Page 9 of Her Bossy Wolf Protector

I have a nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach, and having Jade show up at my company isn’t helping one bit. It’s her first day, and I can tell she is here to stay. She stirs too many things inside me, and I can’t quite pinpoint what it is, but I want her gone. Maybe I should have just called HR and had her terminated.

As the water cascades over me, I let my mind wander, trying to shake off the unease that has settled in.

Once I’m done, I dress comfortably in a white t-shirt and gray sweatpants. I’m determined to put the strange feeling out of my mind and focus on spending time with Liam. Heading downstairs, I decide to distract myself and keep my mind off the human.

I find Liam and Mariya still engrossed in painting as I enter the living room. They’ve spread out a canvas on the coffee table, and an array of colorful paints and brushes are strewn about. I approach with a warm smile, focusing on my son and his art.

“I’m back.”

Liam looks up, his blue eyes shining with excitement. “Hi, Dad! We’re painting a picture of our favorite place in the world.”

I smile affectionately at my son. “That sounds like a wonderful idea, buddy. Mind if I join in?”

Liam’s face lights up, and he scoots over to make room for me. “Of course, Dad. Mariya won’t mind.”

“Of course not,” Mariya says, scooting over to give me space.

I take a seat and pick up a paintbrush.

As we work together, the worries plaguing me begin to fade. The soothing strokes of the brush, the vibrant colors on the canvas, and the joy in Liam’s eyes remind me of what’s really important. Moments like these make all the wealth and success in the world feel insignificant compared to the simple pleasure of spending time with my son.

I glance over at Mariya, who gently guides Liam in mixing the perfect shade of blue for the sky. She is so patient and kind, and I am so grateful that she is in our lives. She has been a stable and loving influence on Liam since Isabella left, and it’s clear that the two of them have a deep bond.

“Thank you, Mariya,” I say quietly, wanting to express my appreciation. “You’ve been amazing with Liam, and I’m truly grateful for all you do.”

Mariya’s gaze meets mine, and she smiles warmly. “It’s my pleasure, Gabriel. Liam is a wonderful boy, and it’s been a joy to watch him grow and thrive.”

I feel a deep sense of fulfillment as the painting takes shape and the world comes to life on the canvas. It’s a scene of a serene beach at sunset, with vibrant orange and pink hues painting the sky.

It is a reminder that I have not taken my son to the beach in a really long time. With all the tensions going on in the city, it has not been safe. “We will go there soon,” I placate him.

“Okay, Daddy.”

His blue eyes twinkle as he looks up at me, with his gorgeous, vibrant red hair and his button nose that reminds me so much of Isabella. It had been hard in the beginning, but now, I wouldn’t change any of it for the world.

I swallow and push the memory away—the dark days before Mariya, when I was a really shitty person and an even worse parent. Those days are now long gone.

I might be a single father, but I am a damn good one. And after much time with Liam, I am happy to realize I haven’t once thought of Jade Easton.

That’s a damn good thing.

Chapter 3

Jade

Something is going on, and for the life of me, I can’t seem to figure it out.

I am supposed to have another meeting with Gabriel,“Mr. Night,”tomorrow afternoon, but I doubt it will be any more productive than our meeting today.

I think I am going crazy.

I continue to send Alyssa texts throughout the day asking her to call me, but to no avail. The rest of my time is spent acquainting myself with my new job.

I don’t trust Gabriel. I sure as hell know he is hiding something from me, but did I really see what I think I saw? He played dumb really well, but I am sure I didn’t imagine it. I certainly can’t share this with anyone. If I were to tell anyone that my new CEO sometimes turns into a wolf, they would all think I’m crazy. I need to investigate this further.

While at work, I’m on the company’s internet and using their Wi-Fi, so I can’t exactly do any research on werewolves here. I’ll have to wait until I get home.

Am I seriously considering researching werewolves?

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