As the doors of the elevator slid close, she pressed the P button for Domenico’s penthouse office.

Someone tittered behind her back.

Misty absently looked back and that was when she realized everyone had been – again – staring at her. She also realized that everyone knew she was going up to Domenico. She immediately blushed even though she knew they had no way guessing what she had been thinking. Or did they? Her face became redder.

“I have someone to do—” Everyone smirked and she hastily corrected herself while mentally banging her head on the wall, “I mean, I have something to do!” What was wrong with her? It was one humiliating blooper after another.

“We know,” Bea from the 18th floor said as she got out. “We so totally know and are envious of it.”

“Honestly, it’s nothing like that,” she said emphatically.

“Who cares? There’s nothing wrong about indulging in a little kiss or two,” Jim from the 20th floor said suggestively.

“It’s really not like that!” she protested. “I mean, all of you know Mr. Moretti! He’s not the type to play where he works. He’s very, very serious. Have you ever seen him smile?” She could see they were beginning to believe her. Domenico was known for his gorgeous but unsmiling face.

“I did see him smile,” Heidi admitted. “Just once.” Her eyes twinkled. “He was with you.”

“Well—it’s only because he always finds me amusing,” she said, only half-joking. “But really, Mr. Moretti is a model of propriety and I don’t think he’d be glad if any of us think of him that way.”

“You mean us,” Jim retorted. “Because you’re his fiancée. He’ll never get mad at you.”

“But I’m his employee too, and he’s entitled to everyone’s respect here.” She saw a chance to put a stop with all the teasing and eradicate her earlier blunder and seized it eagerly. “I’ve seen him mad just once and—” Misty pretended to shudder. “It was scary. So I really think all of us, including me, should, you know…stop with all the teasing. It’s just not professional.”

Her words were sinking in, she could see. She almost grinned. Now they were remembering that Domenico Moretti was everyone’s boss – one who was respected in the entire business community. Definitely, he wouldn’t do anything like…like make out with his employee at the workplace.

Lorraine glanced at the ceiling-mounted CCTV dome camera nervously. “He wouldn’t fire us for teasing you a while ago, right?” Everyone tensed at the reminder that their activity was being monitored. Jim even paled a bit.

“Of course not,” she assured them sincerely while inside, she was jumping for joy. Yehey! No more embarrassing teasing!

The elevator stopped on the 22nd floor, where the accounting office was and everyone except her was heading.

“It’s just that talking about private things in the workplace is not professional. And you know how Mr. Moretti—” She saw their eyes widen as they stared at something behind her back.

She turned and gaped when she saw Domenico walking towards them with a grin. Everyone inside the elevator scurried away to make sure the elevator was vacated properly by the time Domenico reached Misty. An alert employee even held the Open button to make sure that the doors stayed parted.

“I missed you, cara,” he murmured and before she could react, he had backed her against the wall and covered her still-open mouth with his.

Before the doors slid close, before her mind shut down, she heard Jim snicker, “Professional daw.”

Domenico pulled away when the doors slid close. And then he burst into laughter.

It took her a moment to get over the dazed feelings that always overwhelmed her after Domenico’s kisses. She stared at him, bemused.

“Not so professional, huh?”

She gasped. “H-how—-”

He pointed up.

The CCTV! She groaned. “You heard everything?”

“Let’s just say that the ‘someone’ you want to do is eager to get the, err, doing done.”

“Someone please just kill me before I embarrass myself to death,” she muttered. Her face will never stop flaming until the day was over. She was finally resigned to that fact. What was wrong with her?

Domenico could see that Misty was seriously miserable and he pulled her in his arms. “It’s okay.”

She shook her head adamantly but said nothing.

He grinned. “No, really, it’s okay. You know why?”

Misty looked at him questioningly.

“Because sooner or later, you will be doing—”

Her hand had slammed against his mouth before he could finish. “Never mind, I’d rather not know,” she mumbled, making him laugh.

She and Domenico were back again at the limo as it drove them to his home. While Domenico spoke on his mobile phone about one deal or another, she used the time to send SMS to all her siblings, telling them that she wasn’t going home, she had to work OT, but none of them should worry.

When they got to Domenico’s home, her nervousness increased. Her earlier worries came back. What should she do? How would things proceed?

Domenico could literally smell Misty’s anxiety and stopped just before they reached his front door. “Misty?”

“Yep?”

He held her nape, tilted her head up, and kissed her. Long, hard, and deep to drive all those worries away. When he pulled away, his desire only ignited further because of the soft, passion-glazed look in Misty’s eyes.

Dammit, the wedding had to be in a week. He wouldn’t last any longer than that.

Controlling himself with an effort, he told her quietly, reassuringly, “Relax. Don’t worry about anything. Let me take care of things. You don’t have to be in charge now. I’m here and you have someone to take care of you. Get used to it.”

Misty bit her lip but nodded, realizing that what he said was true.

As they passed the usual row of guards lined up before the front door, she could see that though their faces were smooth and expressionless, there was a twinkle in their eyes as they gazed at them.

“You know,” she couldn’t help but remark, albeit awkwardly, “for a private man, it’s kinda surprising that you’re into PDA.”

He shrugged. “I’m a Lyccan. It goes with the territory. Passion is a natural and integral part of us. It’s something we don’t bother – and never want to – hide.”

She pondered his words as they crossed the foyer. That probably explained why Domenico was so frank and aggressive. Dishonesty to his kind was no doubt considered not something evil, but simply something…unnecessary.

“Are you hungry?”

“Just a bit.”

He led her to the living room. “Wait here and I’ll have the cook prepare us light snacks.”

She nodded.

After a while, a large white wolfhound padded inside. It had beautiful hazel eyes.

Another Lyccan?

“Hi,” she said hesitantly.

It barked.

“I’m…Misty.”

It took a semi-sitting position and stared at her expectantly.

Should she say something else? “I work for Mr. Moretti.” She still couldn’t bring herself to say she was his fiancée. It was still too…surreal.

From the doorway, remaining unobserved, Domenico watched in utter fascination as Misty continued with her one-sided conversation.

Finally, he cleared his throat.

Misty looked up. Then she smiled tentatively at him. “I was just making small talk—”

“With a dog,” he told her solemnly.

“With a—” She turned to the wolfhound. “Not Lyccan?”

It was very, very hard not to laugh but he managed. “Not Lyccan,” he affirmed.

Misty slowly bent her head and covered her face.

The stance alarmed him. Damn! Had he made her cry with all his teasing? “Misty?”

She looked up and he was shocked to see that she was laughing with tears in her eyes.

Was she hysterical? “Misty?”

She kept on laughing. God! She was such an idiot! “I finally figured out why I’m acting like some fool.” Misty took a deep breath and, shrugging helplessly, she looked at him and admitted the truth. “I’m so nervous and excited about kissing you and doing…those things…that my mind just isn’t working properly.”

The desire that he had so carefully kept leashed broke free. Without a word, he swept her in his arms and kissed her as he made his way up to the bedroom. She gasped but he didn’t cease the pressure of his kiss. He watched her sigh and surrender, eyes closing, arms going around his neck.

It was only when he had locked the door and set her down that she started acting uneasy again.

He quelled her protests and struggles with one look. He crooked a finger. “Come here.”

She did.

“Closer.”

So she did.

“I’m going to undress you.”

For the life of her, Misty couldn’t bring herself to speak. Her entire body was heating up and all she could do was stare at him and wait.

In seconds, Misty was completely naked to his gaze.

Embarrassed at his intense scrutiny, she tried to cover herself even though she didn’t know where or how to start. Was there even a way to cover herself with her hands?

But again, he stopped her. Just one brief shake of his head. “I was unable to sleep the entire night just imagining you like this. Let me look at you, Misty. Please?”

She swallowed. “It’s…embarrassing,” she whispered.

“Don’t be embarrassed with me. Ever. I’m going to be your husband. We’ll be spending the rest of our lives together.” He touched her face and let his fingers caress a trail to her neck. He felt her shiver. “Let me look at you.”

She slowly let her arms drop to her sides. Misty watched him watching her and slowly, she stopped being embarrassed. It was impossible to stay so when he was gazing at her so reverently, as if he was worshipping her body.

He laid her on the bed and she did not struggle, only lying there, staring at him wide-eyed in nervous anticipation. She was scared and excited at the same time. She could not believe she was going to feel his naked body next to her any time now. But at the same time, she could not imagine doing this with anyone else.

Then and there, she realized one thing: she loved this man. She had only known him for a few days, but there was no denying the truth. She loved him.

Misty closed her eyes as his lips touched hers. It was soft, tender, and playful but gradually deepening and becoming more passionate that she couldn’t think of anything else except to hope that the kiss would never ever end.

She was dimly aware that he was undressing himself as they kissed but a gasp still broke out from her when she finally felt his heated skin touch hers, his weight pressing on top of her. There was just so much…too much of him…the mere feel of his body next to him literally made her dizzy.

His hands began to explore her body and she closed her eyes, unable to stop herself from moaning softly when his touch sent jolts of electricity through her body, one after another, never stopping that she had to gasp breathlessly at the sheer pleasure of it.

Everything inside Domenico demanded for release…it craved for him to take her in all ways possible. The feel of Misty’s naked body in his arms, under his hands, the sound of her moans and gasps…all of it had a devastating effect on his fast crumbling control.

Misty started to get bold, her hand tentatively moving, sweeping his chest, stroking his back, and moving down.

He caught her wrist in time. “Misty?” His voice was harsh.

“Yes?” Hers was husky.

“If you touch me, I won’t be able to keep my promise.”

“I don’t think I want you to,” she said honestly because her mind was too filled up with the possibilities of greater pleasure…especially when he was finally inside her. Just the thought of it made her restless and she shifted under him, trying to search for a satisfying position.

He bit back a groan. “Misty, stop moving.”

“I can’t.” She sounded completely bewildered, irritated, and something else that made him want to forget all his honorable intentions.

But he still held on. “Believe me when I say it’s killing me more than you know, but you wanted to wait for a reason and we’ll do that. But instead of marrying in a month, I want you to marry me next week. Agreed?” His voice brook no argument.

“Yes.” Then she asked, almost sadly, “We’re not going to…”

He laughed. It was the first time for him to laugh but still feel out of his mind with desire. She was utterly cute, utterly priceless. As a way of inspiring himself not to succumb to the temptation of taking her virginity, he vowed to himself that when they did marry, he wouldn’t let her leave the bed for three nights. Maybe four, five…

He smoothed her hair and kissed her forehead.

She sighed and pulled him closer, kissing his shoulder. Her body felt so pleasantly heavy, aching too, in places she hadn’t known, but in a very wonderful way.

Domenico repressed a shudder when Misty’s teeth nipped his neck. In return, he turned her head sideways, nuzzling her cheek before biting her ear.

She gasped and stiffened and pulled him more tightly against her.

“I think I want to do it now,” she said, unable to believe that she had actually said the words. But she really wanted to! And they were going to be married! What was wrong with doing it now?

“Stop tempting me,” he gritted out as he held her hips to stop it from moving.

“But—”

“We’re not going to do it and that’s final. But I promise you, you’ll still like what will happen and I’ll make you gasp night long.” He didn’t wait for her answer.

She wouldn’t have been able to anyway. Because by then, Domenico was kissing her all the way down until there was nothing to do but gasp…and gasp…and gasp some more.

“Misty?”

“You know how Lyccan hearing is really good, right?”

