SAMMY
"No. Come on." I thump my head on the steering wheel of my truck.
I'm in the middle of the front driveway of the pack house and it just stalled out.
I heave a heavy sigh and blow a lock of hair out of my face. I pull my hair up into a ponytail.
I get out and open the hood. I get up and under it, trying to find the problem.
"Hey! What did I say about that thing?"
I back out of the engine compartment and look toward an angry Bastian stomping toward me.
"I know. But it's not like I did it on purpose." I scowl in frustration.
"What happened?" He crosses his arms.
I jump down off the front bumper. "I don't know. It just stalled out." I motion to the truck.
I'm really not in any mood for this because I'm freaking exhausted. Since my lunch with Bastian, I haven't slept properly because now I dream about him constantly and it's starting to get irritating.
Not only that, but he's at the front of my mind everyday too. I can barely get any work done.
He rolls up his sleeves. "Move." He demands.
"Rude." I mumble under my breath. He shoots me a look.
I step back as he climbs up and goes under the hood. Within a few minutes the truck roars to life.
I smile. "Thank you. What did you do?"
He jumps down. I hand him a rag and he wipes his hands. "Just a loose connection."
"How did you know to do that?" I ask closing the hood
He shrugs. "I used to tinker with cars as a hobby in my teen years. You should really get that thing into a shop. It's a mess."
I walk to the door. "I've been meaning to, but...." I open the door and get in. I roll down the window.
"But, what?" He asks.
I shake my head. "Nothing. Thanks again."
I don't need the rich Alpha knowing my money problems.
"Hey. No problem." He points at me. "Don't let it happen again."
I nod. "Yes, Alpha."
He turns on his heels and heads for his garage.
I sit in my cab and think that maybe the self-centered Alpha isn't as bad as he lets on.
****
I'm sitting in my office going over swatches and start to wander off in my mind.
Bastian's hot and cold act is really starting to get to me. I can't concentrate.
"What's wrong with you?" Eric looks up at me from his contracts.
I glance at him. "Nothing." I say innocently. I don't need to be getting into a conversation about the ethics of business right now.
He gets up and walks to the chair across from my desk. "Sammy. I've seen that look before."
I stare at Eric. "What look?"
"That look." He points at my face. "That starry, dreamy eyed look. The last time I saw that look...."
I point at him and squint my eyes. "Don't even say his name."
He grins. "Who is he?"
"Nobody." I pick up binders and put them on the shelf beside my desk.
"Sammy. You can't lie to me. I've known you too long. You have a love interest. Who is he?"
"He's not a love interest."
"So, there is someone." He smiles. "Someone from the mission?"
"No." I sit back down at my desk.
He thinks for a minute. "The pack house?"
"No." I avoid eye contact all together.
Again, he grins. "It is. You met someone at the pack house."
"Eric. Stop." I sit back in my chair.
"Who? Do they work there? Someone on the staff. Someone in security?......" He pries.
I'm getting frustrated. "No. Eric. Just leave it."
"Well, it can't be the Alpha." I turn around and avoid his eyes like the plague
His eyes go wide. "Oh my God, it is."
"I didn't say that." I snap.
He crosses his arms. "You didn't have to, Sam it's written all over your face. You're seriously not thinking...."
"Never. He's a client. Of course, I wouldn't." I cross my arms.
"Not that it would be a bad thing really. You and the Alpha. From a business standpoint, that would be amazing PR." He raises a brow.
"Oh my God. No. Nothing is happening and nothing is going to happen. Alright. Drop it." I scrunch my face.
He laughs, while putting his hands up. "Ok. I'll drop it, but I just hope if you do decide to make a move, you give me a head up first. I don't need to be caught off guard with a conflict of interest here."
I smile. "Don't worry Eric. You'll be the first to hear the gossip." I giggle. "Ok. I'm gone for the day and I'll be in my room if anyone needs me.
"Bye, Sammy." Eric leans back in his chair.
"Don't forget to lock up." I warn.
