The Alpha's Long Awaited Mate

Chapter 3: This Means Nothing

Alani was shocked to say the least. It was HIM. The guy from the bistro. She felt him the moment she walked in the office. The unmistakable heat. “I- I” Alani stuttered, then cleared her voice. “He-hello Mr. James. It is great to finally meet you as well. I printed copies of all the work we started this weekend. With the exception of a few signatures, they are ready to be sent out for an overnight.” Alani brought the files to his desk and spread out the pages that needed to be signed. She had them neatly placed in a signatures folder, labeled with a notation to which file they were to be attached. Kade was impressed. He loved a woman who took her professionalism seriously. But he realized that Alani meant to ignore the bond that they had. That, he decided, he could not allow. “Thank you so much Ms. Mitchell. It’s been such a relief to have these complete, and in so little time. I can’t express how much of a help you’ve been. And it’s barely been a week.” “You’re more than welcome Mr. James.” Alani said with confidence. “I’m here to help you with anything you made need.” “That is good to know.” He said silkily.

“Now, why don’t you tell me a bit about yourself as I get these signed.” He gestured at the seat in front of him. He took a seat at his desk as began signing. “We haven’t all day Ms. Mitchell.” “Uh. Um. I-I.” Alani stuttered again. “W-What would you l-like to know sir?” “A little more detail into your work history please.” “Have I done something wrong Mr. James, sir?” Kade stopped and looked at her with those enchanting green eyes. Alani’s heart stuttered then picked up as heat moved through her. She watched his nostrils flare as he held her gaze. Then he smiled and she felt the moisture gather between her legs. She watched as the flame of desire ignited in his gaze, but he quickly sat back. “You’ve done nothing wrong Ms. Mitchell. I just wanted to know how such a young person has come to cultivate the skillset that has made them the best executive assistant I’ve ever had.” He watched as her face glowed with pride as her gorgeous smile bloomed. She puffed her chest out slightly with pride and his gaze dropped to those glorious beauties. He felt the heat in him climb and his wolf grow restless. He was ready to claim his mate. “I have been working since I was 16. I started off as a receptionist, among other things, and found that I enjoyed administrative work. I loved the feeling of importance when I answered the phone and helped people with what they needed. The rush that my knowledge was of use to them was such a thrill to me. Later, as business began to pick up and we re-hired some staff, I was moved to basically an office manager position. I managed appointments for my dad, helped with invoices, did inventory. I basically did a ton of paper pushing. It was exhilarating. Even though I was in the background, it was like, I was one of the key players to keep the operations flowing. When I began taking my online college courses, they really helped me hone my skills in the administrative field. By the time I was a year into my college courses, I had taken over all event scheduling, order fulfillment, invoicing, and scheduling for my father. He told me I was basically keeping the wheels to the ship running and gave me a fancy title.” “A well-deserved title given the quality of your work Ms. Mitchell.” He watched her beautiful skin as a dull red flush made an appearance on her cheeks. He smiled at that. For all her confidence, his sweet little mate was still bashful. “Well, these are all signed, please get these sent out Ms. Mitchell. Since these are complete, we can move forward as I acclimate you to the office and the way I like things to work here.” Alani smiled and took the folder with the signed copies.

Their fingertips brushed and she felt the electricity from it zip straight to her core. She quickly turned and made her way out of the office. I don’t know how this is supposed to work. Just the smell of him has me tied in knots. Surprisingly, the day went by easily with him. The workload he demanded was enough to keep her mind off him, mostly. There were so many forms to be drafted, appointments to be scheduled, contracts to be signed, and money to be delegated. Alani wasn’t sure how he had been managing without an assistant. When she had muttered that sentiment, he laughed and said that he and his brother had been sharing a secretary but when she was currently on maternity leave and not expected to come back, they decided it was time for them each have their own. “We were running the poor woman ragged, and honestly it wasn’t as efficient as I would have liked it.” He explained. “She was mainly my brother’s secretary. I couldn’t bring myself to trust her with the details of all I needed done. I guess I was just waiting on the right person.” He eyed her then and Alani felt her heart stutter. “And here you are.” His voice now deep, almost husky; she felt herself drawn in as she gazed at his ruggedly handsome face. “Here I am.” Her voice had taken on a thin, breathy timbre. She straightened then and cleared her voice and moved the conversation back to work. She watched him smirk, but then continue as if the moment never happened.