“Uh huh.” She wondered absently what he was getting at. Gosh, but she was so nervous. Had she truly agreed to go home with him? They were walking out of the airport now and she felt like dragging her feet to delay the…inevitable? The unexpected? The anticipated?

“Well, I can hear your heartbeat right now.”

Her jaw dropped open.

He regarded her solemnly. “And it’s beating hard and fast.”

Her face flushed with color. Hard. Fast. Those were very, very bad adjectives to choose. She couldn’t stop herself from thinking about the two of them in bed…oh dear Lord, forgive me for being shameless!

Domenico almost, almost laughed. Misty was absolutely priceless! He could read her every thought on her face. He knew exactly what she’d think when he used those words and she had not disappointed.

“Where are we going now?”

He was about to say something to make her blush again when his phone rang. It was a Council official, relating to him the murder of a young Lyccan couple, both of whom came from prominent families. One of them was from his pack.

“Is something wrong?” she asked immediately when he ended the call, seeing his frown.

“An unfortunate matter that I can’t postpone,” he said absently. He glanced at her thoughtfully. “I’ll have you deposited at my home first—”

Misty was shaking her head even before he was done speaking. “Oh, no. I’m not going to put a foot inside your house unless you’re with me.”

Domenico raised a brow, unused to being contradicted.

She raised one brow back even though her heartbeat went a notch up in speed. She was trying very hard to remember that besides being her boss, he was also her fiancé and that gave her certain rights…right?

“You’re going to be stubborn about this, aren’t you?”

“Umm…”

He shook his head. “Never mind. If that’s what you want then fine.”

She blinked. “Are you angry?”

He…was. Domenico was surprised that he was angry. He had been looking forward to spending the night with her. Yes, he knew nothing would happen but he had still been looking forward to it. And yet here she was, apparently unaffected and uncaring. He understood her predicament – it would be her first time to be in his home and to do so alone would be awkward for her.

He was acting…spoiled. He knew it. He was so used to women falling all over their feet to do his bidding that Misty doing otherwise was a huge, unwelcome shock.

Misty was still staring at him.

“No.” But his tone implied otherwise.

She fell silent, not knowing how to respond.

Half an hour later, his car stopped in front her home. “T-thanks,” she said awkwardly.

He nodded. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

And then the car was driving away.

Misty had a very, very strong urge to cry.

Domenico stared at the victims’ bodies, taking note of the bullet holes in their foreheads. Accurate and neat – mid-range distance, maybe, and not even a sniper was used. The killer obviously meant business.

“What do the forensic reports say?” he asked.

The pathologist spoke bleakly. “Silver bullets. Whoever the murderer is, he knows he’s dealing with our kind.”

Matteo Hernandez cursed. He was pack leader of the female victim. “This is the fourth incident of this kind.”

Domenico nodded.

The older man looked at him questioningly. “Have you given thought about my proposal?”

A double meaning. Matteo Hernandez had long been friends with Domenico’s fathers and a month ago, Matteo had proposed that their packs be united with marriage – to be specific, he wanted Domenico to marry his eldest daughter. Domenico could see the benefits such a union would bring, but in the end, he still preferred not to do anything that his father wanted.

He chose his words carefully, not wanting to offend Matteo because he liked and respected the other man. “While I am truly honored—”

Matteo sighed. “It’s all right, son. I knew it was wishful thinking on our parts.”

“If things were different,” Domenico said truthfully, “I would not have even a moment’s hesitation.”

Misty got off the cab and was immediately drenched by hard torrents of rain. In the corner of her eye, she saw Janice and Hannah being escorted out of their cars by their escorts – colleagues who were slavishly devoted to their beauty.

She heard them tittering as she ran for cover, hands over her bent head in a futile attempt to protect herself. Tears burned her eyes. She had not been able to sleep the entire night, troubled by Domenico’s cold demeanor. She wondered if it would always be like this.

Looking at the scene below from his penthouse office, Domenico controlled himself with an effort. His first urge was to help her. But then he reminded himself that she had to learn her lesson. He was the future pack leader, for chrissake. He could not afford to be weak and be controlled by a woman in any way. Misty had to learn early for herself that his word was law.

She went inside, walking slightly behind Janice and Hannah. They kept giving her sly looks – it was easy to read what they were thinking.

Inside the cramped elevator, more and more people were staring at her. She supposed she could pretend she wasn’t affected. But she couldn’t. She had been such a wimp for so long. A leopard really couldn’t change its spots overnight. Also, she really felt she was right and she didn’t want to say sorry…until she missed him too much.

The rest of the day proceeded too slowly for her. Misty wished she could bury herself in her work, but she was already a week advanced. Lunch time, she stayed at her desk, taking out her lunch box.

For today, she had prepared for herself corned beef with lots and lots of onion slices, a cup and half rice (no dieting when you’re depressed) and egg cooked sunny side-up. It was a favorite combination of hers but it was hard to enjoy her meal when she could everyone staring at her.

Watching the CCTV camera again, Domenico gritted his teeth at the forlorn image Misty projected. He zoomed in to where Janice and Hannah were huddled together.

“I told you it wouldn’t work,” Janice said smugly. The woman knew no doubt that a lot of people were eavesdropping on her conversation and was relishing it.

“She’s so out of league it’s not even funny. He probably dated her out of pity, maybe she even blackmailed him?” Her eyes gleamed. “Or, you know what? Maybe he did it because of a dare.”

Hannah nodded thoughtfully. “You’re probably right.”

It was clear on everyone’s faces that they were starting to believe her.

Damn…

Misty was only a third way through with her meal when a large shadow suddenly blocked her line of sight. She glanced up and choked on a spoonful of food when she realized who it was.

And just like that, Domenico’s irritation at her vanished. It was impossible to stay angry with her when she was just so…unique!

He slowly dusted away the bits of food that managed to reach his clothes. The people around them were unsuccessfully trying to smother their laughter.

Misty wanted to die of embarrassment. Had she just spit out food on Domenico’s expensive clothing? “I’m sorry—”

“It’s my fault,” he said graciously as he dragged the executive seat from another desk and placed it next to hers. He could have sat on any of the plain armchairs across her desk, but Domenico being Domenico, he’d rather not settle for anything less than the best unless it was entirely necessary.

“Are you still angry?” she blurted out in a whisper.

He stared at her for a moment, just to make her squirm. And squirm she did. Then he leaned close and kissed her on the forehead. “What do you think?” he asked when he pulled away.

All Misty could do was smile at him, utterly besotted.

Unbelievably cute, he thought again. His errand boy arrived then, delivering his order of an instant meal of tapsilog, which he chose to make a statement.

Misty’s eyes were wide. “You’re eating that?”

He raised a brow. “You have a problem with it?”

“I…I…” She shook her head and smiled at him again, happily. “Nothing.”

“I’d like to share lunch with you here if you don’t mind,” he told her.

She blushed. “Of course I don’t mind.”

They ate together silently for a few moments before he said, “I’d like to taste your food.”

She was startled but pleased. “Sure.” She started to push her lunch box towards him but he briefly shook his head.

His eyes gleamed. “Feed me.”

She choked again, but it was water thankfully this time.

He slowly brushed away droplets of water that landed on his sleeve.

Misty’s face was fiery. Dear heavens, would her embarrassment never seize? She was willing to bet she was the most socially inept woman Domenico had ever dated. “You can break up with me now. Really. And I won’t blame you. At all.”

That was too much. He let out a short bark of laughter, amusement overcoming him. Looking at her, Domenico knew she meant every word. No other woman he had dated would react the same way. Well, actually, none of them would even dare choke or spit on him in the first place. But that was what made her unique.

A powerful surge of possessiveness filled his entire being. More and more, Domenico was convinced that letting go of a treasure like Misty would be the most foolish mistake he could do in his life.

“Misty?”

“Yes, sir?”

He rolled his eyes at that. “Misty…”

She cringed. “Domenico?”

“Can you finally come home with me tonight?”

Her jaw dropped and then her eyes brightened and a shy smile formed on her lips. “I thought you’d never ask that again.”

His eyes dipped…and dipped some more until it settled on her chest. “Impossible. I want you too much.”

Misty turned red.

He settled a hand on her knee and…squeezed. He did so in plain sight and every woman in the office wanted to sigh because they wished it was their knee that Domenico was touching. There was just something so intensely sexy about him…and to have him looking at them like that, even just once…

Misty was almost having a heart attack. She could not believe he had a hand on her knee. It was so incredibly…erotic! And it was just her knee!

“I’m greatly looking forward to tonight,” he told her wickedly, enjoying her discomfort.

Unable to look at him, unable to answer, Misty just focused on gobbling up what’s left of her lunch. But honestly…she was looking forward to it, too!

“Of course we can. We already are.” He nodded to the rows of uniformed personnel bowing before them as if he was royalty.

“It’s almost like you’re a prince.” She blushed when she realized she had spoken her thought out loud.

Domenico paused then turned to her suddenly and she bumped against his back. He steadied her without a word. “Misty…”

“Yes, sir?” she said without thinking, straightening unconsciously. When he looked serious like that, she immediately forgot he was her fiancé for an hour and thought of him as her boss.

“Domenico,” he murmured.

“Uhhh…D-Domenico,” she stammered, cheeks reddening at the smoldering look he was giving her. God! The way she was blushing, her cheeks would never ever return to normal!

He sighed. “Never mind.” He resumed walking and she resumed trying to keep up with him. Soon, they were boarding a jet – his private jet, apparently, since his family name was emblazoned on its sides.

More bowing from the flight crew followed and everything became even more surreal. What…was…she…doing….with…this…guy…really?

Panic hit her and she whirled around.

Domenico caught her before she could even take a step towards the closing doors. “Uh-uh. Where do you think you’re going?”

“I…”

“Do us a favor, cara.” He sat on one of the plush seats and pulled her to his lap.

She froze, unable to meet his eyes, unable to believe that she was sitting on a guy’s lap. On Domenico Moretti’s lap!

What…was…she…doing…with…this…guy…really?

She tried to rise but he pulled her right back.

“Don’t panic,” he said softly.

Her eyes squeezed shut. Must not let him seduce me into doing what he wants. Need to think clearly…Need to…

Her eyes shot open as a simultaneous gasp slipped past her lips at the unexpected and brief touch of Domenico’s lips on her hand.

Their eyes met. “That’s better.”

And that was it, Misty thought in defeat. Sabi na nga eh! One look at him and she would not be able to escape. Kase naman…why did he have to be this gorgeous? It was impossible to resist him when he was looking at her that way.

“I’m not going anywhere,” she mumbled.

“And…?”

“So can I, uhh, sit across you?”

He cupped her face. “No.” And then he was kissing her again. He heard her sigh a little before surrendering, her mouth opening under his. He took full advantage. He had to. He needed to. He had never experienced such kisses before. For Lyccans, passion was very important and he knew in his blood that he had found his perfect match. He was truly lucky to have found Misty.

“Misty,” he said against her mouth.

“Mmm?” Thinking was overrated. Kissing was so much better.

“How do you feel about premarital sex?”

“Aah…” It was really, really hard to think when he was kissing her neck like that. She bent her head back to give him better access. She moaned when his mouth moved lower, past her collarbone and so, so near…

“If we don’t stop kissing now, you’ll be a part of the miles high club.” Domenico’s voice was strained. He was at the end of his control.

Miles…high…her brain got to working and she pulled back with a gasp, her embarrassment and shock enough to douse her passion…not much, but enough for her to put an important amount of distance between them.

“I’d…I’d rather we marry first,” she stammered.

