Page 16 of A Luna's Revenge (Stone Mountain Shifters)
Charlie
I've been a member of the Sunlight Shimmer Pack for about three months now. They allowed me to join the pack anonymously after I explained my situation to Beta Rick. I’ve not met Alpha Blake yet; he is working out of town on a matter for the Alpha Commander. Beta Rick advised that they would not hide me, so if asked, they will be truthful, but they won't volunteer information, either.
My background, experience, and abilities have earned me a consulting position with the pack's tech and security department. I’ve been working on upgrading the pack's security measures.
Due to increased criminal activity, I’ve built a facial recognition programto vet visitors. Anyone approaching or requesting access to pack properties for any reason is screened through this program app.
This is vital for Sparksburg, a large college town. Our nightlife activities attract many visitors and tourists from various other towns.
A high-resolution camera system is installed at each of our pack entrance gates. Anyone requesting to enter beforehand is also checked through the system. My short time here has increased pack security a hundredfold.
My company start-up, Silver She-Wolf Tech Development, is in its maturing stages. I’ve been growing it for over a year since the development of the hologram device. I kept it discreet and on the back burner to avoid conflict with Jenson. It’s not a concern anymore. He has no clue I even started this company and I’ve successfully launched it.
Which brings me to today. Alpha Blake has requested that I do a presentation this morning to a few select Alphas and the Alpha Commander. They are interested in implementing the facial recognition software I developed territory-wide. If this goes well, I could become wealthy and independent. This would allow me to step away from the business and let others run it for me while I raise my little one. That would help me tremendously as I amfive and a half months along and nearing my pregnancy's end. The average gestation period for a wolf shifter is six months.
I’ve been reassured that Jenson will not be at this meeting today. I’ve been told he and the other missing Alphas are otherwise occupied with a criminal investigation. At least I don't have that looming over my head.
I caress my stomach and think of the pup's father. As time has passed, my anger has subsided. I’ve channeled my frustrations into better pursuits. Meditation, yoga, and counseling, not to mention growing my company. My pup deserves to be incubated in a calm, nurturing environment. After the pup arrives and I am more settled, I will contact Jenson so he can be involved.
Meanwhile, I’ve traveled to Stone Mountain City to do this presentation. I have about 20 minutes before the meeting starts. Sitting at the conference room table, looking over my presentation while trying to calm my nerves, my assistant comes in with a mug of herbal tea for me.
"They are going to love you," says Roland Myers, my right hand. I would have been lost without his support these past few months since I hired him. He does all theheavy lifting, figuratively and physically.
"Thank you, Roland. For the tea and the encouragement." I smile at him as he sits beside me.
"No problem. What do you need me to do?"
"I think we are all ready. We need to fill this room with clients and get on with it."
A few men in suits begin to stroll down the hall. Judging by the boisterous laughter, it’s probably some of the Alphas. Roland starts to rise. "No, no. Stay there, and I will greet them."
As they enter through the conference room door, I stand. I am dressed in a beautifully tailored gray business suit with silver pinstripes. The skirt is short, and I am obviously pregnant, but that doesn’t hold me back.
To survive in the Alpha male-oriented world, you need to project your Alpha aura as much as possible. I believe I’ve pulled it off. The jacket is tailored to hug my waistline and hips, while darts in the front create an illusion in the front that does little to hide my small bulging stomach.
The three alphas who have entered are beautiful, as always. Alphas always seem to be. It’s part of the appeal, the magnetism, the energy. It’s designed to help them control and run the packs.
Turning to the Alphas who have arrived, I smile and extend my hand. The leading Alpha oozes arrogance as he ignores my outstretched hand and heads to my assistant, Roland. "Ah, you must be Charlie." He stretches forth his hand. "I'm Alpha Rex Stone of the Wind Howl Pack." He turns to me finally. "And this cute little thing must be your assistant." His eyes travel my length sensuously while pausing at my stomach. "Why don't you be a good girl and get us some coffee?"
