Chapter 15.1

 "Mom, look, I picked up a bodyguard!" Alina exclaimed as soon as she got home while Katelyn guided an impassive Jason through the large oak doors of a large mansion. The mansion, Jason noticed, was from the early 1900s long before WWIII, making it a possible heritage site were it not private property.

Mrs. Sage, Alina's mother, had a strange expression on her face after hearing Alina and she noticed Jason whom her daughter was pointing at. She turned to look at Katelyn and then the head of security, Mr. Blake, with an inquisitive gaze in her eyes. The two explained the events quietly, causing her to frown more deeply before she turned to Jason with a grateful smile.

"I am Diana Sage. Thank you for saving my daughter," she said politely while looking at his ragged state. "I can see that you've had some … difficulties. Why don't you freshen up and we'll discuss things over brunch?"

Jason nodded at her request and followed a maid up to the second floor while Alina skipped after him and Mrs. Sage looked at Katelyn and Blake carefully.

"What do you think?" she asked after some time.

"He's dangerous that's for sure," Blake thought for a while before answering carefully. "But I doubt he's trying to get in our good graces. From my understanding, he was just in the wrong place at the right time."

"And you, Katelyn?" Mrs. Sage nodded before asking the maid offhandedly.

"He's protective of Alina," she answered stoically. "When he first saw her he was surprised like he saw her or someone like her before. She's the reason why he helped. Also, I wouldn't be surprised if he was with Morta."

Alina, who was sneakily eavesdropping on their conversation silently snorted before tiptoeing away.

So what if he's an assassin? She thought. He likes me, and he's so strong! I'm definitely keeping him, hmph!

An hour later, Jason came down the stairs stunning everyone who saw him. His mane-like hair was still dripping wet, giving him a refreshing glow and he was dressed in Mr. Sage's old clothes. His brown skin and strong jaw made him look like he was a relative of theirs, shocking Mrs. Sage as she sent him a complicated gaze.

"Please, join us," she said while gesturing at the table filled with an assortment of food. Jason sat down next to Alina and looked at Mrs. Sage who was sitting opposite him.

"You have questions?" he asked, his gravel voice attracting the nearby maids that were in standby.

"Yes," Mrs. Sage answered while Katelyn placed a plate full of sandwiches to Jason. "For one, why save them? It wasn't your concern that my daughter was in danger."

"I was paid," Jason said slowly after a considerable amount of time.

"I'm sorry?" Mrs. Sage asked as Katelyn froze and Blake who was standing behind her placed his hand on his gun.

Jason released a chocolate wrapper from his hand and placed it on the table so others could see it. It was the candy that Alina gave him in the park.

"She paid me," Jason said. Alina had starry eyes as everyone else silently contemplated what he said.

"I see …" Mrs. Sage answered, unconvinced. "Am I to understand that you wish to protect her? And how am I to trust you?"

"I always complete my tasks," Jason who hadn't touched his food said coolly. "On my word as Fenrir."

The table fell silent as those who understood felt cold sweat drip down their backs.

"Fenrir? The Fenrir? The unannounced number one killer?" Blake whispered.

He looked at Jason fearfully, immediately understanding why he was so skilled in fighting. The rumours started a few years ago, of a solo merc that killed assassins. Eventually, this mysterious being, who always wore a wolf mask or helmet, started taking other jobs. Soon, he was bounty hunting, protecting clients as a bodyguard, and even hunting for treasures in Eastern Asia. And the influential knew him by the codename he gave himself: Fenrir. A freelance agent with no association to any killer organization.

"Forgive me, but are you truly Fenrir? You seem … younger than I imagined," Mrs. Sage asked hiding her surprise as she tried to look composed.

Jason looked at her and then pulled out a gun. Blake drew his own but Jason merely placed it on the table and gestured at him to look at it. It was a futuristic gun that looked like a cross between a revolver and a desert eagle, with a large barrel.

"That's …" Blake wiped the sweat from his face as horror crept in.

"Yes, Fenrir's … my ... signature gun. The only operational handheld railgun in the world," Jason finished for him before looking at Mrs. Sage. "Does this prove my identity?"

Mrs. Sage turned to Blake, who nodded in confirmation at its authenticity after realizing that it was a real gun.

"Mr …. Fenrir," Mrs. Sage hesitated on what to call him.

"Please, madam. Call me by my name, Jason," Jason said, his voice unintentionally full of charm.

"Mr. Jason. I doubt I can afford you but are you willing to protect my daughter?" Mrs. Sage asked with a small smile, appreciating his politeness though a hint of another emotion lingered in her eyes as she discreetly observed his body.

"That's why I'm here," Jason answered affirmatively.

"Splendid!" Mrs. Sage said with a cheerful tone. "Right now, I suspect there will be more attempts at her life so we must provide a cover for your identity."

Mrs. Sage looked back and forth at Alina and Jason for a while before clapping her hands, a deviously mischievous smile on her face.

"I know! We'll make you an adopted child of ours!" she exclaimed.

Jason who was listening to Alina and trying a sandwich ended up choking on his mouthful while Blake who was walking back to his position tripped on his own feet. Katelyn, who was pouring some tea, slipped her hand nearly scalding herself with hot water, surprise gracing her features for the first time.

"I … uh, what?" Jason asked through deep gasps as he shot a bolt of energy to heal Katelyn's hand and grabbed a cup of tea to down. Katelyn paused, her blue eyes locked on Jason as she gazed at him with appreciation at his thoughtfulness until Mrs. safe coughed.

"We'll say you've been adopted into our family," Mrs. Sage continued nonchalantly, ignoring the incredulous stares aimed at her. "Of course, due to your appearance, rumours of you being an illegitimate child will no doubt surface. But that will only blur the truth and end up serving our purpose."

"So he's my brother now?" Alina asked quietly causing everyone to look at her. Jason expected her to object, but the next second she jumped up with glee. "Cool! I have a brother!"

"Well, that seems to settle it," Mrs. Sage had a look of approval when she saw how happy Alina was before turning to Jason. "Unless you have any objections, Jason?"

"Won't your husband object?" Jason asked but noticed the joyfulness in the room lessened at his question.

"I doubt my husband would even notice your arrival," Mrs. Sage snorted. "Even if he did, he'd probably believe the rumours himself, considering how unfaithful he is."

Unfaithful? Jason thought as he looked at Mrs. Sage. He found that it was a shame that such a beautiful and graceful woman was left behind by a promiscuous spouse. He then turned to gaze at Alina, who was looking back at him hopefully; it was obvious that she was waiting for his answer.

"Alright, I'll do it," Jason caved in at her relentless look of expectation and Alina cheered. "Although, I'm not sure why it's necessary."

"Dear, don't you know?" Mrs. Sage asked with a small laugh that she covered elegantly with her hand. "The rich live a complex life full of deceit. How could you possibly protect her if, say, you're not allowed to enter a ball since you're nothing more than a mere bodyguard?

"With your identity as an aristocrat, you can protect her more easily while drawing all the dangers to yourself. A more effective means of completing your job, no?"