My Boss’ Contract Mate: Bound by Love

The Deal

Isabelle’s Point Of View

It has been two weeks and I am still confused. My mind is still clouded and I am still trying to explain what I saw.

My boss changed.

He turned into...

...a werewolf.

But he was a man and I never— Those things weren't real. It doesn't make sense and he was so huge. Almost my standing height and I couldn't wrap my head around it. I have seen the movies and I never expected to witness anything like that.

Two weeks had passed since that fateful day, and I was still trying to wrap my head around what I had seen. My mind was clouded, my thoughts a jumbled mess of confusion and fear.

My boss had turned into a werewolf. A huge, furry creature that had stood on its hind legs, its eyes locked on mine with an unblinking gaze. I had always thought those things were just myths, legends born from the darkness of human imagination.

But I had seen it with my own eyes. I had watched in horror as Nathaniel's body had contorted and changed, his bones breaking and reforming into something entirely new.

I shuddered at the memory, my skin crawling with unease. I had been absent from work for two weeks, unable to face Nate or anyone else. I didn't know how to process what I had seen, or how to deal with the fact that my boss was a supernatural creature.

As I sat on my couch, staring blankly at the wall, I noticed the numerous missed calls from Nate's number. He had been trying to reach me, to talk to me, but I had ignored them all.

I didn't know what to say to him. I didn't know how to act around him now that I knew his secret. A part of me was scared, but another part of me was curious. What did it mean to be a werewolf? How did Nate live with this secret?

I sighed, feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next. I knew I couldn't avoid Nate forever, but for now, I just didn't know how to face him.

My eyes moved to the clock on my wall and it was a little after 7 p.m. yet I hadn't eaten. I could order take out but I don't know if I am feeling up for it. What I saw two weeks ago really scared me and I am trying to get back on the right track.

I probably lost my job.

The sound of my phone vibrating on the coffee table made me sat up and I peered over at it. I grabbed it quickly when I saw that it was my Mom calling and pressed the answer key.

“Hey, Mama. How are you?” I asked, feigning happiness.

She laughed, making me smile. “I'm doing good, how are you?”

“I am doing well, just a little tired.” I yawned on cue.

“I told Isaac that I wanted to see you. He wouldn't call you so I called myself. You two need to fix this,” She lectured.

“Mom, I can't change how Isaac feels. He made the decision to stay with you to go through your treatment and I moved closer to my job. I still visit when I can and we talk often too,” I explained.

“I am about to take a nap, but I want to see you. At least tomorrow and you can be back for work on Monday,” She pleaded.

“I will see what I can do, Mama.” I sighed, massaging my temple.

She went on a rant telling me I could make the drive and I was becoming stressed.

A knock on my apartment door made me wrap up the call and I stood up, pulling in a pair of sweatpants on the couch. I made my way to the door, tucking my hair behind my ear.

“Who is it?” I asked, behind the door.

“Your boss,” the muffled voice said.

I immediately started to panic and took a step from the door. “Isabelle, please open the door. I need to know that you’re okay,” He said again.

“I-I am doing fine, thanks. You don't have to check up on me,” I said, swallowing the nervousness.

He pounded against the door and I jumped. “Isabelle, I would really appreciate it if you open the door. The old guy from down the hall is looking at me funny. I just came here to see you,” He insisted.

I hesitantly opened the door and he stood there with a bag of food while dressed in casual clothing. A pair of navy blue pants, a gray designer sweatshirt and white sneakers.

“May I come in?” He asked, softly.

I stepped aside and he walked in, prompting me to close the door. He took his shoes off where all my sneakers were by the door. I walked back over to the couch and he joined me, taking a seat but not too close.

My gaze remained fixed on my hands and I swallowed the lump in my throat. He placed the food down and sighed.

“When someone needs a few person days they usually ask first, while you have to report directly to me. I didn't see any vacation days request in my emails,” He said, playfully.

I sighed, looking at him and he smiled. “I’m sorry,” I apologized.

He shook his head before saying, “That is alright. It was entirely my fault and I should be the one apologizing.”

“No, you don't have to apologize,” I insisted.

