The Beta’s Killer Bride

Chapter 5: Carol’s POV

I should have thought of that. I am never this careless, and Jace was a smart man.

Think, Carol, think.

Thankfully, my brain decided to work, at least partially.

“Security reasons, I read somewhere that you should save your parent's contacts by their name; that way, it is more difficult for a robber to contact you if they ever take your phone.”

Did I say that? What the f**k?

“I have never heard that kind of advice before,” he said, making me even more nervous. “But it isn’t a bad idea,” he added.

At least what I said didn’t sound so bad. It did, but ugh, I’m going to stop talking.

“Yeah, you never know,” I said while I laughed awkwardly.

I should shut up; it is best if I leave.

“I should go; my Dad must be wondering where I am,” I said. Jace nodded, but before he left, he approached me and kissed the back of my hand.

I felt a spark when his lips met my skin, and my cheeks reddened.

“See you tomorrow,” his voice was so deep and manly that it made me shiver.

I didn’t answer because my brain decided to stop functioning again. It worked at the same speed as Internet freaking Explorer.

Jace let go of my hand, his green eyes locked onto mine, unreadable yet intense. "Be careful on your way home."

It was such a simple phrase, but the way he said it sent shivers down my spine. There was something in his tone—concern? Possessiveness? I couldn’t tell and didn’t want to linger to find out.

"Thank you," I managed, my voice a little shaky. I released my hand from his hold, climbed into my car, and drove off, feeling his gaze on me until I turned the corner.

As soon as I was out of sight, I exhaled sharply and gripped the steering wheel. This was bad—so bad.

Back at the safe house, Allen was waiting for me in the living room, his arms crossed and a frown on his face. "You’re late."

"I know," I said, dropping my bag on the couch. "I got caught up with him longer than I planned."

At least I finally seem to be thinking straight. I kept my poker face, something I learned to do for the job.

Allen raised an eyebrow. "Caught up how?"

I glared at him, too frustrated to deal with his tone. "It’s not what you think. We went to a café to talk, that’s it. You told me I should make him fall in love with me, so that’s what I am doing."

“Is that so? And you are following all the rules I have taught you?” He asked, and I knew he was hiding from me by his tone.

“Are you tailing me?” I countered; he could only know what Jace and I spoke if he had someone following me.

“There is no need. Your face told me anything I needed to know. You are losing yourself in this mission.”

“I didn’t lose control; I’m doing my job,” I sneered.

"Didn’t you?" he countered, stepping closer. "You’re not acting like yourself, Carol. You’re distracted and unfocused. That’s dangerous."

He was right, and I hated it. "I’m fine," I snapped. "I can handle this."

Allen’s expression softened, and he sighed. "You’d better. Because if you don’t, it won’t just be you who pays the price."

I knew what he meant. If I failed this mission, it wouldn’t just be my life on the line—it would be his, too.

"I said I’ll handle it," I repeated, more firmly this time.

Allen studied me for a moment before nodding. "Good. Get some rest. Tomorrow, you’ll need a clear head."

As I lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling, I could only think about Jace. His scent, his smile, the way his voice seemed to wrap around me like a warm blanket.

This wasn’t supposed to happen. I wasn’t supposed to feel anything for him.

But I did.

And that terrified me more than anything else.

————————————————————

“Rise and shine, you have a big day today,” Aleksi sang as she opened my curtains. I groaned in response and tried to cover my head with my blankets.

I was so sleepy that I felt as if a truck had run over me. Because of what happened yesterday, I kept tossing and turning, meaning I got little to no sleep last night. I can't even recall when my brain finally shut down.

For f***s sake.

“What time is it?” I asked with a groggy voice. Aleksi was merciless; she grabbed my covers and pulled them away from me.

“Geez! What did I ever do to you?” I whined and covered my face with my hands.

“Get up; you have thirty minutes unless you want to be late,” she exclaimed.

That made me open my eyes in less than a minute.

“f**k, f**k,” I mumbled and dashed to the bathroom to quickly change.

