Page 38 of It All Started with a Bite

Darkside Prison was a huge correctional facility in the mountains between Amberford and the next town.

I raised an eyebrow. “Even those small mom-and-pop businesses she mentioned that went under?”

Samuel’s mouth pressed to a thin line. “They are the worst. You have no idea how many gun-toting and knife-wielding moms and pops I’ve had to face over the years.”

Surprise shot through me. “You get down and dirty with the business?”

I realized how the words sounded the moment they left my mouth. I pinched my lips closed. Heat crawled up my neck as Samuel’s curved in a wicked smile.

Bo was wheezing.

“Sometimes,” Samuel drawled. “When it’s an important assignment or the suspect is known to be especially dangerous.”

I waited until my face cooled down before asking the most salient question of the morning. “What exactly would my role be in your firm?”

13

Office Politics, Monster Style

“I wantyou to join our Special Investigations Unit.” Samuel ignored my startled look. “Your accounting background makes you perfect for following paper trails and your new abilities will give you an edge in the field.”

Except from finding out where Bo liked to hide my shoes and where Ellie habitually lost stuff, I’d never investigated anything in my life. I told him as much.

His smile did weird things to my pulse and had my inner wolf sitting to attention. “It’s okay. We’ll show you the ropes.”

I swallowed at the idea of him showing me any kind of rope.

A knock came at the door.

“Come in,” Samuel called out.

It was the stylish woman in the designer suit. She blew a strand of disheveled hair out of her face and gave me a curious glance before addressing Samuel.

“We’re ready for the meeting.”

“Thanks.” Samuel made the introductions. “Abby, this is Janet Pearsons from HR. Janet, this is Abigail West, our newest employee.” He paused and glanced at Bo. “This is her Husky, Bo. I imagine he’ll be accompanying her most days, so it would be best if you included him in the paperwork.”

Bo perked up. “Do I get a pass too?”

“No.”

Bo’s ears dropped.

We followed Samuel and Janet to a noisy conference room. The brouhaha inside died when we entered. Bo and I became the focus of curious looks as I took the seat Samuel indicated. Janet sat next to us.

“Everyone, this is Abigail West,” the Hawthorne alpha said in a businesslike voice. “She’s joining our firm as of today.”

“So it’s true.” The woman with the pointy hat and highlighters studied me with an intense stare. “She’s your luna.”

Samuel narrowed his eyes. “Who told you that?”

“Hugh,” Pointy Hat said with a shrug. “He told everyone in the building. Besides, we can smell your mate bond from a mile away.”

I chewed my lip. The mate bond was becoming an embarrassing problem.

“Who’s the canine?” the guy with the horns and reptilian tail asked curiously.

“This is Bo, Abby’s dog.” Samuel frowned. “Please refrain from looking at him like he’s lunch.”

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