“I thought so.” He cleared his throat. “This time, I really do need you to sit across me.”

She flew to the opposite seat, her scrambling speed making him laugh chuckle.

“We have about an hour till we reach Cebu.”

She nodded.

“So I thought we could get down to business while we have some privacy here…”

Domenico pulled a drawer open from the sides – she didn’t even realize there was a drawer there! Talk about modern amenities! – and handled her a thick folder.

She opened it and realized it was a pre-nuptial agreement.

“Not exactly romantic,” she murmured.

“Don’t worry. I’ll make it up to you every second of our marriage.”

I’m not going to blush, she thought furiously but she knew she already was. She flipped the pages hurriedly, trying to take her mind off things.

“My siblings…?”

“Check page ten.”

She gasped. “You’re going to let them – all of them – live with us?”

He leaned back. “We have a big house. We might as well make use of the space.”

She tried not to show how happy she was at the sound of that. ‘We’. She had never thought she’d be a part of a ‘we’.

She scanned the rest of the page and gasped again. “You’re going to let them study and you’ll give them allowance and….”

“Those you care for are automatically under my protection. I will do my best to care for them, too.”

Her eyes teared. “You’re like an angel, do you know that?”

He leaned forward. “I’m not. I’m a werewolf.”

She couldn’t help but laugh and he laughed with her.

“But you—”

He shook his head. “There is no need for gratitude. You are doing me a favor, too.”

But she got what he wasn’t saying. He was uncomfortable with how she was acting. She hid a smile. Amazing. He really wasn’t so intimidating all the time, apparently. He could even be quite cute…

“Are you laughing at me?” he demanded.

“Of course not,” she said and looked down at the papers. She went to the next page and the next. There was a long list of responsibilities and duties under her role as the wife to the heir of the Moretti Clan.

“There’s nothing about my foster mother…”

“Ah…well, that…let’s just say I have a different arrangement with her.”

“What kind of arrangement?”

“I’ll pay her a certain sum each month as long as she doesn’t bother you.”

“But she doesn’t bother—”

“Be honest, cara. She bothers you with her indifference and insensitivity. Understand that she is not forbidden to see any of you. I only said that she must visit if she truly does care for you. I will know if she does not and if she does visit you with any other motive than to see all of you are well, my financial support will be withdrawn immediately.”

“That’s ruthless,” she blurted out.

Domenico’s eyes glittered. “I’m glad you’re beginning to understand how I work.”

Upon their arrival, they were escorted to a waiting limousine and driven to the exclusive hotel owned by the Morettis. Again, there was no time for her to even savor the experience of riding a limousine. They had already reached the hotel by the time she figured out what the controls were for. There, they went straight to the ballroom, Domenico brushing aside her protests about her inappropriate clothing.

“But—”

He kissed her long and deep.

She could only stare at him in bemusement when he pulled away.

“You look exactly how I want you to be.”

Misty expected a throng of people waiting for them inside the ballroom, but as it turned, only Domenico’s immediate family was in attendance. Dio, the patriarch, didn’t look a day over forty. Elena, Domenico’s mother, was an incredible dark-skinned beauty. Then there were the twins, Alessandro and Alejandro, followed by the girls, Estrella, Esmeralda, and Emilia.

Everyone in the ballroom was attired in their finest, jewelry sparkling on their ears, necks, wrists. All of them looked extremely attractive – not always beautiful, but…sexually magnetic?

It made her whisper, “Are they all werewolves like you?”

Domenico hid a smile. He bent down and whispered back, “Yes…and because we have extraordinary hearing, all of them heard your question.”

Her mouth parted in horror. “Kill me,” she managed to say finally. “Now, please?”

He laughed and pulled her closer to him as he walked towards his family.

“Father.” He ignored the twins since they were too busy elbowing each other and giving him knowing looks. He smiled at his mother and kissed her on the cheek. He did the same with his three sisters.

“Everyone, it’s my pleasure to have you meet Misty Laxon, who, just tonight, has done me the honor of accepting my proposal.” He gave them a moment to absorb his news before smiling down at Misty. “Misty, I’d like you to meet my family. These are my three sisters.” He named them each and the trio said hi to her cheerfully. Then he introduced the twins, adding right after, “Avoid them as much as possible. They’re trouble.”

“You’re just afraid we might steal her away from you,” Alessandro said, winking at her.

“And my parents, Elena and Dio.”

“I’m pleased to meet all of you.”

Elena smiled hesitantly then stepped forward to give her a slight hug, kissing her cheeks. “Welcome to the family, dear.”

Dio smiled and nodded to her, but his eyes were hard. He said abruptly to Domenico, “I’d like to have a moment with you.”

Domenico inclined his head. “Of course, Father. Your wish has always been my command.” There was a hint of mocking in his tone that confused Misty. She would never have pegged him to be the disrespectful type.

The two left.

Elena’s smile was strained. “Girls, why don’t you take Misty to the refreshments table? I’m sure she’s thirsty.” She didn’t wait for the girls to agree and followed her husband and son. Misty had a feeling that Elena would have run if it wouldn’t make her draw attention.

Alejandro shook his head. “Here we go again.” He and his twin left, too.

Misty started when someone curled an arm around hers. It was Emilia. The young girl was just about fifteen, clearly the baby of the family. “You shouldn’t mind them. My dad and Domenico always fight. It’s not a big thing, really. If they were girls, they’d be long past this misunderstanding. But you know boys…”

They had reached the refreshments table by then. Esmeralda was nodding sagely. “Boys are trouble.”

She wanted to ask but was afraid it would make her seem too curious or meddlesome.

Estrella seemed to understand the question in her eyes. She was the most quiet of the three and the eldest, too. “Are you really marrying my brother?”

“Yes.”

“Then I suppose you should know what’s between Domenico and our father. No one else would tell you.” She glanced at Esmeralda.

The middle sister nodded. “Domenico used to have a twin. Then, Domenico had been wild and fun, like the twins. That’s what they say at least. His twin – our brother – Danilo, he was the serious one. Like Estrella. But even though they’re opposites, they always, always spent time together. They liked to go hiking. One time, my father warned them not to go because there were reports of rogue werewolves out to kill. Domenico insisted on going, escaping late at night. Danilo went with him to make sure he was safe.”

“They were attacked, weren’t they?” she whispered.

“The bad things are always so easy to guess, isn’t it?” Esmeralda said sadly. “Yes, they were attacked. They managed to escape, but then Danilo lost his balance and would have fallen in a cliff if Domenico hadn’t caught hold of him. but Domenico was hurt, weakened by their fight. It wouldn’t be much longer till he’d slip. Danilo knew Domenico would never let go, and it would only mean they’d both fall to their death. Danilo made a decision—”

“He let go.”

“To save Domenico’s life,” Esmeralda said.

“And your father? He blames Domenico for what happened?”

“In a moment of anger. You know how we say things we don’t mean. My father was so furious and…he was grieving. Domenico, he just became wilder and wilder. One night, my father exploded and said, he wished that Danilo was the one alive.”

Estrella was the one who spoke next. “And the next day, Domenico had changed. He was no longer wild, no longer…” Her voice lowered. “He was just suddenly perfect. He used to smile all the time, but not anymore. Everything he did was perfect, but he tends to choose alternatives that are sure to make our father angry.”

Misty almost didn’t want to ask the obvious. But she had to. “Like marrying me, you mean?”

Emilia smiled sheepishly. “You guessed? But don’t take it personally. My father simply wants Domenico to marry any pack princess. Times are hard these days and we need to strengthen alliances. Marriage is the best way to do that. Of course, Domenico would disagree. And now he’s brought you…”

Again, she had to ask, “Do you guys hate me?” Would they suddenly become sister-in-law from hell, out to punish her for daring to marry their beloved, unreachable brother?

Estrella was shocked. “Of course not. It’s obvious that Domenico cares for you. He smiled at you, didn’t he? We just want to make sure that you understand what’s happening…you’re possibly the only one to reach his heart. So make him come alive again, will you, Misty?”

Before she could answer, fingers suddenly clamped around his wrist. She looked up to meet Domenico’s furious eyes. “We’re leaving.”

She barely had time to wave at his sisters. She was panting by the time they reached the lobby. His strides were so hard to keep up with. “What’s wrong?” she asked, concerned.

Domenico shook his head. “Nothing.”

Their limousine came to a stop and Domenico all but pushed her inside. The chauffeur shut the door closed. Domenico opened the chiller and took out a wine bottle. He punched a button, out came wine glasses. He poured wine in one glass and drank it in one gulp.

“Are you okay?”

“Not really.”

Her heart actually constricted at the sight of his hardened face. She had a feeling he was just hiding sadness behind that cold face of his. She wondered madly what she could do to amuse him. Then she had an idea and fished out her mobile phone, hurriedly punching buttons to get to the right message.

The continuous beeping of pressed key buttons pulled Domenico out of long-buried but never forgotten memories. He frowned at the sight of Misty with her head bent down, hair falling to cover most of her face. “What are you doing?”

“I have a joke,” she blurted out.

His frown darkened even more. “A what?”

God, what am I doing, she asked herself. The frown was scary. It reminded her of the fact that this guy was a werewolf. What if he got so mad he decided to eat her? “Umm…on second thought—”

Domenico crossed his arms against his chest. He placed the wine glass down. “I’m sorry. Please continue.”

“Ah…”

“You have a joke, don’t you? Share it please.”

Daaaamn. When he sounded like that, she felt like she had no power to refuse. He was in BOSS mode and it made her revert to EMPLOYEE mode. If—when—we marry, it can’t be like this. It won’t be like this, she promised to herself.

“Misty?”

She almost jumped. Stupid, stupid, Misty. What have you gotten yourself into now? She cleared her throat.

“There were three guys…”

Domenico raised a brow. “I hope this isn’t a sexual joke.”

“Not…really?”

“Or a joke about stupidity,” he added.

“Umm…”

He rolled his eyes. “Go on.”

“I can’t,” she practically wailed. “You’re scaring me.”

That made him blink. Then Domenico started to laugh. “I have, haven’t I?” His laughter faded. “I’m sorry for that.” He beckoned her to come close and she went to him tentatively, sitting next to him.

“Closer.”

She moved an inch.

“Misty,” he growled.

She moved two inches closer.

He sighed and without further ado, he pulled her close to him until they were skin to skin, her back against his chest. He sighed again, relaxing. Misty had that effect on him, and it was extremely nice, after another bitter exchange of words with his father.

“Relax, Misty. Get used to it. We’re getting married, remember?”

He did have a point, but still! They had just known each other for a day or so!

Domenico leaned his head back and closed his eyes.

She took comfort from that and allowed herself to relax. When he wasn’t staring at her, it was easier to relax and not be too self-conscious.

“Tell me the joke,” he murmured.

She grimaced. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

She cleared his throat. “So, there were three guys stranded in the island. Juan, Pedro, and Jose.”

He smirked without opening his eyes. Those three again… But in a way, that pleased him. The women he knew would never make a joke about those guys. It would be something else, something witty, satirical even, and sophisticated. Maybe naughty…anything to impress him.

“Now, these three guys were stranded in an island. Bandits caught them and brought the three to their leader.” Misty scrolled down to read the next part of the joke. “The leader then orders them to bring him 10 pieces of any fruit.”

Juan was the first one to come back. He brought with him 10 apples. The leader then tells him that each and every one of them will be shoved in his butt.”

Domenico choked.

