He's an Alpha: She doesn't Care

CH 7

Wynta

She spent the last few weeks dress shopping online and in person, and took her time in choosing a dress for the occasion. She’d opted for a Halston Gown, a nice sleeveless, boat neckline, tiered skirt dress in the color royal blue, though it was an ombre style dress that faded out to just one lower corner, where it turned to a soft blue.

She’d paired it with a simple pair of royal blue one-inch pumps, something she could walk in, with relative ease. She wasn’t about to go and try walking around in a pair of stilettos and embarrass herself by wobbling all over the place.

She had, however, stood in the dress store and looked at the dress on her and smiled a little to herself. She actually did like it. Though she’d never had the inclination to spend two thousand dollars on a dress before, she thought she could wear this one, to many different things, she was going to keep it, instead of selling it. It would make for a nice new year’s dress.

Something she did know the Hayes company was holding this year, a big fancy event for its employees, something which she was expected to attend, as were all supervisors and department managers. She could wear this dress to that as well.

The store clerk had offered her a very pretty sparkling belt that shined like a million tiny crystals, and she had to admit it enhanced the dress. But she didn’t want to be drawing attention to herself, or away from the Luna, and something sparkling like that could see her be in trouble. She politely declined the sales assistant with a, “I don’t want to risk drawing attention away from the bride.”

She’d have gotten the dress in black, but it was sold out. She was aiming to just blend into the crowd. Black would have been better for that, she thought, but no such luck. She’d bought what she thought was simple and elegant, but also wouldn’t draw attention to herself. The scent of rogue was going to do that enough, unless, of course, Edward was waiting in the packhouse for her to arrive with that ceremonial blade in his hand to initiate her right away.

She wouldn’t put it past him to be waiting for her like that and that would also see no rogue scent being there to annoy the Luna or his Heir on their day. He was, she knew, looking to kill two birds with one stone, and so she’d likely be escorted right to his office. She could already see in her mind Edward was going to smile triumphantly at her.

A ‘I beat you at your own game,’ smile was going to be on his face she could well imagine.

She was back in the office busy working with her team on market research on what type of boutiques and restaurants were going to be the best for those ground floor spaces. The café was already leased, and the design and refurbishment was underway. But a restaurant was only successful if it was the right cuisine for the right location, and then had the best chefs and quality service.

She looked up at the sound of knuckles rapping on her office door and saw Chester the pack Gamma smile at her. She narrowed her eyes upon him, as he stepped into the room and closed the door. A private conversation it was going to be, her eyes moved to her team, who were now all looking at her. She never closed her door.

“What can I do for you, Chester?” She addressed him informally. It was how he’d told her to, years ago.

He walked over and sat himself in one of the two chairs that sat opposite her desk and looked about the room “You’ve not personalized your office very much. You’ve been here for a year now,” he commented.

She looked at the hard wood floors and her clean desk, the pinboards on the wall to her left that had marketing details for the projects she and her team were working on. The shelving behind her had only work things on it. There were no family photos or even artwork in this room. To her right was a nice-sized window that showed her the weather outside and the building across the street.

“I don’t see a need to do that. It's an office where I work, not my home,” she answered him simply.

“Even your team have photos out there of their families, their pets, funny memes,” he stated.

“That they do Chester, what’s your point?” she asked simply.

“You’ve been here for five years and could walk out today and no one would even know this was your office.”

“I’m aware; that’s how an office should be. It would take me all of a minute to pick up my briefcase and leave if I’m fired,” she told him.

“Is that what it's about? Edward is not about to fire you, your team is doing very well, you work hard yourself. Even stay back and do overtime quite often.”

“Are the lot of you keeping track of one rogue?” She shook her head a little. “You know I thought by now, you’d have all just left me be.”

“Mm, Edward is as stubborn as you are.” Chester smiled at her. “On that note, the Alpha sent me down here to have a chat to you about this coming Luna Ceremony.”

“Why?” she asked right back. “He tricked me into signing for that invitation, and now it’s mandatory that I go.”

Chester chuckled. “Yes, he was devious about that, but I believe it was actually Marian that came up with the solution to Edwards' problem.”

