The Pretend Marriage: A Werewolf Romance Read Online Free Page A

on, Jake begins to let down his guard and relax. He has an instant camaraderie with Peter and he finds himself liking the man immensely.
    Finally, Peter says, “Very, very impressive indeed.”
    “Thank you,” Jake says modestly.
    He has a good feeling about this.
    “We are a family outfit, as you know,” Peter says. “This company was founded by my father, who came to this country from Sweden. We are from the Nordic Wolves of Timollon, and we are rumored to have descended from Freya herself. We are an extremely close-knitted family. My father always taught me to withhold the traditional family values which have been passed down from generation to generation. So I treat everyone in this company like family, as my colleagues will tell you.”
    “Great to hear.” Jake means it.
    “Now this job you are applying for . . . I have to be honest with you, Jake. You’re a very talented young man, and I am very impressed with your work.”
    Jake’s heart sinks.
    He’s going to say ‘but’.
    “But . . . ” Peter lets it trail, although he is still smiling, “you are the youngest candidate I have interviewed so far for the Head of Advertising position, which is just one step towards being made partner.”
    Jake’s breath stoppers in his throat.
    OK . . . he has said the ‘but’ word. But ‘but’ doesn’t necessarily mean ‘but’. Right?
    “ My youth doesn’t have anything to do with my work ethic and experience, sir,” he says, almost desperately.
    “Tr ue. But I have interviewed two other candidates, both of whom are in their thirties. They have plenty of experience as well and a couple of Clio awards to their credit.”
    Jake’s spirits sink to his boots. OK, who was he trying to kid when he thought he could land this job at the most prestigious of shifter ad firms? He hasn’t even won that first Clio award yet, though it is being rumored that his creative Purina for Wolves ad would be up for nomination the next round.
    “But . . . ” Peter lets this trail again.
    Jake has never heard so many ‘buts’ in the span of two minutes before and his emotions are on a yoyo.
    Yes? he wills Peter to say something positive.
    Peter continues, “I like you, Jake Savage. I think you have plenty of chutzpah. You know the word? It’s what my father used to say – that young man has chutzpah.”
    I have chutzpah! thought Jake. Great! Now is it going to land me the job ahead of those evil, Clio-winning, thirty-something candidates?
    Peter says, “So I would like to propose something. My wife has organized a weekend getaway for our family members at our summer house in Brixforth by the beach. There’s nothing like getting to know someone over a relaxing weekend, wouldn’t you say? I have already invited the other two candidates and their spouses. Good wolf families, both of them. I would like to invite you and your wife to our little do. Nothing fancy, just casual wear all along. What do you say? Would you like to come?”
    Jake’s eyes go round.
    Would I like to come? And he’s going to make a decision between the three of us after the weekend?
    He says faintly, “Uh, my wife?”
    “Of course. I’d never dream of asking my possible future employees to abandon their wives on a social occasion. We have family days all the time. A man without a wife is a rudderless man, my father would say. He always stressed the importance of family. You are married, are you not?”
    Ummmmm . . .
    The wheels in Jake’s head turn quickly. So quickly they are practically blurs. If he doesn’t say something right now, maybe he will even get un invited for the weekend. Might as well declare a walkover and hand the job to the other two candidates, whoever they are.
    “I’m married,” he says before he can stop himself.
    Huh?
    Okay , he tells himself, you can deal with it later. His pulse rate is accelerating. Shit, shit, shit. What do I do for the weekend now? Who do I actually bring?
    “Excellent!” Peter beams. “Do you