Of Beasts and Heartbreak

Tori’s POV I stared up at the unlit neon sign which indicated ‘Remus’ wasn’t yet open for business. My hand trembled as I pressed the buzzer. What I was about to do was daring in the extreme, given my past experience with this kind of establishment. Yet I felt good in my business suit even though I was way too early for my appointment. The middle-aged female who came to the nightclub door looked unfriendly, adding to my nerves. “Yes?” “Victoria Culpepper. I have an interview with Mr Phillips.” She didn’t even smile, just stood there with a hand on her hip. “Media, eh? No doubt you’ll be bad mouthing us in your article. BDSM always gets a poor press.” “There must be some mistake,” I said. “I’ve come about the job.” She slapped her forehead with the heel of her hand. “Silly me, I got the days mixed up. The reporter for the Werewolf Times has weaselled her way in because – no, you don’t need to know why or when.” She cleared her throat. “Alpha Calvin is running late unfortunately

Tori’s POV I spent Sunday on my own as Ellie got a call from her mom to say her sister was visiting from Oregon. She drove herself, straight after breakfast, and I spent the morning chilling in my bathrobe. A long soak beckoned after which I tried on the lingerie I’d bought. Some of it was lacy and delicate – the teddies, all in pastel colours – and the corsets had saucy little bows. I expected to be sharing an office with the Alpha, though didn’t think he’d let me use it when he was elsewhere. Nobody trusts a new employee at first. If I had to sit in the office off reception with Naomi I would manage. A laptop isn’t called that for nothing. She may even let me use the desk. Ellie wasn’t back by the time I was due to set off for work. Calvin had said to turn up around ten. I called an Uber and fussed over my appearance during the twenty minutes it took to arrive. No jacket today, just a tasteful skirt and retro blouse, striped with a white collar, the minimum of foundation and a

Tori’s POV It was eerie being in a closed club environment, yet I sensed Alpha Calvin was doing his best to put me at ease. The cut-out mini dress he’d selected covered me in all the right places with just a smidgen of tease. I felt confident and sexy, something which hadn’t happened in a long time. I was watching Travis show a small audience of about twenty dominants, or Doms, how to deliver a spanking safely. To my surprise, Maria, the submissive taking part was able to give her perspective as well, once the scene was over. “Your sub must be aware she can communicate with you at all times, even if gagged,” the Delta said. One of the watchers raised a hand. “What if she’s bound as well?” he asked. “Establish pre-arranged signals like waggling fingers or blinking a set number of times. It is your responsibility to keep checking in with her.” “And if there’s a blindfold?” “Someone wants his money’s worth,” Travis joked. “Prepare for all eventualities. Each one of our submissives

Tori’s POV I’d been wondering about his second-in-command and why I had never seen him at the club. “Who’s catering? Because I know a deluxe service in town which doesn’t charge over the odds.” “Typical of my financial adviser.” He grinned. “His mate, Laura, is organising that side of things.” “I’m not a waitress,” I pointed out. “Knowing you, Tori, you’d excel at that as well. However, on this occasion I want you to be my official plus one.” My mind went blank. What could I say? “Like an escort, you mean?” “Hardly, Tori,” he said. I was enthused now, even if it would have been preferable to mingle with his pack members in a neutral uniform and carrying a tray of drinks. This would be a great opportunity to find out more about the North Shore pack. Yet, in effect, he was paying me to act as his girlfriend. Tough job, though I’d never have a better chance to suss out whether he was guilty or not. Partygoers tended to gossip and become loud when they’d had a lot to drink, and m

Calvin’s POVSurely she must be aware of my interest by now. I wanted her in my bed, even if it was just the once: my rules. Yet that vulnerability made me want to kill whoever had put it there.I could sense her reluctance to be seen in my company. Was it partly because of the boss/employee relationship as she had implied? No, there was something more, something I hoped I was wrong about.When I mentioned having dinner together her face changed completely.I had to put my foot down or it would never have happened. It rankled, too, that she looked on it as her doing me a favour. Maybe she was … but not in the way she imagined.“Won’t people talk?”Was that what had been bugging her?“Let them,” I said. “It’s not a date.”I drove us to my favourite Italian bistro, the one with the checked tablecloths and aroma of garlic. Tori seemed to know her way around pasta, ordering farfalle with chicken, while I had my usual calzone.She opted for sparkling water rather than wine, correcting me w