Adam paces his office. He never seems to be able to sit still. Even the carpet’s worn in a very distinct path.
His office resembles the board room with forest music piped through the ceiling speakers. He must really enjoy the outdoors.
I glance at the wet bar. After a month of meetings, I want to walk over there one day and pour myself a drink. His reaction might be worth it.
Black marks line the edge of the wood paneled wall right next to the wet bar. I wouldn’t be surprised if Adam has a secret room, probably full of workout equipment. Heck, there might be a wolf sleeping in there.
My arms remain folded near my laptop, waiting for his response. The weekly meetings annoyed me at first. Now I appreciate how they’re helping me understand the company and my job. I don’t know if that is Adam’s goal but I am grateful for his help. There’s a level of confidence in my work that wasn’t there when I first started.
“There really is no reason for us to have that location,” I comment as he continues to stare out the window.
There are so many branches across the world but one satellite doesn’t produce anything. Almost all the employees are in my department but I haven’t heard of half of them and never get reports from any of them. I don’t know what they are working on in Seattle but it’s costing the company money and bringing my department’s numbers down.
Adam turns, smiling before sitting in the chair next to me. During our meetings, it isn’t uncommon for him to leave his desk and sit next to me or for us to sit at the table. It’s less intimidating. The chair behind the desk, in all of its leather magnificence, is daunting. For how large the chair is, Adam fills it. The first meeting, I squirmed out of discomfort. He hasn’t used it since.
“That location is important for our eco friendliness,” Adam begins as I spy the lie, “It’s more important for the distributors compared to the output of that office.”
More lies. After this meeting, I might ask Amy to dig up any information about our branch office. I’m too intrigued. It also concerns me that everyone is technically in my department. If we’re doing that poorly, I need to know how this location effects my numbers. If Adam wants to keep it a secret, he could switch people out of my department and I’ll instantly stop the hunt.
Adam shakes his head, realizing that I’m not going to let this go, “Fine, we have…competition near Seattle that I want to keep an eye on. Ben has tried for years to take over this pack—"
“Pack?”
“The package part of this company. I want eyes on him at all times.”
This is the truth. Adam is visibly annoyed. He glares at the floor but the tense ticking of his jaw makes me squirm to the back of my chair. The rival company must be a threat but I don’t know how, especially with the sheer size of this company.
“Why are they under my department?”
Adam’s lip curls as his long lashes bat. For a second, it actually makes me forget my own question. That might have been the point.
“Are you going to the Halloween party with Sarah,” Adam asks, changing the topic as he walks to the wet bar and grabs two bottles of water.
“Probably.”
I already promised Sarah I would go. I love Halloween and if it gives me a chance to get out of my small apartment, then I’m all for it.
“I might see you there,” Adam answers, taking a sip from his bottle as he holds my gaze.
I really think it’s the eyelashes. It would be easier if these meetings could take place over phone. His voice isn’t that dreamy.
The day ends as Adam finally frees me from our meeting. Like so many others, I’m hurtling out of the office for the weekend. Not even Amy can stop me as I blow past her to the car.
Parking the car, I race inside to grab the bag for tonight. Twilight casts an eerie glow over the lake as I walk through town on my way to Sarah’s shop. Her apartment is right above her store, giving her a perfect view of the downtown area.
Tick-or-treaters fill the street as I pass groups of crazy characters. The laughter and screams sound across town. I’m a little disappointed that I have to meet Sarah so early. I want to hand out candy but she insisted we get ready together.
A variety of bars worked together to create an intense Halloween crawl with live bands and themed contests. The bars are so close that the village closes down three streets. Allowing everyone within the barricades to drink and party between the bars without the chance of getting hit or ticketed.
In a surprising twist, the weather is actually warm enough to be in skimpy clothes and walk to the bars. It’s a lot different from last year when I wore a winter coat and walked over a layer of fluffy snow to get to McLeary’s.
“You can’t be that,” Sarah snaps grabbing the witches costume from my hand, “We won’t match.”
I’ve never seen Sarah throw a temper tantrum. She’s terrifying as she leaps to her oversized closet and tosses outfits across the floor.
“Yes,” Sarah squeals running out of her closet with a red dress and a red cape, “Little Red Riding Hood.”
