Chapter 4

Clara Bennett

My feet dragged against the cracked sidewalk as I made my way back to where they had dumped my car.

Every step I took sent a painful reminder through my bruised ribs that my mom was held back there. I glanced back and saw them drag her out to who knows where. I felt helpless.

The cold night air bit at my skin, but it was nothing compared to the storm raging inside my chest.

This wasn't the Victor I fell in love with.

That sweet guy who used to bring me cheap chocolate and kiss my forehead after a long day? He was gone. In his place was this cold monster who smiled while holding my mother’s life in his hands.

I reached my car which was still parked crookedly on the side of the empty street.

As I yanked the door open, I glanced up at the sky and saw a perfect full moon hanging heavy and bright, bathing everything in silvery light.

“Great,” I muttered, sliding into the driver’s seat. “Werewolves. What the hell do werewolves even do for a living?” I let out a bitter laugh as I turned the key. “Do they chase squirrels in suits? File their taxes with bloody claws? Sit in board meetings howling at the moon during coffee breaks?”

The engine sputtered to life. I shook my head, trying to push away the ridiculous images. I had no idea where to even start with this impossible mission, and time was slipping through my fingers like sand.

That’s when I saw a large poster plastered on a wall at the corner.

‘Personal Assistant Needed for Mr. Ryder West. Immediate Start. Apply in Person.’

My hands froze on the steering wheel.

“Could it really be this easy?”

****

The next morning, I stood in front of my small mirror, smoothing down the only decent black dress I owned.

I walked over to the nightstand and picked up the framed photo of my mom smiling brightly from better days. My throat tightened at the thought of how she was probably doing right now…

I felt a single tear slip down my cheek and land on the glass.

I quickly wiped it away, picked up my phone, and dialed Victor, who picked up on the third ring.

“Make sure she takes her meds,” I said the second he answered, my voice hard. “Don’t let her miss any.”

His low chuckle sent chills down my spine. “No promises, Clara. Just be a good girl and do your job.”

I cursed under my breath as I hung up.”Shit..”

I started scrolling through my phone one last time and immediately I froze.

There were fresh photos of Amelia kissing Victor at some event, with her hand possessively on his chest.

I felt rage burn hot in my veins. “That jerk gets to live like nothing is wrong..while my life is in pieces..”

I wanted to throw the phone across the room.

“I will do this for you mom..Even if it kills me.”

****

The building sat at the far end of the city, towering and intimidating.

From the outside it looked cold and modern, but the moment I stepped inside, it felt like entering another world.

Marble floors gleamed under soft lighting and crystal chandeliers hung from impossible heights.

To my surprise, the waiting area was completely empty. No other candidates. Just me.

A stern woman showed up and led me down a long hallway. “Mr. West will see you now.”

My heart pounded as I stepped into the massive office.

There were floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city and behind a large black desk stood the man himself.

“Ryder West.” I whispered to myself.

He was so tall…maybe 6 '6…with broad shoulders strained against his tailored black suit as he stood completely still, watching me enter.

His head tilted slightly to the side slowly like a predator sizing up whether I was worth the chase.

His dark hair framed an extremely handsome face. But it was his eyes that pinned me in place. They were golden-amber, they tracked every small movement I made. I felt like an ant compared to him.

And then, my knees started to tremble. I felt like a rabbit that had just wandered into a wolf’s den.

*Does he know why I’m really here? Can he smell the fear on me?*

I took a shaky step forward and my heel caught on the edge of the rug. I ended up stumbling and catching myself on the back of a leather chair.

“S-sorry,” I mumbled, heat rushing to my face.

Ryder didn’t move at first. He just watched me carefully as his muscles coiled beneath his suit like he was ready to spring.

Then his deep voice rolled out, calm and dangerously smooth. “Come forward..Ms Bennet.”

I expected shouting. I expected him to snarl at my clumsiness. Instead, he gestured for me to sit.

I lowered myself into the seat, gripping the arms tightly.

I tried my best to avoid his gaze, but the second our eyes locked across the desk….I felt a strange, electric tingle race through my body, spreading from my chest down to my core.

I quickly looked away, trying to ignore the confusing heat and my flashed cheeks.

Ryder leaned forward slowly with his elbows on the desk, his powerful frame casting a shadow over me and his gaze never wavered…. It felt like it was stripping me bare.

“You’re quite bold,” he said, his voice so beautifully low and velvet-rough.

The corner of his mouth twitched, almost like a smirk. “You’re the only one who showed up. Have you asked yourself why?”

I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry as sandpaper and my eyes widened like saucers.

*****

**Ryder West **

She sat across from me.. She looked so small as she kept trembling in that simple black dress, and something inside my chest shifted hard.

One look at those wide blue eyes and the way her pulse fluttered at the base of her throat, and I was done.

I kept my voice low and calm so that I didn't scare her even more, the way one might speak to a startled deer. “Tell me, Miss Bennett… What made you apply for this position?”

Her fingers twisted together in her lap. She was beautiful in the most disarming way …she had soft waves of hair, flushed cheeks, and that nervous energy that made me want to pull her closer and shield her from the world. Even her little stumble earlier had been strangely endearing.

After talking for a while, I rose slowly from my chair and extended my hand across the desk. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

She stared at my hand like it might bite her.

Her fingers shook as she reached out and when our palms touched, her skin was ice cold against mine and fear rolled off her in waves.

I held on a second longer than necessary, letting my thumb brush lightly over her knuckles before releasing her.

I tilted my head, studying her. “You’re trembling. Why?” My tone stayed gentle, almost soothing. Then I asked the question that had been burning in my mind since she walked in. “What do you know about me, Miss Bennett? Because you’re trembling like I’m going to eat you alive.”

She bit her lower lip hard, that small nervous gesture sending heat straight through me. Her voice came out barely above a whisper. “They say… you’re ruthless.”

For a split second my face hardened. Then a deep laugh rumbled out of my chest, surprising even me. I leaned back, shaking my head. “Oh gosh, I thought so.” I smiled, trying to soften every sharp edge I possessed. “Relax. I’m a nice person. You’re hired.”

Her eyes widened in shock.

I stood and gestured toward the door. “Come. I’ll show you around myself. I don’t want you being late for any of your daily tasks.” As we walked, I named a salary figure that made her blink rapidly. She kept glancing at her phone, fingers twitching toward it every few seconds.

We stopped in the quiet hallway near the large windows.

I reached out gently and took the phone from her hand, my fingers brushing hers.

I leaned in close enough to catch the faint scent of her perfume, close enough to see the way her long lashes fluttered.

“Avoid distractions,” I murmured, my voice dropping lower. Our faces were inches apart now…it was fascinating as she swallowed hard, her throat moving visibly and her breath hitched.

I held her gaze, fighting the overwhelming urge to close the remaining distance.

This woman was going to be trouble.