Chapter 3 - Wolf Tamers

Helicent called Remus early that morning, saying that she had more proof that only one Vampire attacked the East Delta Pack and not an entire army as what they wanted to believe. She was in the Volkov’s mansion in fifteen minutes, carrying more photos to show them.

The photos are now all laid out on the long table for the scrutiny of the pack. It was the autopsy of the bodies the Investigation Unit had recovered at the crime scene. “If you would look at each of the wounds, the abrasions are all the same dimensions. And each of these are from different bodies.”

In each of the bodies shown on the photo, there were four deep lacerations on the skin. Each is enough to kill a Wolf in one swing. Helicent continued, she produced another set of photos. This time of bite marks. “The bite marks are all the same as well.”

Remus studied the shape of the teeth. And he felt that it wasn’t only him who felt the growing concern. Helicent’s next words confirmed what all of them had feared.

“The bite marks are nothing I’ve seen before. The shape is the size of a Vampire’s, but the fangs– well, it looks more like a Wolf in the initial stage of transformation.”

“A Hybrid…” Remus breathes.

Slowly, they turned to Grandpa Conri. Surely, he’ll have an explanation for this. But the look he has given them, tells them he has none.

. . . . .

“But Eden’s my Executive Assistant.” Lyall moped. Remus just told him that starting that day, Eden will be his. Lyall can just find a replacement. He asks Remus what changed his mind about Eden since just a week ago, he seemed very aloof towards her.

“I want to see how much she can be trusted.” Remus told him. “I knew it was your fault the contract with Reeds Weeds Inc., was late. But she chose not to tell me that even if it meant I would be mad at you and not her.”

Lyall smiled. Remus is finally starting to realise why he chose Eden. The girl is the very epitome of a perfect assistant– at least for their kind. Meek and shy, obedient but fearless. So whatever it is she finds out, Lyall knows it will remain in confidence.

Unbeknownst to Remus, Lyall was actually part of those who chose Eden. They had been looking for quite some time for a perfect Assistant for him, since he had gone without an E.A. ever since he took over the role as Chairman. But they knew how untrusting he was and wouldn’t accept just anyone. So with Remus finally taking an interest in Eden, the plan is finally successful.

Remus wasted no time in loading Eden with work. “Show me how much better you are.” He told her as her tasks were laid down.

Just for that morning, Eden was supposed to submit the entire list of new clients they are tapping, not less than thirty was Remus’s condition. She was also tasked to cold-call Business Developers to set-up meetings and learn on their company’s business plan and send a report on how this would fit with the current framework of Volkov Corporation. Remus also told Eden that he needs a restaurant ready before lunch for his scheduled Steering Committee meeting with the C-Levels and Project Managers of the company. Eden has to ensure that the food served in the restaurant will cater the diet and restrictions of all the fifteen members of the committee.

Eden was also required to prepare the private chopper that would pick up Conri Volkov from his mansion to the company’s building since he will be attending the meeting as well. Aside from Grandpa Conri’s pick-up she has to make sure that he will be comfortable all throughout the day. Which meant, his preferred whisky should be readily available– a detail Remus had purposely left out for Eden to find out herself.

By eleven-fifty eight in the morning, Remus found himself waiting for Eden to barge in his office, crying and telling him that she had failed. But at 11:59 am, Eden entered with her head held high and a smug smirk on her face. She handed him– first, a folder that was labelled, “Clients for Consideration” and then another that says, “Further Business Venture”.

“In this folder, I’ve listed down clients that I think would really be beneficial to Volkov's growth. And in this one are the Businesses I have contacted who also agreed to meet with you. I have already scheduled them starting tomorrow until Wednesday next week. Don’t worry I checked your calendar and made sure that they don’t overlap with your other calls. I’ve also sent this to your email just in case you lose this folder. And also listed the meetings you’ll be having based on the face to face ones and those you’d have to do virtually.”

Remus nodded. He was impressed but was determined not to let it show. “And the restaurant?” He asked.

Eden smiled and handed him another list. The list indicated the names of the Committee Members and their food preferences. Even their allergies were noted down. “I found a restaurant called The Good Food. It’s fancy enough to not make us look cheap but also homey enough to keep the members at ease and we know that relaxed employees are the best employees.”

