Beauty and

Chapter 28 Asher

Office work was becoming repetitive for me today. But, I had already done the pack training and been out for a run, so I had delayed my paperwork for as long as I think I possibly could. Poor Eden was suffering terribly now with the later stages of pregnancy, so Caleb was having to tend to her a little more than we would have expected at this stage. So, additional duties have fallen to me. Not that I minded particularly much as it kept my mind busy. And, I have to admit, I found it somewhat amusing watching Eden give her mate holy hell for the slightest thing, because it seemed him making her pregnant meant he was somehow to blame now for every little thing that inconvenienced her, or simply irritated her. And watching Caleb trying to steer his way around the ticking timebomb that was his mate and wife was like a comedy show in itself…This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

But additional paperwork was such a drag. After so long, numbers began to blend into one another. And I am sure they began to move about the page too. And as for having to read, words began to switch and not make any sense, or they simply stopped sinking into my mind. It was usually at that point I knew I was done for and that no work was happening. Coffee was the only thing fueling me. But even that was beginning to fail me.

I stood away from my desk and walked to the coffee machine at the opposite side of my office, and glanced toward the window as I did. The sun was shining gloriously outside, telling me how lovely it would be to let Zion out for another run. I bet he would love that. A run through the trees, his fur with the breeze blowing through it as his feet pounded on the forest floor. Instead, I am holed up in my office slowly losing my mind…. though I guess to lose my mind, I would have to be sane to start with…

I sort myself a fresh coffee, and a strong one at that, before moving back toward my desk, just as my phone begins to ring. Hmm, who would be calling my office phone? Anyone in the pack would mindlink, right? And anyone else wanting me would call my mobile…

*Answer it and find out you thick f**ker… Zion chuckles, evidently thinking he is highly amusing. Mmm, a top class comedian my wolf.

I reach across the desk quickly before the call is cut off. “Hello?”

“Is that Autumn Valley Pack?” a voice at the other end of the line says, making me wonder who the hell is calling us. Surely they had to know it was, or they wouldn’t have called, would they?

“Yes, Beta Asher of Autumn Valley Pack talking, can I help you?” I answered, doing my best to bite. back my sarcasm and state the obvious, and remain polite.

“Good. This is Alpha Miles of the Lotus Shadow Pack. Thanks for taking my call. Hope you are well.” He greeted me, more cheerfully this time. Alpha Miles? I was almost certain their Alpha wast called Marshall… I know my mind was not at its best of late, but I am pretty sure I had not missed the death of one of the regions’ Alphas…

“Is there something I can help you with Alpha?” I asked, suddenly suspicious as to why this guy was calling. My mind is racing, until I remember that it is Alpha Marshall, but the upcoming Alpha is called Miles. So I assume this could be the upcoming Alpha I am talking to. Trying to play the big boy here, is he? Definitely all the more suspicious now.

“Oh, it is nothing of concern, Beta Asher. I am just helping my father with some paperwork. I am

Chapter 28 Asher

sure you know what it is like being snowed under with too much work. But, he asked me to thank you for interviewing our Beta’s daughter for a teacher’s position in your pack recently, and from what I understand, offering her the role too. Miss West is a wonderful teacher, as I am sure you saw, and a well respected member of our community.” The voice at the other end of the phone says to me. Making me wonder why he had called to thank us for giving this girl an interview. Did she not thank us herself?

“That was arranged between her father and our former Alpha, I believe. Nothing to do with me.” I said curt/

already not liking the fact the young upcoming Alpha was trying to act like he was all important.

“Well, we wanted to know from one pack to another, that it was appreciated. Always good to maintain pack relations.” He says with what I can only wonder is a fakeness to his tone. Something about this boy I do not like. I don’t know what it is. “And while the offer of employment is appreciated, especially by Bailey, as she had yet to have any offer of employment, we apologize but have to decline on the offer, I am afraid.”

I found myself frowning at his words. Nothing like insulting the poor girl. Everything I heard from both Caleb and especially Eden, she had given a good interview. And she was well qualified. Eden loved the ideas she had and was excited at the prospect of bringing her into the pack for the benefits she could bring to the children here. Yet this fool was making her sound like she was barely capable of teaching and nobody would look at her for the role. But, what intrigued me was they were refusing the job offer?

“Miss West does not want to work at our school?” I questioned, becoming more suspicious of this character by the second. Something does not seem right about him. Even Zion is unsettled. If she did not want the role, then why even come for the interview to begin with? Why waste our time?

“Bai… Miss West, has… erm… been allocated a position in our own pack. So she is now unavailable for a position in the pack of any other Alpha.” He says, but this time I am certain there is some anger in his tone. Did this man not like the idea of one of his pack working for another Alpha? Was he the sort of Alpha that was controlling of his pack members? If so, that could spell trouble for the future when he comes into power…

“Well, wish Miss West all our best. And thank you for letting us know. Though I have to say I am a little surprised that Miss West herself has not informed us. That in itself is somewhat rude.” I said bluntly.

I hear a stutter at the end of the phone. Unsure if it was a laugh or a cough, possibly even a combination of the two. “I am sure you are a Beta, are you not? Yet you appear to be questioning an Alpha?” he says, and suddenly Zion is rippling beneath my skin. Not liking the tone this imb ecile seemed to be taking with me. Upcoming Alpha or not. My wolf was ready to push forward. I do all I can to push back the threatening growl.

“Hmm. An Alpha? Is that so? Because if I am not mistaken, you are an upcoming Alpha, are you not Mr Davenport? I do believe it is your father that is still running your pack. Therefore, you are not the Alpha just yet, so do not be getting ahead of yourself.” I say coldly, not caring if I am stepping out of line. Let the sma rt a*s come and start something if he so wishes. I think I could. enjoy a good fight. I am sure I could give the little f**ker a good a*s who oping. It sounded like he had been short of a few of those growing up considering the attitude seeping from him.

“Erm.. Well… I… No. That still makes me an Alpha.” He stutters awkwardlv. Evidently not happy to

have been called out for his previous mistake of introducing himself by calling himself the Alpha. And now talking down to me. Unfortunately for this spoiled little brat, I was past caring about pleasing people, especially ones that irritated me. So, I was more than happy to stand up to him.

“Not just yet.” I said with a smirk. “Was that all?”

“If this is how you run your pack, then I can tell you, my pack member will most definitely not be coming to work for you.” he says bluntly as he hangs up, like he thinks his words are going to affect me. Instead, I find them amusing. This guy sounds like a little boy who has grown up with the world at his feet. Everything having been handed to him, and he acts like the world owes him a living. The type of guy I cannot stand. f**king heaven help us all when he becomes Alpha!