Page 15 of Fourth Base with the Alpha

“I’m not West,” Hunter snaps back as his phone buzzes in his pocket. He hooks it out and stares at the screen. “Talk of the devil.”

“Cancel it,” Kim tells him. “You know what he’ll be calling about.”

We all stare down at the pile of press clippings. I make a mental note not to leave the house without a face full of makeup and a thorough inspection of my outfit. At least I have some decent clothes to wear now thanks to Hunter.

“Which reminds me, I need to call my mom.” Hunter glances at me. “If she sees these articles before I’ve told her we’re dating, I’m going to be in some serious shit.”

“Fine,” Kim says, “we’re done here anyway. Just,” she gestures towards us, “get your game plan in order. I don’t know, coordinate a bit. Make sure it looks believable.” Hunter shakes his head and strides out of the room and Kim chases after him. “You need to smile. People in love smile, Hunter.”

I listen to their bickering fade as they step inside the elevator and then I dial my mom’s number, my heart pounding as I listen to the rings.

“Isabella? Is everything all right? Are you hurt?”

“No, Mami. I’m not hurt.” I rub at my forehead; my mom’s anxiety has hit the roof this last year.

“But you’re calling during working hours. Is that allowed? You won’t get into trouble with your lady boss?”

“No, I’m allowed to make calls, Mami. She’s not the grinch.”

My mom huffs, not sounding convinced. She’s seen pictures of Kim and thinks she looks like the grim reaper. “So what is it then? If you’re not hurt or sick, what are you calling me about at this time of day while you’re meant to be working?”

“Mami …” Shit, I should have planned this conversation. How do you tell your mom you’re dating some famous dude and your face is all over the internet? Hmmm, perhaps just like that.

“Yes?”

“I’ve got some news–”

“You’re pregnant!”

“No, I haven’t been anywhere near a …” I pause, remembering I’m about to tell her I have a boyfriend. “That’s not it. I’m seeing someone.”

“Someone? What do you mean someone? A girl?”

“No, a man.”

“An alpha?”

“Yes, an alpha.”

“Ay,” she says and I can hear the excitement in her voice. She mutters something to my grandma in the background. “Who is it? Marianna’s boy? He’s very handsome.”

“No, Hunter Larsson.”

“Hunter? What a funny name? Is he one of these wrestler types?”

“He’s from the band,The Pack. You know, the tall one. The bassist.”

“The Pack– that band you and Maria used to like.”

“Yes, that one. The one I work for, remember?”

“I thought you worked for the lady-boss woman.”

“And she works forThe Pack.”

Silence. Then my mom tuts her tongue. “You’re dating your boss.”

“He’s not technically my boss … but yes, I am.”