“You know, Chester, I don’t consider being forced to attend this event as my stepping willingly into the pack’s territory. So, there will be no initiation from it.” She smiled right at him and leaned back in her chair.

He frowned at her for only a moment and then asked, “Do I need to take you out to buy a dress or did you go out and buy a dress?”

“Do you think I’m incapable of purchasing a formal dress for this kind of occasion?” She asked in return.

“Did you?” he repeated.

“Yes, Chester, I bought a dress and shoes to match.” She nodded. "If you must know, it’s royal blue, and I put that on the RSVP as was expected of me to.”

“Ah, then you’re willing to walk into the pack and attend the ceremony.” He smiled right at her and then chuckled at the frown that was marring her face. “I’m switched on right now, and you're annoyed that the Alpha beat you at your own game right now.” he chuckled once more, “So I’ll be letting him know yes you’ll be getting initiated into the pack on the day.”

Her eyes narrowed on him now, “Why are you actually here if you knew I was going to be attending?” she asked. Chester wasn’t only here to sus out how annoyed she was, by being tricked into setting foot into pack territory she didn’t think.

“A new rule has been applied, and I’m here to inform you, there was a pack-wide announcement but you…” he shrugged. “Refuse to be a pack member. So here I am to tell you in person. All guests must arrive and be seated one hour prior to the ceremony starting.”

“Alright.” She nodded.

“Now there is punishment if you don’t arrive early. However, Edward would like you to come a bit earlier than most so he can initiate you, and then you may take a bit of time to look around before it starts if you wish.”

“Right,” she huffed. “How early is that going to be? I’ve already booked a town car,” she sighed. She was going to have to change the time of it.

“Ah, you still don’t drive, do you?”

“No, there is no need. I live five blocks from here.” She shook her head and she didn’t see a need to waste money on buying a car she’d rarely drive, and have to pay for insurance, registration and parking fees, the mechanical maintenance of it. There was no need for that. It took her all of 30 to 40 minutes to walk to work every day.

“Perhaps we could organize a pack member to pick you up.”

“I don’t socialize with the pack’s members.” She shook her head at him.

“Edward is well aware that you manage to dodge every pack event, that he or his Luna go out of their way to personally invite you to.” Chester nodded. “It annoys them both greatly.”

It was her turn to chuckle now. “Hmm, well, I am allowed to use my vacation time when I like, and conferences I don’t make the dates they’re set on.” She shrugged. “Sometimes it’s unavoidable that I’m not available.”

He nodded, “Wynta, you should have come in long ago, and although it does amuse me that you’ve managed to avoid initiation for the past five years, due to your agreement with Edward. This really does need to be resolved…” she watched him raise a hand and his eyes glaze over.

He came back to the room a few minutes later. “Edward has decided that he wants absolutely nothing to go wrong with your coming into the pack, so he’s asked that I inform you, he’ll be sending a driver for you.”

“I don’t need a driver. I have booked a town car to take me there and bring me home,” she reminded him.

“Hmm, you can cancel that. It is predicted to rain all week and even on the night and no human cars will be allowed past the gates. He just informed me that his son, Jared, will be coming from the airport that day himself and will stop in and pick you up.”

Wynta raised an eyebrow now, “That is not at all necessary.” She didn’t need nor want to be arriving at the pack for the first time with the Alpha’s eldest son. That was not a statement she wanted to make at all.

“I heard Jared wasn’t overly happy about it either, snapped something about he wasn’t a chauffeur to his own father,” Chester snorted. “Edward has put his Alpha foot down on this one. It will be an interesting night for all I imagine.” He stood to leave.

“You’ll get an email with the time Jared will be at yours to pick you up,” Chester stated as he walked to the door, then he turned back and looked at her. “I’d allow a 10-to-15-minute window either side. Jared is… Hmm, how do I put it… an impatient man at times, and won’t take kindly to you not being ready when he arrives to pick you up. So, Wynta, if you could please see to being ready before he arrives, that would be greatly appreciated.

“Oh, and just one more thing, Edward told me he’ll take it personally as an insult, if you refuse his offer. Seeing as he went out of his way to do this for you,” Chester smiled at her and left the office chuckling.