Misty was already into the joke and didn’t notice Domenico’s reaction. The chauffeur and bodyguard in front snickered. Then they caught sight of Domenico’s frown through the rearview mirror and coughed.

“The leader also adds that if ever Juan grimaces or laugh, even just once, they’d cut his head off. Juan got as far as two before he grimaced. And then it was off with his head!” Misty was narrating the joke by now like a standup comedian, hand gestures and all, completely carried away.

Domenico smiled at the sight.

“Pedro comes back with ten grapes. He’s given the same ultimatum. By the ninth grape, however, he laughs. And it’s off with his head, too!” Misty made a chopping motion.

“Now, Pedro and Juan met each other in Heaven. Juan asks Pedro, why did you laugh? You were on your 9th grape already. One more and you could have been saved.” Misty couldn’t help it and she fell to the seat, laughing, because she knew the punchline already, but it still made her double over literally.

Domenico nudged her in the waist. “Finish the joke.”

She strived to control her laughter. “So Pedro replies, I saw Jose coming back.” She bit her lip to stop her laughter from bubbling over. “And he was carrying 10 pieces of jackfruit.”

Laughter from Misty, Domenico, and the two uniformed men rocked the limousine.

“Ah, Misty.” She was still doubled over, laughing. She had probably heard the joke at least once before this but it still made her laugh. She was cute…and priceless. Domenico pulled her to his lap and hugged her. Tightly.

That stopped her laughter. She gazed at him, wide-eyed, surprised at his sudden burst of affection. “Wow?”

He laughed and kissed her on the mouth. “Whoever hired you to work for my company deserves a cash bonus. I was lucky to find you, Misty.”

She blushed at his words. “I’m lucky to have you, too.”

He pulled her back and this time, she was able to relax and snuggle close in his lap.

“Come home with me?” he murmured.

She closed her eyes. “Yes.”

There was only about an hour or so left to go before her shift ended for the day and there were still no signs from Domenico Moretti. It only meant one thing. He had just been playing a prank on her and she had been stupid and foolish enough to fall for it.

Misty’s teeth gnashed. God, she hated him. What would he get from fooling her, honestly? Why did he have to pick her out of so many people? God, she couldn’t believe she had lost a night’s sleep over this.

“Mistyyyyy.”

Oh no. It was the two again.

She pretended to be busy shuffling papers, but the pair wasn’t fooled.

“I need another favor.”

She reluctantly raised her eyes to meet theirs. “Well…” she hedged.

Hannah explained about another late-night meeting with the supplier.

“It’s just that we have this sudden gimmick tonight…please say you’re not too busy?” Janice wagged her fingers. “Don’t lie.” Her smile was catty and innocently teasing at the same time. Misty had no idea how Janice could manage it, being two-faced at all times.

“I…” She sighed. Who was she kidding? She had nothing planned for tonight. “Sure,” she said finally.

Janice and Hannah beamed. “Thanks, Misty.”

Hannah turned back just as they were a few feet away. “You know, Misty…you could go join us at the club. If you have nothing to do and you feel like having company…so…”

“Sure, sure,” she said breezily. “If I still have the time…” She pretended not to notice that both were rolling their eyes. She got up. “If you’ll excuse me…I have to go to the restroom.” So I could either cry or punch the walls for being stupid enough to think that my life would change in the blink of an eye…

Yeah right.

Bingo!

Domenico turned off the monitor that allowed him to view everything happening within his compound. Misty had now gone to the restroom and it was the moment he had been waiting for. If she wanted sexual infatuation, he’d definitely give her something unforgettable and one that would keep her blushing for days. Weeks. Months.

He used his private elevator to get to Misty’s floor immediately then headed straight to the women’s restroom, ignoring the shocked glances of the people who caught sight of what he was doing.

Inside, there were a few women who were stunned speechless at the sight of him.

He pressed a finger to his lips and smiled.

They filed out nervously, excitedly, and he was pretty sure by the time he and Misty left the restroom, there would be a crowd waiting for them by the elevator. This was really a golden opportunity and he couldn’t have planned it more perfectly.

The stall to the left opened and Misty stepped out.

He waited.

Misty looked up and shrieked. “What are you—”

Domenico was on her in a flash, holding her still before bending down to kiss her.

“Are you cra—mmph!” Her words were lost in his mouth. And then her head was floating, as was the rest of her body. Domenico pushed her against the wall. Without breaking their kiss, he had unclipped her hair then pinned her arms above her head. His fingers sank deep in her hair and Misty couldn’t believe how thrilling that felt. Fingers. Hair. Who knew that would be incredibly hot? His kiss deepened and she lost the ability to speak, think, or even breathe.

Dimly, she heard a stall door open, followed by a little squeak of surprise, then hasty footsteps that ended with the door slamming.

She tried one last futile time to ask what he was planning. “Mr. Moret—”

“Domenico,” he murmured against her lips then did something with his tongue that made her whimper. Oh dear…she was whimpering. She had never, ever whimpered in her entire life!

And then his hands were roaming. She felt him unbuttoning the first two buttons of her blouse. He pushed her blouse off one shoulder then his lips were gone, trailing down to her neck and then biting and sucking gently.

She gasped.

Domenico pulled away and she could only stare at him in utter bemusement as he unbuttoned the first two buttons of his shirt as well. Then he was pushing a bit of cloth away, to reveal smooth tanned skin. “Now, it’s your turn.”

“I…ah…what—-” But he was already pulling her close and soon enough, instinct took over and she did what he said, marking him as he did her.

She lost track of time. Literally. She lost track of everything else. For the first time in her life, the worries of earning a living actually left her and all she could concentrate on was the taste of him…the feel of him…

Finally, Domenico pulled away and he studied her appearance in satisfaction. She looked like she had been well pleasured…as if, actually, she had already made love when they had done nothing but kiss.

But what a kiss that had been…it had even stunned him. Domenico could only be pleased. He had chosen this woman for her trustworthiness and reliability above all else, but if he could also be strongly attracted to her and vice versa, then it was a bonus he would gladly accept.

“Now…”

Misty could only look dumbly as Domenico Moretti went down on one knee. Ummm….don’t tell me…he was going to….third base….

He looked up, saw her expression, and almost smiled. She really was too cute. Too naïve. Too perverted. He hid a smile and took out the box from his pocket.

“Oh…” She finally understood what this was all about and blushed at her erroneous conclusion.

He was really, really having a hard time trying not to smile. He opened the box and took out the ring. “I want to do this right.” He offered the ring up to her. “Misty, will you do me the honor of being my wife and standing beside me for the rest of our lives?”

For just one second, a thousand questions and doubts raced to her mind.

But the next second, all of them were pushed away by a single thought: when else could she have this kind of opportunity? They may not love each other, but surely they could enjoy each other’s company? He was giving her the adventure of a lifetime. Would she be a fool to say no?

“Yes,” she whispered and her heart actually made a little flip as he grasped her hand and slid the ring on her finger. Her entire body shivered right after then it shivered some more when he stood up gracefully and pulled her back to him with another kiss that made her toes curl for a very long, long time.

Domenico opened the door, arm around Misty’s waist, and there it was. The crowd was silent but the excitement in the air was practically palpable. He was aware of how everyone was staring at them, drawing the very conclusion that he wanted them to draw. He knew how they looked and it was exactly how he wanted it.

The murmurs became louder and Domenico knew they had noticed the mark on his neck, since his shirt was still unbuttoned, his necktie loose. He tucked several strands of Misty’s hair and nuzzled her neck as he did so.

She yelped. Softly.

He could feel her skin heating up in embarrassment and he nuzzled her neck even more, but only to hide his smile. He couldn’t remember the last time he had smiled so much…not before…

Domenico straightened away, deliberately changing his mental track. “You okay, cara?”

“Cara?” She frowned.

“Darling in Italian,” he explained.

She smiled weakly.

He squeezed her waist reassuringly as he guided her out of the restroom. Domenico also knew the exact moment when she realized everyone could see that little love mark he had branded her with and vice versa. She made a little squeak and her fist clenched against his side in an effort not to be so obvious as to try covering the evidence.

“Relax,” he whispered to her ear. “This is what you wanted, right?”

“Let’s just say it’s taught me to keep my big mouth shut,” she mumbled.

He laughed before finally facing the crowd with a disarming smile. “Ladies and gentlemen, I won’t beat around the bush. It’s hard to when everyone’s aware of…” He coughed delicately and everyone laughed. He wanted to laugh, too, because he could feel Misty melting in a pool of embarrassment beside him.

But he took pity on her and retained his politely charming façade. “I present to you my fiancée and wife in one month’s time. The future Mrs. Misty Moretti.”

Everyone broke into applause.

But he wasn’t done yet. This was his future wife and he wanted to make it clear to everyone that a woman of his should be respected in all ways.

He turned to the vultures masquerading as women. Janice and Hannah had been glaring at Misty and whispering to each other, but their glares immediately turned into fake smiles when they saw him staring at them. He stepped forward, dragging Misty with him.

“Hello. I’ve heard a lot about you two from Misty…”

Their smiles froze.

Misty pretended not to be surprised. “Oh, yes, I told him so much about you two,” she gushed even as her eyes darted at him suspiciously.

“Oh, and Janice? I’m afraid that little thing you have for tonight? It must be cancelled. I’m flying her over to Cebu to enjoy our engagement party with the family.” His smile turned into ice. “Besides, company policies prohibit unauthorized delegations of tasks…but I’ll overlook this since you’re a good friend of Misty’s.”

“Oh, yes,” Janice gushed, but her smile was brittle while Hannah looked like she had been hit by a dump truck.

“Good.” He turned away without a word, taking Misty with him to his private elevator.

Misty sank to the ground as the doors slid closed. “I can’t believe you…we….”

She looked like a kid who had just found out there was no Santa Claus.

He laughed and knelt down next to her. He tipped her chin up. “We’re going to be married, you and I. A deal is a deal. You want passion? I will give it to you until you’re begging me to stop.”

She gulped. It was all she could do.

“And in return, you will be the best wife you can be.”

“But—”

He raised a hand. “I know you doubt your capabilities but trust me when I say I know what I’m doing and I know you’re perfect for the job. Now, do we have a deal?”

Why was it…she felt she was making a deal with the devil? She wasn’t, right? This was a werewolf in front her, not a devil. Or a devil in wolf’s disguise? Her mind was whirling but one thing was clear: it was too late to back out now.

“Yes.”

“Then let’s seal it with a kiss…”

And before she knew it, he had her on her feet and she was again being swept away, mind and body turned into mush, Domenico’s kisses and caresses dominating her every sense. Her last thought? Was he going to kiss her like this all the time?

It was just me and the wolf.

I slapped my face. Five times. I was dreaming. I was definitely dreaming. “This can’t be true,” I muttered to myself.

The wolf’s golden brown eyes gleamed, as if it was smirking. At me.

I glared at the wolf, unable to help it. “You think this is funny?”

The wolf nodded. It actually nodded!

I closed my eyes. This is just a dream. When I open my eyes, I’ll find out that I’m bound and gagged by my crazy manyakis boss. That was so much preferable to this.

I opened my eyes.

The wolf looked at me in pity.

That annoyed me and unthinkingly, I stuck out my tongue.

The wolf yapped and it took me a few seconds to realize it was actually laughing at me.

I pushed myself up and the wolf moved away, setting down a short distance away from me.

“You’re real.”

The wolf nodded.

I swallowed. “Which means…” I had to say this out loud. “You’re Mr. Moretti.”

