Page 34 of Their Alpha

It was frustrating, really. I wanted to embrace the happy, embrace the sense that I’d done something right and the world would be a better place because of it. The niggling worry kept poking at me, though.

As wrong as it seemed, I tried not to think about my bond with Fletcher as I rushed to change into a business suit for my interview. I didn’t like the fact that if I ignored it, Icould almost forget about the bond. It was like some sort of rubber band I’d put around my wrist earlier that had left my conscious thoughts as I went about my business. It was there, but not prominent.

My alpha wasn’t happy. My omega should be prominent. Gideon should be prominent, too, though he was mostly in my head and heart, and not under my skin, like Fletcher was.

Case in point, as I strode quickly through Barrington’s busy streets, grateful I could walk to the building that housed Arise Financial, I stopped dead when I crossed in front of a bookstore’s dazzling window display. The person walking behind me nearly crashed into me, but after an apology, I moved closer to the window.

There was an illustrated copy ofThe Captive Omega Princes and Their Secret Dragon Princessitting on a raised stand. The book was thick and as far as I could see from the cover, the illustrations were gorgeous.

I was supposed to be at Justice Goode’s office in less than ten minutes, but I couldn’t resist the book. I dashed into the store, grabbed one of the copies from the window display, then rushed to the counter to pay for it. Gideon would love this book. Just thumbing through it, I caught glimpses of the story he’d mentioned, about Azurus and Misha, and more. It was perfect.

“Would you like a bag for that, sir?” the young woman behind the counter asked me. When I glanced up at her, she gave me an apologetic look and said, “We’ve just run out. It’ll take me three minutes to run to the back and get some more.”

“No, I’ll just carry it,” I said, then nodded and strode out of the store.

The book was oversized and designed for children, butit felt right carrying it under my arm as I rushed on to the building with Arise Financial. I got a grin from a cute omega in the elevator on the way up to the twelfth floor, then another smile from the receptionist at Arise Financial.

“Mr. Goode is expecting you,” the middle-aged beta said with a professional smile. “If you would come this way.”

I hardly broke stride as I followed the beta down a side hall, past a few offices that reminded me of every other financial-type office I’d ever been in. The only difference was that instead of generic, abstract art on the walls, this office had what looked like handmade, calligraphy quotes with illustrated flowers and vines in simple frames. My mind was too scattered to think much about the quotes, but I did vaguely register that one was a Bible quote as I passed it.

We reached a closed door, and the receptionist knocked softly on it. At the curt answer, “Yes?” she popped her head in.

“Mr. Montgomery is here to see you, sir.”

“Oh, yes. Show him in, please.” Goode’s tone changed to the friendlier way he’d sounded on the phone.

The receptionist opened the door all the way, stepped in, then gestured for me to follow.

“Mr. Montgomery, I’m so glad you could make it in on such short notice,” Goode greeted me.

He’d been standing behind his desk, fiddling with what looked like an old paper map on the counter behind him. He was dressed in a suit, but he’d taken the jacket off and his shirt had come untucked in one place on the side. His tie was a little loose, too, and if I wasn’t mistaken, he was slightly flushed. I couldn’t quite put my finger onwhy, but I immediately felt he was angry and agitated about something, despite his smile.

“Mr. Goode,” I said, shifting the book to my other arm so I could shake his hand when he reached me.

The receptionist quietly left, shutting the door behind her.

Goode’s face lit up a bit when he saw the book in my arm. “Omega fairy tales,” he said, still shaking my hand firmly.

“Yes, I just saw it on the way over here and I had to buy it,” I said, wishing he would let go of my hand already. “I, um, my omega really enjoys them.”

I wasn’t sure why I lied like that. Not about Gideon enjoying the fairy tales, but about him being mine. Then again, it didn’t feel like a lie at all.

“Mine, too,” Goode said, as though delighted we’d found something in common. He let go of my hand at last and gestured for me to have a seat at one of the chairs in front of his desk while he walked back around it. “My omega is mad for them, actually. To the point where I had to ban him from reading any books.”

I faltered a bit in the middle of sitting. “Ban him from reading?” I asked, tense even after I’d settled into the chair.

“An omega’s sole focus should be on his alpha,” Goode said, still smiling. “God gifted them with obedience and the ability to bear children. To give their focus to anything else would be anathema.”

He spoke so easily and smoothly, but my heart beat faster, as if he’d threatened me.

I cleared my throat and settled the book on my lap, keeping my hands on it like I was protecting Gideon. I searched for my bond with Fletcher as well. For somereason, it seemed more stretched and farther away than ever.

“Enough about omegas,” Goode laughed as he leaned back in his chair. “I don’t have a lot of time this afternoon. Family matters, you see. I’m sure you understand, if I am correct in assuming the reason for your unavailability over the last few days.”

“Yes,” I said, loath to say more.

“Family matters are the reason I need to make certain Arise Financial has the perfect CFO as quickly as possible,” Goode said. “I have something to resolve with my omega that will take me away from the office for several weeks. But having taken a look at your CV, consulted with my recruiter, and, I have to admit, investigated your work with Victory Holdings over the last few years, I think you would be an ideal candidate to temporarily man the helm here at Arise Financial.”

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