He dismisses me as he turns back to Roland. "So, tell me about your business, Silver Wolf Development or some such." The other Alphas recognize who I amandglance nervously between us.
My temper, when provoked, is...well, legendary. Everyone in the territory knows my tactics as I dealt with Jenson and his girlfriend. Even though no one speaks of it out loud around me, I’ve overheard talk.
I can only imagine my face as Roland stares at me wide-eyed. Alpha Stone, noticing Roland's demeanor, looks back at me warily. The room is still as if no one is breathing. As I go off like a deadly calm explosion, three more alphas walk in. "Alpha Stone." I grit out in a steely tone, narrowing my eyes. "I am Charlie Black, owner of Silver She- Wolf Tech Development." I point to Roland. "Roland is my assistantand will handle all your requests. I would, however, recommend you do not call him a good boy or a cute little thing as we are in a business environment, and those terms are not only very offensive but sexist."
Alpha Stone's mouth drops open as he rubs his hand over his face.
"Be thankful I am a reasonable female, or I would rip your head off right now." I flash him a chilling smile.
"Furthermore, don't you dare call me or any other female "good girl" again! Do you think your tiny brain can understand that?" My fingers are itching to smack off his look of bewilderment. "It’s belittling!" His mouth, opening and closing, like a fish out of water, gasping for air.
I turn to Roland. "Roland, can you please see to the Alphas’ refreshments?"
As the Alphas take their seats, Roland gets their orders. "I'll be right back, " he says quietly as I turn to my hologram device in an attempt to regain some control.
Alpha Stone approaches me. I ignore him for a few minutes. "I-I. Charlie, Ms. Black." He stutters. I turn to glare at him. "I apologize. I just assumed—uh. Yeah. Anyway, I hope you will accept my apology. I am not normally a bumbling idiot." He runs his hand through his hair as I shoot him a doubtful look. "Honestly, I was floored when I saw you in here. You are a lovely woman and..."
"Alpha Stone, you are not endearing yourself to me at this moment. You are continuing to stick your foot in your mouth." I look away, shaking my head in disgust.
"Uh." He coughs, "Let's start over." Extending his hand, he grasps mine. "Ms. Black, I am Alpha Stone from the Wind Howl Pack." He repeats in a low voice. "I look forward to learning about your security innovations and working with you." He smiles and tilts his head, looking down at me with a kicked-puppy look. "Can we be friends?" He smiles.
I roll my eyes, withdrawing my hand. Of course, these Alphas are loaded with charm. 'Fine!' I stab my finger into his —Oh!—rock-hard chest and jerk it back to my side, wrestling to regain my composure. “But you better behave yourself!”
"Yes, ma'am." He smirks sexily and takes his seat.
After everyone is situated, I sit at the table's head. I glance at the six Alphas surrounding me. "Gentlemen, as I mentioned before, I am Charlie Black, owner of Silver She-Wolf Tech Development." I point to my left. "We will go around the table and introduce ourselves before we begin."
"I am Beck Kasen, Alpha Commander of Stone Mountain City." The Alpha to my left nods. He turns to the next Alpha to his left.
"Alpha Noble Wright of the Still Waters Pack."
"Alpha Jon Mills of the Lonely Pines Pack."
"Alpha Rowan Reems of the Bloody Paws Pack."
"Alpha Rich Simpkins of the Lazy Moon Pack."
"And everyone knows who I am by now." He says sheepishly with a flushed face. The room chuckles. "Alpha Rex Stone of the Wind Howl Pack."
"We have four other Alphas that will need to be briefed on this as well, but they are currently dealing with another criminal matter and won't be here today." Alpha Commander Beck Kason informs us. "Alpha Lange Quinn, Alpha Blake Collins, Alpha Devon Wright, and Alpha Jenson Black." He glances at me as he mentions my former mate. "We will proceed."
I stand to begin my presentation but am interrupted by the door opening as Jenson walks in. "It's true!"