Meeting new people

GISELLE

I linger in the shadows for a while, waiting. In the far distance, the sound of the sea crashing against the rocks fill the silence, along with the natural sounds of the woods.

The woods are thicker and harder to reach here- one of the reasons why this is the perfect place for me to meet people. I naturally claim this territory to be mine.

I straighten up, alert, when I hear some noise in the distance. My wolf is on alert, too. I listen intently to hear the noise and to see who it can be.

I don't step out of the shadows of the trees until a familiar figure steps out into the clearing and head towards the cliff's edge. But even then, I take my time to watch him.

I can't understand why, but something has been bothering me lately, making it harder to lean into my natural intuition. When I don't step out immediately, the figure scans the woods, missing me easily.

I smile to myself. It is Levi, one of the most skilled killers, yet he misses me even when I am partially visible. I guess my several hours of camouflaging practice are paying off well.

"I'm here," Levi announces when I don't step out yet. I ponder for a couple of seconds, wondering how it'll go if I tease him. That will be comical, but my shoulders drop immediately because that won't be possible today. I have somewhere else to be after this meeting.

Maybe next time.

Casually, I step out of cover, my hands in my pockets, my mask and the voice modulator on and my eyes set on the man. I notice how his body visibly stiffen when he sees me. I can't help but smile to myself.

He fears me, and for some reason, it pleases me. Deeply. It makes me yearn to see the fear in his eyes as I step before him.

"You're late," I tell him and see him gulp hard visibly. It makes me smile wider under the mask.

"I got stuck at an errand," He clarifies quickly, "Your task has been carried out flawlessly. The payment has to be done by tonight," He pushes, tilting his head to the side and giving me a challenging look even though the tension in his body grows severe.

I chuckle.

"Show me first," I demand, stepping closer and seeing him getting tenser. He gives out a breath before pulling an envelope out of his coat. I snatch it from him and tear it open before looking at the pictures of a man shot in the head.

"What do you think?" He asks, a hint of curiosity in his voice. I glance at him.

"Ten thousand dollars deducted," I spit, "It'd have been perfect if the shot was in the middle of his eyebrows!" I state as a matter of fact, not minding his reaction.

"Come on! You wanted him dead, and he's dead," He protests, angrily throwing his hands in the air. I give him a stern look, and he straightens up quickly. He can't see my eyes, but he can feel the wrath in my gaze under the mask.

"Twenty thousand dollars deducted."

"What?"

"Total thirty thousand." I say without blinking an eyelid.

"Wait, no," He cuts, "Alright. I get it. I will keep that in mind from next time."

I nod, take the lighter from my pocket, and burn the pictures.

"I have some news," He tries to tempt me before I can leave. I tilt my head and glances at him. My hand on the gun just in case he is wasting my time. "But I'll need those thirty thousand if you wish to hear it," He tells me.

"What about you tell me the news, and then I kill you?" I ask, and he straightens up quickly.

"This is going to get you killed someday," I hear him mutter under his breath. I ponder if I should show him my new gun, but he speaks up before that, "But I'll throw you a bone today. Hebron is dead!"

"That's old news." I shrug.

"And so is Victor," He adds quickly, making me freeze. He smirks at me, knowing that this is the first time he catches me off guard. I clench my fist as he continues, "And you can guess who took him down."

The Zachary brothers!

Those two bastards.

Not that I am sad at Victor's death. No. I am glad he is dead because he had been trying to keep tabs on me. With him gone, I have one less thing to worry about, but if anything, his death is more of an indirect message by those bastard brothers.

They're out there, looking for me. I know I am next after Victor. I should be scared, but it makes me laugh out loud, puzzling Levi. He watches me with shock.

"You shouldn't be laughing, really," He comments, his expression hardening. "They're coming for you, Aiden. If I were you, I'd wish the earth to swallow me whole before the brothers reaches me!"

"That's the thing, Levi." I laugh. He is trying to warn me, but if anything, his words make me laugh. "You're not me. You'll never be me. I have my ways, and it's okay if you don't understand them. Just stay in your lane and do as you're told to do," I tell him.

He shakes his head at me.

"You should fear them, Aiden," He tells me. "They're not like Jeff. They're much more dangerous, and they can go to any extent to hunt you down!"

"And why are you so concerned about me?" I laugh instead of getting serious like he wants me to be but fuck that. I don't fear anymore. Not even those bastard brothers. They'll never get to me. Ever.

"You pay me well. I would hate to get that cut; besides, they're the Alpha brothers. Everyone fears them. You should, too."

