Page 15 of Shattered Soulmates

She then turns to her assistant. "Roland, can you please get the Alphas settled and see to their refreshments?"

As the Alphas take their seats, Roland takes our orders and leaves. Charlie sits and begins organizing her documents.I have to remedy this situation. I don't want to be on this gorgeous female's naughty list.Or, do I?I shake my head to clear it and approach her.

She rightly ignores me.

"I—I. Charlie, Ms. Marks," I stutter as she whips around to glare at me. "I apologize. I just assumed—uh. Right. Anyway, I hope you’ll accept my apologies. I’m not normally a bumbling idiot." I push my hair off my face, and she shoots me a doubtful look.

"Honestly, I was floored when I walked in and saw you here. You’re a gorgeous woman and..."

She interrupts me. "Alpha Stone, you’re not endearing yourself to me at this moment. You’re continuing to stick your foot in your mouth," she asserts, as she turns away with a look of disgust.

This isn't going very well.I hear the other Alpha snickering under their breath.

"Uh." I cough, "Let's start over." I reach and grasp her hand in mine. Surprisingly, she doesn't immediately pull back or, worse, slap me now that I’m in close range. "Ms. Marks, I’m Alpha Stone from the Wind Howl Pack," I repeat in a low voice. "I look forward to learning about your security innovations and collaborating with you." I smile and tilt my head, looking up at her with my best look of contrition. "Can we be friends?" I flash her my most charming smile.

She rolls her eyes as she withdraws her hand. "Fine!" She stabs her finger in my chest, but jerks it back quickly and warns. "But you better behave yourself!"

"Yes, ma'am." I smile in relief and sit. It’s only then that I realize she’s wearing a wedding band. Lucky male.

We all take our seats with Charlie at the head of the table. "Gentlemen, as I mentioned before, I’mCharlie Marks, owner of Silver She-Wolf Tech Development." She points to her left. "We’ll go around the table and introduce ourselves before we begin."

"I’m Alpha Commander Beck Kasen with Stone Mountain City." The Alpha to her left nods. He turns to his left to the next Alpha.

"Alpha Noble Wright of the Still Waters Pack."

"Alpha Jon Mills of the Lonely Pines Pack."

"Alpha Rowan Reems of the Bloody Paws Pack."

"Alpha Rich Simpkins of the Lazy Moon Pack."

"And everyone knows who I am by now," I say sheepishly. Everyone in the room chuckles. "Alpha Rex Stone of the Wind Howl Pack."

"We have four other Alphas that will need to be briefed on this as well, but they’re currently dealing with another criminal matter and won't be here today," Alpha Commander Beck Kason informs us. "Alpha Lange Quinn, Alpha Blake Collins, Alpha Devon Wright, and Alpha Jenson Black. They are excused. We will proceed."

Charlie then stands and opens her mouth to begin speaking, but she’s interrupted by the door slamming open, and in storms Alpha Jenson. "It's true!" He exclaims. "Charlie!" He chokes out, reaching.

“Jenson?” she whispers.

“Charlie!”

"What's going on here?" I demand.

"That's my wife." Alpha Jenson points toCharlie.

"Ex-wife," she corrects. Then it all falls into place. This is Alpha Jenson's runaway mate.

He eyes Charlie up and down, and utters the most stupid thing he could at this moment. "Wow. You sure work fast. You must’ve been pregnant when you left. Who’s the father?"

"What?" She pales as she exclaims. I watch as anger morphs her lovely face as she extends her claws toward Jenson.

A loud, explosive shock wave tears through the air. The building shakes and leans slightly. A massive dust cloud engulfs the room. The ceiling begins to cave in on us as alarms blare, and I’m crushed under the weight. I try to claw my way out, but the air is thick with particles, and I can't breathe. I feel a trickle of blood on my forehead as I succumb to the darkness of oblivion.

Chapter 6 – Closure

Alpha Stone

I hear voices drifting around me, too weak and too tired to open my eyes. I’m just comfortable and warm. I never get to sleep in, and it feels so good. I just wish the buzzing in my head would stop. I sink back into unconsciousness.

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