Chapter5
1105 Words
"You can stop looking now," Peter said with a small smile as Avalon walked away.
Ella jumped, her face turning red. She didn't know how obvious she'd been. "I wasn't—"
"It's okay," Peter laughed, showing her to a small clean office. Everyone does that when they first meet Avalon Green. He makes people stare."
He waved Ella into what would be her workspace. The office was small compared to others she'd seen—just a desk, chair, and a small shelf with law books. But the big window showing all of Manhattan made up for the small size.
"Avalon is the youngest top lawyer in all of Manhattan," Peter said, leaning against the door. Only thirty-two and he's never lost in court. Not once." His voice showed how much he liked Avalon, but also something else—maybe a warning.
Ella put her bag on the desk, touching the smooth wood. "That's really something."
"It is," Peter said, getting serious. And sorry, Ms. Sterling, but he's way too good for you.
Ella looked up fast, eyes wide at his blunt words.
"I'm not trying to be mean," Peter said quickly, "but you should know you're just his helper, and I don't want you getting any... ideas about him." He lowered his voice like telling a secret. "Avalon Green is smart, but he's cold as ice in court and meetings. He's mean, even to women who try to get with him. I've seen too many new girls crash after they start liking the boss."
Ella made herself laugh, but his words hurt. Thanks for the warning, but that won't be a problem. "I'm here to learn and grow my career, not find a boyfriend." She looked right at Peter. "Plus, Avalon Green isn't even the kind of guy I like."
Her mind went back to that night in the woods—to the strong arms that caught her, to the man whose face she never really saw but who saved her life. That was the kind of man she found interesting—someone brave and kind, not just cold and smart.
"I actually like someone else," she said quietly, almost to herself.
Peter looked happy to hear that. "Good. "That'll make everything easier." He checked his watch. "I'll let you get settled." Your first job is at the desk—Avalon likes his helpers to start working right away."
Then he left Ella alone in her new office. She dropped into the chair, breathing deeply as she tried to take it all in. From sleeping on an old couch in a bad apartment with a mean father figure to having her own office in a tall Manhattan building—the change made her head spin.
She grabbed the folder Peter had talked about, wanting to make a good first impression. Whatever it took, she wasn't going back to her old life.
Avalon shut his office door hard, pulling his tie loose as he walked to his desk. The big windows of his corner office showed a great view of the city, but today he barely saw it.
He hadn't slept well in days. Between running the pack, managing the firm, and looking for his mate, he was always tired. Add his father's butting in...
Like magic, his phone rang with Ken's private number. Avalon thought about not answering but knew that would just put off the fight. With a tired sigh, he picked up.
"What now?"
"Is that how you talk to your Alpha?" Ken's voice was sharp.
Avalon rubbed his nose. "I'm busy, Father."
"Not too busy listening to your Alpha," Ken said, his tone leaving no room to argue. As long as you're not married, you'll do what I say. You'll come home tonight to meet Alpha Michaels and his daughter.
"Father—"
This isn't up for talk, Avalon. "Be here at eight." The call ended.
Avalon wanted to throw his phone across the room. Instead, he fell into his leather chair and closed his eyes, trying to find calm. His wolf, Kris, moved restlessly inside him.
We needed to find our mate. Kris pushed. Before your father makes us do something wrong.
"I know," Avalon said out loud.
A knock on the door broke his thoughts. "Come in," he called, sitting up straight.
The door opened to show a young woman—the same one he'd seen earlier in the lobby. Up close, she was even prettier. Dark hair framed a heart-shaped face with smart eyes that looked right at him. Something about her pulled at his memory, but he couldn't place it.
"Mr. Green? "I'm Ella Sterling, your new helper," she said, her voice clear and strong despite the bit of fear he smelled on her. "Peter Donovan said I should ask you about my first job."
Avalon looked at her for a moment. An idea started to form—crazy, desperate, but maybe useful. His father said to bring home a mate or marry the Bloodmoon Alpha's daughter. Maybe there was a third choice.
He grabbed a folder from his desk drawer—one he'd made for something else but which could work for what he needed now.
"Your timing is perfect, Ms. "Sterling," he said, pointing to her to sit across from him. I've looked at your resume. Good work despite... hard times."
Ella's face showed surprise that he knew about her past, but she pulled herself together fast. "Thank you, sir. I worked hard to get here."
Avalon nodded, then slid the folder across the desk. "Your first job is there. I need you to sign where marked."
Ella took the folder with a puzzled look. "Of course, Mr. Green."
When she opened it, her eyes got big. Avalon watched as she read the first page, then flipped through the paper with growing shock.
"This... this is a marriage paper," she finally said, looking up at him with stunned eyes.
"Yes."
"I don't get it."
Avalon leaned forward, hands on the desk. "Ms. Sterling, I need a wife. A short-term one. F, took her."
Ella blinked fast, clearly trying to understand his words. "And you want... me? A woman you just met?"
"Exactly because we just met," Avalon said calmly. This deal would be just business. A work deals with good things for both of us.
"What good things?" Ella asked, sounding wary.
"For me, freedom from family stuff I don't want to do. For you..." Avalon pointed to the money part of the deal. "Fifty thousand dollars each month, plus five hundred thousand dollars at
The end of the year when we split up nicely.
- Writer