"I'm not everyone, Levi. I appreciate your concern, but it's clear you undermine me a lot." I tell him, "I think it's time for me to find a new hitman," I announce, and he shakes his head again. I can tell that he wants to say more, but I leave before that.

I have more important shit to deal with than those bastards!

****

After meeting Levi, I go back to my place and shower. It is a fairly sunny day, and even though I have too much on my plate to deal with, I decide to take a break today. I haven't had a break in a while.

For once, I want to pretend to be a normal girl- spending some time by myself along the beach, soaking up the sun before the winter arrives. This summer has been quite busy for me. I haven't had the opportunity to take myself out much and enjoy myself.

I should've taken myself out more; otherwise, how am I going to meet my mate? The moon goddess promised me that she'd fulfil all my desires, but there is something unsettling about the whole thing. I can't figure it out yet, but there seems to be a catch that I must have missed.

As much as I am excited to meet my mate, I am somewhat anxious. What if he turns out to be nothing like I have imagined? I'll be devastated, but for the time being, I am trying to be positive about the whole thing. That is the only option I have left, or I can just worry myself sick but fuck that!

After my second lover left me, I already wasted a year mourning the abrupt end of our relationship. Now, I am choosing to move forward and be more optimistic and hoping that things will work out. This is one of the reasons why I feel like taking today off.

I want to have a moment for myself and enjoy the last sunny days of summer. Even though I am the kind of person to always keep myself busy, I decide to postpone all the work for tomorrow.

The world can wait.

I put on some light make-up and slather sunscreen before getting dressed for the beach. I take my surfing board and drive down to the beach that is almost twenty minutes away from my residence. I can't help but smile to myself as I park my car and go down to the beach with my surfing board and my tote bag.

Today, the beach isn't crowded, making it even better for me. I choose a quiet spot for me and put my towel down before lying under the sun for a while. It is the perfect sunny day- not too sunny, and at the same time, a gentle cool breeze is flowing. This day couldn't have been more perfect!

I drink some beer as I scan the waves. I want to go surfing, but there aren't many waves today, but that is alright. I don't feel like leaving my perfect spot, so I lie there and enjoy the day, watching people and slowly drifting off.

I wake up abruptly when I feel a shadow hovering over me. I open my eyes to find a pair of grey eyes intently staring at me.

"Hey," The man smiles at me. I shoot him a glare as I grab my tote. I want to be left alone, but his flirty smile gives me an idea. "Are you from here?" He asks. I ignore his question and study him from head to toe. Нe has a great body and looks good, so I decide to give him a chance.

"You're new here," I remark. He gives me another one of his flirty smiles that forms a deep dimple down his left cheek. It almost reminds me of Aaron Joel. He is really easy on the eyes and makes it easier for me to forgive him for disturbing my small nap.

I can always have a little fun while I wait to find my mate.

"Yes, I'm here for a couple of days. What about you?" He asks me.

"It's a work trip," I note, ignoring his question again. He shuffles on his feet, slightly impatient due to his questions being ignored. "Where are you from?" I ask.

"North," He shrugs, focusing his eyes intently on my body. "Are you a local?" He asks.

"Yes," I finally decide to answer, "Wanna go around the town?" I offer. Well, I can cancel my whole weekend. I really need a break, and I think I can have some more fun if his skill set matches his looks.

"That's what I am talking about," The man gives me another of his suggestive smiles, "I'm Gabriel," He offers his hand to me. I give it a look and take it, getting up from my spot. I know that he is a complete stranger and can mean danger but fuck that. I need to live a little bit more. I can always take care of things if they go south!

Besides, strangers are the best kind to have fun with. However, I make a mental note to get all the info on him when I return home tonight.

"I'm Giselle," I tell him.

"You're so beautiful, Giselle," He tells me, his eyes running over my body heatedly. I laugh, "Thanks, I get that a lot. Now, what would you like to do?" I ask, testing. He shrugs.

"I'm down for anything," He tells me.

"Time limits?" I'm curious.

"I have a meeting at seven tonight," He tells me. I tilt my head and give him another look.

"Who do you work for?" I ask, keeping my tone casual. Suddenly, the flirtatious mask he has been wearing slips off his face. Something dark flickers in his eyes before his smile is back.

"Why don't we get going, sweetheart? I want to make every minute count with you," He tells me instead, stepping closer and gently running the back of his knuckles against my jaw. I laugh.

"I cannot wait to see what you have in store for me, Gabriel," I whisper, running my hand down his six packs. I feel him suck in a sharp breath, making my smile grow wider.

So far, so good.

"Let's go then," He almost growls his words before grabbing my things and leading me out of the beach.