Contact marriage with my Alpha Boss

Chapter3

Ella looked at herself in the mirror, hardly knowing the person in the dark gray jacket and tight skirt. Her dark hair fell nicely around her shoulders—looking work-like but still pretty. She fixed her shirt collar, trying to stop the nervous feeling in her belly.

"Look at you," said a voice she knew well, with a soft tap on her shoulder. "Manhattan's newest lawyer lady."

Ella turned to see David leaning on her small bedroom door, his skinny body dressed in his normal old jeans and music t-shirt. He was the one thing that stayed the same in her crazy life—the best friend who had stuck with her through all the hard times since high school.

"I still can't believe it," she said, smoothing her skirt down. "Donovan & Pierce really want me."

"Of course, they want you," David said, his face showing how proud he was. You got the best grades in your class even with all your problems. If anyone should get this chance, it's you."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a nice new phone, still in its box. "I got you something for your first day."

Ella's eyes got big. "David, you shouldn't have."

"Before you start," he stopped her, putting the box in her hands, "This isn't just a gift. It's to keep you safe. If you keep using that old brick phone, Paul will keep bugging you with calls and texts." His face got serious. "New life, new number he doesn't have."

His kind thought made her eyes fill with tears. She hugged him hard. "Thank you," she whispered.

"Hey, no crying," David said, patting her back awkwardly. "You'll mess up your makeup, and I can't fix that mess."

Ella laughed a little, pulling back to carefully wipe her eyes. She grabbed her new leather work bag—another thing she bought with her first payment—and looked at herself one last time in the mirror.

"What do you think? Do I look like I fit in at a fancy Manhattan law lawsuit?"

"You look great, my dear Princess Elizabeth," David said with a big fake bow.

Ella's smile got smaller. "Don't call me that anymore. From now on, I'm just Ella. Elizabeth is the name Paul knows." She played with her bag strap. "He doesn't know which law place I'm working at, and I want to keep it that way. Going forward, I'm Ella Sterling."

David's face got serious. He nodded slowly. "I got it. Ella it is, then."

"Thank you," she said quietly. "For always helping me."

"Don't thank me," he said with a shrug. "That's what best friends do." He looked at his watch and his eyes got wide. "Oh, you better go." Manhattan traffic is awful, and being late on your first day would be—"

"A disaster," Ella finished, grabbing her bag. "I'm gone."

KEN'S MANSION

The big iron gates of the Green family house opened as Avalon's fancy car got close. The driveway went through neat lawns that went on forever, ending at a house that looked more like a castle than a home—all stone and glass and scary-looking.

Avalon tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. Whatever his dad wanted, it couldn't be good. Ken Green never called his son over for nice talks.

The front door opened before Avalon could even knock, showing Thompson, the old butler whose face never changed as long as Avalon could remember.

"Your parents are waiting in the main sitting room, sir," Thompson said with a small bow.

Avalon nodded, giving him his coat. He walked through the big marble entry, his steps echoing off the high ceiling. The big house always felt cold to him, even though it was clearly very fancy—more like a museum than a home.

He found his parents right where Thompson said. Ken Green sat in his favorite leather chair, back straight, gray hair perfectly fixed even though he was home on a work day. His mom, Elena, sat neatly on the edge of the couch next to him, her pretty face very different from Ken's mean-looking face.

"You called," Avalon said right away, sitting. "I'm busy, so make it fast."

Ken's eyes narrowed. "Busy with what, exactly? That little law office you keep running? Like it's as important as your duties to the pack."

Avalon held back a sigh. Ten seconds in and already the same old fight.

"The firm makes money and gives us good cover for pack business," he said calmly. "What do you want?"

"Alpha Michaels from the Bloodmoon pack is bringing his daughter here tonight," Ken said, seeing how his son would react. "We should talk about the mating ceremony plans."

The room seemed to get colder. Avalon's face went hard and blank, a look he'd gotten good at over years of pack politics.

"There won't be any mating ceremony," he said coldly. "I've already found my mate."

Ken's laugh was sharp and mean. "Don't be stupid. You got hurt in a fight with the Air Wolf pack just two weeks ago. The healers told us, "You have lost your ability to smell mates." He leaned forward, eyes narrow. "Don't think you can trick me, son."

"Avalon, please be smart," Elena cut in, her voice soft but firm. Bloodmoon is the second-biggest pack in the New York area. A match through mating would help both packs a lot. Think of the Silvermoon pack's future, not just what you want."

"I've met my mate in person," Avalon cut her off, getting tired of this. This isn't about what I want or about politics. And I'd like it if you both stopped sticking your noses into every part of my life."

Ken stood up from his chair, moving slowly and scared. Even though Avalon stood several inches taller than his dad now, Ken still filled the room with an Alpha's power.

"If it's true, then bring her home," he asked. "I may be old, but I'm not crazy." I know when my son is lying to get out of his duties.

Avalon felt his wolf getting mad inside, angry at being called me. He pushed down the feeling with practiced control.

"You should remember something, Father," he said, his voice scarcely quiet. I am the only heir to your Alpha spot. If you force me to mate for politics, you won't have any future Alphas in your precious pack. Is that what you want?"

Ken's face got dark with anger. "Shut up," he growled. How did I raise such a mean, tricky son? Get out."

Avalon opened his mouth to answer back but saw his mother shake her head a little. This fight was lost before it started. With a quick nod, he turned and walked out fast, not listening to Thompson's proper goodbye.

The cool falling air hit his face as he left the big house, helping calm his anger. Daniel, his second-in-command and head of security, was waiting in the car where Avalon left him. One look at Avalon's face told Daniel everything he needed to know about how the meeting went.

"I guess the family get-together wasn't great?" Daniel asked dryly as Avalon got into the passenger seat.

"Just drive," Avalon muttered, loosening his tie. After being quiet for a bit, he turned to Daniel. "Any leads on my mate?"

Daniel shook his head, starting the car. "Still looking, but it's like trying to find a ghost. "No name, no clear picture of her face..." He sighed. "It's hard, Alpha."

Avalon stared out the window, watching the big houses of the rich werewolf families go by. "My father won't stop pushing this match. He's set on seeing me mate to Bloodmoon Alpha's daughter."

"What will you do?"

"Find my real mate," Avalon said firmly. "Take me to the fir

m. I need to clear my head with some actual work."