(Nik's POV)

What started out to be a rather lousy day has turned into a most glorious one, thus far.

I can't believe how Jenna warmed up to Helena, one of my many Golden Orb Weavers, although I couldn't tell her the spider's name...

Jenna was extremely standoffish at first, which was to be expected, considering her fear of spiders – refusing to address Helena as a she, only an "it".

But all of that changed once she saw Helena donating her silk. She thought we were hurting her and valiantly tried to rescue her, finally identifying her as a "her", thus making Helena more than an "it" or just a nasty insect or arachnid.

My heart soared at the act of her defending one of my kind.

Someday soon, I'll hopefully be able to tell her all about my world and my kind, and that spiders like Helena are actually a person...like me...if they choose to be.

However, most spiders find it very disorientating and would much rather be themselves and live in their natural habitats, though I've always had to live in both worlds because of who I am.

Rarely does a spider's life interfere or mingle with humans; no matter how close in proximity we may live to them.

Again, that's a fine line that I've always had to tread...even more so now that Jenna has entered my life.

But I certainly don't mind. I am up for any challenge that is presented to me...

We continued on to our office shortly afterwards.

That certainly has a nice ring to it...

Ring...how I'd love to give Jenna a ring...

I shake my head.

Once again, Jenna was overwhelmed by the size of the place as well as the sheer volume of books, but seemed rather comfortable in no time.

I explained to her that, unlike my library at home, most of these books are about the different dyes, dye lots, and processes used on our silk, as well as the various loom techniques...some dating back to ancient times.

She then studied the various diagrams that adorn the walls that show the different types of silk, where it comes from, and the various structures of the spider.

They are merely decorative to me, but for Jenna, I'm sure they are rather informative.

Of course, I would be more than happy to show her a live version of the diagrams...and my various appendages...but I don't think she's ready for that yet...

I sigh and finish showing her around.

"What's this?" she asks as she points to an extremely old, real web, framed in a gilt frame.

I can't tell her that it was my father's last web, and that my mother had it framed for me as a memento, so I unfortunately lie, although I wish I could share with her how precious it is to me.

"It is the first web that was weaved here at the mill when it opened, long ago..." I tell her.

"Wow...that's oddly neat. I didn't know you could save or frame a web," she says dumbfounded.

"Anything is possible," I smile before ushering her towards our desks.

I had another desk brought in and placed in front of mine, so that we could be facing each other most of the day.

Pretty clever on my part, eh?

There's a third desk a short distance away that accommodates the desktop computer and fax/printer where she'll have to sit from time to time, as I can never seem to get the damn things to work right.

She notices the odd setup. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't it be better if your computer was on your desk?" she asks as she eyes the antique typewriter on my desk.

"I suppose, but I find this much more to my liking, since I tend to be all fingers," I chuckle as I wiggle them in the air, eliciting a giggle from her. "Besides, that wretched thing over there," I point harshly to the computer, "finds me most disagreeable, so it is better this way."

"Oh...I see," she bites her lip, trying not to laugh at me and all of my technological ineptitude.

"I find that typing things out on my typewriter and signing them adds a far more personal touch than could ever be achieved on that thing," I side-eye the infernal computer that seems to always mock me.

"True, but I figured that the World Wide Web would be right up your alley," she giggles at my look of cluelessness.

"Web, you say?" I ask curiously. "I thought it was called...an internet," my brow furrows.

"It's the internet, and yes, you are correct, but the internet is like the infrastructure while the Web is like the service on top of that infrastructure," she explains.

"Ahh...I understand, and I must say that I am most pleased by the name they chose," I reply as she laughs.

"There's hope for you yet, Mr. Rykov," she teases.

"Nikolai, please," I correct. "And I certainly hope so."

"Nikolai," she says quietly as I pull the seat out for her at her desk.

Once I'm seated, I tell her that we'll take our lunch at noon, if that is alright with her, and get her much needed charging cord before I steeple my fingers under my chin and just stare at her in complete awe...so happy that she's here.

She agrees and then awkwardly asks what she should do.

I sigh and sadly hand her some invoices from my desk before sending her over to the dreaded computer to enter them for me while I type out a few correspondence letters on my trusty typewriter.

Damn work getting in the way of my staring at Jenna...

Despite that, the morning seems to fly by fairly smoothly with just a few translation issues that I more than happily help Jenna with.

We make a great team...couple...

I open my desk drawer, looking for my ink blotter, but can't find it.

I ask Jenna if it somehow got placed into one of her drawers, but she tells me that she has no clue what an ink blotter is.

I chuckle at her youth and ask if I may look.

She agrees, and sure enough, it's in her top left drawer.

Oh how I would love to stay leaned down into Jenna's personal space...despite how it tortures me so...

I bring my letter over to her desk and sign it with my usual flourish, and then use the ink blotter once I'm done as she watches in fascination.

"Now you'll know how to blot my ink from now on," I say before I realize how it sounds.

"Um...sure," Jenna says awkwardly.

Ugh...will I ever come across as suave or charming to her?!

Blot my ink...what am I, a squid?

If I keep this up, I'll remain a bachelor, for all of eternity.

"Uhh...it's a bit early, but let us take our lunch now," I look at my watch as a diversion, rescuing myself from my dorky spider ways...

I help Jenna with her sweater before walking over, donning my topcoat, and grabbing my cane.

I offer Jenna my arm and head down to the car where I tell Anton to drive us into town, to the electronics store.

Once again, Jenna takes everything in during our short trip, but this time, I'm not offended. I understand that this is all new to her.

