Forty Eight |

Lisa and I went down the metal stairs to Level 01 – the job mart. This floor was different than the previous – with yellow coloured walls and cubicles. Not to mention this place was packed with all sorts of people dressed in white.

"Welcome – oh god please no," the familiar voice of Tammi cried, "I came down here to get away from you two! I-I don't want to help you! Go away."

I rolled my eyes at the woman, "Just help us find a job Tammi."

She frowned, "Sit, and please don't move. Don't speak."

"Excuse you?" Lisa hissed.

Not wanting another fight, I pulled Lisa into the seat in front of Tammi's desk. She snickered, pulling out of my grasp and crossing her arms over her chest. I found myself relieved that she didn't cause a commotion.

"I want to be a maid," Lisa told her, "For Level 02."

Tammi paused, "There's no openings for Level 02. We do have an opening for Level 03."

Lisa tensed, her fingers curling into fists. Level 03 was the living quarters? With the disrespect from those guards I knew exactly why she didn't want to be a maid for Level 03. Hell, I didn't blame her and there was no way I'd let someone from Wolf Cove ever be put in a situation like that. So, I leaned forward, resting my chin on the palm of my hand.

"She said she wants to be a maid for Level 02, can't you cut us a break here Tammi?" I asked sweetly with a smile, "I mean let's be honest. This city was not made for us woman."

Tammi's face flushed, "I-I don't know what you're talking about. President Maxwell gives us all equal chances to prosper and thrive."

President Maxwell seemed to be pumping his citizens with fear and bullshit.

"Tammi," I said growing annoyed, "she wants to be a maid for Level 02 not Level 03. If you're not going to be helpful then get us someone who can."

"Mira, it's fine," Lisa whispered.

I shook my head, out raged, "No it's not. You should not have to do anything that makes you uncomfortable. Give us reasonable jobs or I swear to whatever god you keep going on about I won't be silent!"

"Ok!" Tammi cried, "Please don't speak so loudly! I-I'll see what I can do!"

I tsked not understanding what the fuss was about. Honestly, Tammi should have been more empathetic to the situation in the first place. At least, she was being more compliant now. I turned my face away as Tammi began to ask Lisa some basic maid questions.

As I did, I caught a glimpse of black in the corner of my eye. My head snapped up as I blinked quickly. That damn man was back! This time he sat two desks down, with his boots up on the surface of the wood. I bit my lip nervously as I watched him. As if he could feel my gaze, his head snapped to the side and those crimson eyes met mine.

Who was he?

As his eyes met mine, they widened before he grinned. Showing off a pair of sharpened teeth beside his two front teeth. Like canines, I realized. I looked away quickly back to Tammi as her attention shifted to me.

"And you?" she demanded.

An arm flung over my shoulder, "Hey Tammy this one's going to work with me, ok?"

I looked up to see the mysterious man all too close. He smelt good, like pepper and rain. However, that did not mean I wanted his damn hands on me! My body moved out of his grasp as I frowned.

"Who the fuck are you?" I demanded.

He winked at me, "Just call me Bastian babe."

My jaw dropped – the fuck was his problem?

"Are you sure Bastian?" Tammi purred, batting her lashes at the man.

"Yep," he replied grinning at her, "I insist. You've done so much work already, why not take the rest of the day off? If anyone asks just say I let you."

"Oh Bastian, you're so naughty," she giggled.

I felt like I was just sucked into the worst fucking movie ever. Judging by the bewildered look Lisa had on her face, she was just as confused as I was. I nudged her with my arm, she merely shook her head and shrugged.

Next thing I knew, Tammi was practically skipping away from the desk and whoever this real piece of work asshole was definitely was going to get my foot up his ass. He pulled himself up onto the edge of the desk and looked from Lisa to me.

"So babe," he then drawled out looking at me, "when do you want to start training?"

"What?" I snapped.

Lisa stood, shaking her head, "I'm just gonna go. Yeah. This is getting too weird for me."