Thank God I always leave my clothes ready the night prior. I didn’t want to wear something ridiculous like yesterday.

I put on some high-waisted, dark green, tailored trousers with pleads and a crisp white button-down shirt with the top buttons undone. I look professional, and the most important part is that I don’t feel uncomfortable. I put on some nude heels and a beige coat.

I wish I had more time to style my curls, but since I don’t, I do what I can and focus on applying some light makeup.

When I exited the bathroom, I realized Aleksi was still there.

“Want to torment me some more?” I joked as I finished brushing my teeth. I won’t have time to eat, perhaps I could take something and eat in the car.

That sounded like a good plan.

Aleksi shook her head and gave me a folder. That was never good because it meant two things. One, you will have another partner during the mission, something I didn’t look forward to because I prefer working solo.

Or at least that is what I am telling myself; it has nothing to do with the fact I am very, very sexually attracted to my target.

Two, they were removing me from the mission, but that wouldn’t make sense because Aleksi wouldn’t be here tormenting me.

“Whose joining the show?” I asked, trying not to sound disappointed or annoyed.

Aleksi knew I hated working with someone else, so she wouldn’t be surprised by my reaction.

“No one,” she said while shaking her head.

“Am I removed from the case?” I asked as I opened the folder. Now, I had to conceal my emotions because I almost let my sadness show.

“Would you read the damn folder already?” She replied. I rolled my eyes and did as she asked.

Inside, there was lots of information about the company's personnel. It also said who were werewolves, witches, vampires, or other species.

Good, that reduced my workload.

“Allen gave you this?” I asked, to which Aleksi rolled her eyes.

“No, Carol, the fairy Godmother gave me this; of course, it was Allen,” Geez, I was only asking because I thought he would take me out of the case. “What’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing; you woke me up twenty minutes ago; I’m still processing.”

“You never process.”

“I didn’t sleep last night because I was researching,” yeah, that will sound convincing.

“Researching before the big day of the job? That is unlike you,” Aleksi commented, and she was right.

I knew I should get a good night's sleep, but I couldn’t. I was still thinking about Jace’s green eyes and how they seemed to pierce my soul.

Focus, Carol, focus.

“I am supposed to be his secretary, and you and I both know I am not fit for the job, so yeah, if I want to keep my cover, I need to investigate,” I replied. "Now, if you excuse me,” I grabbed my purse and my keys. I need to leave this place. "I have a job to do.”

Aleksi didn’t answer. We had all been trained to keep a straight face and conceal our emotions. I wasn’t fooling anybody; I knew that, but I couldn’t. No, I wouldn’t leave this mission.

I was intrigued by Jace; I couldn’t let him go so easily. Could it be mere curiosity? Perhaps, but I won't let the case go until I find out what made him so special.

Before I got to the car, I heard someone call my name. "Not this. I don't want to be here anymore," I mumbled under my breath.

“Carol, five minutes,” Allen instructed.

Damn it. I want to leave.

“I will be late,” I replied, hoping Allen would let me go.

“You can handle it.”

Again, damn it.

“Sure,” I said, trying really hard not to sigh. “What’s up?”

“I need you to return after your job; you can’t stay with the Beta,” he instructed.

“What? Isn’t the whole point of the mission for me to get close to him?” I asked genuinely.

To do my job, I had to get close to Jace and win him over so he would trust me and tell me his weaknesses.

“Yes, but we have word that his mother will be going to the company, and she can sense lies, so unless you want to blow your cover.”

Allen had a point; I could be a great liar when I wanted to, but I knew I couldn’t go against her. We had no idea how the werewolf Queen did it, but from the reports I read… she always found out you were lying to her.

It was a risk I couldn’t take.

“I will return after work, is that all?” I asked; Allen shook his head. “Then I’m leaving.”

I walked back to my car and opened the door.

“Carol, be careful,” Allen said before I hopped in.

All I could hear, though, was Jace’s worried voice. He had said almost the same thing; the difference was the worry in both their voices.

“I will,” I replied and started the car.

For some reason, this place didn’t feel like home anymore.