I'm just glad that I'm with her. Our towns are unfortunately full of gypsies, scam artists wanting to read your fortune, or wolves, in both their human and non-human forms, which either are just as dangerous.

And let's just say that my kind does not get along with them...at all.

Anton pulls up in front of the store and opens our door.

Once inside, Jenna tells me specifically what she needs which I translate to the clerk.

Thankfully, they have it in stock.

Jenna tries to pay, but I am a gentleman and cannot allow that.

She reluctantly acquiesces and we're on our way.

"Would you like to have lunch at the café?" I ask, pointing down the street.

"Sure," she smiles. "I'm just so glad to have this cord," she smiles before placing it in her purse. "I haven't been able to keep in touch with my best friend Aimee back home, but now I can."

"I am glad to have been of help then," I grin as we stroll down the sidewalk.

"Thank you, again, and I promise to pay you back," she replies.

"No need," I tell her before tensing, smelling the intense, rancid odor of wet, dirty dog...

Wolves...

"Are you alright?" she asks concernedly, but before I can answer, four scruffy, half-dressed, unkempt mutts step out of the shadows and alleyways that surround us.

They pose absolutely no threat to me – they know that, but it's in their nature to try to intimidate other predators that they know are superior and a threat to them – typical animalistic mentality.

Regardless, I pull Jenna closer to me. They could definitely hurt her, and then I'd have to kill them all...which I will most likely have to anyway.

"Well, if it isn't The Nikolai Rykov..." one of the mongrels named Endar spits.

"And his tasty little bitch," another one named Lev hisses, causing me to let out a low, menacing growl that only they can hear.

I'm tingling all over, fighting the urge to transform...

Jenna nervously grips my arm tighter as I place my hand over hers assuringly.

"Unlike you unclean degenerates, I do not consort with mangy bitches," I arch my brow, reminding them that is the proper term for their females, not mine. I just hope that Jenna doesn't take too much offense at my foul, ungentlemanly language.

"Oh, that's right...you just get with those long-legged hungry types," Ruslan chuckles as he gestures his fingers to crawl like a spider.

I let out another growl, hoping that these idiots don't blow my cover.

That's all I'd need...

"But she's not," Yerik steps forward, cocking his head in puzzlement as he gazes at Jenna before sniffing the air. "Innocent..." he states, exposing his bare chest.

Keeping hold of her, I step in front of her, shielding her from his lascivious stare.

"Humans are fun...and delicious...especially the virgins," Lev chuckles menacingly before licking his filthy chops.

Fuck...

"She is of no concern to any of you," I make clear, staring them all down, wanting to get Jenna far away from them.

I'd hate to have to kill them all in front of her, but I will, if I have to.

"You're not our king," their alpha, Demyan, steps forward before cockily leaning against the alley wall. "We don't take orders from an insect," he snarls.

I'm an arachnid, you dumb ass...

"You should," I warn. I could wipe out his entire pack, if I wanted to, and he knows it.

"Would've, could've, should've," he waves off nonchalantly, signing his and his entire pack's death warrants. Pride always comeths before a fall, as they say...

Just then, Anton pulls up and gets out of the car, giving the dogs a cold, hard stare down.

"Unlike you detriments to society, we have a job to get back to," I say before whisking Jenna into the car.

"Yes, go weave your webs, Nikolai," Ruslan taunts with a chuckle.

I sear him with my furious gaze before getting in and slamming the door.

Anton pulls away as a few of them point, howl, or make rude gestures.

"Take us home," I order and Anton nods. I'm in no mood to return to work.

Now that they have Jenna's scent and know that she's obviously someone special to me, not to mention an innocent human, they won't stop.

I'll have to kill them all.

And I'll enjoy every minute of it...

"I'm truly sorry about that horrid display," I turn and sincerely say to a frightened and confused looking Jenna.

"Who were they?" she asks timidly.

"Gypsy scum...one of the main reasons I did not want you to come to town alone," I answer.

"Like real gypsies?" she asks wide-eyed.

"Yes," I nod. "They always hang out in the towns in groups and terrorize people, especially the naïve tourists. They are thieves and will either pick your pockets, rob you or worse..." I trail off, not wanting to elaborate on how they've raped, killed, and eaten people before.

"Oh," she says as she shivers.

"Heat, Anton," I command as I take my jacket off and place it around Jenna.

"I'm just glad you were with me then," she smiles, making me feel all warm inside, despite the murderous rage I feel right now.

"Me too," I smile, but she has no idea how much I mean that. To think, if she'd been alone...

I can't!

"But what were those guy's deal?" she asks. "They knew your name...knew you," she prods.

"They are just bitter because they applied for jobs at my mills and I refused to hire them," I explain a sliver of the truth.

"I don't blame you for not hiring them," she grimaces and I nod.

We sit in uncomfortable silence for a moment until I speak. "Since we didn't make it to the café, we'll have a nice lunch once we get home," I try to say in upbeat tone and she nods before nestling back into her seat, seemingly mollified, but deep in thought.

I just hope Jenna doesn't read too much in to that unfortunate exchange...

So much for my glorious day...sigh.

A/N : Sorry this is a bit late, guys, but I've had the worst summer cold/flu! At any rate, what do you think of the appearance of the dreaded wolves? Do you smell trouble brewing in the near future? Let me hear from you! 😁

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🎈Also, I finally got an Instagram account, so if you'd like to take a peek or drop by and say "Hey!", I sure would appreciate it!❤️

Look forward to seeing you there!

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