In the long months that she'd known Nadya, she'd known that the woman did not like to be told no. So truly, Samantha wasn't at all surprised when her objections to the job at hand fell on deaf ears. It was true that the young girl was positively resilient, though she doubted that had anything to do with wanting to succeed in the business. It was more that she needed to feed herself, and her job at the burlesque was the only way she was able to afford the shelter she so desperately required to live. Dealing with the faeries downstairs still made her breath catch in her throat and the anxiety she tried to subdue to wedge itself in her throat. She knew nothing about business other than a few high school classes in accounting, but still that didn't seem to change the panther's mind in the slightest. "Nadya," Samantha said when the panther took a breath, shaking her head as she clutched the files to her chest. "I really don't think I am the best choice..." Her voice trailed as Nadya continued, speaking of how Lyrica would report to her, and how the to-dos were all on her now. It was enough to cause the girl's breath to catch in her throat.

Luckily, or perhaps unluckily, she was spared from having to come up with more reasons as to why she couldn't take the offer by the scent of her boyfriend all over her. She should have known better, really. After all, Raven had smelled it on her instantly, and how could she think that Nadya wouldn't smell her instantly was naïve of her. She didn't have a Were sense of smell, but given the way they'd been tangled up with each other, she supposed she positively reeked of Aiden Tetradore. What she hadn't expected was the way Nadya tensed at her admittance of a relationship with the woman's brother. A million emotions seemed to go through Nadya all at once, and instinctively, Samantha took a step back away from the girl as she tensed her hands.

"Nadya," Samantha began, though her voice trailed as she realized she was completely unsure of what to say to her. Carefully, the young faerie deposited the files down on a nearby table and stepped forward, reaching to put a hand on her boss' arm. It was a small attempt to calm the woman, though it seemed to do anything but. Truly, Sam wasn't sure why Aiden hadn't mentioned their relationship to his pack, other than that she knew the concept of his Alpha status made things a little more complicated. But still, he cared about her. She could tell from the way his feelings flared up when they were near each other. Why he hadn't told his sister was another story. Maybe, just maybe, with all the things going on with Nadya, he'd simply wanted to protect her.

It wasn't long before Nadya had stepped away, returning to her spot behind the desk. Her words echoed in Sam's mind, and Sam cleared her throat before she responded. "It wasn't my place to tell you," She said calmly. Sure, Nadya was her boss, but when it came to this, it was between her and Aiden. "I don't know why he hasn't told you, I don't. I'm sorry. I didn't think you'd find out like this." She bit her lip, giving herself a moment to think. "But it doesn't affect my performance here." Sam's gaze flicked to the girl's fingers, watching the rhythmic tapping. It took a moment for the woman's next words to sink in, and immediately the word left her lips before she'd had a chance to stop it. "The vampire?" Her voice was much smaller than she'd thought. It was a distinctly human tone, the sound of a girl nervous about the other woman in his life. He hadn't told her about a vampire, though she supposed she'd never asked either. But they were exclusive now, right? If there was anyone else, he would have...

Samantha's train of thought was interrupted by the sudden shift in Nadya's mood, and the young fae jerked her head up. It was a feeling of protectiveness, and it was strong enough to get Sam's full attention. She lifted her gaze as she listened to her words, almost surprised by the threat. Nadya hardly seemed to be the type to be protective over Aiden, and yet here she was, telling Samantha what would happen if Sam broke his heart. Without hesitation, Sam moved closer, putting her hands on the surface of the desk as she leaned forward. She was usually timid around her boss, but in this moment, it required her to be firm. To show Nadya what this was. "You don't have my power, so you don't know how I feel. So let me tell you. I'm serious about him. I... I don't know if I should call it love yet. We haven't been together that long, but I know my feelings for him are real." She took a breath, her gaze falling on Nadya's with a sternness that matched the woman's. "I have no intention of hurting him, or giving him any reason to feel anything less than happiness. Okay?"

Samantha stood fully, taking a step back before she dropped down into one of the chairs in front of Nadya's desk. Easily, she raked her fingers through her hair in an effort to calm her nerves. "You sound just like Raven," She said softly, unaware of whether or not that would upset the girl beside her. In the moment, she found she hardly cared. She was dating Nadya's Alpha. She assumed that gave her some form of protection from the girl's rage. "I went to the Ark recently. Something... happened. I needed to see him to feel better. She was less than thrilled that I smelled like him, too. Pinned me down until I explained why. Though, to her I didn't necessarily admit that we were together. To you, I am completely honest." Once again, Samantha's gaze lifted to her boss. "I'm trusting you with the truth of me and Aiden. I'm hoping you'll give me the same trust that I won't hurt him."

Samantha Cassidy