The thick material proves this is not a costume. At least I’ll be warm. My biggest concern is the size difference. Sarah barely comes to my shoulders. There’s no way I’ll be able to fit in her clothes.
“It’s stretchy,” She grumbles before running back to the closet.
“Are you going to be the big bad wolf or grandma,” I ask wondering how we will match.
I’m a little sad that my witch’s costume isn’t up to par. I’ve worn it for the past three Halloweens. It might be time to upgrade.
“Silly, I’m sure you’ll find at least one big bad wolf tonight,” Sarah replies with a laugh, “No, you get to be a story character, so I will be too. Don’t judge, I bought this dress a few years ago but I couldn’t find an excuse to wear it.”
Sarah emerges in a floor length Belle costume. She definitely has a princess obsession.
“Do you have a rose or a book to go with the dress? You know, just in case someone can’t figure out your character,” I joke as her hand reaches forward, exposing a single red rose.
All I can do is laugh, “I said you can’t judge.”
Only she could get away with wearing that outfit. Without saying another word, I change into my dress, finally noticing the lace bodice and the flare skirt. I usually don’t like attention but I think that’s what I’m going to get tonight.
“I told you it would fit.”
A group of boys screams as we head into the first bar, grabbing everyone’s attention. Kneeling on the bar seat, my heart sinks. It’s the same group from the diner. That can only mean one thing.
“Can I buy you a drink,” Adam’s voice calls through the loud music as I feel his warm hand on my back.
I gulp, sitting back on the chair. He isn’t in a costume but a very tight-fitting blue shirt with the sleeves pushed up. All I can do is nod as he waves over the bartender.
“Adam, you aren’t wearing a costume,” Sarah yells, pulling out a set of ears from her small purse, “You can be the big bad wolf.”
All I can do is laugh as she shimmies across my chair to reach the top of his head. He obediently bends, his hair slightly caressing my shoulder while allowing her short arms to reach their target. Adam proudly shows off his ears.
“What do you think,” He calls over the music.
“You look like a kitten,” I answer, fluffing one of the ears.
“Can I take them off now,” Adam asks as he reaches up before Sarah knocks his hand back down.
“Not yet,” She answers pulling out her phone, “I want a picture of you two. The big bad wolf and Little Red Riding Hood.”
Already feeling the effects of the wine we drank while getting ready, I comply. Adam’s hand reaches around my waist. He feels warm and safe. Sarah snaps the picture as his arm remains on the back of my chair.
“Now you can take them off,” Sarah says snatching the ears back.
“What’s the next bar,” One of Adam’s friends asks.
I don’t remember this one from the diner. He looks familiar but I can’t place him.
Adam step away while whispering something. The guy looks at me, nods, and walks to the group in the back. Out of the corner of my eye, I watch as he points in our direction before the other guys nod and laugh.
“Next bar,” Sarah yells slamming her drink and hoping off the bar stool.
I grab mine and follow to the door. The group of guys surround us as soon as we are outside. I’ve never been around so many godlike men in my life.
I can’t help but stare, only to find each of them glancing at me. Their mocking smile reminds me that I really need to find out what the locals are saying about me.
“Really,” One of them asks Sarah.
“I can be Belle if I want to be, Isaac,” Sarah retorts before folding her arms and stomping to the next bar.
I want to say something but I’m not sure what to say. Standing side by side, they look very similar. He chases after Sarah as the group of guys follow close behind mockingly reenacting scenes from Beauty and the Beast.
“Isaac is Sarah’s oldest brother,” Adam informs walking next to me as my high heels clink with each step.
They slow me down more than I would like as Adam and I are the last ones to reach the bar. He opens the door and I catch him eying the dress.
There are too many drinks and shots but it is Halloween. Adam and his friends stay with us throughout the crawl. They’re entertaining and funny and I might have misjudged them. Adam doesn’t say much but remains close.
At the final bar Sarah enters herself into the fairy tale costume contest. She’s still annoyed by Isaac’s comment and he can’t say anything that doesn’t make her pout.
Walking on stage, the DJ calls, “Sarah, didn’t you wear that outfit last year?”
Sarah sticks out her tongue as the DJ laughs. I yell and clap. It seems like I’m not the only person to recycle my Halloween costumes.
“Come on,” I yell over the music to Adam.
