Chapter 4

Quinn had not seen the slap coming.

When it hit her cheeks like a tornado, she grabbed the intruder’s right arm and twisted it in a painful turn.

Fenris quickly intervened. “Stop Quinn, that’s my woman.”

Quinn loosened her grip. And unapologetically walked away.

“She is crazier than you explained.” 

Quinn snickered and left. 

Today was a horrible day for her.

“Lumi you shouldn’t have done that. She is a friend. She is new here.”

Quinn had heard him say.

“You forgot to add I’m a skilled assassin too,” Quinn shouted from afar.

By now Lumi looked remorseful but hesitated to apologize.

She instead defended her actions, facing Fenris.

“You know I get jealous when you talk to other ladies. You are too friendly with them. And I know my gender. You show a woman you care too much and she begins to see you as her mate.”

Lumi rattled on.

Fenris smiled broadly. Drawing her for a warm embrace, he pecked her on the chin.

“Why don’t you trust me and stop stalking me at work?”

“Stalking you at work? No this is different. I came to see your boss.”

“Are you talking about Alpha Rowan?”

“Who else? I have a business proposition for him.”

Fenris grew uncomfortable.

“What’s wrong?” Lumi noticed his countenance.

“I know Rowan. He is a womanizer to the core. He’d sleep with anything in skirts. And he never grants business propositions on a clean slate with ladies.” 

Fenris expressed his discomfort.

Lumi smiled. “Deja vu. This is exactly how I feel when all those bees swarm around you. Not to worry - my heart has only you in it. Alpha Rowan cannot sway me off my feet. And I’d get this deal on a clean note, okay?”

With that, she kissed him affectionately on the lips. And she walked her cute self to Rowan’s office.

Fenris called after her. “Lumi, be careful. He can be a dangerous man sometimes.”

“And I can be a dangerous woman myself. Do you think any man can have me after you? Not possible.”

Fenris smiled and threw a kiss at her.

Deep down, he wished she had discussed this earlier with him. 

The thought of Rowan with his woman made him nauseous.

He knew Rowan.

And all the stories told about him were true. 

He loved women more than life itself and hated monogamy or anything that stole his freedom. Money was his focus. And sex was his outlet.

He trusted Lumi.

But distrusted his boss.

Lumi could hold her ground. And refused any advance even if his name were Samson. But for how long?

Fenris distracted himself by getting back to work. 

“The jealous Tinkerbell is gone, huh.”

Quinn was back. She was beginning to enjoy his company - a good enough distraction to forget Rowan till her plan was hatched.

“You back Quinn?”

“I didn’t go far. Was just around the corner.” Quinn spoke freely, offering him an apple.

“Thanks,” Fenris began to munch on it. “I need to warn you about Rowan. I see he has eyes for you. Could that be the reason you were distressed earlier - though you tried to hide it with a smile.”

He was right. 

And though she had a master plan - she was afraid of what she’d do if she went near him.

The urge to mate with him was very strong.

Her body fought against her will to accept his rejection.

“Did he ask you out?” Fenris bugged when he noticed she wasn’t saying anything.

How could she tell him he was her fated mate?

“He didn’t ask me out. He wants babies. Just babies - nothing more from me. I can’t live with that. I want to be more than a baby factory.”

“And rightly so. Just like Lumi, she wants to get married soon. She’s been pressuring us to have the church wedding by next month. And I’m yet to settle my finances. I’ve got a lot of plans for us but I can’t manage a family yet.”

“Have you explained all this to her?”

“She thinks I have cold feet. But that’s not it.”

“Lumi seems like a good-hearted lady, but hard to understand.”

“You say that of my fiancée one more time and I’d have you kicked into the hydraulic press.”

Fenris joked and Quinn laughed.

“So, are you going to accept Rowan’s offer?”

Quinn shook her head.

“I shouldn’t. But I’m in love with him. And he turns out to be my fated mate.”

Fenris opened his mouth in wonderment.

“He is not in love with me though.”

“I know that for sure. Sasha is his girl.”

“You noticed too.”

“You can be sure - only two of us know about it. They keep things discreet.”

“It’s sad my fated mate is not in love with me, but wants my babies.”

“Yeah, he sees you are strong and dependable. Unlike Sasha, wild and arrogant. You will make a good Luna.”

“But I can’t marry him though. That will be a bad idea. I hate having to compete with the other women in his life.” 

“Don’t worry Quinn. Sasha won’t be around for long no matter how much in love they seem. When Alpha Rowan finally marries you, he’d slowly start to fall for your person. And forget Sasha ever existed.”

Quinn felt assured a bit.

“I might end up miserable marrying a man who can never love me. But he can learn to love me though. Before then, would I be able to endure the pain and suffering he may mete out on me?”

“Hmm. That’s a 50/50 risk. Just follow your gut instincts.”

“You have been working here for how long?” Quinn changed the subject.

“For as long as I can remember. Let’s say ten years of age. I started with fetching and carrying. Now I operate the hydraulic press.”

“Steady achievement. Rowan must like you for having worked here that long. He looks the type who would sack people for holding a jewellery upside down.”

“We’d have been great friends but our values are wide apart.”

“So, tell me about my would-be husband. I know nothing about him. How dangerous could he be apart from his sexual escapades?”

“He doesn’t like anyone getting in his way of what he wants.”

“Sounds like me. That’s why he is the Alpha and I will be his Luna. I’m beginning to see things more clearly now.”

“Looks like you have a plan, Quinn. Care to tell me?”

“Not yet Fenris. I know - nothing can get in the way of a woman who’d do what it takes to get what she wants.”

“You are not resolving to crooked means, are you?”