Crap.
The events coordinator shook his head. “Don’t worry about it, honey. Just don’t let all the sequins in there blind you.”
She wouldn’t, either. Being here as a contestant wasn’t even the plan and she was still catching hell for it. A shame she didn’t have some eye drops to add to their dinner. It would serve them all right to get a good bout of Montezuma’s revenge for being jerks. They didn’t have a thing to worry about.
Allyse was here for the paycheck and when the event was over she would go back to the job hunt, and whichever one of the rail thin women who caught Soren’s eye would sashay off into the proverbial sunset. Fortune, palatial home and everything that went with it. For a mini-second she wished it could be her, but how could it? Fairy tales didn’t happen for witchy curvy girls better suited to reading romance novels and being surrounded by cats. Even though she was more of a dog person. She only got to see it happen to someone else, like she had for every other thing in her life.
Trying to shake her mood, Allyse glanced around the room as she made her way to the last empty chair. It was at the end of the table and had the clearest vantage point to see Soren. The dining room, like the rest of the house was tasteful and traditional. It relaxed her and, holding her chin up, she marched past the blonde troll and her posse of lip gloss followers.
Roxy and Amanda entered the room. Amanda signaled to the camera crew that had filtered in.
“Good evening, ladies.” She turned to the cameras. “Welcome to our opening night events for a very special edition of Extreme Bachelor. For those of you just joining us, we’re camping out at the Rochester estate and waiting with bated breath to meet our sexy bachelor. While we wait, let’s get to know each of our romantic hopefuls. Amanda turned toward the nefarious blond.
“Welcome to Extreme Bachelor. Can you tell us your name?” Amanda held the mic toward the girl.
She got to her feet in a well-practiced graceful motion. “Nichole Jones.”
“Wonderful to meet you, Nichole. Tell us a little bit about what brought you here to Extreme Bachelor.”
Nichole’s lips tilted upward, her face alight. “I’ve always believed in true love and when you’re lucky enough for it to find you, you should grab on with both hands. I’m hoping to find a connection with our resident bachelor and celebrate a happy ever after.” She lowered herself back into her chair and rested her hands on her lap.
“Well said.” Amanda nodded, her face breaking into a grin. She smoothed a long strand of blonde hair behind her ear and moved to the next girl.
“Hi, there. Can you tell us a little about you?”
Allyse found herself tuning it all out. There were six of them in total with names like Tiffany, Brandy and Chardonnay. Perfect and shining, they were every man’s wet dream. All boobs and lips and tight asses with legs that went on forever. How could she compete with that?
Lost in her musings, Allyse almost missed the microphone being shoved in her face.
“Hello, there. You were so quiet.” Amanda smiled. “Tell us your name.”
Startled, Allyse sputtered. “Oh! I’m…oh!” She rose on shaking legs, and lifted her face to the camera. “I’m Allyse Montlake, and I’m very glad to be on Extreme Bachelor.”
“What brings you to the show?”
“Well to be honest, it was a job fair.”
“A job fair?”
Allyse nodded. “I was with my friend and we were checking out some of the job postings. I’ve had some experience behind the scenes with a reality show and she thought I should apply for this one. Little did I know I’d be the one in front of the camera instead of behind it.”
“That is definitely a unique situation,” Amanda acknowledged. “So what do you hope to do while you’re here?”
“I hope to meet someone of like mind.”
“What about true love? Do you believe in it?”
Nodding, Allyse answered. “I do. But it’s not just body chemistry. There has to be something going on behind the façade. Love isn’t just built on fairytales and rainbows. True love like the kind that stays with you as you grow old? Absolutely. But it takes time to foster and grow.”
Amanda turned to the cameras. “Well there you have it, folks. Seven girls who are here to find the bachelor of their dreams. Now let’s meet the man himself…”
Chapter Seven
Soren swallowed nervously and pushed open the door to the dining room. The woman from the kitchen would no doubt be there. He’d searched through Roxy’s lists of all the employees on the estate and found no one with her name on the roster. She was the one who made his wolf howl and now he had to set about making her see that she was meant to be his mate.
He’d found her and he didn’t want to play the antics of the game anymore. It had barely begun but just having so many people in his home with one week until the spell took hold made him want to chew nails. He hadn’t cared if she was a camera tech or a makeup artist, she was the one who set his body on fire. A woman with a body to hold on to that wouldn’t break when he held her in his arms. Now that he realized she was in the contestant pool, he wanted to cut to the chase.
Watching the film footage from when the women first gathered outside his home to the little episode in the hall before they entered the dining room, he observed her interaction with the others and their treatment of her. Every non private moment had been fed to the screens in his den. All he had to do was watch.
The throng of human females in the glittering dresses did little to entice him. They could have been any woman from any club across the city. No personality. No individuality. The same streaked bleached hair, the same heels and clothes, only in different colors. The one blonde woman who’d snubbed Allyse he despised on sight. He couldn’t tell what she said, but it was clear in her body language that something had happened to set Allyse off.
