Total pages in book: 20
Estimated words: 18503 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 93(@200wpm)___ 74(@250wpm)___ 62(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 18503 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 93(@200wpm)___ 74(@250wpm)___ 62(@300wpm)
“Jackals aren’t known for their honesty and morals,” Seth states the obvious. “You have to know we’d never hire a jackal shifter to work for us.”
“God, you guys are so fucking stupid. I’m not a jackal shifter. I bought jackal scent off the web and sprayed it around, hoping to fool you.”
“We shouldn’t have fallen for that one.” It’s kind of embarrassing that no one realized the scent wasn’t authentic.
“It’s fucking embarrassing,” Seth growls what we’re all thinking. “I can’t believe it even fooled Silas.”
My heart settles in my chest when I realize there isn’t a threat to my little Beauty. “You two handle this asshole however you want, but do not give him a fucking job,” I call over my shoulder as I head for the door, knowing Seth and Kol are more than capable of handling this asshole.
“We got this. When we’re through with the jackass, he’ll never even think about pulling a stunt like this again,” Seth calls behind me.
Before I pull out of the parking garage, I text Oren to let him know I’m on my way home. I tell him to let Briella know the threat is over.
I get a thumbs-up response from the Orc and drop my phone on the seat next to me.
As I drive through town, my inner bear taunts me for falling for the asshole’s scheme. My only excuse is finding my soulmate temporarily fried my brain circuits.
This isn’t the first time someone tried to get our attention, but this is definitely the most elaborate attempt. If the asshole hadn’t involved Briella, I might’ve felt sorry for him and helped him get a job in the field. But involving my soulmate puts the hacker on my permanent shit list.
You wouldn’t have met Briella if the hacker hadn’t pretended to stalk her, my bear reminds me.
Yes, I would’ve. Don’t forget I was going to visit Jared and Brenna in New York for Thanksgiving. I have no doubt my little Beauty would’ve stolen my heart the second I arrived for the holiday.
I guess the hacker did me a tiny favor getting my mate here a few months early, but I’m still pissed at how the asshole pulled it off.
To make the ride go by quicker, I make a mental list of all we need to get done to move Briella into my home permanently.
Tomorrow, I plan to contact movers and have them pack up her apartment and transport everything here. Then I’m going to build Briella her own personal library on my property so she can stay within the protected confines but still do the job she loves.
My plans take shape as I drive through the gate protecting my house. I draw in a deep breath, realizing I have all the time in the world to enjoy my soul mate without the threat of a stalker hanging over us.
When I walk in the front door, Briella runs over to wrap her soft arms around my waist. “Is it really over?”
“It is.” I pull her curvy body close and lean over to kiss her soft lips while the two Orcs quietly slip out the back door. I make a mental note to send them a cow to slaughter as a thank you before turning back to my soulmate. “I’ll explain everything to you later. Right now, I need to kiss every inch of your body to reassure myself you’re okay.”
“Kiss away, Bossy Bear.”
Epilogue
BRIELLA
ONE YEAR LATER
I juggle the car seat with my three-month-old son and my purse as I unlock the heavy wooden door of the large library my mate built on the Orc settlement.
After the whole fake stalker situation, Kodi refused to let me get a job anywhere he couldn’t keep a close eye on me, so we negotiated. Instead of him building my dream library on our property where no one but me and our kids could enjoy it, he built a massive, modern library on the Arch Orc Settlement.
“Good morning, Briella.” Aric rushes up and takes Cameron’s seat out of my hand. The youngest Arch brother has gotten over his shyness and now treats me like the little sister he never had.
“Good morning.” I smile at him and drop my purse on the counter before flipping the switch on the wall that turns on everything in the library. My husband spared no expense when he planned the stunning building.
This modern library is a stunning fusion of classic inspiration and contemporary design, created to cater to the diverse needs of its patrons, the Orc community. As you enter, you are immediately greeted by large, floor-to-ceiling bookcases that stretch ambitiously toward the high ceilings, their rich, dark wood tones providing a sharp contrast to the bright, airy space. The shelves are meticulously arranged and brimming with books of all genres, their spines offering a colorful mosaic that tempts the visitors to explore further.