Chapter 2

SAMMY

"Sammy. Are you even listening to me?"

"Yeah. Oh yeah." I say as I go through design books.

My business partner, Eric Dalton, has been trying to talk to me for the last 20 minutes.

He's an OK guy. We've been friends forever. He's just high strung when it comes to business and money. Today is not one of his good days.

He takes the book from me and runs his fingers through his dark brown hair. His rugged, stubble covered jawline ticks a little bit. "If we don't get a job soon, we're going to fold. Is that what you want?" He leans his muscular arms on my desk.

"Of course, not Eric, but what can we do? The money's just not flowing like it once was. People aren't able to afford the luxury of a professional decorator. We just have to be patient. Things will look up. You'll see."

I try to calm my partner, but it doesn't seem like it's working. He grunts and paces the floor.

The door to my little office, in my parent's garage, opens. My brother Dylan walks in. Well, he's not my real brother. I was adopted. Clearly, because we're both the same age and look nothing alike. With his dirty blonde hair and blue eyes and me with my chocolate brown hair and brown eyes. I was adopted by the Gales a few months after Dylans eighth birthday. Mine too.

I should probably back track a bit.

My name is Samantha Gale. My friends call me Sammy. Really everyone does. When I was 5, my parents and I were in a freak accident in their car outside of a town called Silver Lake. I was injured, but survived. My birth parents were killed. My mom, Karen Gale, found me in a human orphanage and knew what I was at 8 years old. She hid me away until it was safe to adopt me publicly.

With the Gales love and support, I managed to build a little life here in Black Rock.

I own Sam's Designs. A little interior decoration service. I'm really good at what I do, but I'll admit, I'm not big on first impressions when it comes to professionalism. I figure my talent speaks for itself.

Okay, so back to Dylan who's standing in front of my desk with a huge smile on his face.

"I just saved all our asses." He grins, slamming a quote on my desk.

I pick it up and read it. I look at him wide eyed. "The pack house?" I say in amazement.

I've never seen the pack house up-close. Frig, I've never even seen the driveway.

"You've got to be kidding me." I look at Dylans beaming face.

"Let me see that." Eric grabs the paper. "Holy shit! 15000 square feet?"

Dylan nods. "Yep. That's what the Alpha's been building up there all year. A grand ballroom."

"Must be nice." I scoff.

Dylan shrugs. "Hey, when you got the money...."

I take the paper back. Looking at the quote. "This is a lot of money. It would help us a lot."

Dylan leans on the desk. "And I just closed the bid."

"Get out!" I stand.

"Nope. It's all ours, baby!" He fists bumps Eric. Grinning from ear to ear.

I scream and run around the desk. Throwing my arms around my brother. "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you." I kiss his cheek over and over. "You are the best brother ever!"

He laughs. "I know." He pushes me off him.

Looking at the paper and reading it again, my heart is beating a mile a minute. I'm going to be working in the Alpha of Black Rocks house. This is like the ultimate decorator's dream come true.

"When do we start?" I ask.

"They want us up there now." Dylan supplies.

I move around my office in a little bit of a panic. "Oh...um...Ok...I'll just grab some things and get up there. Do you know who I report to?"

Eric reads the paper. "Either a Nigel Justice or Anton Soto. They must be the Beta and Delta." Eric hands the paper back to me.

"Great...um...How do I look?" I hold my arms out in front of the guys.

Dylan laughs. "Like you're going to a barbecue."

I look down at my t-shirt and cut off shorts. I sigh. "Well, I can't change now. I want to get the pack house right away."

Eric chuckles. "Oh, that'll make a great first impression."

I shrug. "First impression? What's that?" I chuckle and take my bag to the old 95 Toyota pickup I have in my parents' driveway. It's rusted out. Chugs a bit, but me and this old girl have been through a lot. I'm not ready to give up on her yet.

I jump in and roll down the window. "I'll call you from the job once I know what I'm dealing with."

"Have fun!" Eric gives a little wave. Dylan does too.

I back out and head for what I hope to be the greatest experience of my career.

****

As I crested the hill, heading toward the packhouse, it almost glows as it comes into view. It's huge. There must be at least 200 rooms in it. From what I understand, it's grown a lot over the generations of Alphas.

This Alpha has certainly made it that much bigger as the massive expansion comes into sight.

All that creative space? I'm gonna have a blast here. I can feel it.

I'm told by security to park around back and come in through the staff entrance.

I park the truck and grab my bag from the passenger seat.

I was just about half way across the large driveway, when a large, muscle-bound man with long black hair greets me with a friendly smile. "Hello, you must be Samantha." He extends his hand.

It's so big it almost swallows mine. "Please, call me Sammy." I smile back.

"Well, Sammy. I'm sure your anxious to get started so I'll show you in. I'm Anton."

I nod. "Nice to meet you, Anton." I follow him in as best I can. The man walks fast.

