Chapter 9 - Unwanted Company

Jacob was awakened by the sound of the morning birds singing to one another. He rubbed his eyes, trying to get the sleep out of them, and looked up. His brows furrowed as he saw branches of trees instead of his bedroom ceiling. He groaned as he got up from the hard dirt and looked around to see how far away he was from his pack. He stood still as he focused on the sounds of the forest. He heard the water from the creek, but it wasn’t coming from the normal direction. Typically, it would be coming from the south, but now it was coming from the north. Jacob closed his eyes as he tried to reign in his frustration with his wolf. Jacob: Is there a particular reason that you had us out here and didn’t go back to the pack house after your little outing? Alden: What? You like being down by the creek. I thought you wouldn’t mind. Jacob: Yes, but we are not on the pack side of the creek. Anything else I should know about? Alden: I may have strolled around the house our mate is currently staying at. You won’t believe where she is. Jacob shook his head as he dusted himself off and started to make his way back to his pack side of the property. Jacob: I don’t want to hear about it. I can’t deal with any of that right now. Alden: OK, suit yourself. Jacob stopped cold when he caught a whiff of a stench he hadn’t smelled in years, but it was one he would never forget. Jacob let out a growl as he moved in the direction the scent was coming from. *** Adrian Santos smiled deviously at the house in front of him. He caught wind that the granddaughter of the previous owner had come up to the place for the weekend. He decided it might be the perfect time to try and convince her to sell the property to him. Adrian flipped down his visor and checked himself in the mirror, ensuring everything was in its proper place. He pulled out his comb from his jacket pocket and slid it through his black hair, manipulating it to stay in a slicked-back position. He licked two of his fingers and glided them across his eyebrows, smoothing them into a sleek shape. His grey eyes sparkled as he smirked at himself; he was pleased with what he was looking at. He closed the visor and stepped out of his black sports car. He closed the door and then buttoned up his jacket to look the part before going to the front porch. Before Adrian reached the front steps, the door flung back, and the screen door was pushed open as a fiery redhead stared menacingly at him. Adrian tried to hide his smirk. He was not intimidated by this weak human and would crush her instantly. But Adrian needed to play it cool; he didn’t need to make enemies with anyone while trying to get the sale of this place. At least, not yet. “Can I help you?” the redhead asked him with crossed arms over her chest, looking at him menacingly. “I’m looking for Cassidy Winters. Is she here?” Adrian asked with a charming smile. Natalie huffed as she stared down the tall man, who was trying to trick her friend into selling this place to him. “Sorry, she’s not here.” “Do you know when she will be back?” Adrian asked politely. However, he could feel himself starting to lose his patience. Natalie lifted a pointed brow at him and thinned her lips while she shook her head. She wouldn’t allow this guy to get anywhere near Cassidy. Adrian began to clench his hands into fists. “Nat, who are you talking to?” he heard a voice call out from inside the house. Adrian’s face turned quickly from annoyance to victory in a matter of seconds. “It’s no one, just a salesman. I’m letting him know that we’re not interested,” Natalie said with a wicked grin. Cassidy stepped up behind Natalie to see who she had been talking with and was surprised to see the man in a three-piece suit. “Ahh, would you be Miss Cassidy Winters?” Adrian asked the girl with chestnut hair who had just joined their conversation. Cassidy looked at her friend with a knowing glance, and Nat simply shrugged her shoulders before returning to the house. Just before she disappeared, Nat turned back and said to the annoying man. “That’s a firm no on her selling this place. You’re wasting your time,” and then walked into the house. Cassidy chuckled as she rubbed her head nervously. “I apologize for my friend. She likes the place and is on the side of me keeping it for personal reasons.” Adrian lifted a hand in understanding, “No apology necessary, she’s protective of you. There’s nothing wrong with that. I was just out for a nice drive and just wanted to check in and introduce myself in person. My name is Adrian Santos; I called you the other day about my interest in buying this property from you. I think it’s nice to give people a face to go with the name when dealing in business.” He told her as he walked up and extended his hand for her to shake. Cassidy nodded her head when she recognized the name. She looked down at his hand for a moment and then slowly extended hers to shake his hand. “Yes, Mr. Santos, I remember.” Adrian’s nostrils flared when he caught her smell. It wasn’t the usual scent of a human. There was something else, but he didn’t want to assume. “Miss Winters, I wanted to remind you that my offer still stands. I will offer over current market value if you ever decide to put it up for sale.” Cassidy leaned against the railing next to the front steps. “Can I ask you a question now?” Adrian chuckled lightly. “Sure.” “What is it about this place that makes you want it so badly?”