The Dragon's Woman

by Emilia Hartley

  Savannah didn’t exactly have all the right credentials for a financial assistant, but she would apply anyway. She’d always been good with numbers and had at least a little experience in running a business. That was before she’d left the only home she’d known, looking for a pack to join.

  It didn’t take Savannah long to reach the mechanics, but she stopped for a moment just before she reached it, trying to calm her nerves. “They don’t know you’re from the pack,” she murmured to herself, having a quick look over the place. “Just calm down and act natural.”

  Walking up to the door with the ‘Open’ sign hanging on it, Savannah pasted a smile on her face, pulled it open and walked inside.

  “Hi!” said a cheerful looking woman. “Can I help you?”

  “I – I saw the advert?”

  “That was quick!” the woman replied, coming out from behind the counter. “I only put it up this morning.”

  A wave of relief flooded Savannah. “So no-one’s got it yet?”

  “No,” she laughed, shaking Savannah’s hand. “Things move pretty slowly in this town, I’m guessing you’re not from here?”

  “No,” Savannah replied, trying her best to come up with a believable story. “I’ve been wandering from place to place, really. Thought I might try and settle down somewhere and this seemed as good a place as any!”

  Jo smiled, her eyes searching Savannah’s face. “I just moved here too, so we have that in common,” she replied. “I’m Jo, by the way.”

  “Savannah.”

  “What’s your experience as a financial assistant, Savannah?”

  Savannah tried not to panic and told Jo as much of the truth as she could. She talked about growing up in a small town, and how she'd helped her dad run his small business for a few years before he'd sold it to a bigger company so that he could retire. A stab of pain sliced through Savannah's heart as she mentioned how her dad passing away only a year ago had been the reason she’d begun to move around a bit, looking for a place to start over. “I rent an old place in town,” she finished. “And when I saw your job advert, I thought I may as well apply to it.”

  "I'm glad you did," Jo smiled, warmly. Savannah's story broke her heart a little, as Jo realized the woman was all alone in the world. With no family and seemingly no friends, Jo couldn't help but be sympathetic. "I'll have to speak to the other two but I'd say this job is yours – although Nick will probably insist on a two-week trial or something!"

  “That’s fine with me,” Savannah replied, quickly. She’d take anything if it meant getting close to the brothers. “Is Nick in charge?”

  Jo blushed a little. "Kind of, yeah. But they both work together at this place. I just do the paperwork."

  "Oh." Listening to Jo explain about the shop and what her duties would be, Savannah was surprised to realize that she didn't feel disgusted by the idea of Nick and Jo together. She couldn't help but think about what Lucas had called Jo. He'd told Savannah that a human who mated with a shifter was nothing but a parasite. A parasite that needed to be taken out. Humans couldn't give shifters the cubs they needed for the next generation of shifters. They were a disease that needed to be wiped out. Lucas hated Jo because she was a human, and thought even worse of Nick for choosing to be with her. They weren't even to be friends with any humans. Besides, what would a shifter see in a human?

  Savannah swallowed and tried to smile as Jo began pulling out some recent paperwork. She would have to fight against any desire to become true friends with her. Sure, Savannah could pretend, but there couldn’t be any real friendship between them. If Nick had chosen a human for his mate, then he was a fool. Just like Lucas had said.

  The door suddenly flew open and a tall, dark-haired man, stopped dead in his tracks. Savannah saw his nostrils flare and knew he immediately recognized her as a shifter. She tried not to cower back, even though she knew he was an alpha. The look in his eyes made her shiver inside, but she stood straight, trying not to appear afraid.

  “Who’s this?”

  Jo glanced up with a slight frown on her face over Tom's tense tone. "This is Savannah. She's applying for the job."

  “Is she?” Tom replied, picking up a cloth from the counter and wiping the sweat from his forehead.

  Savannah nodded. “Yes, I am. I saw the advert in town.” She tried not to look at his muscular arms and chest, which was quite difficult since he was only wearing a vest. Savannah licked her lips and looked back at Jo, trying to hide the surge of attraction she felt on seeing such a strong, alpha male. It was probably just a mix of nerves and anticipation, she thought to herself, hoping he wouldn’t ask her too many questions.

