Beauty and

Chapter 53 – Asher

We walked through the forest in what I could only call a comfortable silence, which was unexpected. Bailey was happily looking around, enjoying the scenery, while I was fighting hard not to ask questions and also fighting Zion, who was pushing hard to push through and shift. He was desperate to come out and go for a run. But, I knew we were here for Bailey right now, and I didn’t think my wolf out on one of his rampages was what she needed to see…

“Thanks for not asking too much.” Bailey suddenly said as we approached the treeline, heading back toward the pack. “When didn’t want to talk.”

“It is fine.” I said with a small smile. “I realized that somethings are difficult to talk about. I know that better than anyone.”

“Yeah?” she looked at me curiously. I could tell from the expression on her face she wanted to know more. Well, she would be disappointed. I did not share my thoughts nor my worries with anyone. The things within my mind were mine. Nobody else needed plaguing with them. They were beyond messed up most of the time…

“Yeah, and you don’t need to be asking” I said to her with a sharp look, causing her to laugh.

“Kinda figured.” She shrugged. “You don’t come across as the talking type.

I held back the smirk playing on my lips while Zion was

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chuckling to himself. ‘She got you sussed pretty fast.”

“We have been around most of the pack, I believe. Was there anything else specifically you needed to know?” I quickly tried to change the subject. Not wanting to get into talking about me and my lack of willingness to talk. I got enough h**le about that from Eden.

I saw her trying not to smile now, her eyes lit up when this happened, which seemed to be fairly frequently. I looked at her. “Something funny there, Miss West?”

“Back to Miss West now am I?” she asked, and I simply shrugged, while she continued. “My wolf is being her usual snarky self, so nothing for you to worry about.”

Ah, so it seemed I was not the only one who had to worry about their wolf giving them a hard time, though she was smiling, which made me wonder what her wolf had said to make her smile. Whatever it was she had clearly found amusing. It seemed her and her wolf had a decent bond…

‘And we don’t?’ Zion grumbled, sounding almost hurt by the implication that we were not close.

‘Depends on what type of mood you are in.’ I responded, as I stepped back onto the paths of the pack now. Knowing time was moving along rapidly, and I should be returning to my office soon to get on with my work.

“So, Bailey.” I said, putting emphasis on her name, which made her smile. “Were there any other questions?”

“When can I start work?”

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I chuckled. “Nothing like being eager.”

“I have been desperate to find a job since I finished my degree, but I haven’t been allowed to get one out of the pack, and there were no vacancies within my own pack.” She said

absentmindedly as if in explanation, as she wandered along, but once again my mind was drawn to her words. She was not allowed to look for work outside of her own pack. So, has she been made to stay in her own pack then?

That made little sense to me. If one of our pack members had gained a degree, but we had no vacancies within our pack for them, we would permit them to work elsewhere, or what would the point of them having their degree be? Something about her pack and how they treated her bothered me. Even more so, after her rant at me… no… I cannot pry. It is not my place. She has nothing to do with me. This is her business.

“Something changed then?” I smiled.

“Huh?” she looked at me confused.

“You said you were not allowed to look for work away from the pack, yet here you are, working away from the pack. So, I guess something changed to allow you to look for work?” I asked, but instantly cursed myself internally for being nosy. I swore I wouldn’t do this. But it just seemed to happen. A curiosity to .know more…

Bailey raised her brows at me. “So much for realizing some things are difficult to talk about.” She said to me with a smile, and I found myself looking down at my feet, looking guilty.

“Sorry.”

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“I am joking, Beta.” She giggled, and it took me by surprise. It was the sweetest sound… “All that changed was I didn’t have to apply as such, my Dad was friends with your former Alpha. So, the saying it’s not what you know it’s who you know, kind of worked in this instant.”

“So it all could be arranged without any official contact.” I said as I realized, and she simply nodded as we approached the doors of the packhouse.

“Was there any news about Luna Eden?” she asked me, and I figured that this was her attempt to change the subject, telling me not to pry any further, despite the fact I was desperate to know more.

“Not yet, but I plan to call in to see her later. She will want to know how this has gone. She will eat me alive if I haven’t done a good job.” I joked.

And I saw Bailey’s face light up as she smiled. “I will be sure to give you a good report, Beta.”

“Why, thank you, Miss West.”

“Keep calling me that, and I may change my mind.” she smirked, and I found myself laughing as I held the door open for her.

“Back to where we started.” I said to her. “You think you can remember your way back to your room?” I asked her. “Because I do have things I need to do before the end of the day.”

“Sorry for holding you up.” She looked to me with an uncomfortable smile.

“That was not a criticism of you, nor a complaint of having to do

the induction, Bailey.” I told her. “It was not as bad as I expected.” And oddly, I wasn’t lying when I told her that. I actually found her company bearable…