It nodded again before padding towards its clothes. It picked up a discarded silk shirt with its teeth and wagged it before me.

I got the message after a while. “You’re going to change back?”

Another sharp nod.

I turned away and as I heard the rustle of clothes some time later, that was when the shaking started. Oh my God. Had I just—

I closed my eyes. There was no denying the truth. I had just encountered a werewolf. A werewolf! Tae, a werewolf!

“It’s safe for you to look back now, Ms. Laxon.”

I turned slowly, knowing what to expect but I still ended up choking when I saw Mr. Moretti back. The wolf was gone. Or if I had to be really honest, the wolf was still here…only in its human form.

Oh my God.

Blood rushed to my head. The last thing I remembered was Mr. Moretti cursing and reaching for me.

I woke up to the sight of golden brown eyes gazing down at me in puzzlement. Memories came back in lightning swiftness and I sat up, groaning as I did because the whole room swam before me.

“Easy there.” He gently pushed me back to the pillows.

“You’re a werewolf,” I said without opening my eyes.

“Yes.” I felt him move away, but not too far. He was probably sitting next to the bed.

Bed.

My eyes flew open. “Where are we?”

“In my private quarters. We’re still in the office, don’t worry.” He gave me a glass of water, which I gratefully took.

“You feel better now?” he asked after taking the glass away and setting it on the bedside table.

I nodded.

“Sorry I made you faint.” He didn’t sound like he was sorry though.

I nodded again.

He frowned and leaned back on his seat. “You’re too quiet.”

“I’m always quiet.”

“No, you’re not.”

“How—” I looked at him, added one and one, and said suspiciously, “You had someone spy on me, didn’t you?”

“I had to be careful with my choice of wife.”

The casual way with which he spoke made wince. He was insane. “I’m not going to be your wife.”

He smiled. It was the first time I saw him do so. It made him a lot more gorgeous, which didn’t do me any good. “You will be. You just have to tell me what I should do to make you say ‘yes’.”

“I think you’re crazy.”

“No. You don’t really think that.” He leaned forward until his face was just a breath away…and that made me breathless. “You see, the reason why I chose you is because I knew you wouldn’t have any trouble believing me.”

He moved away again and he gave me an arrogant look. “Be honest with yourself, Misty. You believe in werewolves, don’t you?”

I knew it, I knew it. I should have listened to Lola from next door. She told me nothing good would come out of my fascination with supernatural creatures. She had told me again and again that I was just wasting good money on all those comics and books I bought that featured werewolves, vampires, and all sorts of monsters.

“I think you’re insane,” I repeated, very firmly.

Mr. Moretti just looked at me, waiting.

His intense gaze made me squirm.

“Maybe you need more proof.” I watched his hands move towards the buttons of his shirt.

“Okay, okay,” I yelped when he unbuttoned the third one. “I believe you!”

“Naturally.” His fingers drummed a beat on the bedside table. “Now, tell me what you need me to do to convince you.”

I shook my head. “Tell me why you need a wife first.”

I was expecting him to refuse but he didn’t. “Fair enough. This is a lifetime arrangement, after all.”

That made me gulp.

“I am the future leader of my pack.” He didn’t seem inclined to ask me if I understood him, which shows just how much he knew about me. Because I did understand him. Packs for werewolves were like clans to Scotsmen – everyone related to each other in one giant family tree and ruled by the pack leader. Families of pack leaders were virtually royalty and I swallowed, realizing that I was practically in the presence of a prince.

“There are certain deals I have to make, deals that would be more complicated if I remain single. If I choose from any other pack, however, that could create a rift between my family and another. I would rather not risk that, which means I have to marry a human. But not just any human, of course. It has to be someone who would fully understand and accept me as I am.”

He gazed at me questioningly. “You can do that, can you?”

“I—-”

“Don’t bother lying. I know you can.” His fingers began tapping again. “Now, the only question here is about what you want. Tell me and I shall give it to you.”

I shook my head, still unable to accept the fact that he was choosing me. “I can’t believe I’m the only person—”

“I am racing against time and I prioritized searching those close to me. You as my employee mean you already have some of the qualifications I need, such as loyalty and intelligence. The rest, I found out you have. Also…” He smiled again, one more devastating and made me breathless. “I prefer to deal with someone I am attracted to.”

I choked. “Excuse me?”

“We Lyccans—”

I gasped. “You really call yourselves Lyccans?”

“How else should we call ourselves?”

“I can’t believe I know a Lyccan.” I gazed at him in awe. I was beginning to recover from my shock and appreciate the fact that a mythical creature was before me.

“Stop staring at me like that.”

I jerked. “Sorry,” I mumbled.

He sighed. “I apologize for snapping. You just make me feel like I’m…some freak.”

“I don’t think you’re a freak!”

“I know.” He sounded exasperated. He shook his head. “Enough nonsense. Will you be my wife or not?”

“It’s, ahh—” I stammered.

“Perhaps I have not been clear enough. As my wife, you will have my allegiance. Everything you need, I will provide for. Everything and everyone you care about will be under my protection. In return, I only expect you to give me your loyalty as well. You must also perform duties as the future wife of a pack leader, but those you will learn in time.”

“Pwede, time out muna?” I blurted out.

He blinked, appearing taken aback at my request.

“I’m sorry, but I’m still in the adjustment phase…you’re a werewolf, you’re our CEO, and you just asked me to marry you.”

“Time,” he said somberly, “is something I don’t have much of. Tell me what you want and I will give it to you.”

“I…I…” Marriage. God, that was a huge step. I shook my head. God was probably laughing right now. I prayed for something to make my life less boring and here it was.

Because I couldn’t think, I let my heart speak. There was nothing to lose anyway. “If I refuse, will you fire me?”

Mr. Moretti looked offended. “Of course not!”

“Then…” And that was when my mouth raced way past my mind. “I want you to do something wildly romantic. Something that will make everyone think I’m actually beautiful enough to make someone like you…”

He looked at me knowingly. “In love with you?”

I shook my head. “No…” Love was an emotion too easy to fake. I bit my lip. “No, I want to make it seem that you are so sexually infatuated— ” I blushed hard, especially when Mr. Moretti raised a brow, but continued, “—that you can’t get enough of me.”

I looked at him expectantly.

“Interesting,” was all he said. There was a strange gleam in his eyes but I didn’t know him enough to understand what it was.

“Can you do it?”

“We’ll see.” He checked his watch. “In the meantime, I see that it’s late so I will have the driver send you home. Till tomorrow then.”

“B-but…” I stopped speaking when I realized I didn’t know what to say. What was there to say? He didn’t owe me anything. If he suddenly thought he made a mistake in choosing me, there was nothing I could say or do to prove him wrong. For that matter, should I prove him wrong?

Mr. Moretti helped me out of bed half an hour later and escorted me to the elevator, out of the office, and to his car.

My head was whirling. Maybe, maybe…all this was just a dream.

1030H

Ta-ta-rat-tat-tat. Love ko ‘to.

LSS (last song syndrome) had stuck the McDonald’s medley in my head and I had been singing it since I had stepped off the MRT station this morning and walked the rest of the way to work.

God, I’m bored.

1200H

People began filing out of the office, going their separate ways to enjoy their hour-long lunch. I took out my lunch bag, which I had personally prepared this morning. Binagoongang talong and one cup of rice (diet kasi).

Janice, another account executive, stopped by my desk. She was taller, slimmer, prettier, richer, and everything –er than I am. Well, except for smarts, I suppose. “That’s all you’re going to eat?”

One fake smile coming up. “Yep.”

She gave me a sad look. “Titipid ka?”

Hinde. Ayoko lang makita pagmumukha mo. That was what I wanted to say, but I didn’t, of course.

I need my job, I need my job, I need my job. The mantra cooled my temper, enough for me to manage a nod. “Oo eh.” And it was true, but she didn’t have to make it seem like I was the most pathetic thing she had encountered.

“Kawawa—” Her mobile phone trilled and she stopped talking to glance at the screen. Her face brightened. “It’s Andrew,” she told me confidentially.

“Ah.” I had no idea who Andrew was.

“He’s that commercial model. I’m sure you’ve seen him.”

“I don’t watch TV much,” I said honestly. Want to, but didn’t have the time. My life was that boring.

It was her turn to say ‘ah’, but again, it sounded like I was Little Ms. Pathetic.

Hannah, the receptionist for 15th floor, joined us then. She raised a brow at my lunch. “That’s what you’re going to eat?”

Ano ba ang problema nila sa bagoong, talong, at kanin?

“Yep,” I said for the second time.

“Not going out for lunch?” Janice asked.

“Nope.”

She and Hannah exchanged looks. “You know, Misty, may itsura ka naman eh.” The way she said it, however, made it sound I had barely tolerable looks.

“I’ll never be as pretty as you two though,” I said with a smile. Yep, smiling just about killed me but….need my job, need my job, need my job. I could not afford any catfights. I never forget lessons I learn through experience. I used to have a backbone, but when I realized that other people suffered because of it, I learned to shut up…until one day, I realized I had become a wimp.

“I’m sure you never had a boyfriend,” Janice was saying, “And you’re what? Twenty-six na?”

“Twenty-five,” I corrected, still smiling.

They exchanged looks again. Porket three years younger lang sila. Tae! That didn’t make me old, did it? Twenty-five was still a good age, wasn’t it?

“It’s never too late to start dating. Baka naman kasi mataas yung standards mo masyado,” Hannah said. They giggled.

Ha-ha.

Janice rolled her eyes. “Ikaw talaga, Hannah.” She smiled at me winningly. “Basta, anytime you need help with dating, just let us know. We’ll hook you up.”

God, I’m pissed.

1430H

Ta-ta-rat-tat-tat. Love ko—

“Ms. Laxon?” My superior, Ed, peered at me through his glasses. He was in his fifties and in love with his work.

How I envied him.

I smiled brightly. “Yes, sir?”

“Could you, ahh, make me a report on the Alvarez—”

I fished out a folder from my drawer – it had been there waiting for three days – and handed it to him, never losing my ever-bright smile. I may not love my job, but boy do I need it and I was not going to do anything to jeopardize it. “Here you go, sir.”
He blinked in surprise before reaching out for it. “You’re done?”

“Kanina lang, sir,” I lied. To be honest, I was also done with today’s work as well as the rest of the week but I wasn’t telling. If I did, that would make me the S-word. You know. Sipsip.

God, I’m bored.

1530H

Ta-ta-rat-tat-tat. Love ko ‘to.

I stared at my computer screen blankly.

Ta-ta-rat-tat-tat. Love ko ‘to.

My mobile phone beeped. It was my foster mother, telling me she needed 3K. In my lowest days, I sometimes wondered if the only reason Nanette adopted orphaned kids like me was because she considered us as investment.

I texted OK, never mind if it meant having to make do without three full meals a day.

God, I’m such a wimp.

1640H

“Ms. Laxon?”

I looked up, my professional smile ready. “Yes, sir?”

“You’re, ahh, asked to go to the CEO’s office at the penthouse.”

“I—what?” My smile slowly faded as I realized the look of dismay on Ed’s face. I cleared my throat. “Sir?”

Ed repeated the message. It was exactly what I thought I heard.

I was being called to the CEO’s office? But why? I wasn’t even part of the company’s middle management! I was just a part of the lowly rank and file, one of the many under Ed’s supervision.

“Do I need to bring anything?”

“I’m not really sure.” Ed was clearly clueless as I was. I didn’t need to look around to know that everyone was wondering the same thing. I could hear them whisper anyway.

