Page 1 of Beauty's Bossy Bear

Chapter 1

Kodi

I stand in the threshold of Kolson's office, the gentle hum of the fan on the edge of his desk a comforting undertone to the charged silence between us. The office is dimly lit, just the way Kolson likes it.

Ten computer monitors fill the entire back wall, each screen flashing a different code that only Kolson can decipher. The weight of my responsibility as a protector—not just as the owner of Enchanted Security, Inc., but as a bear shifter with an instinctual drive to shield the vulnerable—presses down on me.

"Kolson, I need a moment of your time," I start, my voice steady though my mind races with concern. My inner bear rears his head, attempting to gain control, but I push the fucker back into his place and concentrate on the problem at hand.

He turns away from the computer screens, giving me his full attention. That's Kolson—always focused, always ready. "Fucking hell. You used my full name so this must be bad. Tell me what's going on.” He reaches for his coffee cup and takes a big swig.

"It's a new case," I say, moving deeper into the room and closing the door behind me. Everyone in this office has security clearance, but I want to discuss something with my second-in-command before making it known to everyone. The moment I laid eyes on Briella Lowe’s photograph, I knew my life would never be the same. "We've been approached to protect a human who’s being stalked. She's terrified, barely sleeps, and she’s reached out to us on recommendation." When I answered the phone to Briella Lowe’s smoky voice, I felt like I’d taken a hammer right to the skull. For the first time in my life, I found myself tongue-tied. “And she’s my mate,” I add under my breath, but the Orc hears me.

“Fuck me.” He rubs the back of his neck. “That really adds to the complexity of this case.” My second-in-command pulls himself together after my shocking announcement and goes into work mode. “What makes her think it’s a shifter?” He sits back in his chair and waits for my answer. His multi-colored amber and green eyes and the large brown tusks protruding from each side of his mouth with his green-tinted skin reflect his Orc heritage.

“Her older sister is mated to a wolf shifter.” It’s rare for shifters to choose humans for their mates but not unheard of. “The brother-in-law investigated when she started worrying someone was following her, and he picked up the scent of a jackal.”

“Well, that’s just fucking great.” The Orc rubs the back of his neck as frustration colors his deep voice. “Those slimy bastards won’t give up easily.”

“No fucking shit,” I growl as my inner bear inserts his unbiased opinion.

"Do we know the brother-in-law?” Kolson Arch doesn’t need to take notes. His eidetic memory insures he remembers absolutely everything. The Orc isn’t just my employee, he’s my best friend. We met when I moved to Fable Forest to open up my security firm. When he applied for a security position, I hired him on the spot. My security firm is a mishmash of mythical creatures. I have a tiger shifter as my Head of IT, and a dragon-wolf hybrid and his wolf shifter best friend are my top two security agents. And appropriately enough, my lawyer is a vampire.

"It’s Jared Linden.” My old college buddy happens to be Briella’s shifter brother-in-law.

My employee nods, understanding the added weight of the case. "What else do we know about the stalking? Any idea why she's a target? Does she have a risky lifestyle?" His laser focus is one of the reasons I hired him.

"She’s a goddamn librarian who graduated college six months ago. No ex-boyfriends, no past conflicts. Goes to work and back home and maybe to her sister’s house on the weekends," I growl, taking a manila folder from under my arm and laying it on his desk. It makes a soft thud as it lands, heavy with its contents. After I got off the phone with Briella, I did a quick search on my little soulmate and compiled the information for Kolson. "She’s caught glimpses of something large and shadowy in the periphery. Says it’s been happening for weeks now."

During my search, I found Briella Lowe’s photograph online. My inner bear instantly woke up and growled, “Mine,” loud and clear, confirming what I thought after talking to her on the phone. There’s no doubt about it, Briella Lowe is my soulmate.

Now, I have to deal with this goddamn stalker so I can move onto more important business—making Briella mine.

I watch Kol flip past her photograph and realize her image is permanently imprinted in my mind. The gorgeous brunette has captivating, wide, cerulean blue eyes that seem to light up her entire face. Her eyes appear to be deep pools of sparkling water, reflecting sincerity and warmth. Adding to her charm and appeal is a playful dimple that appears on one cheek whenever she smiles, providing a touch of grace and friendliness to her features.

The final nail in my coffin is her curvy silhouette that exudes confidence and grace. Her voluptuous and perfectly proportioned figure showcases curves that flow seamlessly from her shoulders down to her rounded hips. Each curve accentuates her strength and femininity and draws me in like a moth to a flame. Yes, my pussy-whipped ass discovered all that from one fucking photograph.

Kol opens the folder, scanning the contents quickly while I attempt to get my unruly cock under control before my employee realizes how much our new client affects me. "Has she reported this to the shifter authorities in New York?"

I shake my head. "You know how it is. They took her statement, but since she hasn’t seen anything concrete, they’re treating it as low priority. They suggested she seek private security," I explain with a tinge of frustration clawing at my insides.

“Doesn’t really surprise me.”

“Me neither.” Taking a seat opposite the seven-foot-three-inch green Orc, I lean forward, elbows on my knees, feeling the beast within stir restlessly. "She describes seeing shadows, hearing odd noises outside her residence, and a feeling of being watched. No concrete sightings of the shifter, which makes me think we’re dealing with someone who knows how to stay hidden." Briella Lowe also found claw marks and the word, “Mine,” dug into her wooden front door, which really pisses off my inner bear.

"Has she had any unusual run-ins?” His tone is laced with urgency. Nothing about this case makes any sense. “Or does she have any idea how she caught the shifter’s attention?”

“No. She said everything was normal until a few weeks ago when all this shit started. Things went from zero to sixty overnight, and she’s worried something bad is going to happen if she doesn’t get help right away. Her safety is our top priority." I feel the protective surge, the primal part of my being that insists on action. "I want everyone available to help out until we figure out what this asshole wants. I’ll also be overseeing her protection myself."

My friend shakes his head, understanding why this case is personal for me. It’s not usual for me to take direct action on protection details anymore, but this isn’t just any case. My mate’s life is in danger.

"Jared is putting her on the first plane out here," I continue as my plan runs through my mind. "In the meantime, I want you to do the usual background checks on her recent acquaintances, her regular spots, and any outlawed shifters in the vicinity."

"Understood. I'll pull in some of our best tech to set up surveillance on her place in case the asshole returns, and I’ll start immediate background checks on everyone she’s come in contact with recently." The Orc’s efficiency is a balm to the urgency coursing through me.

I nod and stand up, feeling the resolve harden like armor. "Keep me updated on the progress. I’m leaving now to pick Briella up at the airport and bring her back to my place." I can’t imagine letting my little soulmate stay anywhere else. Plus, there’s little to no chance of anyone breaching the fortress I built on the edge of Fable Forest.

"Of course, Kodi. We’ll handle it," Kolson replies with a determined nod.

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