He unfolds his arms and cheers. His voice carries across the entire bar. Sadly, it isn’t enough for Sarah to win as she bounces down the stairs and back to us.
At closing time, Sarah is full of energy, while showing some of the worst dancing in the world. Adam diligently keeps me company at the bar as the group of men circle the dance floor looking for available prey.
I can’t complain that Adam’s next to me but I wonder why he isn’t dancing with any of the available girls. He’s not oblivious to their flirting but brushes it off as he continues to try and talk to me over the music. I wouldn’t mind dancing but that might go beyond the boss-employee relationship. If nothing else, it would go beyond the capability of the skirt.
“I’ll be taking the tiny Belle home,” Isaac announces, one arm wrapped around Sarah’s waist to keep her standing.
“Let me walk you home,” Adam commands, “Little Red Riding Hood should be terrified of getting attacked by the wolves.”
I know it’s only a joke but hearing him say it, makes me wonder about the wolves. I haven’t seen one all day.
I nod, liking the idea of spending more time with him. My ears ring from the loud bass. I could use a quiet walk and the opportunity to give my throat a rest from yelling over the music. Turning on a street, Adam pauses as his hand reaches out to grab my arm.
“This way’s shorter,” He announces, pointing down a side road.
How would he know that it’s shorter? It isn’t like he knows where I live, or does he?
“You’re new in town. I know where you live,” He answers my look of suspicion as I follow him with a little trepidation.
The temperature’s cooled as my breath catches on the air. I wish I had a jacket or even pants. My teeth clatter as I fold my arms for warmth.
“Here,” Adam says, pulling off his sweater and exposing a dark black shirt underneath.
“Thank you.”
It’s becoming harder to see him as a boss when he does nice things. It doesn’t help that he refused to allow Sarah or myself buy a drink all night. It would be easier if he was mean or unobservant, then I could keep my head around him.
“Do you live in town?”
“I have a townhouse a few streets away. I also have a lodge on the other side of the lake,” Adam answers, “Close enough to go for a run.”
I laugh, realizing that this is turning into a continuous joke. If only I liked running but that is one sport I don’t understand. It doesn’t help that my ex used to be on the track team. The sour taste I have for him migrated to all the activities he held dear.
“Never going to happen.”
At the driveway I pull off the warm sweater. He takes it, glancing once at the front door before waiting on me to make the decision for the night.
“Good night Adam,” I say thankful that the area isn’t bright enough to get trapped in his seductive eyes.
Adam nods, his warm hand running under the cape and up my arm, “Night, Addie.”
My legs scream with each step as I kick off the shoes. A bath might ease my pain. It also gives me an excuse to use one of Sarah's bestselling bubble bath potions. The water relieves the tension as I munch on the bowl of candy.
Emerging in warm clothes spritzed with Sarah's new scent, I’m surprised to find the apartment so dark. I was sure I turned a light on before the bath. Without giving it much thought, I grope around for the switch in the hall and walk to the living room.
A breeze blows the curtains near the patio door. I never keep that door open. I don't even unlock that door, not after the first time I saw a wolf.
Racing to the kitchen counter, my purse and phone are missing. My mind goes through a series of scenarios as I run for the door.
As I'm about to reach the handle, the door swings in as I plant myself into Adam. He gently pushes me back into the apartment as another of his giant friends walks through the patio doors. Back tracking to the bedroom, I slam the door shut and lock it before running to the window. As I scurry up the wall, a hand clamps against my leg. My lungs burst as the scream floods the room as large arms yank me back down.
The friend turns me to face Adam, while keeping his strong grip on my arms. I can’t move, no matter how hard I fight. My heart pounds, it throbs in my ears and reverberates throughout my entire body. I don't know what is going to happen, but it can’t be good. There’s no expression from Adam as he takes off his shirt. I begin to scream and fight against my captor again.
"No one is going to come," Adam yells above my screams, "They know we are here. No one is going to do anything."
With that comment, my piercing shrieks become even louder. Tears begin to choke out my scream as I watch Adam completely disrobe in front of me. I don’t know how he can hold my gaze and not show a single emotion.
"I am not sure how it is possible that you don't know," Adam gently says.
My screams turn to whimpers as I try to push myself farther away from him and unfortunately into the arms of his friend. I don't know how to fight against two men that are easily twice my size. My eyes grow larger before every sound sticks in my throat.
