Chapter Six - Catching the Alpha's Eye

Nell reflected that it was just her luck that the music had changed to a slow ballad. She knew all the excuses in the world wouldn’t save her now. This was bound to upset a lot of people. Well, it couldn’t be helped. Alpha Liam was the last person she wanted to antagonise.

He looked good in his charcoal grey suit and was actually clean-shaven for the occasion in contrast to the majority of his male pack members. Was that a new aftershave or a scent wafting in from the garden? It was unseasonably warm which was why the windows were open.

Accepting his outstretched hand, Nell told him, “I’m flattered, but you really ought to know I have two left feet.”

The Alpha leaned down a long way to whisper in her ear, “That makes two of us. The difference is, I’m paying people not to notice.”

She wanted to giggle but didn’t dare. He was so hard to read most of the time.

Then she was being pulled in close for an unnerving slow dance. The top of her head barely reached to his chest and he was strong, so strong. Nell almost forgot to breathe.

“Sorry,” she murmured, when her foot skidded on the slippery floor.

“Look at me,” he demanded. “I feel like I’m supporting a child.”

Her head shot up at that. “Just say the word and I’ll give way to the dozens who want to take my place,” she snapped.

Nell’s mouth stayed open after her unguarded words.

“That won’t be happening anytime soon,” the Alpha growled.

Was that a smirk?

“My neck’s going to have a permanent crick in it at this rate,” she grumbled, trying to pretend his sharp jawline wasn’t affecting her.

“Too bad,” he said, “because right now I’m enjoying the view far too much.”

Hot colour scorched her face.

“Do you set out to humiliate all women, or is it just me?”

“I don’t know what you mean, Nell.”

A redhead in a mini skirt was hovering, but a simple flick of his fingers dismissed her.

“Is everyone looking at us, Alpha?”

“So you do know how to address me properly,” he commented. “Nell, what do you care?”

“I work here, remember?”

“That’s right. For as long as I want you. Say it.”

Her lip mutinous, she said, “I don’t even have a contract of employment. Am I just here at your whim?”

Alpha Liam didn’t answer immediately, though there was an infinitesimal slackening of his hold. Was he taking her seriously for once?

Then he spoiled it all.

“What is it about you, woman? Putting these crazy ideas in my head.”

“Am I to take over as Fallon’s main carer," she persisted, "or will you find someone else too lazy to check on her every hour?”

She meant her sister, but he took exception to her accusation and Nell realised he probably thought she was referring to his aunt.

“I’ll be sure to tell Deborah how lowly you rate her,” he said, confirming her fears.

“Please don’t do that, Alpha, because it’s not true. It was Liv I meant.”

“A likely story.”

“It’s true,” she said. “Punish me, if you must, for disrespecting your relative. But I can assure you I would never do anything of the kind.”

“I’ll let it go this once. It is my birthday, after all. Isn’t it about time you kissed me?” Nell assumed he was joking and didn’t reply. “Well?” he demanded.

All at once a scuffle broke out behind them, involving the redhead she didn’t know and Carrie, the mother of a pup named Bradley who sometimes brought him to see Fallon. High pitched screeching followed before the other she-wolves pulled them apart.

“Does she need assistance?” Nell asked, glad of the distraction.

“Shifters heal swiftly,” he told her, dismissively. “Now, where were we?”

“But you still need a new pack medic,” she pressed.

“Are you questioning me, woman?”

She shook her head and winced, hoping her ears were still covered. “Just stating a fact, Alpha,” she said.

“Kiss me and I’ll consider promoting you.”

“You can’t be serious. I’m far from qualified to do such a responsible job.”

“So what other duties can I assign you?”

“Anything,” Nell said, “as long as l can resume taking care of Fallon.”

“Sure of yourself, aren’t you, woman?”

“Not especially. Oh, the music’s stopped.”

Trying to escape him before he was ready to release her proved unfortunate as Alpha Liam seized her wrist so tightly that he dislocated it. Her cry of anguish was lost on no-one.

“Come with me,” he ordered, hurrying her away from the festivities and awed faces.

“Please let me go, Alpha,” she begged. “I need to assess the damage.”

“I’ll take care of that,” he snarled, pushing her against the wall beside the medical room.

It was locked, of course, making him even angrier. But it simply made sense to keep pills and potions secure, especially with curious youngsters about.

“Why?” she asked. Shock was setting in now and her legs felt weak. “Why did you do it?”

“Because you’re mine,” he said, just before his mouth swooped down on hers.

Nell struggled feebly, beating at his chest with her good arm, but it was futile. The Alpha was in no mood to be denied. His tongue sought entrance and she parted her lips without thinking though stopped short of kissing him back. She didn’t want to be accused of anything, like when her mom had seen her and Josh necking outside the house after their fifth date.

He lifted her trembling body in his arms without warning, only then coming up for air.

“Let me go,” she pleaded. “This isn’t right.”

“See sense, woman. I need to take a look at that arm.”

“Oh,” was all she managed.

The Alpha headed in the direction of his office but didn’t stop there. For a brief moment she assumed he was taking her to the nursery. Instead, he nodded to the permanent guard and took her into his bedroom, kicking the door closed behind them.

He set her down carefully on a low couch. Her head was spinning by now. What would everyone think?

The painkillers were a surprise as was the fact that he brought her a glass of water, chilled from his small personal fridge.

“I might have to snap it back into position,” he warned. “If so, it will hurt.”

There was no apology forthcoming; she hadn’t really expected one.

“Alpha, don’t take this the wrong way, but I don’t have an ounce of shifter blood in my veins. I won’t heal in the way you believe. It may even make it worse.”

“Then what do you suggest, Nell?”

“I have dressings in the nursery,” she told him. “And I’m used to taking care of myself, trust me.”

That was when he touched her cheek and pressed his forehead to hers, the nearest he would come to saying sorry.

Of course, he had to have the last word.

“Go then,” he said. “But I want you back here at midnight. We need to discuss your future duties.”

Nell gulped. There was no way she was consenting to that.

“Can’t it wait until morning?” she pleaded.

“Are you defying me, woman? Make sure you’re outside the door as the clock strikes the hour, or else.”