Chapter 17

SAMANTHA

When we arrived at the pack house, I quickly made my way to the suite to change into something more suitable for work while laughing at myself.

~Been a while since I’ve done the walk of shame.~

But the truth was, I felt anything but shame. In fact, there wasn’t even a smidgen of guilt about the previous night. It had been perfect.

And hell, I was a grown woman who could have sex if she wanted.

Or something along those lines.

After changing, I made my way to the alpha’s office—my office.

It was still full of Christian’s things. William and Serena had apologized, but I told them not to worry and to take all the time they needed.

To be honest, there was something strangely comforting about seeing the place full of my cousin’s things. It made me feel a little closer to him. For a moment, I could pretend that I’d known him.

I’d barely sat down behind the large desk when there was a knock at the door. “Come in.”

“Alpha Paulson?” A serious-looking woman popped her head through the gap in the door before stepping inside. “My name is Jessica. If you’ll have me, I’ll be your assistant.”

I threw a grin her way. “That’s music to my ears. I need all the help I can get.”

I meant it as a joke but realized she might take it to mean I didn’t know what the hell I was doing.

Which was true…

“Nice to meet you, Jessica. I’m Samantha.”

“Sorry to disturb you with this so early, but there’s a call for you from Alpha Luis Jackson of the Timberline Pack. He’s on video conference.”

“Okay. Umm, was I expecting a call from him?” I started fiddling with the computer.

Jessica came around to my side of the desk and input Christian’s password so I could access everything. “No, but I think you will want to take it.”

She suddenly sounded uneasy. “He wants to discuss a mating treaty with you.”

“Who wants to discuss what?” Emerick said as he entered the office.

“Alpha Luis Jackson wants to discuss a mating treaty with me?” I said to him. “What does that mean?”

Rage flashed across Emerick’s face, and realization dawned.

“Stephen warned me about something like this,” I admitted quietly. “He wants to mate with me as a way of allying our packs.”

Jessica raised her index finger. “Actually, he wants you to mate his son, who will be taking over for him in the next few months.”

Emerick’s jaw tightened. “Over my dead body.”

I held up a hand. “I do not need you getting all caveman over this. I will handle it.”

“I’m joining you on the video conference,” he said decisively.

I shrugged. “You can, but I don’t think you should. If you stay, you have to promise to keep your cool and stay quiet. I am the alpha in this meeting, not your girlfriend.”

Jessica’s eyebrows flew up at my use of the word girlfriend.

“Fine,” Emerick grumbled.

“Put him through, please, Jessica.”

I readjusted the height of the chair, settling myself behind the large computer monitor, and noticed an envelope sitting in the middle of my desk.

It had my name on it in scrawled writing, almost like a birthday card. I set it to the side.

Emerick flanked me to the right. I gave him a warning glare, and he held up his hands to say he understood.

A middle-aged man’s face filled the screen. “Alpha Paulson!” he said brightly. “You are not an easy lady to get a hold of. It is lovely to meet you.”

“Well, Alpha Jackson, it’s eight in the morning here, so I am just starting my day.” I smiled, but my tone belied my passive aggressiveness. “How can I help you?”

He laughed mildly. “I think the question is what can ~I~ do for you?”

I wanted to vomit. ~Is this guy serious?~ “Oh? And what’s that?”

“I’m sure it has been…difficult to find your footing as alpha, being as you were kept away from werewolf society all these years.”

“It’s been two days,” I said flatly.

“And you’ve already had to face a challenger. I hear you’re also planning on appointing a new beta.”

I could feel Emerick’s tension rolling off him in waves, but he stayed silent.

“Let me cut to the chase. My son is an excellent match. You and him mate, and the two of you would lead the largest combined pack in North America. Our people benefit, and your position is secured.”

I scoffed. “So, why isn’t your son proposing this plan?”

“Come on now, Alpha Paulson. This isn’t a romantic union.” He smirked. “It’s a political one.”

“And what makes you think I need protection?” I demanded. “You said it yourself, I’ve seen off one challenger already.”

He held his hands up defensively. “Maybe you don’t. But this is still a unique opportunity. Female alphas are extremely rare. I would be remiss if I didn’t at least try to unite our packs.”

“Fine,” I said. “I assume there would be a contract prior to any mating ceremony? Why don’t you email it to me?”

He grinned. “Of course. I’ll send it now.”

Emerick stomped his way out of my office, and I fought the urge to roll my eyes.

~This is why I said you’d be better off not attending the meeting.~

“Beta Stone does not seem pleased,” Alpha Jackson commented.

“I’ll be appointing a new beta soon. He is having a hard time losing his seat at the table,” I lied as I scanned the document that had just arrived in my inbox.

Years of negotiating real estate deals had taught me how to read contracts quickly to find the most important parts.

~Yep, here it is.~

“Alpha Jackson, your contract states that soon-to-be Alpha David Jackson would assume the leadership of both packs.”

“W-well, a pack can’t have two alphas…”

“Hmm. Well then, it would make more sense for me to remain the alpha of the packs. After all, my territory is two-thirds larger than yours, and David has yet to be named alpha.”

He paled. Apparently, I was better at this than he’d assumed.

“I’m not sure who you think you’re dealing with here,” I said, narrowing my eyes at the screen, “but I’m no pushover.

“My pack is thriving. We have resources and have built up huge communities of werewolf families living in peace and security. The same cannot be said for yours.

“The next time you want to try to take my pack, you’d best bring a fucking army.”

I closed my eyes, inhaled, and worked to remove the venom from my voice. “Since we both know you barely have any soldiers, I think I’m safe.

“Instead, let’s forget about this little…misunderstanding and continue our friendly alliance. I think both our packs, yours especially, benefit from the business we conduct together.”

Alpha Jackson stared at me with his mouth agape. “I heard you might not be the meek she-wolf some were expecting you to be. I’m impressed.”

I rolled my eyes. “Is there anything else? I have a lot to catch up on.”

“No, Alpha Paulson. That will be all. For now.” With that, he ended the call.

I rubbed my temples. Despite the warning that males would come sniffing, I had assumed it would be a little more subtle. Blatantly trying to steal my entire pack seemed like overkill.

I needed to talk to Emerick. I hadn’t seriously been considering Alpha Jackson’s proposal, but I couldn’t say that while I was on the call.

I sent a text asking where Emerick was so I could meet him.

As I waited for his response, my attention was drawn to the envelope that had been left on my desk.

I peeled it open and pulled out the folded paper inside.

~Dear Samantha,~

~I think there are some things you need to know about Beta Stone…~