Page 34 of A Luna's Revenge (Stone Mountain Shifters)

Reggie

“Ooof.” I am caught off guard as I feel a sudden heavy blow to the back of my head. Coming to my senses, I find myself face down with blurry vision.Tensing for battle, I sharply tilt my head and pull up on my elbows as I squint to see my assailant.

Instead of encountering an attacker, my hand glides over the velvety softness of a leg. Looking beneath the smooth white sheets, I find Charlie tangled up with me, her beautiful legs wrapped around my torso. She rolls onto her back, moaning softly as I caress the sweet bump of her stomach beneath the sheets.

Last night comes back to me in a rush. My little sex kitten of a wife loves to play bed games. After we wore ourselves out last night, we collapsed where we were and fell deep asleep. Thus, Charlie's feet kicking me in the back of my head. I am not sure what Jenson’s problem was and why he cheated on her while they were married, but with a wife like Charlie, I don’t have the time nor the inclination to think about anyone else.

Blissed out, I turn around in the bed and curl up to Charlie’s tummy. Stroking and kissing it, I whisper words to our little pup. “Hey, little guy. This is your Daddy speaking.” As he hears my voice, Charlie’s stomach begins to roll, and she clutches it and groans.

“Ouch! Reggie, could you not let him sleep a few more minutes?” She whines.

I gently soothe Charlie’s tummy with my hands and say with a laugh, “Hey, son! You need to behave and stop kicking and punching your Momma.” Despite my words, the wriggling continues. Charlie begins to rub her stomach vigorously, trying to ease the discomfort. I lean in and kiss her sweet lips. “I’m sorry, baby. But since you kicked me in the head, I thought it was only fair to let the little guy take care of my revenge.”

“Mmmmmm. You are so evil.” She wraps her arms around my neck and gives me a few sweet kisses along the jawline. “I have morning breath.” She warns. “I need to brush my teeth.” She sinks her nose into my neck and kisses my mate mark.

I don’t see how it could be any better than this right here. My mate and my pup are safe in my arms.

If only we didn't have to get up in a few minutes and go to headquarters. Charlie has a presentation to a group of Alphas regarding the new facial recognition program she developed. I am taking point on security at headquarters while Charlie is there today.

We spent the night at the hotel next door that caters to visitors to Stone Mountain, our territory's capital, to make things easier on Charlie as she is only four weeks away from childbirth.

This morning, we are especially alert because of Charlie’s vision. Due to many inconsistencies, we're uncertain about what will happen today. We've noticed that one vision sequence can unfold precisely as expected, while the next may be completely different.

Charlie and I are on our way to the headquarters building. As we sign in at the front desk, Charlie heads up on the elevator while I go into the security conference room located directly behind the front desk. Due to Charlie’s vision, theAlpha Commander put a large security team on duty today.

Our most significant blind spot is that Charlie only saw the attack's results. Her vision never let her see the cause. Since we know that her vision is only symbolic and not prophetic, anything can happen.

I also know that this is probably the day that Charlie has our pup, which scares the hell out of me because Charlie’s not due for another month. The doctors have been giving Charlie injections to help our pup’s lungs develop, just in case, so we have taken every precaution we know to do.

I enter the security room and scan all the screens for anomalies. It’s my job to ensure everyone is safe, but my priority is Charlie and our pup. I concentrate on the screen depicting Charlie walking into the conference room for her meeting and then on the variouscamera feeds until I feel everything is secure.

Except for a few areas, the buildinghas been evacuated to minimize injuries should the attack occur today, so everything is pretty quiet.

Charlie’s vision was vague when it came to where the damage occurred, but it appeared a bomb was detonated. There are so few details to go on. Therefore, I am hypervigilant.

Charlie

I am very nervous about what might or might not transpire today. In my vision, there was an attack on the headquarters, but I got away safely with minimal impact on the pup. However, it brought the onset of my labor, and I gave birth. The problem here is that I am now pregnant with Reggie’s pup, not Jenson’s, so my gestation is not as far along as in my vision.