Listening to the women as they filed into the dining room had been just another example of what most likely went on before. One advantage of having the hallway outside the hall with an added microphone-at Roxy’s insistence. When this was all over he was going to make sure she got a raise. And a date with Abraham before the poor man chewed off his own lips in frustration.
Soren’s eyes strayed to the camera and he scrutinized the blond woman. Her offhand remarks about Allyse’s weight set his blood boiling. She reminded him of a spoiled princess used to getting her way. He’d met plenty of them over the years. It was one reason he’d stopped going to the family gatherings at his cousin’s estate in Westmore. He’d had to go when Carrick became Alpha and he’d been happy to see him take over from where the previous alpha had left things.
He would not be forced into a relationship with a bitch of any breed, human or wolf. If she thought she could trick him with her pouty lips and innocent face she was foolish.
Roxy had a point with this venture. He had to try and see beyond the glitz and find the truth. But what would happen if he sped the game up a little more? Amanda wouldn’t like it, he was sure. She really wouldn’t like it when he told her he’d already found his mate and the rest of the week was about to become an annoying distraction.
With a clock ticking over his head, he didn’t much care. She wasn’t being threatened with becoming one of the permanently furry and on display for the world to see. He was, and so were the people he cared about. He would not allow some witch to choose his path or force him down someplace he didn’t want to go.
Cameras had been following him every step of the way from his room. Soren knew that would be the case, but it still grated on his nerves. He stepped into the lights and gritted his teeth in what he hoped wasn’t a feral expression. He needed to get through this. Before he could get two steps inside, he was surrounded by the camera crew. His gaze caught Roxy’s at the back of the room before being drawn back into the flurry of the moment. One of the new security agents stood at the back of the room, his gaze scanning over the group, eyes missing nothing.
Abraham stood clo
se to him, his eyes trained at a woman at the table. He turned to question him but the woman who was running the event started to speak, diverting his attention.
“Everyone, please welcome Extreme Bachelor’s newest candidate, Mr. Soren Rochester. This is his bodyguard, Abraham.” Amanda, the hostess of the show greeted him with a smile. “Or maybe I should call you the prize? What do you think, Mr. Rochester?”
Smoothing his face into a smile he nodded and turned toward the camera. “Thank you for being here, Amanda. I could never hope to do something as monumental as choose a wife without expert assistance from the best.”
Amanda blushed and led him to the head of the dining room table. The seats were filled with the contestants and, to his utter surprise, he found the delicious woman from the kitchen directly at the end of the table watching him with a guarded expression.
He forced himself to at least gloss over the other contestants, but it was her face his eyes were drawn to.
“Tell us a little about yourself, Soren.” Amanda sat in the chair closest to him and signaled the camera to zero in on him.
He lowered himself into one of the padded dining room chairs. “My family has been championing animal rights for years. My father and his before him were ahead of their time in making sure their livestock and family pets had quality food and resources that served to make their lives easier. I’ve tried to continue their legacy with Barks pet stores and food nationwide.”
Roxy had decided this would be the easiest place to hold the initial meet and greet and he agreed. He noted that glasses of water were already on the table. Apparently, he was later than he realized. From his binge watching of the show, he determined there were several ways for the week to go. He could have an individual date with each of the women that were sharing his table or instead do a couple of group dates and hone in on disqualifying characteristics.
It wouldn’t take long to send them all packing, of that he was sure. But he had to be careful. In trying to prevent exposure, Roxy had inadvertently provided just that. Caution was key but he wasn’t changing his mind.
His wolf wouldn’t let him.
Amanda nodded. “You also provide support for homeless pets and for those involved in natural disasters.” She paused and cocked her head. “Why do you do it? Other than being a generous man, what is your motivation for sharing so much of yourself with the world?”
“A love of animals.” Soren let his lips curve upward in a smile. “Family members for me can be two or four-footed.”
“How wonderful. I’m sure you don’t want to give everything away. Soren, do you have any questions for the ladies this evening?”
“Yes. As a matter of fact, I do.” He toyed with his water glass before placing it back on the table. “As I watched last season it occurred to me that I could either date each of you for one night and prolong our week together, or I could interview you, similar to how you were selected to be here today.” Soren got to his feet.
“Sorry. I think better when I’m moving.” He paused, wrapping his fingers around the top of the chair. “What I’d like to do is ask you all some questions and no matter the outcome you will be paid for your time on the show. Do we agree?”
“Mr. Rochester, that isn’t how we usually run things.” Amanda protested. “Are you certain that’s how you want to proceed?”
“Yes, if the ladies are willing.”
Amanda walked over to the table. “Okay…ladies? What do you think?”
A blonde woman in a glittering dress toward the end of the table raised her hand. “I say bring it on and may the hottest woman win.” She winked and lifted her lips in a seductive smile that didn’t quite meet her eyes.
Soren’s wolf circled under his skin. “Very well then. Let’s begin.”
***
Allyse couldn’t believe it. The man from the kitchen really was Soren Rochester. The woman had said so, but she had to see it to believe it. He wasn’t behaving like any bachelor candidate she’d ever seen, either. It was almost like he wanted the process to be over before it even began. He fired off lists of questions, starting with the woman on his right.
