CHAPTER 4 – PROJECT

Hazel

In a few minutes my life will end, I know it will, and I also know that no one will try to save me, most likely, they will willingly push me in the arms of my approaching demise. How sad is that.

Not even my parents said much about the matter; they could have at least pretended to be outraged by the wrong their daughter was subjected to. Maybe, be scared for my personal safety. Instead, when I recounted what happened, and what was going to happen today, they just went mute, exchanged a few cryptic glances and told me to stay assured that everything would be ok.

What does that even mean? Ok how? Ok like going to Heaven? I seriously hope that wasn’t what they meant.

Anyhow, here I am, sitting in our company’s best meeting room, waiting for Alpha Scary to show up and take a bite out of me. A literal bite.

Although, I will not go down without a fight. For starters, I have put on two mock turtlenecks and a silk scarf, and this will give the Alpha enough trouble before he can reach the spot he’s aiming for. Secondly, I have sprayed myself with my mom’s perfume, which smells like old lady, although I’ve never had the courage to tell her. I’ve sprayed a lot of it, and hopefully, it will cover my scent enough, that the Alpha will think he made a mistake yesterday, and that I don’t smell like his mate, after all.

Let’s hope I haven’t bathed in essence of old lady for nothing.

I stand up and bow my head when Mr. Jones, followed by Alpha O’Brien and Carol make their way into the office.

I feel so nervous that I wouldn’t be able to speak, even if I wanted to. So, when Alpha O’Brien greets me with “Hello Hazel, it’s a pleasure to see you again today.”, I just nod my head in acknowledgement, and keep my gaze downwards, to avoid eye contact. If my cold welcome displeases him, I wouldn’t know, because I can’t see his face.

Mr. Jones clears his throat and nudges me with his elbow; a reminder to make the Alpha happy. Yeah, right.

Unwillingly, I raise my eyes to the Alpha, and it’s like I just remembered how insanely gorgeous he is, if possible, even more attractive than yesterday.

His gaze automatically locks on mine, and we take a second round at our special staring competition, until Mr. Jones clears his throat, and breaks us from our trance.

“Hazel, take the seat near Alpha O’Brien, please, and pour him some fresh coffee. Thank you, dear.”

Dear? He never called me that! Not once in the four years I have been working here. He usually uses words like slacker or useless when he refers to me. I suppose it is only for show, and I’ll enjoy the good treatment until it lasts.

I do as I am told, and Mr. Jones immediately dives into business, discussing every aspect of the project and cooperation in minute detail.

“Great, that’s settled then; we will start working on it today and provide a first draft later this week. Right, Carol?”

“Sure,…”

Carol is immediately cut off by Alpha long legs, which are continually brushing against mine, spreading tingles on my thigh and up my side. I can’t say that the feeling is uncomfortable, but it certainly makes me nervous. I don’t understand why my skin tingles wherever he touches me, it’s like his touches are charged with low current electricity. I wonder if it is like this for all werewolves, I wouldn’t know though, as I have never dated one, and I definitely don’t plan to.

“There’s just one more thing,” the Alpha interjects, “I want Hazel to be in charge of the project.”

Silence ensues after his appalling request.

Mr. Jones opens his mouth and closes it a couple of times, looking like a lost fish, while Carol wears a horrified expression which is actually quite comical on her.

I am pretty astonished myself, but I try not to let it show, I don’t want the Alpha to get strange ideas. I mean, I am happy for this opportunity, but I don’t want him to think that I’ll let him mark me in return for this favor. That is completely out of the question!

“In all honesty, I don’t believe Hazel has the skills and the experience to lead this project. We want the best for you, and of course we could include Hazel in the team, giving her an important role,” Mr. Jones tries to mediate.

“That’s not what I asked. I want her to be in charge. Otherwise, I will take this project somewhere else.”

Although his words are quite harsh, Alpha O’Brien is the picture of calm, as cool as a cucumber. He knows he already has his victory in his pocket and is blatantly savoring his triumph. I bet it tastes good.

Mr. Jones shifts his gaze on me, a silent threat to intervene and help him out or, as usual, I will be thrown out of the company.

This time though, I know that it is just an empty threat, he can’t kick me out if he wants to keep this project; the Alpha is giving it to this company because of me, if I am out, so is the project.

Ah ah, I love to have the upper hand in this game.

So, instead of intervening, I move my gaze in the other direction and wait for the chips to fall where they may.

“So? Are we in agreement?” Alpha O’Brien pressures on.

Mr. Jones visibly swallows down this hard morsel and nods his head both in agreement and defeat.

“Yes, Hazel will be in charge.”

Carols outraged expression goes completely unnoticed by anyone except me, while I am making a small happy dance in my silly brain.

“Good. Now then, if you’ll excuse us, I will take Hazel to visit the site, so that she can get an overall understanding of the location and surroundings.” Alpha O’Brien says while standing up.

What now? A visit to the site? Which is what, 35 km from here. It’s going to take us at least one hour or more with this traffic, equal to a dangerous eternity with him alone in his car. I can’t have that!