Page 8

Alpha Stone

We arrive at Stone Mountain City Headquarters later that afternoon. North and the enforcer with him escort Marissa to the prison cells in the basement. I head to the hotel next door to get settled in.

Since we’re staying in a suite, I hear North and my other enforcer return a while later.

"Alpha?" North calls.

"In the office," I reply.

Because we meet regularly with the Alpha Commander, many of the suites have offices and conference rooms. I’m currently working on the pack financials again when my enforcers walk in.

"We got Marissa processed: fingerprints, DNA, and a medical check. She's good to go," North reports .

"If you don't mind my saying this,” he continues, “I’m furious at Miles. What I witnessed last night was horrific."

"Have a seat, North." I motion to the side chair. "I’m not making excuses for Miles, because I think he made a lousy decision with Marissa. But no one talks about Cheating Mate Syndrome. It's pushed under the rug, and its victims are disregarded."

I lean back in my chair, stretch, and yawn. "This Friday, Rachel is going to conduct a workshop on CMS so that we can be better informed. The seminar will be identical to the one Dr. Skye showed us. Miles needs to be taught a lesson, too."

"That's a good idea. I like it." North nods. "She suffered horribly."

"We’re all in agreement then."

"Yes, Alpha."

The next morning turns out to be more of a cluster than I realized it would be.

I’m walking down the hallway at headquarters toward the conference room with a couple of other Alphas.

As we enter the door, my senses are clouded.

Before me stands the most beautiful female I’ve ever seen, with long silver hair and sparkling eyes.

Goddess, I have to look away from her before I embarrass myself.

As I turn away, I notice another male in the room.

"Ah, you must be Charlie." I shake his hand. "I'm Alpha Rex Stone of the Wind Howl Pack."

I turn to this beautiful creature, and before I can shut my mouth, I blurt, "And this cute little thing must be your assistant.

" I can't stop myself as I eye her up and down. She’s dressed in a grey business suit, with a skirt short enough to make my mouth dry.

Like an alphahole, I want to take her home with me.

But I only continue to make things worse.

"Why don't you be a good girl and go get us some coffee?" I tell her. Goddess, did I really just say that out loud? I turn back to the male in the room to hide my embarrassment.

"So, tell me about your business, Silver Wolf Development or some such." I try to change the subject and cover my cringeworthy remarks. I fail miserably, and it only gets more uncomfortable.

I notice the other male is staring at the female in the room with a look of abject horror. I glance back at her warily. The room is still, as if no one is breathing. Three more alphas walk in as she goes off in a deadly quiet voice.

"Alpha Stone," She grits out. "I’m Charlie Marks, owner of Silver She -Wolf Tech Development.

" She points to the other male. "Roland is my assistant and will handle all your needs. I would recommend you not call him a good boy or a cute little thing as we’re in a business environment, and those terms are not only very offensive, but sexist."

My mouth drops open as I rub my hand over my face. I’m mortified.

"Be thankful I’m a reasonable female," she continues, "or I’d rip your head off right now." She flashes a scary smile.

"Furthermore, don't you dare call me or any other female a 'good girl' again! Do you think your tiny brain can understand that?" She smirks at my obvious discomfort at her dressing me down. "It’s belittling!"

I’m at a loss for words. My mouth opens and closes, like a fish out of water, gasping for air.

She then turns to her assistant. "Roland, can you please get the Alphas settled and see to their refreshments?"

As the Alphas take their seats, Roland takes our orders and leaves. Charlie sits and begins organizing her documents. I have to remedy this situation. I don't want to be on this gorgeous female's naughty list. Or, do I? I shake my head to clear it and approach her.

She rightly ignores me.

"I—I. Charlie, Ms. Marks," I stutter as she whips around to glare at me. "I apologize. I just assumed—uh. Right. Anyway, I hope you’ll accept my apologies. I’m not normally a bumbling idiot." I push my hair off my face, and she shoots me a doubtful look .

"Honestly, I was floored when I walked in and saw you here. You’re a gorgeous woman and..."

She interrupts me. "Alpha Stone, you’re not endearing yourself to me at this moment. You’re continuing to stick your foot in your mouth," she asserts, as she turns away with a look of disgust.

This isn't going very well. I hear the other Alpha snickering under their breath.

"Uh." I cough, "Let's start over." I reach and grasp her hand in mine.

Surprisingly, she doesn't immediately pull back or, worse, slap me now that I’m in close range.

"Ms. Marks, I’m Alpha Stone from the Wind Howl Pack," I repeat in a low voice.

"I look forward to learning about your security innovations and collaborating with you.

" I smile and tilt my head, looking up at her with my best look of contrition.

"Can we be friends?" I flash her my most charming smile.

She rolls her eyes as she withdraws her hand. "Fine!" She stabs her finger in my chest, but jerks it back quickly and warns. "But you better behave yourself!"

"Yes, ma'am." I smile in relief and sit. It’s only then that I realize she’s wearing a wedding band. Lucky male.

We all take our seats with Charlie at the head of the table. "Gentlemen, as I mentioned before, I’m Charlie Marks, owner of Silver She-Wolf Tech Development." She points to her left. "We’ll go around the table and introduce ourselves before we begin."

"I’m Alpha Commander Beck Kasen with Stone Mountain City." The Alpha to her 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," I say sheepishly. Everyone in 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’re 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. They are excused. We will proceed."

Charlie then stands and opens her mouth to begin speaking, but she’s interrupted by the door slamming open, and in storms Alpha Jenson. "It's true!" He exclaims. "Charlie!" He chokes out, reaching.

“Jenson?” she whispers.

“Charlie!”

"What's going on here?" I demand.

"That's my wife." Alpha Jenson points to Charlie.

"Ex-wife," she corrects. Then it all falls into place. This is Alpha Jenson's runaway mate.

He eyes Charlie up and down, and utters the most stupid thing he could at this moment. "Wow. You sure work fast. You must’ve been pregnant when you left. Who’s the father?"

"What?" She pales as she exclaims. I watch as anger morphs her lovely face as she extends her claws toward Jenson.

A loud, explosive shock wave tears through the air.

The building shakes and leans slightly. A massive dust cloud engulfs the room.

The ceiling begins to cave in on us as alarms blare, and I’m crushed under the weight.

I try to claw my way out, but the air is thick with particles, and I can't breathe.

I feel a trickle of blood on my forehead as I succumb to the darkness of oblivion.