Mesmerised by the Alpha

Chapter 4. Meeting the crew

I made my way down the stairs, one hand grazing the ornate wooden banister as I tried to follow the vague directions Nate had given me earlier. The corridor curved in unexpected ways, with alcoves and half-hidden doors tucked into the stone walls, each one looking more mysterious than the last. At one point, I turned left instead of right and found myself in a narrower hallway that sloped gently downward.

Curiosity got the better of me. The air grew warmer and more humid with each step. At the bottom, I stumbled upon a heavy door slightly ajar. I pushed it open and stepped into a cavernous space dimly lit by old sconces flickering against the damp walls.

My breath caught.

It was an underground Roman bath—hot springs steaming gently beneath stone arches, the water lapping quietly against the curved edges. The space was ancient, serene, and utterly otherworldly. Tendrils of mist coiled lazily around marble columns, and the scent of minerals and something floral hung in the air. I stood there for a long moment, entranced. I made a mental note to come back. I could already imagine the bliss of sinking into the water after a long day.

Eventually, I found my way back upstairs and toward the warm hum of voices and clinking glasses. The soft golden light spilling out from the bar beckoned like a hearth. As I entered, I spotted Nate behind the counter, laughing as he shook a cocktail shaker.

"There she is," he said, grinning as he caught my eye. "Everyone, this is Jasmine—newest member of the madhouse. Jasmine, meet your fellow inmates."

A few chuckles followed as I stepped further inside. The bar was even more inviting in full swing—dim lighting, velvet booths, and the faint scent of citrus and spice from the drinks. Nate handed me a tall glass filled with something peachy-pink and garnished with rosemary.

"A little something fruity to start you off," he said with a wink.

I took a sip—sweet, slightly tangy, and stronger than expected.

We moved over to a long, ornate table that stretched beneath a chandelier dripping with crystals. Everyone began settling in, and Nate took on the role of unofficial host.

To my left sat a woman with a bleached blonde bob, bright blue eyeshadow, and a high-pitched laugh that warmed rather than grated. She wore a vintage apron over a sparkly top and looked like she’d wandered straight out of a retro diner.

"It's lovely to meet you Jasmine!" she said brightly. "I’m Dana. Been here longer than the dust on those chandeliers. I’m in charge of feeding this lot. Don’t worry—I make sure no one starves."

I smiled. "The bar smells amazing already."

"Wait till you try my paella," she said with a proud grin. "And the cheesecake. I outdid myself tonight."

Across the table, Dana pointed to a gruff-looking man with grey hair and a twinkle in his eye. "That’s Paul—my new kitchen recruit. He’s got hands like bear paws but makes the best cocktails this side of Barcelona."

Paul gave me a friendly nod from his seat at the drinks cart, raising his glass.

Further down the table, a cluster of muscular men were roaring with laughter, clearly members of Nate’s renovation crew. They seemed bonded, rowdy in the way old friends often are.

Nate waved toward a leggy blonde with striking cheekbones and a pout that looked perpetually unimpressed. "That’s Stella. She’s on interior design."

Stella barely glanced at me before focusing her attention back on Nate, her hand brushing his arm with deliberate familiarity. She leaned in too close, laughing at something he said.

Beside her sat a shorter girl with big brown eyes and a nervous smile. "Kaci," Nate added. "She’s Stella’s assistant."

"I’m so excited to be here," Kaci chirped. "Stella has the best taste, honestly."

Stella smirked. "I mean, design is what gives this place its soul. Can’t imagine what the rest of you would even be doing without someone to make it look halfway decent."

I bit my tongue, feeling the sting in her words. She didn’t like me—her eyes had already assessed, judged, and dismissed me.

Nate cleared his throat and gestured across the table. "That’s Daryl—head of security."

Daryl was tall, broad, and quiet, his caramel-toned skin glowing in the candlelight. He gave a small nod in greeting, his green eyes calm and unreadable.

"And next to him is Jordan," Nate continued.

Jordan flashed a grin. "Don’t worry, I’ll keep things lively while Daryl broods."

That earned a rare smile from Daryl.

"And this is George," Nate said as a man my age sat beside me.

George was almost too handsome—olive skin, deep brown eyes, and hands that looked like they’d seen real work. He smiled warmly.

"I’m the new gardener," he said. "You like flowers?"

"Love them," I said, perking up. "I’d love to help you plant some around the grounds."

"You’re welcome anytime," he replied.

Stella’s voice cut in, honeyed with venom. "Careful, George. She’s clearly looking to dig her claws into something."

I ignored her and turned to Dana. "This paella is incredible. Is that saffron I taste?"

Dana beamed. "You know your spices!"

We talked over dinner, and I learned she’d been at St Amstein for over a decade. She spoke about the hotel with affection, like it was a stubborn old friend she’d grown to love.

"Hey, Dana," I asked between bites of cheesecake, "are there any shops nearby? Somewhere to pick up a few bits and pieces?"

Dana wiped her mouth with her napkin and nodded. "There’s a little town not too far. Great bakery, charming shops. I was planning a trip tomorrow morning for kitchen supplies—I’ll take you with me if you like."

"That would be perfect. Thank you!"

After finishing off dessert, Nate leaned toward me.

"About your role," he said. "You’ll be in charge of admin—filing old records, managing stock, keeping the hotel phone on you at all times."

He handed me a sleek black mobile. "This connects to reception and opens the front gates remotely. Keep it on you, even off-duty. If anyone calls the hotel, it’ll ring through here."

I blinked. "That’s… more than I expected."

"You up for it?"

"Absolutely," I said. "It’ll keep me busy."

"Good. Oh—and I meant to give you this earlier."

He handed me a folded map of the hotel. I unfolded it, scanning over the sprawl of rooms, corridors, gardens—and then I spotted it.

"The hot springs," I said. "I found them earlier. They’re real?"

Nate grinned. "Very real. Want me to show you properly?"

I nodded, and together we slipped out of the bar.

As we walked, he explained how the hotel was built atop the springs. "The owners only use them for private guests, but since they’re not here—you can go whenever. They also feed into the outdoor heated pool."

"You’re kidding."

"Nope. Warm all year. We’ve also got a cold-water pool for contrast. Tomorrow night we’re doing a staff pool party—bit of food, bit of fun."

We stepped into the garden beside the heated pool. The air smelled of lavender and something earthy. The stars had started to appear overhead.

"They say the springs have healing powers," Nate said, his voice half amused. "Personally, I think that’s a load of rubbish. But relaxing? Definitely."

He handed me the phone again. "Like I said—this is your lifeline now. Don’t lose it."

A sudden breeze rolled through the garden. I shivered.

Nate noticed and quickly shrugged off his coat, draping it over my shoulders.

"Thanks," I said, pulling it tighter.

Before he could respond, Daryl appeared in the doorway. "Nate. You need to see something. Now."

Nate gave me a look. "Duty calls. You okay getting back?"

"Yeah, I’ll be fine."

He nodded and followed Daryl into the shadows.

I lingered in the garden a moment longer, letting the sounds of the night settle around me. Then I stilled.

A flicker of movement in the bushes.

I turned quickly, heart thudding—but there was nothing there. Just the wind.

Still, a prickle ran down my spine. I stepped back inside and headed to my room, the halls quieter now. As I got ready for bed, I thought over the night—my new job, the people I’d met, the strange sensation of being watched.

I couldn’t help but wonder what tomorrow would bring.