Chapter 6

ELIZABETH'S POV

My head has been buried in the computer for so long that I start to feel the world fade around me. Never before have I been so thoroughly challenged and given such liberty. I work with my pen across the screen and though there is a mild headache building up, I still cannot bring myself to pull away.

I perceive him, his scent pulling me from my mind and screen and into reality and I look up. His brown eyes are looking into mine, almost like he is in deep contemplation. I cannot believe how perfect his face is, the intensity of his gaze. He backs away and I suddenly feel stupid. What was I even thinking?

"I admire your devotion to your work," he says. His suit is immaculately tailored, highlighting his broad shoulders but there is a tension to him, one that makes being in the same room with him very tasking, almost like a wolf that could attack at any moment, masqueraded by a facade of calmness.

"I have just been…caught up. Do you need anything?" I ask him and he shakes his head.

"Come, there are things I think you need to see."

"But there is work to be done and I…"

He stops and stares at me. I can tell that no argument will suffice so I decide to follow him.

"I wonder why you would take me away from work to see…whatever it is," I say.

"Elizabeth, seeing as I am your boss. I would think it in order to refer to me as sir or is that against some labor law somewhere?" He asks.

"I don't understand."

"Mm, judging from your past endeavors, one can see how the concept of hierarchy can be a little confusing. Where are you from?"

"Sorry?"

"I believe my words were simple enough, Elizabeth. Answer them, if you please," he says to me. I shake my head.

"No. I don't please," I reply. He turns to look at me and I can sense the edge, the thing that makes my back start to tingle, a chill running across me. It suddenly feels s bit too hot in the air conditioned car.

"Hmm, I see," he says, his voice deep, almost as if there are two voices in one.

"Are you going to fire me?" I ask him and he shakes his head.

"That would be boring. I would like you to eat," He says.

"You are taking me for lunch?"

"I need a fresh set of eyes on something and I think luck wouldn't be bad while we are at it," he says. I feel a little anger mounting in my chest.

"I don't like this. "

"I do. You'll love lunch," he says.

†

On the podium before me is something I never thought I'd see. I stand there.beside him, his hands folded across his chest, his eyebrows pulled together as though he is trying to figure out a dilemma. He looks at me.

"Do you know what that is?"

"I wouldn't be who I am without knowing what that is."

"And who, pray tell, are you?"

I look at him and begin to wonder if he is actually insane.

"I am an industrial and automotive designer," I say to him and he shrugs.

"I know you are. If you know what that is then you must know what I want to acquire it."

"Why would you…oh!"

He nods at my exclamation and smiles.

"That car was bought my thirty eight year old great grandfather in 1918 and it iss worth a fortune. I seek to bring it back into the family and I would like some companionship as the bidding starts."

"Why bring me here?" I ask him and he turns to look at me with a puzzled expression.

"Many designers such as yourself and car enthusiasts, would offer an arm and a leg to be here. Are you sure you are who you say you are?" He asks.

"Can we just get on with it already?" I ask and he nods.

"Mm"

"How are you sure that you can win this bidding war though?" I ask him. He gives me a look that suggests he is questioning my sanity.

"Because I am simply the richest," he says and starts walking.

A couple hours later, I watch as the cat is loaded onto a transport truck and taken away as Marcus watches with his hands in his pockets and a smirk on his face.

"Four hundred million dollars," I whisper. He nods slowly.

"All that spending had made me hungry. Come, let's eat," he says and starts walking away. I follow him.

"I don't understand. You just blew the net worth of many entertainers and successful entrepreneurs in an afternoon?" I ask. He pauses for a while as if thinking it through then he shakes his head.

"I fail to see the problem. Money is meant to be used. I am a werewolf, Elizabeth, not a dragon. I don't hoard treasure, I use it," he says just as we walk into the restaurant.

"Hello, Alpha Marcus. I didn't know you come to this place," an elderly man with a thick, rich beard said, standin you and taking off his hat. Marcus's gáfè changes immediately and he tightens his jaw then he looks at me.

"Go back to the office. I will have your meal sent to you."

"You can't just…" I start but stop when he looks at me again. The intensity of his slightly reddened eyes make me step back once then I turn away. A part of me does not want to leave. I want to know who the man is and why he has this much effect on Marcus. I think of eavesdropping but he will probably sense me.

He sent me away just like that. Well, fuck him," I mutter to myself and hail a taxi but my mind still wonders at what exactly is happening.