He looked at me and nodded, running his fingers through his long hair. I looked away from him, playing with my fingers as my mind raced with questions. My eyes moved to his and he smiled, faintly.

“Could you…show me again?” I asked, quietly.

“You want me to change again?” He was surprised but I got it.

I am surprised too.

I nodded, licking my lips. “Yes.”

“Are you sure?” He pressed.

I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I should tell him to show me again. But my curiosity got the better of me, and I nodded, my voice barely above a whisper.

Nathaniel’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, but he didn't say anything right away. Instead, he looked around the room, taking in the layout of my studio loft.

The open space was filled with natural light, and the high ceilings made it feel even more spacious. My bedroom was up a short flight of stairs, and the kitchen was tucked away in one corner.

“Okay,” Nate said finally, his voice low and smooth. “But we'll need to move the couch to give me some space.”

I nodded, and stood up.

We moved the singles chairs aside and then together we pushed the couch against the wall, creating a clear area in the center of the room. He pulled my curtains close and then started to remove his clothes.

I sat on the couch pushed to the wall and kept my gaze from wandering below his waist. Nate took a deep breath, his eyes locked on mine, and began to change.

I watched in awe as his body began to contort and shift, his bones breaking and reforming into something entirely new. His skin itched and stretched, and his face elongated into a snout. Fur sprouted from his skin, and his ears grew pointed.

Oh my goodness!

As he changed, my heart started to beat faster, and I felt a surge of fear once more. The werewolf that stood before me was massive, its fur a deep brown color that seemed to glow in the dim light of the room.

But as I looked into its eyes, I saw something there that gave me pause. It was Nathaniel, my boss, the man who is a pain in my ass but still allows me to boss him around every once in a while. The same person who had always been kind and understanding.

The werewolf approached me slowly, its eyes locked on mine, and rested its head on my lap. I felt a jolt of surprise, but as I looked into its eyes, I felt a sense of calm wash over me.

Tentatively, I reached out and ran my fingers through its fur, feeling the softness and warmth of its coat. The werewolf closed its eyes, seeming to enjoy the touch.

For a minute, we just sat there, staring at each other. The only sound was the sound of my heart beating in my chest.

“This is...wow,” I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper.

The werewolf opened its eyes, and I saw a glimmer of amusement there. I cleared my throat, still running my fingers through his fur.

I swallowed hard, staring at him in awe. “It's...you're so big,” I said, trying to find the right words.

The werewolf made a sound, a low rumble that vibrated through its body.

I looked into his eyes, searching for answers. “How does it work?” I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.

He stepped away and started to change back into his human form. I watched him closely and his long brown hair fell down his muscular arms. He hissed and then stood up, prompting me to look away.

“This is…” I trailed off.

“I know,” Nate said, pulling on his underwear. “It's a bit intimidating at first but you could get used to it.”

“So, tell me how it works.” I looked at him as he pulled his pants on.

Nate shrugged, his shoulders rolling in a fluid motion. “It's just something that's always been a part of me,” he said. “I don't really think about it too much because I was born this way along with my family.”

I nodded, still trying to process everything. “Okay,” I said finally. “And you showed me this, what was the title your Dad wanted to give up?”

He laughed and took a seat next to me after pulling his top back on. “My Alpha status, which I have been training for since I could shift.”

See, I knew it had nothing to do with work because I heard after inheriting his funds from his grandfather, he became one of the richest teenager alive. At only 18 years old, he had over 100 billion dollars to his name.

He built his company from the ground up and his sister runs the one his parents passed down to her.

“And you have to be married? But I am not like you, so how would that work?” I asked.

“It will work just fine. You wouldn't be the only human who starts out as a human mate. After the mating ceremony, we'd become one,” He explained.

I furrowed my brows. “What do you mean starts out as human? Will that change?” I urged.

He nodded and brushed his hair back. “During the mating ceremony, we usually bite our mates and they do the same in return. It shows ownership and that's how it works. You can be born or bitten to become like me,” He disclosed.

“But will I have to…” I trailed off and he shook his head.

“Not if you don't want to but there’s—” He cut himself off and chuckled.

“But what?” I stared at him and he sighed.