  Tom tried to stop the bear from growling, but his chest rattled just a little. Savannah, or whatever her name was, heard it instantly. He could tell from the way her fingers clenched into a fist that she’d heard him – and was nervous.

  “I was thinking about giving her the job,” Jo murmured, glancing at him. “She needs work and – ”

  “Can you go and get Nick, then?” Tom asked, attempting to be pleasant. “If we’re going to take on someone new, then he needs to okay it. I’ll stay and chat to Savannah.”

  Jo frowned, suspecting that he wanted the newcomer to himself for some reason, but Tom kept his mouth shut with a calm expression on his face, waiting until she shrugged her shoulders in defeat.

  “Fine,” she muttered, glaring at him. “But be nice.”

  He managed not to roll his eyes at her, aware that she wouldn’t know that Savannah was a shifter. He knew, of course. He’d been able to tell the moment he’d looked at her – and she’d looked back at him with those big honey brown eyes of hers. She looked so innocent, but Tom was already on his guard. Another shifter could potentially mean big trouble, something he’s had enough of for a while.

  Jo walked to the door, muttering something about being back soon, and let it close gently behind her before going in search of Nick.

  Tom leaned one elbow on the counter and looked sharply at Savannah who, to his surprise, looked right back. She was trying her best to show courage and trying her best to not appear afraid of him. Tom could appreciate that.

  “So,” he began, quietly. “What’s a shifter like you doing in a place like this?”

  CHAPTER 3

  Savannah tried to smile but her mouth barely moved. “I’m just looking for a job.”

  “And you just happened to come here, to where two other bear shifters are, right?” Tom replied, sarcastically.

  “I know it sounds ridiculous, but yes.”

  Tom pushed himself up to stand tall over her, a large frown creasing his forehead. “I think you’d better start from the beginning.”

  Savannah looked up into his grim face, took a breath and began to tell her lies. “I’ve been wandering around ever since my dad died. I’ve never been part of a pack before, but I could tell that there were other shifters here.”

  “Have you seen any?” he growled, immediately on his guard. If Lucas had got to her, then she couldn’t stay here.

  “No,” she replied, with a shake of her head. “I’ve got a place to stay in town, and my money’s getting low. I just need a job, that’s all. Finding other shifters was just a bonus.”

  Tom pushed himself away from the counter, taking a couple of steps closer. “And you expect me to believe you?”

  Savannah’s eyes darted up at him, before hitting the floor again. Her nerves were running wild and her stomach was churning uncontrollably. “Yes, I swear that’s the truth.”

  “Does the name Northern Wind ring a bell?”

  Realizing that Tom was still incredibly suspicious of her, Savannah tried her best to look as though she didn't have a clue what he was talking about. "Never heard of it."

  “Hmmm.” Tom narrowed his eyes a little, trying not to be influenced by her scent. She smelled of pine, earth and wind, everything that his bear appreciated. But his human mind was trying to focus on whether she could be trusted or not. “I have
to discuss this with my brother.”

  “Please,” Savannah interrupted, managing to meet his gaze. “Don’t tell the human what I really am.”

  He smiled grimly. “I know the old rule about not letting humans know about shifters. Don’t worry.” He didn’t tell her that Jo already knew everything there was to know about shifters, nevertheless, he’d respect her privacy and wouldn’t tell Jo. There was a strange kind of urge to protect Savannah, which he couldn’t really place.

  “Thank you.”

  She sagged against the counter and Tom felt a sudden, unwanted rush of sympathy. If she had been traveling for a long time, looking for a pack of her own, then it was no wonder she was tired. There was something incredibly lonely about being a shifter on your own. They weren't built for that. "Take a seat and help yourself to a coffee," he said, before he could stop himself. He watched her blink in surprise, before turning away. "I'll be back soon."