My mind tries to reason, knowing that my eyes have been tricked. One moment standing, the next on the floor, my mind understands. One moment a Roman god, the next beautiful, my mind understands. One moment he’s a human, the next, a big black wolf. I didn’t see that coming.
The man releases me and I collapse to the floor. My shaking legs do not have the ability to hold my weight as I sit feet from Adam, or a wolf, or both. My head spins, as I exhale for the first time. My throat burns from the mixture of tears and screams. Clearing my throat, I decide if one more scream is appropriate.
My hand reaches out as Adam slowly inches forward. Looking into his large eyes, my mind changes and my flight response is in full force. Bypassing the giant human guard, and slamming the door on the wolf Adam, I grab my keys and beeline for the car. They are close behind but not fast enough. My fumbling fingers finally get the key into the ignition.
Pealing out of a driveway has never felt so good as the apartment fades from view. This is too much, way too much for my mind to comprehend. It has to be a dream or maybe I was drugged. Hallucinates can explain strange images. A boy turning into a wolf, sure, it happens all the time when people are on drugs. I think.
On the only road leading out of town, a sight proving this is no dream. At least a dozen wolves guard the road making it impossible to drive away.
Breaking, I decide if it is murder or road kill if I end up hitting any of them. The wolves remain in place as a howl sounds behind me. The rearview mirror shows the black wolf, I mean Adam, running towards the car. He is the same wolf who has been haunting my deck.
"Climb out of the car," Adam softly coaxes through the glass window as he shifts back into a human. At least I think it’s called shifting, the graceful change from one form to the next. The nakedness is still strange, as I watch him kneel next to my side, "No one will harm you."
This boy must be stupid. There is no way I am climbing out of my car. I've seen a few werewolf movies lately and I have no desire to be eaten by a pack of wolves or turned into a wolf.
"Addie, you are one of us," a familiar voice soothingly adds as Sarah stands in the middle of the road.
My mind is never quiet but right now, at this very moment, my mind is a complete blank. The situation is too unreal to comprehend. All I can do is watch as a few others shift showing each one of Adam’s friends. They planned all of this while I enjoyed my bath. This can’t be real. I must be sleeping.
"That's right," Adam quietly says leaning against the rolled up window, "I could smell it on you the first moment I met you. You are a wolf."
Giggling comes from deep within as silent tears roll down my cheeks. A wolf? Sure, that explains why I never became furry around the full moon and why I hate running.
Others shift into their human form, "I know it seems impossible. It’s rare to see a wolf that doesn't know how to change."
My eyes lock with his. They’re full of concern, which is better than the blank expression in my bedroom.
How can it be possible for me to be a wolf? If I was born one, I think I would have figured it out by now.
"We could show you everything that you’ve been missing," Adam quietly continues knowing he has my complete attention, "All of us can feel it inside of you. You have to be a little curious. Open the door and let me in."
My eyes dart to the group of half wolf and half humans as they back away from the road. The few humans shift back into their wolf form and vanish into the woods. Sarah gives one last pleading look before shifting and vanishing into the darkness.
The lack of wolves makes everything less threatening. If he does feel like eating me though, I’d prefer a group feast compared to an individual meal.
"Unlock the doors.”
My better judgment is out the window tonight. But then, what is the best judgment when it comes to meeting your first mythical creature? It’s not like there are books about it, horror movie, yes, but nothing practical.
The lock snaps. Adam smiles before walking to the back door and climbing in. He leans forward, resting his arms on both seats.
"Are you going to kill me," I ask, still facing the window.
I have to know. I can't hide from a pack of werewolves. I need to know my fate.
"No," Adam snaps and I jump from the anger. His voice is harsh but his answer leaves little doubt.
Turning to face him leads me to see all of him. My face burns before I can look away. He finds a blanket that my mother makes me keep in the car and covers himself.
“Are you alright to drive,” Adam asks as more silent tears stream down my face.
I nod. Between the alcohol and the werewolf in the backseat, I honestly shouldn’t be behind the wheel. At the same time, if I‘m not driving, I might jump out and run away.
"I need you to drive somewhere," He gently begins trying to keep me calm. From everything I just encountered, I think I'm doing a good job keeping a reasonably calm head, "I need you to drive to a log cabin by the lake.”