The Big Ruse

Aubrey.

I only had a suitcase with me. I love traveling light. And I was supposed to be an oddball here, so I only brought a few clothes that would make me look really odd. I rechecked my phone to see if the guy I texted had read my text already. The sun was scorching, and the cream the director gave me was not making my stay under the sun a pleasant one, either.

“Are you Aub?” A young-looking man with a baby face and golden asked. I could tell the sun was affecting him, too, from the way his eyes were half closed.

I nodded, still observing him. And yeah, I picked Aub because, apart from the fact that it suited my name, the real owner of the name shared the same height and build with me. So, using his identity wasn't hard.

He reached for my suitcase. “That seems too big for you to handle,” he said before pointing towards the big storey building before us. “The alpha is waiting.”

At the mention of alpha, shivers ran down my spine. I had never met an alpha before. Ever since the peace treaty between the werewolves and humans, I’ve always wanted to meet at least a few werewolves, but I never got the chance to. Now, I’m walking with my two legs into their den in a disguise, to investigate the alpha, whom I’d be working for. I’d be dead if my cover were blown.

I was brought out of my thoughts by fingers snapping before my face. “Are you even with me?”

“Yeah,” I said quickly. “What’s your name?” Well, now he knew I wasn’t with him at all.

He smiled. Omg! He’s so cute. “My name is Jeremy. I’m the alpha’s third in command and also his favorite cousin.”

I’d have rolled my eyes on a normal day at his last four words, but his cuteness wouldn’t allow me.

I was surprised to see an elevator in the building. Although the building looked big from the outside, it also looked rather simple. But it wasn’t just an elevator, I could see like four. Not to mention the exquisite interior decor. Just how rich were these shapeshifters?

“I’m sure you get it a lot that you look frail,” he pointed out as we stepped into the elevator. I raised my chin and eyebrows, unsure of how to respond to him, since I didn’t get that a lot. “Don’t take any offense,” he continued, raising his free hand in the air. “It’s just that if I had not done the background check on you myself, I’d have mistaken you for a girl.”

The next thing I knew was Jeremy’s hand on my back, patting me gently as I was coughing. I couldn’t believe I let his words catch me off guard.

“Are you okay?” He asked, his eyes searching the elevator. I could tell he was searching for water. He was extremely concerned about someone he had met less than ten minutes ago.

“We are here,” Jeremy said as we stepped out of the elevator. My cough had seized now, and I could only hope no one would mention that I looked like a girl again throughout the rest of my screening process with the alpha.

We walked straight before he stopped in front of a massive black wooden door on his right. It must be the alpha’s office.

Without knocking, he pushed the door open, revealing how nice the interior of the office was. I knew the interior of the room would be nothing short of exquisite, given how magnificent the door alone was. I had to admit that the office was ten times better than any of my superiors back at the NIS.

I felt another presence in the room with us even before Jeremy turned to his left and bowed swiftly. It’s the alpha.

“If you don’t want to lose your life, pay your utmost respect to the alpha.”

Kate’s words rang in my head. I bowed below ninety degrees immediately. I didn’t want to lose my head even before my mission started.

“Really, Jeremy?” I didn’t know what exactly he meant, but the sound of his voice sent shivers down my spine. I’ve heard and read all sorts about the alpha of this pack, but no one had even mentioned how cold and sharp his voice sounded, that it could pierce even the very soul.

Jeremy seemed to be as confused as I was because he raised his eyebrows at the alpha’s question.

“Is he supposed to be my secretary?” He stood up slowly from his seat. Oh my god! I don’t know what Greek gods look like, but you could say he looked like one. And the way he moved, you’d know he was moving with a massive aura oozing from his body. “I can barely see him?”

“Excuse me!?” I blurted out before realizing I wasn’t supposed to talk back at the alpha. I bowed my head immediately. So much for getting the job done.

My head was still lowered, but I could hear his heavy strides coming towards me. “Raise your head.”

I obeyed.

“I thought you said it doesn’t matter if he’s a late bloomer or not,” Jeremy finally spoke, but his words were not enough to break the tension between the alpha and me at the moment. I couldn’t place my finger on it, but there was something dark in his eyes that was locked onto mine.

Did he catch on already? Oh no! I knew the alpha tends to be sharp and smart, but I could swear I put in a lot of work into my disguise. Even my friend fell for it.

“Not when he looks this weak.”

The director must have omitted adding that alphas are rude and condescending in the file he gave to me.

I cleared my throat. “Alpha Logan,” I said, taking a step back directly at his face since he was towering over me already. “I may look weak, but you can check my records and my experiences as a secretary. I am good at what I do.” Of course, he could check my forged records and see. And calling me weak was quite hilarious, given I’m one of the best agents in my field. But, he didn’t need to know that.

“Yes, he’s right. There are testimonials about how good he is, too,” Jeremy added, earning a smile of relief from me.

Logan scoffed. “Your experience and weakness are not even the issue now.”

“Then, what is?” I asked, wondering what fault he was about to pick again. As I had already read and heard, he was extremely hard to please.

“Why do I smell my mate on you?”

“What!?” Jeremy and I chorused.