“This is on the other side of the town. How do you expect everyone to get there?”

The smile on Eden’s face didn’t vanish. Remus can see the confidence she has in this. “Don’t worry about that. I have already arranged cars to pick-up each of them and from the last report, most of them are already there. Your grandfather included.” She looked at her watch and said, “You’re probably the only one missing by the time you get there. Your chopper is already at the helipad if you’re ready to go.”

Remus wanted to smile. Eden has done more work in a day than Lyall in a year. He took his coat and followed her to the building’s top floor. As he boarded the chopper Eden shouted over the thickness of the noise, “Your Grandpa’s Dalmore 62 whisky will be waiting at your office upon your return!”

A half laugh escapes Remus’s lips. “Fine, you’ve impressed me. Now get in here.” He shouted back.

But the noise was too much for her ears so Eden could only reply with a, “Huh?”

Remus shakes his head, “Nothing. I said, you’re coming with me.” And then he pulls Eden up. She’s as light as she looked, that Remus didn’t have to use both hands. She shrieked in surprise and flailed like a fish out of water. Remus tried to keep her still but it made her squirm more. And in her thrashing, the back of her hand met Remus’s nose in a very unpleasant and painful manner. This made him fall back on the chopper’s seat, pullin Eden down, on top of him.

“Ow!” exclaimed Remus. She’s stronger than she looks.

“Fuck! Fuck!” Eden was up in a second. She pulled Remus, slapped his hand off his own nose and checked for any bleeding. Both her hands cradled his face, her own, too close to his that he can feel her breathing. Her eyes were hard in full concentration and he only noticed now, how not only were they rare, they were also of the most beautiful of colours– the right was the hue of the blooming spring, the other was a smoothed out brown pebble by a stream.

It was only when the chopper was in the air did Eden notice their proximity. Slowly, she lifted her eyes and for a split second, grey and green and brown seemed to have finally met for the first time. Under Remus’s intense gaze, it was Eden who would always break. She pulled back her hands immediately and moved aways from him as far as their space allowed. She can feel her face burning– in embarrassment or thrill, she didn’t know.

Remus handed Eden the headset and she took it quickly, mindful to keep her fingers away from him. Another touch would make her blush once more. 

“I’m sorry for punching you on the nose.” Eden finally said after a moment’s silence. She was looking forward and over the pilot’s shoulders. She doesn’t have the nerve to face Remus at all.

Remus didn’t really mind. It didn’t hurt him. He was just caught off guard. “You are not only prone to hurting yourself. You also hurt others huh?” He watched as her face ran scarlet. “I guess I should buy a helmet or something if I’m to continue working with you.”

To this, Eden slowly turned to Remus and saw that this was the least serious she’d ever seen him. She started to relax as they continued in silence for the rest of the ride.

Grandpa Conri went back with Remus and Eden to their office after the lunch meeting. It was only when they were at the elevator did he fully acknowledge Eden’s existence. He looked at Remus and said, “Aren’t you going to introduce me to the lovely young lady?”

Remus rolled his eyes. But he answered his Grandpa anyway, “Grandpa this is Eden, my new Executive Assistant. Don’t get attached, she's still on trial.” Then he shot Eden a quick look and said, “Eden, meet my grandfather.”

Eden bowed and then offered her hand for a handshake. The retired Chairman and CEO gladly took it and smiled at her warmly. “It’s so nice to meet you sir. I’ve only heard great things about you.”

“Ah, you flatter me child.” Conri replied. “You have such beautiful eyes. The first one I’ve seen in my lifetime.”

Eden couldn’t help but blush. Her eyes used to be a source of her insecurity, But it grew on her and now she loves it when people take notice. “Thank you sir.”

“Is my grandson making it hard for you?” He jabbed Remus’s chest gently, who only replied with a frown.

“Oh not at all Sir. He’s training me well.” Eden replied. She shyly looked towards Remus’s direction who to her surprise was already looking at her. They both looked away quickly and pretended they didn’t just catch each other.

When they’ve reached their designated floor, it was Eden who stepped out first and asked to be excused. 

As she left, Conri turned to Remus and said, “If you don’t want any women from the Wolf Tamers, I think that Eden girl will match you well.”