with Daniel? The moment Sebastian showed up, she wanted absolutely nothing to do with Daniel or anyone else. Sebastian Creed was making her all turned around and crazy, and she couldn’t do anything about it because he’d already rejected her. Apparently, she didn’t affect him as much as he did her since the paycheck Fenrir offered was enough to make him forget he couldn’t stand to be around her.

  “Jade!” he called again. “Where are you going?”

  “Anywhere but here with you!” God, she despised him. She waved a passing cab and pulled the door angrily, slamming it behind her. “Just go,” she barked at the driver before he could ask where she wanted to go. The cab quickly sped away, and Jade take a backward glance.

  ***

  “That two-faced son-of-a-bitch!” Meredith exclaimed. It was the day after the Daniel disaster, and the three women were sitting in the Fenrir employee cafeteria having lunch. “I bet he’s never even read Proust!”

  “Wait, back up a moment,” Lara said. “You said Sebastian Creed just showed up?”

  “Yes,” Jade gritted her teeth. God, it was like anytime something embarrassing was about to happen to her, he was there.

  “Sounds like he got there just in time,” the witch commented. “But what was he doing, following you around?”

  “The Alpha hired his company,” Jade explained. The first thing she did that morning was go to Grant’s office and ask if it was true. He confirmed he just signed the contract the day before. The Alpha had ordered around-the-clock protection for her whenever she left Fenrir. There would be guys following her when she left the building and outside watching her apartment. They would stay out of her radar, of course, to give her privacy, but any time she was out in public, she would never be alone. Jade wanted to protest, but as her Alpha, she had no choice but to accept Grant’s decision.

  “Well, I’m glad you didn’t sleep with that bastard,” Meredith sneered. “Now, let’s see who else we can find.” She made a grab for Jade’s phone, but the other Lycan snatched it away.

  “Oh no, no more!” Jade shook her head. “I’m not doing that again. I told you, there are psychos out there! And I found the Norman Bates to trump all Norman Bateses!”

  Meredith rolled her eyes. “Well, then where else are we going to find the next candidate for Operation PTC?”

  Lara nudged Jade and motioned across the cafeteria. The brunette’s eyes lit up and then lowered to her lap.

  “Jade?” Meredith turned around and saw who they were looking at. The man standing in line at the coffee bar was tall, handsome, and well-dressed. He had longish blonde hair and a designer scruff that made him look dangerous and exciting. Feeling eyes on him, the man turned his head towards them, his face opening up into a smile.

  “Who. Is. That?” Meredith asked, her eyes glued to the man as he approached them.

  “That’s Gabriel. From Marketing,” Lara whispered.

  “Bonjour, ladies,” the man greeted. “Jade.” He fixed his deep blue eyes at the Lycan scientist.

  Meredith looked like she was going to have a seizure as she turned to Lara and Jade and mouthed Oh my God.

  “Bonjour, Gabriel,” Jade greeted.

  “May I join you for a bit?” he asked.

  The three of them nodded, and Meredith scooted over to make room for the Frenchman.

  “How about those lemon curd muffins?” the blonde quipped and Jade gave her a swift kick to the shins.

  “Are you new here?” he asked, turni
ng to Meredith.

  “This is Meredith,” Lara introduced. “She works with Alynna Westbrooke and Nick Vrost.”

  “Ah,” he took Meredith hand and kissed it. “Enchanté.”

  “Uh…nice to meet you, too,” Meredith babbled.

  “So, I haven’t seen either of you around much,” Gabriel said to Jade and Lara.

  “Yeah, we’ve been busy,” Jade said.

  “It’s too bad, I do miss speaking in French. No one else here speaks my mother tongue.”

  Jade sent Meredith a warning glare before the other woman could make a comment about tongues. “We can’t ignore my friends, though.”

  “Oh of course, but they won’t mind if we sometimes slip, non?”

  The four of them continued to chat, with Jade and Gabriel switching between French and English. After twenty minutes or so, Gabriel bid them goodbye, saying he had to get back to his office.

  “Oh. My. God,” Meredith fanned herself as she watched the Frenchman leave. “Jade, he is gorgeous! And he’s employed by Fenrir, so you know he can’t be a psycho!”

  “See, I told you he was totally flirting with you!” Lara said. “C’mon, go after him! Ask him out before he gets away!”

  Before Jade could protest, the witch shoved her off her chair and pointed towards the doors leading out of the cafeteria. “Go!”

  Jade grumbled but followed Lara’s orders. She chased after Gabriel, just as he was going up the stairs. “Gabriel, wait!” she called.

  He turned around and flashed Jade a smile. “Oui?”

  “Um, I was wondering…would you like to go out to dinner? Like tomorrow or something?” Jade said in a breathy voice.

  Gabriel’s blue eyes lit up in pleasure. “Well, this is a surprise. I was thinking maybe you were not receptive to my advances?”

  “Well, you know…I just wasn’t ready,” Jade said quickly.

  “Tomorrow is perfect,” Gabriel said. “Shall I pick you up at 7?”

  “Sounds good!” Jade nodded. “I’ll see you then.”