Page 116 of Monster. Me.

We walk along the rows of cherry trees. Fenn breathes in their scent and says, "I was starting to think Fate hated me. Turns out it had an unexpected plan."

Suddenly, he stops in his tracks.

"Oh, fuck. Listen! There’s something I need to do quickly. I have to drive to Franklin and return that car to the guy who lent it to me. I saw his name on a business card because he never introduced himself. A guy named Mauro. He’s Renato Santoro’s nephew. I think you’ve met him before."

"The quiet alpha?"

"That’s right. Except I didn’t originally meet him in a human alpha form. I met him as something very strange, like some kind of green forest spirit or something."

I burst out laughing. "That’s the form he used when he pulled my car out of a ditch. That’s how I met them!"

I stop and pull the keys from my pocket, waving them in the air.

"Let’s go take care of it right now, so we can have all the loose ends wrapped up! We’ll pick up the car from Franklin and return it to the Santoro family."

Fenn cocks his head. "You know, I already talked to him about work. And he nodded when I mentioned I’m a carpenter."

A pleasant thrill of excitement and hope runs through me. On impulse, I press myself tightly against him.

"Then let’s go. No point wasting time!"

For a second, I hesitate. "But first, let’s take that tasty pâté from the porch! I’ve gotten hungry…" I smile innocently, and Fenn chuckles.

A few hours later, driving two cars, we arrive at the impressive Santoro estate.

The house belongs to Renato Santoro, Mauro’s uncle.

The moment we stop in the enormous driveway, Renato steps outside. He must have either spotted us through a window or simply possesses some kind of supernatural awareness as part of his strange nature.

When he sees his nephew’s car, he says,

"Mauro was already convinced the car was lost forever. But I see you’re a man of your word. That’s good to know."

His strange, slightly shimmering eyes settle on Fenn’s face, studying him carefully.

"I always keep my word whenever it’s within my power to do so," Fenn says, straightening slightly as if he can feel that penetrating gaze all the way into his bones.

"I’m glad to hear it."

"I don’t know if your nephew mentioned it, but I’m a carpenter by trade. I have six years of experience. I’ve built log houses and made wooden furniture. If you need someone like that, I’ve got two healthy hands and I’m not afraid of hard work. I can help. But… I’m not suited for customer-facing work." Fenn gestures meaningfully toward his face.

Renato smiles. "I think there’s always work for someone with muscles like those," he says with an amused expression, his eyes sweeping over Fenn’s broad frame.

Fenn suddenly blushes slightly.

"There’s also the issue of my strong pheromones. I can’t do much about them. I’m better suited to isolated work, away from AOs."

"There’s plenty of that in the forest! Come tomorrow morning. Mauro and a few other family members will be here. We’ll talk, and I think you’ll get the job. We’ve got several positions you might be perfect for."

"Great!"

"By the way, since we’re speaking openly, Mauro mentioned that you have an interesting… um, alternative form."

Fenn lightly bites his lip. "He has a pretty interesting one too."

"But not nearly as impressive as yours!"

Fenn looks away, slightly embarrassed by the summary.