Tae. Ano ba ginawa ko?

I pulled out my professional smile even if it hurt to do so. I stood up, heart slamming against my chest. “I’ll go up then.”

Ed nodded jerkily. “Ah…” I had a feeling he wanted to say ‘good luck’. He was a good man, really. Nerdy and meek, sure, but a good guy. I had a scary feeling I’d be like him if my life won’t change in the next ten years.

God, that was scary…but not as scary as being called to the CEO’s office for an unknown reason.

As I went inside the elevator and waited till it reached the penthouse – which was twelve floors away – I mentally reviewed what I knew about the CEO.

His name was Domenico Moretti, thirty-two years old, and the oldest in a brood of five. He fit the tall, dark, and handsome type to a T. He was also incredibly smart and aloof and only the top executives of the company had the ‘privilege’ to meet with him.

I had no idea why I was given the same privilege, but it was something I had a very bad feeling about. What if I was being set up? What if I had become a witless pawn in some out of this world conspiracy? It could happen, right?

It was exactly four-forty seven in the afternoon when I knocked on the door and a voice from within called me to enter. The room was dimly lit, the blinds shielding the room from the orange glow of the setting sun. I made out a man – Mr. Moretti, surely – sitting on the executive chair behind a vast – no, majestic – desk.

My skin was bathed in cold sweat and my knees were virtually shaking as I crossed the room. I stopped half a foot away from his desk and had to clear my throat thrice before I could speak. “Sir?” Tae. I sounded like I was about to cry.

I cleared my throat again and said more firmly this time, “Sir, I was informed to come up here.” Please, please, please make it a mistake.

“It’s not a mistake.”

My eyes widened in surprise and my jaw dropped. “I—”

Mr. Moretti stood up and by God, was he tall! Maybe two or three inches over six feet? Tae, ang tangkad! He stepped away from the desk. “I don’t read minds, but your face shows your every thought.” His voice was matter-of-fact.

I snapped my mouth shut. “Umm…” Teka, teka, it was too dark in here! How could he see my face then?

“I have good eyesight.”

I bit back a gasp. Either he really had good eyesight or he could really read minds.

“Misty Laxon?”

I nodded warily.

“You’re twenty-five years old. Single, orphaned but adopted by Mrs. Nanette Laxon at three years of age.” He proceeded with reciting other facts about my life from memory and all I could do was gulp.

When he stopped speaking, I cried out immediately, “I’m being set up!”

“Excuse me?”

“Whatever it is, I didn’t do it!” I said fervently. God, how could this happen to me? I’m never, ever going to complain about how boring my life was. I mean, really. Boring was nice. Safe. I didn’t want to go to jail for something I had no knowledge of.

He took a step forward and I jumped back. “I swear, I didn’t do it!”

He stilled before slowly shaking his head. “I think we have a misunderstanding here.”

“Yes!” I said eagerly. “Misunderstanding talaga.”

“I called you here for a reason.”

“I didn’t do it, I swear—” I stopped when Mr. Moretti raised his hand.

“Let me speak.” He walked back to lean against the table, crossing one leg over the other. He looked very relaxed and that just made me more nervous for some reason.

“I called you here for a reason.”

I felt myself whitening. Sabi ko na nga ba, na-set up ako. Na-setup ako.

“I need you to do a job.”

I blinked. Twice. Thrice.

“It’s a very special job.”

When he didn’t say ‘wow mali’, I allowed myself to breathe in relief. Oh my God, I’m being promoted. I knew it, I knew it! God was answering my prayers! He gave me a boss who valued employees like me – nerdy but diligent! Yes, yes, yes!

“I have reviewed all the CVs of my employees and I have decided that you’re the most qualified for the job.”

“What kind of job, sir?” I practically whispered. Mataas ba sweldo? I hoped it was. Siguro naman it was…

“Simple, really.” He straightened and uncrossed his leg. “I just need you to be my wife.”

That was the moment I knew I wasn’t being set up. I was merely a part of some sick prank of a sick rich guy.

Tae siya. Tae, tae, tae. But of course, I couldn’t say that. Ever.

“Thanks, but no thanks,” I said dully.

“I’m not joking.”

“Nor am I, sir,” I gritted out. Need to stay calm, need to stay nice, need to stop myself from strangling him because I need my job.

He sighed. “I was hoping you wouldn’t require dramatic proof, but—I guess there’s no other way to make you believe me except do this.” And then he began slowly unbuttoning his shirt.

Oh. My. God.

He was insane!

Mr. Moretti had thrown away his shirt and he was now unbuckling his belt. I froze for a few seconds, mesmerized. I had never seen someone this gorgeous…this sexy…in my entire real life. I mean, beyond movies and TV shows…no one I knew was this stunning. Or insane.

The word ‘insane’ jarred me and I came back to my senses just as he kicked off his pants and shoes. I spun away and began to run as I saw him reach for his briefs. Black and sexy, by the way, even though I had no business noticing.

Got to reach the door, got to reach—

I screamed as something hard and heavy hit my back and I fell soundlessly on the carpet. I turned around and that was when I saw a big black wolf looming over me.

No freaking way!

A spirit refuses to cross over only for one or two reasons: the spirit still has unfinished business OR the spirit wants to live again…in any way possible, fair means or foul.

“Boo!”

Fawn jumped in surprise, realized who – what – it was, and unthinkingly threw her mobile phone at Kealan.

Her phone passed through his left hand before being handily caught by his right hand.

“Cool.” She was reluctantly impressed.

He laughed. “You are such a sucker for all things paranormal.”

“All things except you,” she returned with the sweetest smile.

He glared at her. “Ha-ha.”

“It’s eight o’clock in the morning. Shouldn’t be in your coffin or something?”

“I’m not a vampire.”

“Okay. Shouldn’t you be afraid of sunlight?” She glanced at her windows pointedly, where the sun blazed high in the sky.

“Nope.”

“Can’t you for one minute pretend you’re a normal ghost?”

“Nope.”

She sighed. “It never hurts to ask.”

Kealan vanished and re-appeared right next to her, making Fawn jump again. He leaned close. “You smell good,” he said huskily.

“It’s called soap and shampoo. Don’t they have that in your world?”

One dark eyebrow went up. “Is it just me or you’re crankier than usual?”

She opened her mouth to snap at him but changed her mind, realizing that she was unfairly taking out her anger at him. “I’m sorry.” She sat at the edge of her bed. Kealan sat next to her, but the bed didn’t dip at his weight.

“What’s wrong, baby?”

She was too depressed to protest his unwelcomed term of endearment. “It’s Charlotte. She emailed us back yesterday and told us she’s changed her mind.” Fawn bit her lip. “A lot of the people who write to us do have second thoughts, and it’s understandable, really, but I just have a feeling that if Charlotte thinks sweeping this under the rug would make it go away, she’s making a big mistake.”

Fawn’s troubled gaze met Kealan’s. “What do you think?”

When you’re looking like that, what I think is I want to hold you in my arms and make your problems go away.

But of course he couldn’t say that.

“If you want to help her that much then we’ll make sure you do.”

“But how?”

“Let’s try going to her workplace and speak to her in person if we see her.”

Fawn’s mouth opened and closed. “Damn,” she mumbled. “Why didn’t I think of that?”

“Because I’m smarter than you.” He pinched her cheeks because it was that or kiss her, which Kealan ruefully knew would only earn him another irritating, albeit unsuccessful, exorcism. “Now, aren’t you glad you have someone like me with you?”

“Two words, baby.”

His eyes brightened at the last word.

“Dream. On.” She emphasized each word with a pinch of his cheeks, secretly relieved when she was able to do so. With Kealan, there was no way knowing when he was corporeal and when he wasn’t.

At twenty-one, she and Olga were at their last year in college. Fawn was taking up Criminal Science while Olga was majoring in Creative Writing. Initially, spiritcrossers.ph was intended to generate income for two things: account for the expenses that Fawn incurred while solving cases and provide Olga with additional shopping allowance. But now, the website was doing so well that she, Olga, and Timothy all had healthy bank balances.

“Yo, Fawn.”

It was Simon, one of the most popular guys at school. He was a good-looking member of the college basketball team and surprisingly down to earth. But he and Fawn had barely exchanged more than five words with each other for the entire semester that they were taking up the same class.

Of the five words, four of those came from Simon. Fawn felt too awkward to speak with someone like Simon. He was too normal and cool while she was…the opposite.

She slowed down so he could catch up with her.

“In a hurry?”

She nodded.

“Oh.”

Fawn belatedly realized that she had been a bit rude. “I have, uhh, someone to meet.”

“Ah. Sorry.” Simon ran a hand through his hair. “I know this is going to be out of the blue, but I thought, what the heck?”

Was he going to ask her out, she wondered. Despite herself, her heart started beating.

“The thing is…” Simon seemed to feel as awkward as she did.

“Yeah?”

“I heard you’re friends with Olga. Could you, umm, put a good word in for me?”

She should have known.

Fawn managed to smile. “No problem.” And really, it wasn’t. She was used to it by now, but sometimes, she was still stupid enough to hope for more. The truth was, people only noticed her because she was the best friend of Olga. She didn’t blame her friend for it. Didn’t hate her for it. Why should she? It was the truth, anyway.

Besides, with the kind of life she led, she was better off single. Only a seriously weird guy would understand her.

Kealan, invisible to the human and psychic eye, watched the scene from afar.

“Traitors,” Lachlan mock gasped beside him. “Our future princess dares to consort with a worthless mortal. They must be executed.”

“Shut up.” He could not take his eyes away from the two. The foolish male was now saying goodbye, tossing Fawn a careless smile. Did he not know how lucky he was to have someone like Fawn admire him so?

“Oh. This is too cute. You’re jealous to death.” A flash followed.

“Lachlan, dammit!” Kealan tried to grab the camera so he could bludgeon Lachlan to death, but Lachlan was laughing, having expected the move and already flashing the camera out of Kealan’s reach.

“The princess is approaching,” Lachlan reminded him.

With one last futile glare, Kealan floated through the car door and sat at the passenger seat. A part of his heart seemed to throb in pain. He hated to see her like this, but not as much as he sometimes hated how she didn’t seem to appreciate his love. It was unfair to feel like that, of course. Love had to be freely given. He reminded himself of that important fact and tried to cheer himself up that someday soon, he would get the happily ever after he so desired.

Fawn was now bending down to open the car door.

“Lachlan.”

“Already disappearing.” But Lachlan would remain in guard, far enough for Fawn not to detect his presence but near enough to help Kealan because he was, above all things, the chosen defender of the prince.

“You seem down.”

Fawn’s entire body shuddered. “Kealan!” She looked at him irritably. “Have you been here all this time?”

“Not really.” He watched her drive with pleasure. The women of his kind were raised to be meek and dependent. He loved how Fawn was so very different. The way she insisted on being independent infuriated and delighted him at the same time.

“It’s only three o’clock.”

“Your point?” The lights turned red and she bent down to have the GPS, Kealan’s birthday gift last year, give her the best route to Charlotte’s workplace.

“We’ll be there by four. Work ends at five or six. You really want to wait an hour or two doing nothing?”

She looked at him curiously before turning her attention back to driving. “What’s your suggestion?”

He smiled, wiggled his fingers, and then he was already holding something silver, shiny, and plastic. “Want to shop?”

Kealan loved to see Fawn shop in bookstores. She seemed like a child as she carefully but also eagerly traced the cover of the book before opening it. She seemed to savor each word she read and would jump up and down whenever she got her hands on a rare or much-awaited book.