  “Thank you.” Savannah watched as Tom walked outside to meet Jo and Nick, who were standing beside an old car. Walking over to make herself a coffee from the coffee machine, Savannah kept her eyes on the three of them. They’d walked far enough away for her to not be able to hear them – which was probably deliberate on their part. Not that she could blame them. If she’d just finished fighting with the Northern Wind pack, then she probably wouldn’t trust a new shifter who just turned up on their doorstep either.

  Filling her cup of coffee, Savannah pushed away the prick of guilt. She'd taken an instant dislike to Jo, recognizing that she wasn't a shifter, but Jo had been more than kind to her. In fact, she'd practically offered her the job straight away - it was only Tom who had shown more reserve. Savannah mentally shrugged, still against the idea of a pack to have a human in it.

  Wandering back to her seat, Savannah kept her eyes on the three figures outside. The other man must be Tom's brother, Nick, she realized, watching the way he slipped an arm around Jo's waist. Savannah could practically feel the protectiveness rolling off him. It was clear he was in love with Jo, and that he'd chosen her as his mate. It went against everything she knew, for a shifter to love a human, and it was one of the reasons Lucas had grown to hate Nick.

  What about Tom? Savannah had been quite intimidated when he’d walked in, she had to admit. He was tall and strong, and his bear was almost majestic. There was something about him being an alpha that had a warmth curling in her stomach, although it was tinged with a trace of fear. Watching him gesture furiously towards her, Savannah felt heat creep up her neck and into her cheeks. She didn’t know what he was saying, but it was clear he didn’t trust her. A shifter turning up on their doorstep probably had him on high alert.

  Sighing, Savannah tried not to worry about what would happen if she failed. Lucas wouldn’t be happy. She’d probably be thrown out of the pack for real, or if not that, severely punished. Shuddering, Savannah nursed her cup of coffee, shifting her gaze away from Tom.

  “I like her,” Jo declared. “I think she’d be a great addition.”

  Nick shrugged. “I don’t mind, Jo. It can be your call, as far as I’m concerned.” He grinned at her wickedly and Jo blushed, whilst Tom groaned in frustration.

  “We know nothing about her,” he growled. “You’re far too easy, Jo. She’s just given you some sob story and you’ve practically handed her the job on a plate!”

  “So?” Jo shrugged.

  Tom gritted his teeth. “I just think we should think about it a bit longer.”

  “It’s because she’s a shifter,” Nick explained, slipping an arm around Jo’s waist.

  Jo’s mouth fell open in surprise. “Why didn’t you tell me, Tom?”

  He glanced over at the window, his eyes catching sight of Savannah sitting down quietly. “She asked me not to. Shifters don’t tell humans about their abilities.” He tried to ignore the wave of embarrassment that threatened to bring heat to his cheeks, aware that it wasn’t exactly a big deal for Jo to find out.

  “Yeah, but it’s Jo,” Nick laughed. “It’s not like she’s going to be shocked or anything.”

  Jo tipped her head to one side, her eyes narrowing. “You like her.”

  Tom blew out a long, frustrated breath. “That is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard,” he countered, his eyes not quite meeting her gaze. He didn’t want to admit to even himself that he was attracted to Savannah.

  Nick chuckled quietly. “What’s the big deal, Tom? We give her a job - that’s it, period. It’s not like she going to be looking to rip out your throat in broad daylight or anything.”

  Rolling his eyes, Tom growled. “I don’t trust her.”

  “You don’t trust anybody,” Jo pointed out, reminding him of how he’d tried to get rid of her.

  “I was doing that for your own good!”

  “I know that,” Jo replied, placatingly. “But Nick’s right. What’s the problem with us giving her a job?”

  Tom ran a hand through his hair, making it stick up all over the place. He couldn’t answer. There was something about Savannah that was making him wary, but Jo and Nick were right. They would all be working together at the mechanics, and she had her own place in town. There was nothing to worry about, really. He had no choice but to admit that. “Fine,” he growled. “Although it’s really Nick’s call.”

  Nick shrugged. “I’ve already said I’m fine with it.”

