Chapter 20

MEGAN'S POV

I took a deep breath with my laptop clutched tight to my stomach. They must not find out who I truly am.

After summoning courage, I walked into the conference room. Everyone was already seated and waiting for me, of course. I didn't even bother to raise my head because I could feel their eyes on me.

Placing my laptop on the long, large table, I started with a soft voice and a forced smile. “Good morning, everyone. My name is Megan, and I'm the new project manager for the Wolf Estate project.”

“Project manager? And you're just joining the meeting now? How unprofessional!” I heard one of the board members utter.

I raised my head to stare and saw their cold face staring hatefully at me. I just came in, and they already dislike me?

The executive investor on the other side was covering his face with the magazine he was reading. Hence, I couldn't see his face.

Ignoring the brutal side talks, I continued with a smile on my face. “It's my pleasure to finally meet you…” I was still speaking when the executive investor placed the magazine he was reading on the table, and I choked as soon as I saw his face.

“What…what are you doing here?” I asked in a calm but surprised tone once I saw Austin.

“She is so dead.” I heard one of them say.

Another continued. “Questioning Mr. Sinclair? That's more like a death wish.”

With his legs crossed and his eyes filled with a mixture of surprise and interest, Austin started. “I own sixty percent of this company's shares.”

Of course, the difficult investor is you. Oh, God! Why didn't I think of this?

“Actually, I'm wondering. What is a wolfless omega like you doing masquerading as our chief project manager?” Hailey blurted out with a smug smirk as everyone gasped in both disbelief and shock. They exchanged glances at each other, like it was forbidden to say a word.

“One with zero experience. How did she con her way into this position?” Another person snapped.

Hailey continued in a colder voice. “I guess the Alpha Prince is a fetish for Omega tramps.”

Angrily, I banged my fist against the table, and they flinched in panic. “Enough. Cut the crap. I'm here because I am qualified.”

“Really now? Well, then prove it!” Hailey slid a penknife from her side of the table to mine.

I stared at her with furrowed eyebrows. “Proof of what?”

“It's easy. Since you claim that you're not wolfless, which means you're a full-blooded werewolf, cut yourself—a deep cut would count. If you truly are a full werewolf, you'd heal instantly.” She replied swiftly with her legs crossed.

Reluctantly, I picked up the penknife. Of course, I would heal before a breath, but that would give out my ability to my ex-husband, who was sitting right in front of me, staring at me.

“If I don't show them that I have a wolf, my career dies before it even begins.” I clutched the penknife tight as I stared at it with uneasiness on my face.

Hailey snapped at me. “What are we waiting for?”

I took a deep breath and proceeded to cut my palm, but Austin's voice made me freeze. “Don't.”

Everyone turned their gazes at him, shocked. He probably has never cared about anyone or anything. Wouldn't it be a thing of joy for him to see me embarrassed? Why does it seem like he's caring about me?

He got up from the seat and walked up to me. His expression was still as cold as ice. “If she's a con person, then telling her to cut herself won't solve the problem.”

My eyes narrowed. What the hell does that even mean?

“How so, Alpha Austin?” Hailey fired back, disappointedly.

Austin continued. “Why don't I cut her instead? That way, we'll be sure that she actually cut herself.”

Without a second thought, he snatched the penknife from me and grabbed my wrist, and then he cut it…. Everyone gasped.

However, I felt no pain. Slowly, I opened my palm, and he took my palm and showed it to the board members. There was no wound. In fact, he didn't even cut my palm.

“Look, the Alpha cut her, and her wound healed up. She really does have a wolf.” They mumbled to themselves while I stood there, speechless, and her gaze was steady on Austin.

“Whoa, that deep gash healed instantly? She must have a powerful wolf.” The others continued.

Austin actually did that to save me? When did he become so caring towards me? I turned my gaze back at him, and he winked at me, mouthing. “You're welcome.” Before heading back to his seat. Hailey stared hard at me, perplexed and silent.

Taking a deep breath of relief, I continued. “Allow me to reintroduce myself. I'm Megan, your newly appointed project manager. I look forward to working with you all.”

They applauded me. “And if anyone has a problem with a woman in charge, here's the door…” I pointed at the door while staring at Hailey, who avoided eye contact with me.

“You're laid off.” Austin snapped. Everyone exchanged glances at each other, confused.

Hailey freaked out instantly. “Guys, look, this witch must have used some sort of witchcraft. I'd be happy to throw her out for you.”

“Get out. Now!” Austin ordered, and Hailey gulped hard as she quickly stood up, packed through files in front of her while giving me a deadly glare as she walked out of the conference room.

Austin snapped his finger readily. “Carry on.”

***

After the meeting, I walked down the hallway, relieved and excited, but someone stood in my path. I raised my head and saw Austin standing in front of me, staring.

“What do you want?” My voice was calm but with no warmth.

He held my hand tight, standing so close to me that I could feel his warm breath on my nostrils. My back was relaxing on the wall, and my eyes were avoiding every contact with him. “Tell me, Megan. How did you get to know all these things you talked about today? You and I know you never went to school or trained as a werewolf because you had no wolf, so how…?”

“Stay away from me, Austin Sinclair. As far away as possible. No one must find out that I know you or that we had anything in the past. We're done; the earlier you accept that, the better for you.” I snapped, pushing him away as I ran off.