"I won't." He waves me off.
I shake my head and go into the house.
In my room, I kick off my heels, pull off my skirt and blouse and throw on some old coveralls and a t shirt. I throw up a blank 12 inch by 24-inch canvas.
Filling my oil paint tray, I press play on my Bluetooth speaker.
The hard guitar starts 'Just A Girl' by No Doubt.
"Take this pink ribbon off my eyes
I'm exposed
And it's no big surprise
Don't you think I know
Exactly where I stand
This world is forcing me
To hold your hand
'Cause I'm just a girl, little ol' me
Well don't let me out of your sight
Oh, I'm just a girl, all pretty and petite
So don't let me have any rights
Oh, I've had it up to here!"
I paint vigorously as the song plays. I'm desperately trying to get the image out of my mind onto the canvas.
My brush travels across his chiseled jawline. My colors hold his textured blonde color in a lock of hair that hung in his face while the rest was pulled back.
My shadows play with the rippled muscles under his shirt.
I let the music inspire me as I paint the pale blue eyes staring at me.
His tanned skin looks almost like I could reach in and feel it.
The image in my mind comes alive in the painting. My painting.
"Bastian." I whisper as I add tiny dances of light to his face.
"Oh, that's lovely."
I whip around and my mom is standing.
I huff out a breath. "You scared me."
She giggles. "Sorry honey. Who's that?" She points to the painting. "He's a good-looking one, isn't he."
I try to hide my blush. "Um, it's the Alpha."
Her brow goes up. "That's the Alpha?"
I press my lips together. "Mmhmm."
She eyes me. "Does he know you're painting him?"
"No and he's not going to know." I grab a paint towel and throw it over the painting.
My mom sighs. "Sammy, I really wish you knew how talented you are. All of these, you could live your dream."
I sit on my bed. "I am living my dream. I paint for me. That's my dream."
She smiles. "Someday I'm sure you'll change your mind." She taps my knee and gets up.
I play with my fingers. "Hey mom. Do you think there's someone out there for me?"
She tilts her head. "I'm sure of it, honey. One day you'll find him."
I look back at the painting. "Maybe."
I look back and she smiles at me. "Goodnight, sweetie."
"Night."
I walk over to the paint towel and rip it off.
Not touching the wet paint, I trace his face with my finger. "Maybe." I say to myself.
****
The next week, I'm super busy. I barely notice that I haven't seen Bastian all week.
The ballroom is coming along. I've hung the sheer curtains with silk valances. Added the wall accents and gold trims on the moldings. I finished painting the night sky on the ceiling around the skylight.
I'm exhausted. I've been behind schedule so I've been pretty much locked up in here.
Now that the painting and drapes are done. I can take a bit of rest.
Eric agreed to take over for me while I take a little vacation.
On Friday, I pack up for the day.
"Wow." A voice comes from the door.
I turn and I'm locked in place as Bastian stands in the entrance. I'm in a trance as his large frame enters the room. His shoulder length hair draped around his head in a way that begs it to be pulled.
His perfect smile is lighting up the room.
"The room’s looking great." He says in voice that has my middle quiver.
"Um...thanks." I blush. Trying to hide my desire to jump him right here.
"You're done for the day?" He asks taking a few steps closer.
I turn around and pack my bag. "Yep."
"I know I haven't been around much, but I'll see you tomorrow?" He runs his fingers through his silky blonde hair.
I spin around, scratching my temple. "Uh...no. I'm on vacation for the next week. Eric will be here to continue."
He crosses his arms and his brow stitches together. "Who's Eric?" He says it like he's asking about a boyfriend.
"He's my business partner. He's better than me." I chuckle.
He grins. "I doubt there's anyone who could match your talent." He points to the ceiling.
I follow his finger. "Yes. It's nothing really."
"You're too modest." He drawls.
I chuckle nervously. "Anyway. I'll be in touch with Eric. If he runs into issues, I'm a text away. You're in good hands."