It was only last year that Kealan was able to persuade Fawn to let him buy things for her.

“But how is it you have a credit card in my name?” Fawn had demanded suspiciously.

“Magic,” he said in a tone made deliberately mysterious.

“I know a lot about ghosts, but I’ve never heard of a spirit able to conjure a nonexistent credit card.”

“Of course you can’t. No one’s like me.”

“But what if—”

He had taken pleasure in placing a finger on her lips. “I promise you, using this card does not mean you’re stealing from anyone of good moral character. Rather, you’re taking funds from criminal organizations and other equally foul entities.” It was a big whopping lie, but he knew Fawn well enough to know she would not question him. In truth, the credit card was the real deal, its credit limit practically equivalent to a king’s ransom, and its receipts all forwarded to an office that served as the human front for his kind.

Fawn considered his words then asked brightly, “In that case, how much can I spend?”

Thirty minutes later, Fawn was a happy owner of several new hardcovers, all of which dealt with either psychology (to help her effectively communicate with the living) or parapsychology (to help her effectively communicate with the dead).

“This one—” She waved a glossy book in Kealan’s face excitedly, making him laugh.

“Give me that before you end up hitting me.” He grabbed the book and placed it back inside the paper bag.

“That one’s written by Stella Carmen. She’s the best known expert in paranormal dealings in the Philippines and I hear she’s making waves abroad.” Fawn’s eyes were shining behind her frameless glasses (yet another gift of Keanan). “She’s my idol,” she told him as she reverse-parked her car.

They walked towards the building entrance where Charlotte worked. There stream of people coming out of the doors seemed endless. “This is going to be harder than I’ve thought,” she muttered, mobile phone back on her ear.

Keanan laughed.

She frowned. “What’s so funny?”

“You are.”

“Me?” Fawn was confused.

“You hate talking to me during cases but because I took you shopping…” He trailed off suggestively.

Fawn grinned. “I won’t even deny it.”

He kissed her on the cheek, so quickly that it was over before she could even think of reacting. But in spite of its speed, the touch of his lips seemed to leave a burning mark on her skin. So hot…almost like he was human.

But he wasn’t.

“I told you to stop doing that,” she mumbled, fixing her gaze determinedly on the sea of faces going past them.

“Can’t help it. You know I like you a lot.”

“Weh.”

He laughed. “No, really.”

“Just don’t—”

“Back to work now, spirit crosser,” he interrupted her cheerfully, pointing to a harried-looking woman in a crumpled gray office suit. “That’s your agent.”

Spirit Crossers aspire to be a nationally recognized authority on all things paranormal. More specifically, it is our hope that the website would soon become the primary source for both theoretical and interactive help to individuals and organizations with concerns pertaining to the paranormal.

She was about to press the doorbell when Kealan held her arm back.

“I don’t feel good about this, baby.”

Fawn fished her mobile phone out. “Te-le-pa-thi-cal-ly. Understand? And things like this never feels good. You know that. But when did that ever stop me?” She paused. “You should know that, too.”

He sighed, but released her arm.

Fawn pressed the doorbell thrice but no one came out. “I guess Charlotte’s not home.”

She turned around and saw a uniformed maid staring at her. Fawn crossed the street. “Hello.”

“Wala pong tao dyan.” The maid’s tone lowered as if she was about to speak of something shameful. “Tatlong gabi na. Sabi nung guard, tumatakbo pong naka-tsinelas and naka nighties si Ma’am Charlotte. Nagpatawag ng taxi. Pinakuha na lang nga yung gamit nya kahapon sa ibang tao.”

Her gaze veered to the house behind us only to skitter away a second later in apparent fear. “May moo-moo daw dyan.” The maid crossed herself. “White lady.”

She was right, but Fawn hadn’t the heart to tell her so.

“So what do you think?”

“You’re way in over your head,” Kealan answered promptly.

“You always say that.”

Kealan’s face was free from its usual devil-may-care expression. “This time, I mean it.”

His seriousness troubled her more than she wanted to admit and she focused on her driving, saying lightly, “Well, that means I might need your help after all.”

“You know you have me always.” Kealan spoke with soft emphasis and it warmed her heart, which was another thing she didn’t want to admit. With Kealan, there seemed to be a lot of things she wouldn’t admit to.

“But it does not stop me from worrying. There are times when I have to leave you, and it is those times that I fear the most.”

“Careful,” she forced herself to tease. “Your age’s showing. You’re sounding too formal—”

“I don’t want to lose you.”

“Don’t say things like that, Kealan.” The traffic lights turned red. She could look at Kealan now, but she didn’t. Couldn’t.

She waited for him to speak but he didn’t. The lights turned orange to green but still the silence maintained.

She heard Kealan sigh just before he spoke. “She’s a poltergeist.”

“Damn.” Poltergeists were tough. Most of them refused to cross over, for good or bad reasons – but in the end, they had to. Ghosts were meant to cross over. It was a way of life, and another reason why she didn’t let herself care for Kealan too much. There’d be a day he’d leave her…she was sure of that.

If her mother could leave her, even though Fawn begged and begged for her not to, how could Kealan be any different?

When Fawn reached home, Kealan told her he had to go. Times like this, she never asked where he was going and he never volunteered any information. But of course she wondered. Where would a ghost like Keanan go to? Would there be ghostly chicks? Not that she was jealous. It was just a matter of professional curiosity.

Olga peered hopefully as she let Fawn in. “Where’s Kealan?”

Fawn rolled her eyes. “What difference does it make?” Olga, after all, did not have the ability to see ghosts.

“Just tell me if he’s here or not,” she persisted.

“Not.” She sounded like was grumbling. Weird.

Olga sighed and closed the door. “I really don’t understand why he showed himself to Timmy and not me.” Olga, too, was grumbling as she triple-locked the door.

Welcome to the club, Fawn thought as she threw herself down on the toss-pillow-covered foam mat in the corner of their office. It comfortably fitted three, faced the wall-mounted TV, and served as their “living room” and occasional “brainstorming” area.

“That’s easy,” Timmy said as he joined them from the kitchen, a steaming cup of instant noodles in one hand and chopsticks in another. “Boys stick together.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever.” Olga sat Indian style next to Fawn. “So, how did things turn out?”

She told them what happened.

“If it’s dangerous like Kealan says—”

“Don’t say it,” Fawn growled. “Don’t you dare say it.”

“But—”

“Olga…”

Her friend sighed. “Just…be careful, okay? Don’t cut your beautiful nose just to spite your equally beautiful face.”

“Beautiful face, ha.” She snorted.

“Uh-oh. It’s another insecurity session coming up,” Olga teased.

Fawn had to smile. Olga had always insisted she was beautiful in her own way, but Fawn wasn’t blind. Sure, she wasn’t ugly, but she wasn’t drop dead gorgeous either. Certainly, she wasn’t in Olga’s league, who could literally stop traffic just by flipping her hair.

“I really think we should help her. If we don’t, who will? The PPS?”

“You have a point,” Olga said, face twisting in a scowl. She was no doubt remembering the many things they heard about PPS refusing to help in cases they did not consider “deserving” of their attention. Usually, it meant a) the percipient wouldn’t be able to make a sizable “donation” or b) it wasn’t interesting enough to satisfy their hunger for publicity.

“They already did a case on a White Lady at Balete Drive last time so I doubt they’d do this.” Fawn flipped to her stomach and absently traced the visible portion of the letter J drawn on the foam mat. “If we don’t have a choice, Charlotte might ask help from a witch doctor and you know just how few of those are the real deal.”

Olga threw her hands up in surrender. “All right, you’ve convinced me. Like you’ve always done. Timmy, email Charlotte. You know the drill.”

“The rumors are getting more outrageous, Highness,” Lachlan said as he landed on the narrow, steel bar hand rail where his prince was perched, facing the sleeping Fawn. He was a tall guy of exceptional good looks. His hair was long, white, and perpetually tied back. Many teased him for imitating the hairstyle of a certain popular fictional elf and Lachlan never bothered to deny it.

“Is that so,” Kealan murmured. She looked so peaceful when she was asleep. Gentle, with not a worry to mar her exquisite face. Looking at her now, it was hard to imagine that she was the same tough, almost-boyish Fawn he knew and loved.

It had been love at first sight for him. For her, it had been the opposite. He chuckled at the memory of their first encounter. She had tried to exorcise him. And for a seven-year-old, she had been exceptional. The ritual would have no doubt worked if he wasn’t who and what he was. It had taken her ten failed attempts before she finally realized that he was not going away. It would also require the passage of years before she’d grudgingly acknowledge the fact that he loved her.

But all these years and she was still refusing him.

A lesser man would have slinked away, but not Kealan. He refused to be dumped. He loved her and he knew she loved him, too. He just had to find a way to make her admit it.

“They say you’ve been bewitched,” Lachlan said with a chuckle.

“They really don’t think much of me, do they?” Kealan was getting increasingly exasperated at his people’s doubt over his capabilities.

“It’s only because they have not had the opportunity to meet Fawn.”

“You know why.”

Lachlan pursed his lips.

“Oh, come on. Like you ever kept your mouth shut in respect of my royal ass.”

“If you insist,” Lachlan said with a grin.

“Lachlan…”

“I just think you should tell her everything and ask her once and for all. If it’s still no then—”

“I have to set her free and wait for her to come back and some sh*t like that?” Kealan shook his head. “Over my dead body.”

“Then I think you’re doomed to wait forever, Highness.”

“I know you think I’m afraid of taking the risk of learning she doesn’t love me. In a way, that’s true. But it’s more than that. She knows I’ll die for her. Our people know that, even if they don’t want to admit it. I also know she’ll die for me. But that, unfortunately, is something our people isn’t convinced of. This will prove it. If she loves me as I am then they’ll know for sure and—”

For a moment, he dared to envision that perfect future with the girl he loved. “She’d be a princess they’d love and be proud of, don’t you think?”

“If she chooses to accept you,” Lachlan reminded him. “That’s a big IF.”

“I know what I’m doing. Trust me.”

Q: What is your first step when solving a case?
A: We make a covert, ocular inspection of the APA or area of paranormal activity. Our resident empath will then attempt to determine if the reported incident requires our further attention. Surprisingly, we have often found reported incidents to be caused by the psychic energy of the agent.

“Your next case is – get this – at Balete Drive.”

Fawn heel-pushed her office chair to slide it next to where Olga was. What had been once a charming living room had turned into a busy office over the past two years, with the unexpectedly impressive success of spiritcrossers.com.ph

The living room sala set had been replaced by three huge office desks. Olga’s and Timothy’s were next to each other since their work overlapped each other. Olga’s job was to do the write ups of every case Fawn solved while Timothy was responsible for uploading the write up and maintaining the website.

Fawn’s desk was at the other side, near the file cases since she had to do constant research, checking the background of the percipient – the person who could see – and often troubled by – the ghost as well as the agent, which was the entity that was deliberately making itself visible to the percipient.

Dear Spirit Crossers,

Charlotte

“Do you think it’s a hoax?” Fawn asked. They had received their share of prank messages, especially when it was clear that spiritcrossers had somehow become an overnight sensation when she solved the Moraita case five months ago.

“It could be another one from the PPS,” Olga murmured, referring to a well-known group of paranormal “experts”. PPS stood for Paranormal Psychology Specialists, but Olga liked to call them the PaPanSin.