We have taken precautions as my doctor is on standby, and I’ve been receiving corticosteroids to enhance my pup’s lung development. My doctor says he can delay labor if my water doesn’t break. Fingers crossed.

My background, experience, and abilities have earned me a consulting contract with Sunlight Shimmer 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 application. This is vital for Sparksburg since we are a large college town.

Our nightlife activities attract many visitors and tourists from various other packs. A high-resolution camera system is installed at each of our pack entrance gates. Anyone requesting to enter beforehand is checked through the system as well. 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. I kept it discreet and on the back burner to avoid conflict with Jenson. Not a concern any longer. Jenson has no clue I even birthed this project, and I’ve now successfully launched it.

Which brings me to today. Alpha Blake has requested that I do a presentation to a few select Alphas this morning, along with 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. That would help me tremendously, as I am a month away from giving birth, and this would allow meto step away from the business and let Reggie run it while we raise our little one. Reggie has the same skill set that I do. I am not sure why Jenson didn’t utilize him more.

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 regarding the mate bond tampering. I’m not sure how he hasn’t gotten caught up in his lies yet, but at least I don't have that looming over my head today.

I caress my stomachthoughtfully; Reggie and I have traveled to Stone Mountain City so I can do this presentation, and he’s going to keep us safe.

My vision was not clear as to what caused the attack, as it mostly centered around me; therefore, we have to be watchful and observant. I could prevent it if I only had more information,but we don't. Consequently, we have to push forward in hopes of catching the criminals. We can’t hide and hope for the best; we must flush them out.

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.

"Now, don’t be nervous; you are going to do great," he says. Roland Myers is my "right-hand" man. I would have been lost without his support since I hired him two months ago. 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 Alphas and get on with it."

A few men in suits begin to traipse down the hall. Judging by the boisterous laughter, it’s probably some of the Alphas I mentioned. Roland starts to rise.

"No, no. Stay there; I will greet them."

As they enter the door to the conference room, I stand. I am dressed in a beautifully tailored, grey business suit. The skirt is short, and I am obviously pregnant, but that won't hold me back. To survive in the Alpha male-oriented world, you need to project your Alpha spirit as much as possible. I believe my outfit will help pull it off. The jacket is tailored to hug my waistline and hips, while darts in the front create an illusion that does little to hide my 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 aura. 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 Alpha leading the group 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, to say the least.

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 voice. "I am Charlie Marks, owner of Silver She- Wolf Tech Development." I point to Roland. "Roland is my assistantand will handle all your needs. I would recommend you 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,” I continue, “or I would rip your head off right now." I smile fiendishly.

"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 is opening and closing, like a fish out of water, gasping for air.

I turn to Roland. "Roland, can you please get the Alphas settled and see to their refreshments?"

As the Alphas take their seats, Roland takes their orders. "I'll be right back." He says quietly as I review my presentation on the hologram screen in an attempt to regain some vestige of control over my temper.

Alpha Stone approaches me. I ignore him for a few minutes. "I-I. Charlie, Ms. Marks." He stutters. I turn to glare at him. "I apologize. I just assumed—uh. Right. Anyway, I hope you will accept my apologies. I am not normally a bumbling idiot." He slides his hand through his hair as I shoot him a doubtful look. "Honestly, I was floored when I saw you in here. You are an amazingly beautiful 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 in disgust.

"Uh." He coughs, "Let's start over." Extending his hand, he grasps mine. "Ms. Marks, 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 up at me with a kicked-puppy look. "Can we be friends now?" He smiles charmingly.

I roll my eyes, withdrawing my hand. Of course, these Alphas are loaded with charisma. "Fine!" I stab my finger in his chest and jerk it back to my side quickly. "But you better behave yourself!"

"Yes, ma'am." He smiles 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 Marks, 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 Alpha Commander Beck Kasen with Stone Mountain City." The Alpha to my left nods. He turns to his left to the next Alpha.

"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. "They are excused. We will proceed."

I stand to begin my presentation but am interrupted by the door opening as Jenson walks in. "It's true!"