By the end of the day, she had a long list of duties that would keep her busy for the rest of the week and weekend. She was happy for a job well done on her first day. As she packed up, a young man entered their office. “Hello, how may I help you?” she asked. “Hi, Ms. Mitchell I presume?” At her affirmation he smiled. “I’m Luke James, Kade’s brother and the CFO. How very nice to meet you.” He offered his hand and she took it. “It is a pleasure to meet you Mr. James.” “ah, I’m not Mr. James. That’d be my father. You can call me Luke.” Alani giggled at his rakish grin. “Well, Luke, it is nice to meet you.” “How has your first day been. I’ve actually been able to speak to my brother today, so I assume that he is working you hard.” It was an innocent statement, but the phrase bought all types of explicit imaginings to her brain. “Uh- um, it hasn’t been bad at all. It is a large workload, but I enjoy it. I must say though, you look very familiar.” “Ah! You might remember my face from my stay in your lodge a couple of years ago.” “Yes! You’re the guy that went down to the kitchen every morning for my mother’s cinnamon rolls! You’re the cinna-buns guy!” She giggled and he held his hand in mock surrender then grabbed her hand, almost as if he was pleading. “Guilty as charged. If you ever feel the inclination to have your mom make some cinnamon rolls- “Alani laughed at his wheedling. “No need. I know the recipe and my dad says I make it just as good as she does.” “Well if my brother dear doesn’t have you riding the work horse to hard maybe you’ll make me some.” Alani laughed with him, but again such an innocent statement sent her hormones aflame. She could instantly imagine herself atop a sweaty glistening Kade, riding him hard with abandon. Suddenly his office door opened, and she heard a deep growl. Luke dropped her hand instantly and Alani met Kade’s eyes. The arousal spiked and she knew she had to get out of there. She hurriedly made her excuses grabbed her things, said goodbye and left.

Kade’s eyes were on her retreating form. He watched her lush ass shuffle out of the office and around the hall to the elevator. The smell of her arousal called to him and when he came out of the office to see her hand in his brothers’, his jealousy spiked. “Want to tell me what that was about.” “She is my mate. I suggest you keep your hands to yourself.” He growled. Luke’s eyebrows shot up. “Well. This is an interesting discovery.” Kade rolled his eyes as he gathered his things. They were leaving to meet their father and his uncle and cousin. “Does Dani suspect anything?” “From her smug arrival an hour ago, I doubt it. Father says they are moving along to minimize the chances that she speaks to anyone.” Kaden nodded at that and they left to head up the mountain. They got in the Jeep and met at center hall. The compound meeting room. Everyone, including Michael, was there. He was currently laughing with his young brother while their father talked his. Dani sat at the table looking like a cat who’d eaten the canary. “Father. Uncle Barlow. Danielle.” Danielle just smugly smiled at him. “Nephews! Good to see you. I hate to make this short, but Dani and I really want to be on our way.” “We do. The boy is taken care of, like you wanted. We need to go.” With that Dani got up and made her way to the door without so much as a goodbye to Mateo. Barlow gritted his teeth, hugged his son to him and said his goodbyes.

His father, Simon, watched Barlow leave and the cut his eyes to Kade. Kade shook his head. “Who’s hungry?” Simon asked. Mateo quickly affirmed and everyone laughed. They made their way to Kade’s home, where Laurie was already setting out dinner with Annalee, Kade and Luke’s mother. “Mateo! My son! Come to me!” Laurie called as she watched her sons enter the dining room. Michael rolled his eyes with a smirk, but Mateo did as told and enfolded Laurie in a hug. She was miniscule compared to him and Michael. “Mama, how’ve you been?” “Good, Good. Come sit and eat.” The Family gathered around the take to partake it the meal. Once they had their fill, they moved to the den. “So, what’s new around here?” Mateo asked. Immediately Kade’s eyes cut to his brother Luke who was staring right at him. He watched his brother slowly smile and knew the dipshit was up to know no good. He shook his head at him and watched the grin turn evil. “Well” he started. “Kade has some big news, don’t you brother mine?” “No.” “No?” Luke said in mock outrage. “I would have sworn you told Mikey here and I something very Important last Thursday. You remember Mike?” Kade cut his eyes to Michael who was grinning like the loon he was. “Yes, I believe I do Luke! And here he is, just LYING!” Kade groaned. The rest of them looked confused. “If you won’t tell-“ “Don’t you dare Luke!” Kade growled. “Alpha here found-“ “LUKE!” “His mate.” Everyone paused in astonishment. Michael was smirking until Luke dropped the next bomb. “And I know who she is.”