Page 10 of Assisting the Alpha
I put my hand on their upper arm without thinking. “I’m sorry you had to deal with that.”
Kit tilts their head, considering me, then points to a chair. “Sit. I’ll take another one. You’re making me feel guilty about hazing you.”
“Oh, it’s fine. I didn’t mean?—”
“Sit.”
Okay then. I sit in the chair indicated and make sure to look as much like a professional as possible. Kit even lets me check I’m happy with the photo before printing another ID card for me. They then void the old one before destroying it.
They spend time setting me up at a desk with a computer, showing me how to log in and how the systems work, making sure I have phone numbers for the whole team just in case, and explaining various security procedures to me.
“It’s vital that anything you come across in the course of your work for us remains entirely confidential. For example, if you were to reveal anything to another coven member, it would be grounds for immediate termination.”
My interviewer, Raj, mentioned that this would be a concern if they hired me. To be honest, I’m still slightly amazed they decided to take a chance on me.
“I understand.”
“Good, because Ethan has concerns about your loyalty to your people affecting your ability to do your job with integrity.”
I’m not remotely afraid of having to prove myself to my new boss. He can’t be any worse than Nyoka at recognising my value.
“I guarantee I’ll keep everything to do with my job confidential.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” The deep voice from the doorway behind me has me spinning around.
My magic says alpha wolf, and holy smokes is this guy hot. There’s a sprinkling of silver in the black hair at his templesand in his short beard. His T-shirt is stretched across delicious muscles as he leans on the doorframe, his hands in the hip pockets of his cargo trousers, and his intense blue eyes seem to see right to the heart of me, like if he stares long enough he’ll be able to read all my deepest secrets.
He takes his hands out of his pockets as he skirts the desks between us. “Ethan Lupo.”
I manage to only stumble a little as I stand and shake the hand he offers. “Ayo Muroyi.”
He keeps hold of my hand as he inhales, which would be weird if I hadn’t grown up with a wolf as my best friend. He’s getting to know my scent and probably my emotions too. I figure that gives me permission to do the same, so I let my magic out a little.
My magic isn’t visible to anyone but me, so they can’t see the way royal blue swirls gently over and around Ethan, getting to know him and his insane level of power. Dante is similarly powerful, but Ethan has an edge to him that Dante doesn’t.
Ethan narrows his eyes and drops my hand. “Do you mind telling me what the hell you think you’re doing?”
Oops. I pull my magic back immediately. Zaiden explained to me that more powerful wolves can smell magic, although not what I do with it.
I give Ethan my brightest smile. “The same thing you were. Figuring out how powerful you are and making sure I can identify you with a blindfold on from half a mile away.”
Kit snorts, then makes themselves busy on their computer when Ethan shoots them a look.
Ethan looks me over, then jerks his head towards the door. “Come on. We have places to be.”
I scramble to follow, making sure I take my new pass with me. “Where are we going?”
“I’ll explain on the way.”
All right then. I try to keep my grin locked up inside as we head out of the office and down in the lift to the basement where the car park is. It’s difficult though; I didn’t expect to be doing anything other than paperwork for at least the first week.
Going somewhere with the boss on day one? I can’t wait to tell Zaiden later. He’ll be thrilled to be right about this being a good move for me.
It’s only once we’re in a black SUV with ‘Soldati Security’ and the company logo printed on the side that Ethan speaks again. “I’m going to assume you know about the recent murders of three of your coven members.”
It’s not a question, but I answer anyway, my good mood vanishing. “Bessie, Zoe, and Frida.”
Ethan glances at me as he drives up the ramp and into the bright sunshine. He grabs a pair of sunglasses from the centre console and I wish I could do the same. “You knew them?”