As we walk in, my eyes wander around in awe of the place. The high ceilings, the decor, the stone and marble. Whoever decorated this place had a good eye. "It's beautiful." I exclaim.

"It's home." He shrugs. "Though, I think with you here, it'll be just a bit better." He looks over his shoulder and winks.

I feel my face heat. "Um...is the Alpha home?"

"No. He's at a council meeting, but he's excited to work with you. I'm sure you can understand how important this job will be."

I can't help but eye Antons large muscular arms as he rakes his fingers through his hair. His dark tanned skin stands out among the white of the halls and rooms we enter.

He leads me down an unfinished corridor to a set of double doors. "The Grand Ballroom." He waves me in.

I slowly enter the room and take the space in. "Oh my God." I say as my breath is taken away.

"It's not much, but I'm sure someone as talented and beautiful as yourself, could do something with it." I turn to him as he flashes a charming smile.

I can't help but smile back and blush again. "I'll certainly try. I love a blank canvas."

He heads for the door. "Great. I'll leave you to it. You'll be alone in here so feel free to do whatever it is you do."

"Thanks." I chirp.

He smiles again and leaves.

I drop my bag on the table and open it. Pulling out all my designs and paint swatches.

I stand with my hands on my hips and look around the ballroom again. "Ok Sammy. Time to get to work."

Plopping my Bluetooth speaker on the table, I turn on my Spotify. I like to work with music. It gives me inspiration.

I was getting right down and dirty. Figuring out color schemes, materials, textures. The whole nine yards. Lost completely in thought.

That was until my speaker was shut off and it scared the crap out of me.

"Who the hell are you?"

I stand there like a deer caught in the headlights as I look at a freaking Adonis glaring at me. Sexy blue eyes piercing my very soul. His perfectly textured blonde hair pulled back in such a way that emphasizes his God like chiseled features.

His hard chest threatens his silk button down as it heaves.

I really think I'm going to pass out.

"Answer me!' He demands.

This snaps me out of my drooling stupor. "Um...yes...I... uh...I'm Samantha Gale, but you can call me Sammy." I walk toward him, swallowing the gum I had in my mouth. I extend my hand.

He doesn't take my hand. Instead, he turns and screams out the door. "Nigel! Get your ass in here!" This makes me step back and almost jump a little.

"Is there a problem?" I ask leaning to see his face.

He whips his head and squints at me. Not saying a word.

My mouth goes small and my face heats as I feel his aggravation.

A man, who I assume is Nigel, comes through the door.

The Alpha walks up to him and grabs him by the back of the neck. "What the hell is this?" He throws his arm at me without taking his eyes off of Nigel.

"The decorator?" Nigel glances at me. He smiles.

"This?" He points at me. "This, is not a decorator. I wanted a professional decorator. Not some showgirl wanna be."

"Hey!" I furrow my brow and cross my arms. "That's a little offensive."

He whips his head to me and points. "Be quiet!" He barks.

I'm still put off, but I shut my mouth.

He takes his hand off of Nigel. "Get rid of her." He starts for the door.

Nigel stops the Alpha from leaving. "She's the best I assure you. Besides. She's hot." He winks at me.

Shocked at the Alphas accusation, I step forward. "Now, wait just a darn minute...." I'm really not liking the way these guys are talking about me. "I may not look......" The Alpha cuts me off.

"I said....Be. Quiet!" He grits. He glares at me with those blue eyes of his. I really don't understand how a man with such rugged good looks could be such an ass.

"No. I will not be quiet." I stomp up to him. Throwing a finger in his flawless face. "I may not look like a fancy decorator to you, but I have a five-star rating and hundreds of satisfied clients. If you only hired me for my looks, then fine. I'll see myself out. Good luck getting anyone to decorate your ballroom with even half the skill that I have."

I stomp to the table as the men argue quietly back and forth. I throw my designs in my bag.

"Stop!" The Alpha yells.

I turn and scowl at him.

He walks up to the table and leans on it. His face inches from mine. "You will behave in a professional manner while in my home. The music. The clothes. This will not happen again or your contract is terminated. Do you understand me?"

"I...." I start.

"Do you understand?" His eyes search mine.

"Yes." I squeak.

"I have a reputation to protect and I don't need some girl parading her goods around here in front of everyone." He eyes me up and down.

Him being this close had me sweating and a little overwhelmed.

He stands. "This project is important to my career. I need a responsible person in charge. If you're that person, then you can stay."

"Thank you." I stand with my hands clasped infant of me. "I assure you; you won't be disappointed."

He narrows his eyes. "I better not be." He warns.

I watch him leave with Nigel in tow.

I blow out a breath to calm myself. It definitely wasn't the encounter I was expecting from the Alpha. I can see he's not one to mess with.

I think I'll be walking on eggshells while I work here.

OK, Sammy. Just keep your head down and mouth shut. We need this job.