9 - ra


    His wolf. I had never once stopped to consider that his wolf might be causing him trouble. My own wolf desires him as well, yet she doesn''t resist my constant presence by his side. She aligns perfectly with what I want: to navigate this transition to bing Alpha without putting my pack at risk. "Fine,” I mutter reluctantly, “My office isn''t cluttered like my father''s, so there aren''t many ces to stash things."


    He doesn''t smile; instead, he simply nods and gestures for me to lead the way. He still walks ufortably close, invading my personal space, but I refuse toment on it—acknowledging it would mean admitting he affects me, and I won''t give him that satisfaction. My office sits adjacent to my father''s. I doubt I''ll ever take over his space, even after I officially be Alpha. That will always be his domain. Ben immediately gets to work, just as he promised silent and focused. I settle at my desk while he methodically examines the shelves. I keep a careful distance, watching him closely. He''s thorough, opening every book, lifting each knickknack my mother insisted belonged here for ambiance. For a moment, I''m distracted by the way his muscles ripple beneath his skin. He never bothered to put a shirt back on, leaving every tan, corded muscle on full disy. I''m woman enough to admit I appreciate the sight.


    Nothing escapes his scrutiny. If I were inclined to like him, I''d say he''s stalling, trying to spend more time alone with me. But neither of us seems eager for this pairing. My reasons are clear-even if I haven''t voiced them—and yet, my pride aches to understand why he doesn''t want me.


    A small, girlish voice inside me whispers that maybe he has a girl, and jealousy res instantly at the thought. After all, we''re still in high school. I remember those days vividly-when everyone wanted to be your friend, and countless kids tried to hook up just to brag about it. Jeremiah once told me about his adopted sister, who was harassed by girls simply for being friends with him. She acted as a buffer, keeping the crazier leeches at bay. Maybe Ben did the same, thinking he had plenty of time before making a choice. He''s neither marked nor mated—I''ll keep that secret to my grave—but I did checkst night when I confronted him. His scent is pure, and there''s no sign where a mate''s mark would be.


    "Hey, Alpha.” His rough voice pulls me out of my thoughts. He holds up a small device, then points to his lips, signaling silence. "What time do you want to meet tonight? I need to update Alpha Jeremiah."


    "Let''s have an early dinner on the veranda—say, 4 o''clock. Then we can meet in the study. It''s big enough for us to spread out and review everything we found today."


    "Sounds good. I''ll let him know. Need anything else from me?"


    "No, thank you, Beta. See you in a couple of hours."


    Ben moves toward my office door, opens it, takes a deep breath, then closes it behind him. I watch, fascinated, as he silently resumes searching my office. The earlier conversation seemed strange, but now I understand—he''s baiting whoever nted the listening devices. He uncovers two more, dismantling each with care, when a sudden knock at the door startles me. I''d been so absorbed in watching him work that I hadn''t noticed anything else.


    Ben slides the remains of the devices into my desk drawer and steps beside the door just as I approach. I shoot him a look, but he ignores it. Is this really what a Beta does? Sometimes it feels like a never-ending blockade to my life.


    I open the door to find my father''s Beta and Gamma standing there, their expressions stern and serious.


    "You''re needed, ra," my father''s Beta states simply, as if that''s all the exnation I''ll get.


    "Okay, Dick. Any idea where I''m needed or what to expect? Or should I just wander around hoping for the best?" I ask, a hint of sarcasm in my voice.


    Ben coughs to hide augh beside me, drawing Richard''s attention for the first time.


    "Shouldn''t you be with your Alpha, boy?" Jeff remarks, stepping past Richard into my office. I hadn''t invited either of them in. Richard respects me enough to wait outside, but Jeff, my father''s Gamma, acts like he can do whatever he wants since I''m not yet the official Alpha.


    Richard is an old man who has never witnessed a female Alpha before and isn''t thrilled by the idea. He doesn''t openly oppose me, but he still looks to my father for decisions, even though they''re supposed toe from me. We''re working on changing that dynamic.