The PPS were always invited to guest at TV and radio shows and thanks to the major media exposure they enjoyed, many of their members had become celebrities to a certain extent. For the first year anniversary of spiritcrossers, they had invited the PPS as guest bloggers but received a politely scathing note about PPS not condoning dangerous interactions with the spirit world by amateurs.

After the Morayta case, they had received several bogus emails, most of which Timothy had all traced back to PPS.

“Have you traced it, Timmy?”

Timothy nodded. “The email’s legit. I double-checked it with various social networking sites.”

“Mmmm…” Fawn read the email again. The sender did seem to be desperate. “I’ll drive by the area and see if it’s for real.”

“Hello, baby.”

“Jesus!” Fawn scowled at Kealan. “How many times do I have to tell you not to scare me like that?”

Kealan only grinned, leaning back on the passenger seat and clasping his hands behind his head. “Where are we heading this time?”

“Oh no, you don’t. I’m going somewhere. You’re not.”

Kealan closed his eyes. “Same old, same old. You know you can’t stop me from following you.”

“I don’t need your help!” She started the engine.

“You still got it anyway.”

With his eyes still closed, Fawn couldn’t resist sneaking a look at Kealan. It was so unfair. How could a ghost still be this hot? Ghosts retained the appearance they had in their last dying second. Did that mean Kealan died while having a pictorial shoot for GQ? He did seem to be dressed for such a thing, with a navy blue dress shirt, designer jeans, and handmade leather shoes.

“You’re making me blush at the way you’re staring,” Kealan murmured, a smile in his voice.

She looked away quickly and stepped on the gas, blushing as well.

“I know I’ve asked you this a hundred times, but why do you insist on helping people even if it means putting your life at risk?”

“You know what? I think I’m going to change my answer just for today.”

That got Kealan to open his eyes and turn to her with a raised eyebrow.

Too, too hot, she thought. “Why do you insist on sticking with me when you know I’ll never say yes?”

Kealan grinned. “That’s easy.”

He moved forward to tuck a loose strand behind her ear and it took all of Fawn’s self-control not to shiver. It wasn’t because he was cold, which – miraculously enough – he wasn’t. In fact, there were a lot of things that didn’t add up about Kealan and over the years, Fawn concluded that Kealan happened to be the most powerful ghost she had ever encountered.

The strongest ghosts based on studies made by paranormal experts could make themselves visible, audible, and concrete. But Kealan could do more than that…if he wanted to.

Kealan’s breath fanned her ear and this time, she did shiver. “Your mind may tell you to say no to me, but your heart and body is telling me differently. And until that hasn’t changed, I’ll continue to stay by your side.”

“Ego, thy name is Kealan,” she muttered.

Kealan laughed and finally moved away, settling back in his seat.

His distance actually made her feel like she had lost something, but she told herself she was just imagining things. She was not in love and would never be in love with a ghost. Kealan might be one of her best friends in life, but it ended there. It had to.

She parked the car next to the curb and turned to her ghostly, meddlesome companion with a warning frown. “Do not interfere.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She glared at him. “I mean it, Kealan. I can handle this. Besides, I don’t want you to get into trouble.”

“I knew it. You’re concerned because you love me, right?”

“In your dreams.” She slammed the door shut.

Kealan floated out of the car.

She took out her mobile phone, switched it to silent mode, and pretended to punch numbers before placing it next to her ear. “And one last thing, Kealan – if you need to talk to me for any reason, do it telepathically. All right?”

Kealan sighed. “It’s not like this is my first time—”

“Exactly. It’s not your first time but you always, always end up doing what you want, even if it’s against my express wishes. I mean it this time,” she said firmly. “Stop meddling.”

It was, as Charlotte said, a brand new apartment. The home had an obviously fresh paint of coat. Beautiful, too, with bay windows and a terrace with an elaborately carved balustrade.

Fawn closed her eyes and concentrated.

She opened them a moment later, not surprised to find herself staring straight up into a pair of red eyes. The “White Lady” glared at her from a second floor window before disappearing.

Oh yeah, this was haunted all right.

We are a newly established company seeking a dynamic IT professional. He must be capable of working without supervision and knowledgeable on search engine optimization. Willingness to learn new things and acquire training when necessary is a must. The job may comprise of occasional field activities. We offer competitive pay and huge bonuses.

Timothy followed the girl inside the condominium unit. He found it weird that the job interview was She was a hot chick through and through with long straight hair, exotic-looking eyes, and smooth olive skin. She wore a black tube and a ruffled mini skirt, both of which were so tight they were practically straining at the sides, a testament to the kind of curves the girl was blessed with.

Dear Lord, please let me have this job, Timothy prayed.

“Make yourself comfortable.” The girl flashed a smile.

He sat ramrod straight, hands on his lap. The girl took a seat across him, right next to another female, one who wore glasses, a baby tee, and jeans. Nerdy…but he found her cute, too.

Please, please God, let me have this job, Timothy prayed again.

“Hi. You’re Timothy Garcia, right?” Hot Chick asked, a sultry smile on her lips.

“Yes, ma’am.” He felt proud for not stammering. He usually had that kind of reaction in the presence of goddesses like these two.

Cute Nerd glanced at his resume. “It says here you’re twenty-two, on your last year in college, majoring in Computer Science, and you’re looking for a part-time job.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“And you’re really good at making websites and stuff?” Hot Chick flipped her hair behind her back and flashed him another smile.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Call me Olga,” she told him. “And this one here is my friend Fawn.”

“Uhh…hi?”

Olga crossed her legs and if he wasn’t mistaken, there had been a flash – Olga crossed her legs again – yup, that was definitely a flash of pink. Dear Lord, I need this job.

Olga leaned forward.“The thing is, Timmy, what we’re offering here isn’t exactly a job. It’s more like a business opportunity.”

The dream just had to end. Why, God, why? Timothy sighed. “This is a networking thing, isn’t it?”

“It’s not. Really.” Fawn looked straight into his eyes. “You see, we have a business plan. We need a website because our audience – clients – would be from the Internet. But neither of us is good with computer stuff so we need a third partner. We’re hoping that would be you. We’ve read your resume and we think you’re perfect for the job.”

“What’s the website going to be?” Timothy asked cautiously. If it was going to be a porn site…he was so in.

Fawn’s eyes were boring through him. “Not that kind of website,” she said.

He coughed, feeling his face turn red. “I didn’t say anything.”

Fawn opened her mouth but Timothy saw Olga kick her friend under the table. “It’s actually a one of a kind website, Timmy. You don’t mind that I call you Timmy, do you?” Her lashes fluttered becomingly.

It was an age-old trick, one he knew was meant to manipulate him, but it didn’t matter. He fell for it. Olga was a Hot Chick. He was a Not-Hot Geek. ‘Nuff said.

“No…Olga.” He was ridiculously thrilled at being first names with a Hot Chick.

“So what do you say?”

He was attracted to her, but he was not stupid. “The website? What’s it about?”

“The paranormal,” Fawn answered unsmilingly.

Timothy frowned. “I didn’t quite catch that.”

“It’s about ghosts.”

“Oh, you mean, something like a Wikipedia on ghosts?”

The two girls exchanged looks. Fawn spoke again. “I could lie, but I won’t. If you’re going to be a part of this, I want you to know the truth. I can see ghosts.”

“Okaaay…” Possibly high on drugs, Timothy was already thinking. Such a waste.

“Olga can’t but she believes me.”

A Hot Chick and a Loyal Friend – enough to pretend that her friend wasn’t a block short of a Tetris puzzle. If he pretended he believed Cute Nerd could see ghosts, too, would Olga consider dating him?

“This website will feature cases that I’m going to solve. Pro bono, of course. It’s never a good idea to get paid for stuff like these. Spirits tend not to like it when you turn them into profit-making ventures. Occasionally, the website will also include tips, discussions, and chats about the paranormal. We’ll be hosting ads in the website and, hopefully, with enough hits, we’ll start earning revenue from the site.”

He cleared his throat. “That sounds really cool, but I’m…umm…not really the kind of guy you’re looking for.”

“I know you think I’m crazy but I can prove it to you,” Fawn insisted.

And that, Timmy thought regretfully, standing up, was his cue to leave this loony house. “I’m really sorry for wasting your time. I appreciate your offer, but…” He shrugged helplessly. “Don’t get me wrong. I appreciate your offer, but it’s just…” Weird?

“Won’t you give us a chance?” Olga’s sad expression almost changed his mind. Almost.

“It’s just not for me.” He hated to disappoint her, but he had a genuine need for money. He might be on scholarship, but he still had rent and other living expenses to consider.

Inside the elevator, Timothy took out the calling card that Olga had insisted on giving him, just in case he changed his mind.

Yeah right.

He started to tear the card when a voice behind him said, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

Holy shit!

Heart in his throat, Timothy whirled around to see a guy leaning against the opposite wall, smiling at him. The guy defined the word gorgeous from head to toe. He had wavy dark hair, pale green eyes, and skin that…glowed. It wasn’t an ordinary glow. It almost seemed as if he was made of…light.

“The girls need you,” the guy said.

Timothy had been alone in the elevator. He knew he had been alone. And yet now he was not. It only meant one thing.

“You’re a ghost.” Beads of cold sweat formed in his forehead.

The guy only smiled.

No outright confirmation there, but what else could he be?

“The girls need you. Fawn wasn’t lying to you. She has the power to see.” The guy straightened. “I know you think you’ll get nothing from what they’re proposing, but actually, this is the best offer you’ll get.”

“It’s really going to pay well?”

“Not just that.”

The guy smiled and Timothy had a sudden, uneasy feeling that the ghost could see inside him. “They’re the ones you’ve been looking for all your life.” His voice softened, almost to the point that it felt like he was speaking inside Timothy’s mind. Wait. He was really speaking inside Timothy’s mind.

Real friends, Timothy. Friends who would care for you without expecting anything in return.

Timothy paled was torn. Half of him wanted to freak out – he was talking to a ghost. A ghost! But another half of him was so tempted. Because what Ghost Hunk said was true. Real friends were something he never had in his entire life.

“Will you help them, Timothy Garcia?”

He glanced down at the calling card.

Spirit Crossers

Initial Email Contact Preferred:
inquiry@spiritcrossers.com.ph

“W-who are you?” There had to be a reason why this ghost wanted him to help the two girls. He was either friend or foe, and if it was the latter, then they were in deep, deep sh*t.

“A…friend.”

But somehow, Timothy sensed it was more than that. He looked at the ghost more closely. He didn’t seem to be the type to like Olga, which left only one other alternative. “You like Fawn, don’t you?”

The ghost grimaced.

“Does she like you?”

“She cares for me.”

Timothy pretended not to notice the disgruntlement in the ghost’s tone. That would be embarrassing and he had been in enough embarrassing incidents not to wish the same on another person. It would also be suicidal since he had a very strong feeling this guy could kill him with just a glance. Literally.

“You know…this is my first time to see a ghost.” He thought of offering his hand to shake but chickened out the last minute. “What’s your name, by the way?”

“Kealan and the only reason you can see me is because I’m letting you.”

“Ah.” Timothy thought about it and said slowly, “I consider that a good thing.”

Kealan the Ghost Hunk smiled. “I think so, too.” He glanced at the card Timothy was still clutching. “You have made your decision?”

Timothy glanced at the elevator’s digital screen and realized that it had frozen between 12th and 14th floor. Gulping back his horror, he pressed the button for the 25th, where Olga Elias and Fawn Racela lived.

“Good choice.”

He turned back to smile, but the ghost was gone.