I start to walk past him when he steps slightly in front of me. "If there's problems, I'll be calling you myself." He presence causes my breath to stutter.
I swallow. A faint heat begins to rise. I stare into his blue eyes. "Um...sure."
I walk around him and step fast out the door to the service entrance.
I blow out a shaky breath as I try to calm the fire in my stomach.
It's like he's knows what him being close does to me.
I'll need this vacation to reset. I can't get close to Bastian. Contract aside, what lies beneath is something he'd never understand.
If he knew how much of a freak I was, I'm sure he'd never speak to me again. Besides, he works for the Alliance.
The last thing I want is to end up as a lab rat. I've avoided the Alliance for the last 20 years. I'm not about to let them know about me now.
Even if I thought he wasn't as self-absorbed as he shows himself to be, him knowing what beast lives in me, is something I'm not ready for.
BASTIANMy wolf was already crazy this week as I've been wrapped up with that damn doctor at the prison.His incessant reports just keep coming and I have Fredericks pushing me to accommodate the fucking guy.He still bugs me to no end. I don't know why, but I feel like he's hiding something. I did a background check and everything does checkout, but before he turned 18, it was like he never existed. I can't even find his damn birth certificate.He spends all his time in the prison. Having private conversations with the Dragons here. I wish I could hear those conversations, but the good Doctor keeps his interactions under wraps.I've been keeping an eye on him closely, but if he is hiding anything, he's good at it.After wracking my brain, I felt I needed to see Sammy. I don't know why, but my wolf really likes her.Seeing her in her white business skirt and pink blouse, had me stirring inside. The pressure in my pants increased when she had her back to me and I saw the faint outline
SAMMY"Mom. It'll be fine." I say as I pack a suit case."Samantha, you can't do this. What if you have an episode?" She's following me around my room in a panic."Mom's right, Sam" Dylan’s sitting on my bed."I know she's right. That's why you're moving in with me." I look at Dylan.He straightened up. "Me. At the pack house? Are you nuts?"I scoff. "Apparently."My mom stood in front of me. "They won't understand Sam. This is a bad idea.""Dylan can watch me Ok. He knows what to do. It's fine." I push past her."Mom. This is an opportunity of a lifetime. For me. For us." I motion to Dylan. "We can't turn this down."I look at Dylan. "Eric's already on board. I signed for it. We're moving. Get packing."I demand Dylan go pack while I take my bags to the truck."I hope you know what you're doing." My mom says as she hugs me. "You call me. For anything at any time.""I will." I smile and get in the truck. "Dylan let's go!" I yell.Dylan comes out and tosses his duffle back in the box o
BASTIANAlright. I may have crossed a line at the pool. I couldn't help it. When I saw Sam in that tiny black bikini, my wolf went insane. I wanted to rip the eyeballs out of every male there.I had to shut her down before I ended up doing something even more stupid than I already did.I mean, I had no business talking to her like that. She's not mine. Though it feels like my wolf really wants her to be.I just couldn't take the unmated males on my staff eyeing up her goods. It's also the reason I made sure she got the room with the private bathroom. I had to pay the head chef double the weeks' pay to get him to move out. He wasn't happy. I'm on the hook to have a bathroom installed in his room so he doesn't quit on me.Sammy is special. I don't know how, but I need to keep her close. I feel this need that she needs to kept safe. Needs to be protected for some reason. I feel some inner connection building. I just hope I haven't pissed her off too much.She's been avoiding me all week.
SAMMY I slept for the whole day and most of the night. I woke with a growling stomach. I threw on some slippers and a robe over my pajamas. I snuck downstairs to the kitchen to try and find something. Anything to eat. I found some left over pot roast. I sat on the floor against the fridge and shoved pieces of it into my mouth. Mouthful after mouthful. I ate like I hadn't eaten in a month. "You know. The chef's going to be pissed when he finds out." With my cheek stuffed, I turn my head to the voice. Bastian comes out of the darkness. "What?" My face full of embarrassment and shock. He chuckles as he sits down on the floor and leans against a cabinet. He's wearing track pants with no shirt. His hair pulled up high on his head. "I couldn't sleep so I was doing paperwork by the fireplace. I was surprised to see this tiny woman sneaking around in the dark." I blush and offer the leftovers. He takes out a piece. "Thanks." He mumbles with a full cheek. "So, you're awake." I nod.