“Hi. What’s your name?”
The woman smiled and twisted her long brown hair around her red-tipped finger. “Angelica.”
Soren stepped over to her and enveloped her small hand in his. “It’s nice to meet you. Tell me, do you enjoy spending time outdoors?” He released her hand, waiting intently for her answer.
The brunette thrust her chest out. “No. I’m more of an indoor girl.”
Soren’s eyebrows lifted. “What do you like to do?”
She played with her caramel streaked hair some more. “I love binge watching reality television and going out clubbing.”
“Okay. Well tell me about your first childhood pet. What was it?”
“A pet?” Her nose wrinkled in distaste. “Oh no. Pets are too much trouble. I’ve never had one.”
Soren’s lip curved up in a perplexed smile. “Then why did you decide to come on the show? You were told I run a pet supply business, so obviously that would be an important thing to consider.”
Angelica preened. “Why for time on camera, of course. You never know when that big break will come.”
“I see. Well I’m afraid we don’t have much in common. Why don’t you check in with Amanda, and she’ll get you set up to head home? Thanks for coming out.”
“That’s it? That’s all you want to know to decide?”
Soren regarded her with hooded eyes. “Sometimes a few answers are all you need.” He moved to the blonde woman who was next in the seating arrangement. Angelica huffed and popped up from her chair, her glittery dress sparkling with every step she took toward the door.
One down.
Allyse buried her smile behind her hand and coughed.
“Welcome to my home. What is your name?”
“Regina.” A snap of gum accompanied her response and Allyse watched Soren’s eyes narrow and his lips press into a thin line.
“Tell me about your favorite way to spend your time.”
The woman smiled. “Oh, that’s easy. I love to shop.”
“What about volunteer work? Have you ever helped out at a shelter or animal rescue?”
“Ugh. No way. I don’t really like animals. I mean, they’re cute and all, but they’re so dirty.”
“Okay.” He nodded at Amanda.
With a pained expression Amanda approached Regina’s chair. “Okay, hon. Thanks for being with us on what looks like it’s going to be the shortest Extreme Bachelor special ever.”
Strike two.
“But…” Regina’s eyes grew big and her lips set into a hot pink pout. “I thought…”
“I’m sorry.” Soren appeared chagrined by her distress. “But I think you need to find someone who better suits you. I have two dogs, and I could never be involved with someone who didn’t value them as much as I do.”
Then he turned to the blonde woman who had made the nasty comments to her.
“Can you tell us your name?”
“Nichole.”
“Very good. Tell me, Nichole, do you believe you can find truth in relationships by belittling people?”
“Excuse me?” The woman sputtered, glaring at Soren with an incredulous expression.
“No. I think you heard me just fine. You offered up a statement earlier about true love, but I don’t think there’s anything true about you. I think you like to hurt others to make yourself bigger and that is not a trait I find attractive whatsoever.”
Soren glared at her, his eyes nearly glowing.
Wait. Were they?
A moment ago they had been the most luscious shade of gray and now they were tinged with yellow.
She cleared her throat and his burning gaze shot toward her and as if reading her panic, he closed his eyes and recomposed himself, but the angry twist of his mouth still remained.
Allyse shifted in her seat. One after another the questions continued a
nd one by one the women left until it was only her and Soren. He met her eyes and she held her breath. What question would he ask her, and would she be just as easily dismissed? Would the fire in his eyes be her undoing or her salvation?
She kind of hoped it was a little of both.
Chapter Eight
Soren regarded the empty chairs with a smile. Only one left. The only one that counted. But would she be the woman for him after all? Allyse was just as lovely as he remembered. To keep his wolf under control, he didn’t dare approach her. Not yet. He was still bristling after his confrontation with Nichole. He glanced up to find Roxy, but she was already gone. Dealing with the wreckage he’d made of her plan no doubt. If things worked out the way he wanted them to, she could tear into him for as loud and as long as she wanted. If it didn’t, she could lock him outside the next time it rained. Optimism. It was his ever present friend.
“We met earlier today.”
“Yes we did. Your small dog knocked me over in the kitchen.” Her lips curved up and a curious bit of color crept into her cheeks.
“I believe the film crew had some hidden cameras in there to mark the occasion.”
“Oh no!” Allyse laughed, a horrified expression on her face. “That’s just…oh no.”
“You like dogs then?”
“I do. Very much in fact.” Allyse nodded. “I have one of my own that is staying with my mother while I’m here.”
“Tell me about him or her.”
A light came into her eyes and some of his anger melted away.
“Mr. Stinky. He came into my life six years ago. I had just lost my dog, Allie, and I saw a posting about a pair of baby Chihuahua mixes and their mom arriving at the local shelter. So one Saturday my mom and I went down there.” She frowned and twisted the cloth napkin in her fingers. “It was hard. He had a cough and was sick. I looked at him and then picked up his sister but something about him…I don’t know. It was just love at first sight.”
Westmore Wolves Series: Shapesifter Collection Bks 1-5 Page 25
