Rich Blood

Chapter 6: Exploring

I was running through the forest, as fast as my legs would carry me. Through the crisp autumn air, the crunch of fallen leaves under my every step. My senses were the most heightened they had ever been in wolf form. I could see further, my sense of smell and hearing was amplified as well. It was freeing, liberating. I was running in a place I had never been before. and suddenly I arrived at the great lake. Only, this time I was on the side I had never been to before. I stopped running, panting and approached the water to get a drink. The sound of a breaking branch made me jerk around and there he was. My beautiful black beast with his piercing eyes. Only, this time they weren't icy blue. They were grey.

I sniffed at the air, it was him. I could tell. He came towards me, and placed the top of his head onto mine and matched my breath. It was so peaceful.

Then the sky went dark. Screams from the distance and the sound of an army storming towards us. And a loud BANG echoed in my ears.

I jolted up out of my sleep. A dream, just a dream, I told myself. Although, my past experiences with dreams did give me pause for concern. I groggily shake my head, and only then did the realization of where I was wash over me. Blooding Estate. In my new, amazing room, with a new, not so amazing job for my absolutely stunning boss.

I remember what Hester said about dinner with Mr. Blooding at 7 and I quickly walk over to my bag that I had tossed into a nearby chair. I rummage through and pull out my phone to check the time. It was 4:12. And I had two text messages. One from my best friend, Kerrigan, and the other from my father.

Kerrigan's simply read "Call me."

While my father's was much more lengthy and reminding me to play my part well. To earn the Lycan King's trust. Keep my eyes and ears open. Learn his secrets then bring all information back to him l, Demetrius and the other southern pack leaders.

I didn't respond to my father's. It was an order. And I honestly did not have the mental capacity to call Kerrigan back, so I just responded back with a "Can't talk, started my new job today. I'll text later. love you."

That would suffice for the moment.

I still had some time before dinner, and I decided to take Hester's advice and explore the gardens and grounds. Since it was fall, the foilage was a beautiful mural of orange, red and yellow. We live far enough north to where even in October, by 5pm, the air was brisk and the sky was painted in such a way that complimented the grounds. As I made my way back to the main house, I stopped by the pool, which was just as over the top as the estate itself. Deep enough to dive into, with a wading area. A hot tub and a cave area connected to the pool with seating and from the looks of it a waterfall could be activated in the warmer months.

The thought of how many women my new boss had taken in there and marked went across my mind. Was it jealousy or curiosity? Then I replayed our eyes meeting in his study this morning. The connection I felt. Did he feel it too? Was it just an affect lycans had on weres?

A realization dawned on me, the grey eyes in my dream my lycans wolf had. They were the same grey eyes of Richard Blooding. A wave of relief overcame me. The dream must have just been anxiety related due to the new environment and what what expected of me.

As I continued walking around the pool, I noticed an adequately sized guest house. I went to approach it but felt my phone buzzing in my pocket. It was a call from Kerrigan. I sigh and answer.

"Hello?"

"Have you met him yet?"

"Hey Kerrigan."

"Don't play coy, b***h. Have you met him?"

"Who exactly are you referring to?" I love her to pieces, but she lives for tabloids and gossip. So, it's fun to taunt her.

"AHHHHH. You have!" She squeaked.

"It was only for a moment. He's my new employer, it was essentially an interview."

Kerrigan is the definition of an oversharer and I am the polar opposite. So even if I wasn't forbidden to reveal the pack leaders plan, it isn't in my nature to spill secrets. She is harmless, but I just like to live privately.

"Booooooo. Well, have you started to wash his clothes yet? He seems like a briefs guy, but I wonder if he free balls it sometimes during counsel meetings."

I snort. One of my least favorite qualities about myself, snort laughing. How attractive. "I haven't seen his underwear yet."

"That is sad, maybe yours and his wolfies can get together and playyyyy."

Right then, on the veranda that leads to his study, Richard appeared, also on his cell phone. I whisper, "Oh s**t, my boss is coming gotta go."

Before she can respond I hang up and shove my phone back in my pocket. Not sure if I should hide, or snoop or what, I panicked and started to walk back up to the house, trying to make a beeline for the door.

My wolf started whining. Instinctually I turn and met his gaze from across the way. He was still in the phone, but was looking piercingly right through me.

I waved awkwardly and rushed back into the house. How was I supposed to have dinner with him in a little over an hour?

I will just keep it professional. Turn on the charm and stay focused, do what is expected out of me from everyone else.

Upon returning to my room, I go over to my bag and pull out my belongings and begin to put them away. I check the time religiously every five minutes. I didn't bring anything really nice to wear that would be appropriate for dinner, the only dresses I had at home anyway where for Harvest Formals and there was no way I would need that here.

I choose to just keep my dark jeans on, swap out my sweater for a burgundy tastefully low scoop neck t shirt and a cardigan, and put my boots back on. It's now 6:45. I touch up my makeup and make my way out of the bedroom and down the stairs.