  “Then I’d better go tell her,” Tom retorted, wanting to get away from Jo and Nick as fast as he could. What Jo had said about him liking Savannah had struck a rather uncomfortable chord and he didn’t want to stick around to hear any more comments like it. Was he battling his own feelings in trying to push her away, or was it really that he was worried about her motives? His bear growled uneasily, and Tom gritted his teeth as he walked. He’d shift later and take a long run through the woods. That usually got his frustrations out.

  CHAPTER 4

  Savannah watched as Tom threw his arms up in exasperation. Her shoulders slumped. This wasn’t going well.

  A slight sound suddenly caught her ear. Frowning, she listened hard, sniffing the air. Her bear instincts began to go wild, as the sound came again. Was someone coughing?

  Slowly, Savannah got to her feet, forgetting all about Tom for the moment. Someone else was here and she had no idea who it was. Lucas had told her that there was just Tom, his twin brother Nick and Nick’s human mate, Jo. So who was it making that sound?

  Walking slowly towards the back of the waiting room, Jo paused, sniffing hard. Her chest rattled but she managed to stop a single sound coming out. Her bear was nervous and wary.

  The front door was suddenly thrown open, slamming hard against the wall. Savannah shrank back as Tom strode in, realizing that all her instincts had been trained on the noise she'd heard instead of watching or listening for Tom.

  “What were you doing?” he growled.

  Savannah shrugged, moving back slowly towards the chair she’d been sitting in. “Nothing.”

  Tom glowered at her, hating that she was going to stay. He didn't want her here. He didn't trust her. Jo was far too easily trusting, probably because she wasn't a shifter, and Nick - well, he was just easily swayed by Jo. On top of that, he didn't like the way his bear was feeling about her. It was trying to force him into looking out for her when his human mind was telling him to stay away from her, since he didn't know anything about her. His bear had never reacted like this before, and Tom wasn't sure what to make of it.

  Savannah sat back in her seat, only just managing to meet Tom’s gaze. She knew what was going to happen, it was clear on his face. She was going to be thrown out. Lucas was going to be furious with her; she’d failed before their plan had even started.

  “You’ve got the job,” he said, his face set. “Congratulations.”

  Savannah gasped in surprise, getting to her feet at once. “Really? Oh, wow. Thank you.” She stepped forward and held out her hand, waiting for him to shake it.

  Clearing his throat, Tom gave her a
quick handshake before folding his arms again. He ignored the sparks that flew up his arm at her touch, reminding himself that he was now her employer. “Can you start tomorrow?”

  Thrilled that she'd managed to get the job - and relieved that Lucas would have no reason to punish her, Savannah spread her hands and smiled. "I can start today if you like. I'd love to look around the place a little more." She felt as light as air, and not as intimidated by the man in front of her. Briefly, she wondered what he would look like if he smiled, but he just continued frowning at her.

  Tom could hear the sound of Jo and Nick’s conversation coming closer, and knew they were going to be coming in behind him. He didn’t want them to hear his conversation. “Uh – I’ll let Jo and Nick congratulate you and then I’ll show you around, I guess.” Telling himself that it was just because he wanted to keep an eye on her, Tom turned around and walked behind the counter. “Just let me see to a couple of things back here, and then I’ll be right with you.”

  “Thanks.” She smiled again, catching a brief spark in his eyes before he turned away. Perhaps this was going to be easier than she’d thought.

  Just as Tom left, Jo and Nick walked in, but Savannah didn’t take her eyes off Tom. She watched him as he walked out of the waiting room and went into a small room. She heard the lock slam into place as he closed the door firmly – and a sudden scent hit her nostrils.

  Savannah shook her head, trying to sort out the different smells. There had been raw meat of some kind, that was for sure, but there were at least two more scents that she wasn’t quite able to pick out. Was that where the coughing had come from?

  A shudder ran through her body and the bear began to growl softly. Swallowing hard, Savannah managed to quieten it, knowing that she couldn’t change now even though she desperately wanted to. Even though her sense of smell was already heightened, her bear’s would be even better and she wanted to work out what the confusing scents were.