BASTIANI look around the large property as I wait at the front entrance of the Red Rock pack house.I don't want to be here, but for Sam, I'd crawl through hot lava to help her.I wait with my hands behind my back.The door opens. I smile. "Lucy. Is Luke here?"She crosses her arms and leans on the door. "Bastian. What brings you out of the castle on the hill?"I shake my head. "You and your brother are really the same person, I swear. Is he home?"She pushes off the frame. "Yeah, he is. Come in."She leads me into the common room. I'm always shocked at how small the pack house is considering the income for Red Rock is pretty substantial. You think they'd expand it more."Have a seat. I'll get him." She went upstairs.I'm leaning on my thighs, tapping my fingertips together as I wait. Luke comes down with Alexi and Lucy in tow."God. What now?" Luke shakes his head.I stand. "I swear. I come in peace." I throw my hands up."Bastian Cole showing up anywhere is never peaceful. What do
BASTIAN"Sammy? Please. Tell me what's going on?"I walk around to the front of her.The moonlight shines on her silky, disheveled hair. Her hands are black with the charcoal from the charcoal stick she's drawing with.As I look closer, bandage is torn and covered in blood. Her hands work overtime, drawing a picture.I crouch down and try to see her face. I'm afraid to touch her.Her eyes cast a pink glow on the floor as she growls low."Sammy. Please stop." I quietly beg her.She doesn't look up. She spins the pad around so it's right side up for me.I stare into the black of the picture. Into the red glowing eyes.She growls loud. She takes the stick and starts to draw circles around the eyes. It's fast and crazy. I almost get the feeling she's trying to tell me something.I swallow as I reach out. I grab her wrist. Instantly, I'm hit with a heat that almost makes my own skin burn.As I hold on, the heat is replaced with electric sparks. She's cooling down.She raises her head slowl
BASTIANSitting at my desk at the Unit, I seem to not be able to concentrate on anything else, but Sam.I've been avoiding the office, working from home for a few weeks now. I don't want to leave her just in case, but I have a massive amount of work I need to catch up on.I was just about to file some papers away when I got a knock on my door.It opens and two blonde Alphas walk in. I smirk. "Well, if it isn't the double mint twins." I lean back in my chair. "A little far from the recruitment center, aren't you boys?"Wes and Grey Andrews. Alpha Andrews twin boys. Beefy guys. Blondes with blue eyes. Always together. It's weird. I cringe at thought of what else they do together.Wes smirks at me. "Bastian. We thought you went AWOL.""Me? Never." I put my hands on my desk. "Just had some stuff to clean up at home."Grey folded his arms. "Yeah, we heard. You really think that fancy dance hall is going to land you the Head Alpha position?""Uh…It's a multimillion-dollar grand ballroom and
SAMMY The last episode I had was the most disturbing one ever. I don't even know what set it off. All I know is that after my hypnosis session with Dr. Rennet, I was feeling pretty good. I was just working in the ballroom when the beast wanted out. The pain was excruciating. I could feel it pushing and clawing its way to surface. I'm sure I would have lost if Bastian didn't show up when he did. It's weird, his connection to me. I can't say I hate it. It's just strange since we really aren't anything to each other. I won't lie and say, I'm not starting to have feelings, but he's my boss and I can't tell him how I feel. I need to get these feelings out before I lose what little control I have. I fill my paint tray and turn on my music. I'm painting and dancing as I listen to 'Cooler Than Me.' By Mike Posner. I wiggle my hips, as my brush glides around the canvas. This where I love to be. In front of my easel, listening to tunes and zoning out. Letting the paint come together the w