My eyes widened as my hand shot out to grab hers, "Don't leave me with this crazy man! Not after I even helped you!"

She pulled away, shrugging, "I owe you nothing. Peace bitch."

Wow.

Ok.

"Don't worry Mira," the man, Bastian chirped, "Three is a crowd. Although, I wouldn't mind sharing that ass of yours."

At his words I stiffened. My eyes carefully watching him, "I didn't tell you my name,"

He grinned, his own eyes narrowing, "Oops. Looks like the kitty's out of the bag. Let's find a room, just you and me."

My brow twitched, "No thanks."

"To talk," he clarified sliding off the desk, "Jeez you have a dirty mind."

I snickered, "Yeah, I do? Right. Who are you?"

He led me to the back of the room, where an empty office sat. My guard was up meanwhile this foolish man seemed to be too relaxed. He sat down and tossed his heels up onto the desk and patted the other side of the desk.

"I'll stand, thanks," I gritted.

He shrugged, "You're too up tense. Take that stick outta your ass and relax. Or Maxwell will think you're related to Felix."

Felix.

Felix – did he mean Alpha?

"You're Sebastian!" I realized quickly, my eyes widening.

He slammed his foot against the desk, making me flinch, "Eh love would you mind shutting the fuck up? My name is Bastian – BASTIAN. Got it?"

My breath caught and I nodded. Was he hiding from Maxwell? Considering his black shirt and red eyes – how the hell did this idiot think he was hiding? Except...if he was trying to keep a low profile that meant there was a story I was missing.

So I sat down on the edge of the desk facing him.

He grinned, moving his feet, "Well look who decided to get closer. Come on kitten, I don't bite – only nibble. Promise."

My eyes rolled almost instantly, "Why did you go visit Luna?"

"What no play?" he purred then sighed, "I change my mind. You're not fun."

I merely shrugged.

"Look doll, shits really been hitting the fan lately. So I left to warn The Wolf Cove. Then that dumbass Fredrick went missing. However when I got there I found out something much more valuable was in the Cove. Another illicit. Why did you fucking come here?" he growled.

"I was doing Leon a favor!"

"By coming to the one place that strips your freedom?" the man demanded, "why would you ever follow Leon back here? You knew where you were coming. You knew of his fucked up ways. So why?"

I went silent. Bastian was most definitely an ass but he was also a victim here. Leon and everyone else trapped by the ideal of safety. My fists clenched as my teeth gritted. Boiling rage flew through me. My rage towards Maxwell grew everyday.

"Christ," Sebastian whispered grabbing arm and my attention, "calm down. It's alright, you'll be fine but you need to calm down. Eric Maxwell cannot find you, not here and not anywhere."

His words were soothing and I quickly took a breath.

"Your eyes turn red," he said softly.

I looked away not sure what I would say – they had been turning that because of the truth. That I was really subject zero. But then again, his own eyes were red so maybe he wouldn't jump to that conclusion?

His hands gently grabbed the sides of my head. I gasped as he pulled me onto his lap, hugging me tightly. A blush burned my cheeks and his lips tickled my ear. I was much too shocked to move however, any sexual advances I thought would come – didn't.

"You have to control yourself, Eric cannot know subject zero is here," he whispered instead.

"H-How do you know?" I asked softly.

He snickered, the noise vibrating from his chest to mine, "Eric thinks he has many dogs. What he doesn't know is that loyalty isn't something that can be stolen. Now tell me, why are you really here? I doubt Leon would be able to convince you of anything you didn't want to do."

I was doing it for Cerci.

And for all those lost to that bastard.

But Sebastian seemed to already know too much.

"It's a debt, that's all," I muttered lifting myself off him.

He grinned, "Whatever you say love. However, until you decide to leave this scary and dangerous place I guess I'll be your white knight."

I snickered, "No thanks, I already have one of those at home."

Jax. 

I wondered what he was doing right now.