Hired Fiancé
1305 Words
“It's not free and not real either. I will pay you,” Autumn said quickly. Her voice shook. She gulped down the lump on her throat as she continued, “Besides, it's Christmas in a week. I… I can get you new clothes, a place to stay for a few days… even help you to get a job or something!”
Did this human want to hire me? Can she even afford to pay me with this little savings she has? He thought, looking at her in disbelief.
“Pay me?” He echoed.
“Yes.” She swallowed hard. “Five grand. Just come with me to Maplewood and meet my grandma. She’s sick and she always wanted to see me in a wedding gown.” Her voice cracked. “Her days are numbered.”
But that homeless man kept staring at her in disbelief. Just five grand? My shoes cost more than that. But she really wants me to be her fiance. Wait, does that mean she is proposing to me?
‘Say yes, i***t!’ His wolf nudged him again. 'In that way we will get to stay close to our mate.'
'We are not done here yet, remember? We can’t be impulsive.' the man replied to his wolf.
'I don't give a damn. Either you say yes, or I will take over and mark her right now.' His wolf growled again.
Autumn felt uneasy. Why isn't he saying anything?
“Forget it! I am just exhausted and talking nonsense. I mean just forget even me spouting these words,” Autumn said again, watching him in silence. This was a dumb idea, Autumn. Even he won’t pretend to be with me. I really am worthless…
“Oh—no, no,” he replied quickly, stepping closer. “I’m just surprised. We don’t even know each other’s names yet.”
“Oh.” She blinked and gave a small, embarrassed laugh. “Right. That’s… that’s fair. I’m Autumn Hayes.”
Autumn! What a beautiful name.
“Caleb Blackwood,” he replied softly.
Her breath hitched.
Blackwood?
As in the Blackwood Corporation…?
But this man was homeless. It must be a coincidence.
“And Autumn…” Caleb lowered himself to one knee right there on the snowy sidewalk.
Her lips parted in shock.
A soft smile tugged at his mouth. “I would love to be your fiancé. I only wish I had a ring right now so I could do it properly.”
Autumn stood frozen. Her heartbeat thundered painfully fast.
He’s just doing this for money. Just a homeless man… doing me a favor. So why… why is my heart racing like this?
A small smile tugged at Autumn’s lips. “Thank you. We’ll leave tomorrow.”
Caleb rose to his feet, and for the first time she saw a real smile on his face—soft but almost hidden beneath the scruff of his beard. She glanced at him over again: the baggy, dirty layers of clothing, the nearly torn shoes, the messy hair… but somehow, he didn’t smell bad at all. If anything, he smelled faintly warm, like pine and winter woods. She inhaled the scent. It's like a Christmas hug. So warm and comforting!
The very next moment she scolded herself. Focus, Autumn!
She pressed her lips together. “And for now— you definitely can use a hot shower. Come with me.”
Caleb blinked. “Where are we going?”
“To a motel for the night. My fiance— ex fiancé cheated with our boss so I can't get back to the apartment. Tomorrow I will go and get my things from there and will resign from the job,” she explained, as she found herself at a nearby motel. Not too shabby, not too fancy.
She was so engaged in her thoughts, that she didn't notice the group of shadowed figures trailing them from a distance.
Inside, she approached the receptionist. “Hi, can we get two rooms, please?”
The receptionist didn’t even bother looking up, lazily chewing her gum. “We’re full tonight. Christmas season. Got just one room left.”
“Just one?” Autumn exhaled. “Fine. We’ll take it.”
The receptionist slid a form across the counter. “Fill this out.” Her gaze flicked to Caleb. “Is he staying too? Then that’s fifty dollars extra.”
Caleb looked around at the worn carpets, flickering lights, and peeling wallpaper.
I own the biggest luxury hotel chain in the entire country… and tonight I’m spending the night in this shabby hole—for fifty extra dollars. Incredible.
‘Stop complaining. We finally got a chance to stay with our mate.’ Maximus, his wolf snorted in amusement before scolding him.
“Fine,” Autumn replied, paying her in full as she took the key and then turned to Caleb and said, “let's go.”
He glanced once at the staircase, then leaned closer. “You go ahead. I’ll meet you in the room.”
“Okay.” Autumn nodded and headed upstairs, her exhausted steps echoing in the hallway.
Caleb waited a beat before stepping outside the lobby.
The moment he did, five men emerged from the shadows of the parking lot. They moved fast, forming a small crescent around him. Then, in perfect unison, they bowed their heads.
“Alpha.”
“Keep your voices down,” Caleb hissed, eyes flashing.
One of them lifted his gaze. “You finished the investigation days ago. Why are you still pretending to be… this?” He gestured toward Caleb’s worn clothes.
"Yes, we have found traces already. We need to take action." Another one added.
Caleb’s jaw tightened. "It's not that simple."
He had gone undercover to inspect his own hotel and restaurant chain— only to find a hidden web around his business. At least that's what he told everyone. This was also related to my father's mysterious death. I can’t explain everything to them now. This is neither the place or the time.
The investigation was going well. What he didn’t expect to find was her.
A kind-hearted pastry chef with chocolate on her cheek and warmth in her smile.
Autumn Hayes.
And the moment their fingers brushed, Maximus had howled the truth:
Mate.
Caleb had almost blown his cover that day. But Autumn was human— fragile, unaware of the supernatural world. And the investigation wasn't over either. He waited, since he couldn't blow his cover back then. And also she was a human. Declaring his identity abruptly may even cause more trouble.
Thinking all these, he kept his feelings to himself even though every time she showed up with that chocolaty scent of hers, Caleb's wolf was going in sane.
“Because I found my mate, Tristan,” Caleb smiled as he replied to his Beta.
“Holy s**t! That human we followed here?” Tristan's eyes widened. “Aren't you gonna introduce us?”
Caleb stopped Tristan but pushed him off on his chest, “not now. She still doesn't know.”
“Doesn’t know that you are the alpha of Black Moon Pack, one of the biggest packs in the country? Or that you are the CEO of Blackwood corporation?”
“That I am a werewolf and that we exist,” Caleb sighed.
“You're kidding!” Tristan gasped. "When are you gonna tell her?"
Caleb looked around again and said, “now just leave and handle everything in a pack. I will be away for a few days.”
“Wait! Where are you going?” Tristan asked.
“That's none of your damn business,” Caleb smiled, thinking that he was gonna meet her grandmother. And on top, he gets to spend the night with her in the same room!
- Writer