“When you become my Luna, you will have to carry my scent so that other wolves know that you belong to me. It also means you will be off other wolves' radar as well,” He revealed.

“You’d have to rub on me?” I bit back a smile and he shook his head.

“We would have to have s*x,” He said and I stared with my mouth open.

Oh...

“So, all the women you slept with in the past carried your scent?” I asked and he shook his head.

“Not then because I masked it well, but it is exhausting and I stopped dating. Hiding and lying really is irritating and tiring.” He sighed and I licked my lips.

“I think I'm starting to understand. Well, a little,” I said, laughing.

He picked up the food bag and removed the burger, handing it to me. I thanked him, realizing it’s the same one I always eat at work. He took out his too, eating some fries.

“So, do you eat raw meat?” I unwrapped the burger and he laughed.

“I can but I don’t. At least not in the way you are thinking,” He explained.

“You don't just take meat from the supermarket fridge and bite into it? Like ever?” I took the first bite from my burger.

“No, that's not something I would do. I eat steaks when they are medium rare or medium or well done. I don't eat rare steak, it’s not my favorite flavour.” He looked at me as he ate.

“Fancy, aren't you?” I smiled and he chuckled.

“I just have preferences.”

We fell quiet and quickly finished our food. My mind was screaming at me to tell him why I would need extra money and a house. I pay bills, help pay for my Mom's treatment and all that.

I wasn't a greedy person who just wanted material things. My Mom and brother needed to move to New York so he can find a better paying job and Mama can get the medical care she needs.

The situation is quite stressful and I know Isaac is mad at me for not staying but it turned out for the best. I can put enough money aside to help out, except he can't use his degree to get the job he wants because if he works extra hours, no one will be there to take care of Mom.

“Thanks for showing me,” I said, my voice sincere.

Nate smiled back, his dimples sinking in. “Anytime,” he said. “I'm glad I could help.”

As we sat there, surrounded by the silence of the loft, I felt a sense of connection to Nate that I hadn't felt before. It was as if we had crossed a threshold, and nothing would ever be the same again.

“The reason I accepted to be your temporary wife or whatever is not because I want money to live lavishly. I mean I do but not because I want the fancy car or anything,” I admitted, quietly.

“Yeah, I sensed something was off. Plus, I would've given you more if you'd ask.” He smiled.

“My Mom had stage 4 cancer and my brother takes care of her. I wanted to get them to come live here in New York with me so she can get the best health care and I can hire someone to look after her. My brother put his dreams aside for her and…” I trailed off.

“I just really need everything to work out. The doctor says she only has about a year to live if she doesn't start treatment,” I added.

He smiled, shaking his head. “Now that you have met me, she could have another 20 years to live.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, confused.

“For the past seven years I have been working on a cure for cancer. I have the medicine to treat it, but my blood has what can give patients a longer life. Mixed with the pills the patient would take after the first two months, it could cure it and give them extra time.” He sighed.

I shifted on the couch. “What are you saying?”

“I can heal your Mom,” He told me.

What?

“Would you have to bite her?” I whispered and he laughed.

“No, just inject my blood after it’s turned into a serum,” He explained.

“Would that make her like you?” I asked him.

“No, it won't. Like I mentioned, only bitten or born,” He said.

“I assume it’s expensive?” I looked at him and he nodded a bit.

“But, it wouldn't cost you a penny. I could add that to your part of the contract,” He told me.

I stared at him for a while and then looked out at the city. “Two years working for you and I am just finding out how resourceful you are. I mean, you don't even study medicine.”

“I have a Ph.D,” He said, chuckling.

“Well, I didn't know that.” I sighed.

“So, what do you say? Will you do me the honours?” He asked and I looked at him.

I nodded and licked my lips. “Yes.”

“Thank you, and I promise that the moment we get married everything I promised you will be given to you.” He smiled and I nodded.

For the rest of the night he gave me a rundown on everything that’s necessary and told me that we will have to get engaged before the end of the month.

I try my best not to think too much about the part where I have to ‘carry his scent’, especially since I will have to sleep with him. It has been years since I have had a boyfriend or even had s*x.

Five years to be exact.

Oh Lord, how am I going to do all this?