Chapter Four: Hired, but Not Just

Caspian 

She couldn't be the one. But I felt her presence as the doorbell heralded her approach.

 I smelled her, and the sensation it evoked within me was unlike anything I had felt in years – a confirmation of her role in my life. 

She was my mate, the answer to my long-term unhappiness and emptiness.

 I expected better. I doubted she could last a day in my employ before she faltered, let alone handle me for a lifetime. I could be harsh and grumpy at times, and this dainty princess, albeit breathtakingly beautiful, looked like the type to cry under pressure. I didn't want a soft mate. I sought someone to match me. 

Why would my wolf choose her? 

"You're a Null," I spat with more distaste than I intended. 

Something akin to defeat registered in her eyes before she snapped, her sharp silver-gray eyes flashing. 

"So, what?" she threw back defensively. "Does that make me worthless? I'm not damaged, as high and mighty alpha wolves like you would rather believe. It's not as if I'm auditioning to be your spouse. My inability to connect with my wolf doesn't affect my performance. I can work diligently." She scrunched her mouth, her temper boiling over, and she leaped to her feet. "You know what, screw it. This was a fool's mission from the get-go." She began to leave. 

I was taken by surprise by her outburst, the switch of her emotions from dejection to defensiveness. I couldn't say I wasn't impressed by her violent outburst. She had fire within her. Like the mass of untamed shoulder-length red hair set off in natural curls framing her temple, even though it was knotted in a ponytail, she possessed a spark of wildness within that delicate frame of hers. 

I might have been too quick to judge her. Perhaps she might be a worthy mate of mine after all. Perhaps, I might keep her. She was undoubtedly an interesting specimen I would like to explore further.

"You might be getting fired soon if you make a habit of being rude," I told her, my gaze boring into her departing back.

I almost choked on my breath as I took in her shapely figure, the succulent curves of her backside, made for a man to cling to as he relished the ecstasy of her warmth.

 Her backside was well-rounded, her waist slim. She had a full bust too, I had observed when I opened the door. 

Although she was too small for my 6 ft 1 height, and her tastes in fashion were boring, it didn't diminish my wolf's eagerness to claim her as his.

 I felt like she was hiding her endowments rather than embracing them as most women would do; many would kill to have her figure, several had gone into surgery, but the results were nothing like the natural endowments.

Kaida was a natural. A solid ten. Pretty face, hot body, fiery temper. Wise selection, Adrick. I appraised my wolf.

She stopped walking abruptly, turning to face me with a stunned look. Her rosy, plump lips were parted in disbelief, and a strong urge to cover her mouth with mine, explore her fiery sweetness until she writhed and moaned for release, surged within me, but I suppressed it.

It was too soon. For all I knew, I could be slapped if I didn't act wisely around Kaida. She didn't strike me as the type of woman to swoon at my feet, given my affluence and status. In fact, it was obvious she cared little that I was an alpha, whereas she was a mere null. That observation still made my eyes twitch.

"You resume tomorrow," I told her, adding, "On probation."

Her jaw fell open before she caught herself. A wide smile burst on her face, hitting me straight in the gut. Her silver-gray eyes radiated with a sharp glow that disarmed me more than I would have appreciated. She looked angelic as she thanked me profusely, her joy knowing no bounds.

 "I won't let you down. I will keep myself in check too," she promised, making a show of biting her tongue and folding her lips.

"Good," I grunted in approval, sporting a raging hard-on in response to her actions. "You may leave," I growled too harshly, battling with my body's reaction. She appeared startled by the harshness of my voice. "I expect to see you here by 8:00 a.m. tomorrow. We will hash over the full details of your employment, and you'll start."

Kaida nodded enthusiastically, practically bouncing with excitement as she exited the house. 

Wasn't she a ray of sunshine – happy that she would be working for me?

 If only she knew that she would be getting more than she bargained for. She wasn't here only to be my house help. She was here to be my partner, and the Light knows I would relish the pursuit of making her mine. 

A slow smile crept onto my mouth as I anticipated the challenge. Kaida wouldn't be an easy catch, and that excited me. 

Adrick howled its approval in response as I headed into the bathroom to quench the fire the fiery red-headed beauty had ignited within me.

****

Kaida

I got the job. Light favor me! I fist-pumped the air when I stepped outside the door of the Ragnar's mansion. 

I was so elated, shaking my head giddily in triumph, that I didn't realize I had an audience. Calculations ran through my head at how soon I could pay off my debts before I remembered that we hadn't spoken about the salary.

 I was only told I had been hired on probation without a further interview. Why not go over the details with me today?

Someone clearing their throat jostled me out of my thoughts, and my eyes connected with the familiar harsh green shades of the thieving brother.

 His eyes ran over me with a heated intensity, curiosity lurking beneath his gaze as he glanced behind me at the door. I assumed he was wondering what I was doing in their house, given our history. 

He dismissed me while I contemplated telling him about my newly acquired position in the house, his nose flaring. He burst into the house, his shoulder hitting mine, causing me to stagger a step back. 

The door slammed firmly in my face, and I scoffed in disbelief at his disrespectful approach.

"They pay handsomely," I reminded myself. "Focus on the money."

 I needed this job, and I wasn't letting anyone ruin my chances before I even started.