Page 159 of Drama Queen

That, at least, reduced some of the frowns. She had declared a generic willingness to help, without any display of arrogance or aggression, only confirming she was neutral and not willing to submit just yet.

The people inside weren’t the only surprise. The room itself was far more informal than she could have imagined. This couldn’t possibly be the conference room, or some official placewhere the business of governing was done. No, while large and beautifully appointed, the space was far too informal.

Large, overstuffed lounges in varying yet complimentary patterned fabrics, were scattered around the place. Snuggled beside them were small side tables of varying sizes and shapes, an eclectic collection of practical furnishings, allowing whoever was seated to have easy access to a stable surface for their food or beverage — both of which were available buffet-style off to her right.

Five large, arched windows spanned the wall across from her, bringing a sense of light and space to the room. Embraced either side with heavy, mustard-coloured drapes, and held back with black sashes embossed with a fleur-de-lis pattern, they formed the perfect backdrop to the people sitting and standing before them. It almost looked like they were posing for a portrait.

Several armchairs completed the furnishings, each accompanied by their own squat little table, the final touches being tall indoor palm trees in each corner. The room was a statement piece, yet clearly a place for more informal meetings, designed to impress, but not discomfort any guest.

“If you would all excuse me for a few moments, I need a quiet word with Ms Bailey before we begin,” the president announced, stepping towards a smaller doorway on her left that she hadn’t noticed.

He opened the door, courteously holding it for her and gesturing for Charlotte to precede him. Unable to deny his unspoken request, and seeing no reason to do so, she stepped through into what could only be considered a private study.

The furnishings in here were more suited to a library. The room was dotted with several tub chairs made of dark timber, with leather studded across the backs and smoothed across the seat. Dominating the space was a large wooden desk, again dark,covered in books and papers, as though the owner had only just stood up to leave the room. The walls were floor to ceiling bookcases, filled to the brim with leather-bound texts. The few she could read easily were tomes of law. Some shelves had human law, the others were for different shifter species. Overall, it gave the impression of a quiet place where a lot of work was done.

Rather than sitting behind what was clearly his desk, the president moved over to a pair of tub chairs off to one side, turning them to face each other in a more intimate setting.

“Please forgive me for not offering refreshment. I will do so once we return to the other room. This should not take long, I hope.”

Charlotte nodded, sitting at the edge of her seat and waiting for him to begin. The lion shifter watched her for a moment, before his shoulders sagged as he slouched back into his own seat.

“Ms Bailey, before we begin, I wish you to know that there are no listening or recording devices here. This room is my private sanctum, and few of the people in the next room have ever seen inside it. That alone may cause you some difficulty over the next few months if you accept the proposal I am about to put forth.”

Well, that didn’t tell her much at all. Still, she took it as a reassurance that she was safe — at least for now — and sat further back in her chair, relaxing a little. His smile, when he saw it, was wan.

“What I am about to tell you is highly confidential, and I have the permission of the people involved to share it with you. I ask that you treat this matter as a treasured secret, regardless of your feelings for them. It may, I hope, ameliorate some of the stress you are facing right now. I need your word that you will not share this anywhere else without my express permission.”

State secrets? Was that what he was about to share with her? Charlotte wasn’t sure she should hear this, but the president wasn’t a stupid man, which meant whatever he needed her for, she needed to know this information and keep it a secret.

“This is an unusual situation, but given the circumstances, I’m willing to give my promise before knowing what I’m about to agree to.”

The president nodded, then sat forward, leaning his elbows on his knees.

“As you know in our world, the knowledge that some of us have fated mates is both a blessing and a curse. That our perfect match is out there waiting for us inhibits many from forming permanent bonds, while others forge ahead with their lives in defiance of it, unwilling to have their choice taken from them,” he began, tawny eyes meeting her own gaze with a directness she found refreshing.

The president had found his fated mate? Was that what he was trying to tell her? How was this a bad thing? Because of his posture and tone, she knew the news would not be good.

“Approximately five years ago, Grace Diaz found her fated mate, a wolf shifter of no consequence except for the fact he completely rejected their connection.”

To say Charlotte was surprised was putting it mildly. Grace had been rejected by her fated mate? It was the nightmare of all shifters, second to that was their ownchosenmate finding their fated mate instead. It certainly explained why her former boss had never entered a serious relationship, despite her high status and the adoration of many in the shifter world. Grace had certainly had several offers in Charlotte’s hearing, and she’d only worked with the woman for eight months!

“That makes some things about her clearer,” Charlotte replied. While she felt for the woman, it certainly didn’t excuse her behaviour.

The president nodded. “Nine months ago, the wolf in question mated with another wolf. If you followed Grace’s career back then, you would have seen a marked shift in her levels of aggression and her disregard for protocol. I had several meetings with her, trying to encourage her to either step down or seek counselling. However, when that blow-up happened with your predecessor, I put my foot down. I ordered her to find a suitable assistant, one capable of holding her in check, or to hand in her resignation. Her answer to that ultimatum was to hire you.”

He paused, watching her reaction as Charlotte processed what he said. Had Grace really thought Charlotte could hold her in check? Or was it more about appeasing the president and finding a candidate he thought would smooth things over? Either way, if she’d known all of this prior to applying for the job, she probably wouldn’t have accepted it. This certainly put a new light on all of their interactions, especially their last one, where Grace pushed her for an emotional response.

“If you’re asking me to withdraw my resignation, sir, I can’t,” Charlotte told him carefully. “Especially knowing this now. I can’t be her punching bag, Mr. President. That’s not fair to me, nor to her.”

Golden eyes watched her, cataloguing her every movement, and Charlotte found herself becoming angry. He was observing her as one did prey, and she resented the implication. Could a lion eat an owl? Probably. However, first he’d have to catch her, and if he thought she wouldn’t put up a fight, he was sorely mistaken. Her owl ruffled its feathers, as agitated as she was.

“Please, hear me out,” he asked, waiting until she nodded. “For as long as I’ve known, I’ve kept tabs on the situation, so while disappointed, I wasn’t exactly surprised when she went off the rails today.”

If he had known this was coming, a heads up would have been nice. Whatever he was about to say, it had better be something radical, because Charlotte was ready to walk out of the room and tell him where to stuff his proposition, whatever it was. Knowing trouble was coming and not warning her? That was a dick move!

“Yesterday, Grace’s fated mate and his wife announced to the world they were expecting twins,” he said sadly.

Okay, yes, that would push most people past their limits, but it was still something he could have warned her about.

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