THE ALPHA’S PAWN

“Churns of emotions“

Astor Buckingham paced the space of his luxurious room, his thoughts consumed by one person—the rather clumsy food scientist he had met earlier that day.

Chantelle, was it? He tried to recollect as all he did focus on during her interview was how beautiful she looked.

Her glowing skin, her frail structure, her jet black shiny hair, rosy lips, her sweet citrus pheromones and most especially, her phoenix shaped golden brown eyes. Her image was etched into his mind like a memory. There was a spark in those eyes. He couldn't shake off the sensation that there was something unique about her, something he couldn't uncover.

“Rhys” He called on his wolf firmly, his voiced laced with urgency.

There was no response from his inner wolf and Astor could not help but get irritated. He was a dominant alpha, which meant that he had an ancient wolf sealed inside of him. These ancient wolves are the most powerful wolves to have existed for centuries, thus, they are very rare and extremely arrogant. His family, is the only family that continuously birthed dominant alphas, which was a huge problem for Astor.

“Rhys” He called again, hoping that his wolf answered him and helped him out with his feelings but it was dead quiet in the realm they share.

Astor heaved a frustrated sigh and plumped into his luxurious king sized bed.

"What is it about her? My mate?" He muttered to himself, frustration simmering beneath his controlled exterior. He couldn't recall ever being so affected by someone, so captivated by a mere memory. This got him very concerned.

With a frustrated sigh, he rose from his bed and left his room, his steps determined as he headed to the family library. The shelves were filled with dusty ancient books and scrolls, containing the history of their werewolf lineage and of other wolves kind. Astor's fingers trailed over the spines, searching for answers, searching for something that would provide clarity to the puzzle that tugged at his mind.

He grabbed a huge book from a shelf as so many things ran through his mind “Her pheromone is very weak and that is unlikely for an omega. So what kind of wolf is she?” His soliloquy was cut off as the atmosphere tensed. He felt Rhys growl from deep within him and scoffed.

“I see we both dislike her” He remarked with a scorn as the smell of mint and lavender caught his nose.

The heavy library doors swung open and he closed the book in his hand quickly. Looking up, his eyes met with the sapphire orbs of the elegantly dressed woman that strode into the gloomy space, with her eyes glistening with mischief .Now, tension hung in the air. Her blonde hair adorned her head, her green eyes sharp and calculating, lips painted a bold shade of red. It was his sister, a major rival for their family's inheritance. She beamed a playful smile as she drew nearer to Astor.

“Astie moo” She called him by the name she knew he so much detest, with an evil smirk dancing on her lips.

Astor's gaze met hers, a tension lingering in the air as their rivalry crackled like electricity. "Neon" he greeted tersely, his voice laced with a hint of annoyance.

She approached with an air of confidence, her steps graceful and deliberate. "Astor, always the bookworm. Still trying to uncover the family's hidden treasures, I see." Her voice was laced with intention. She really intended to get on Astor’s nerves.

Astor's jaw tightened, his patience wearing thin. "This doesn't concern you, Neon." He answered dryly, not wanting to give in to her game.

She leaned against a shelf, her eyes fixed on him with a mix of amusement and challenge. "Oh, but it clearly concerns you enough to pique my interest."

His fingers tightened around the book, his knuckles turning white. He focused on the words before him, hoping it would make him ignore her presence, but sadly, it did little justice.

She continued, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "You know, you're a rather disappointing rival. Always buried in these dusty tomes, seeking answers that will never make you the true heir."

Astor's control wavered, anger bubbling to the surface. "This is none of your concern, Neon Faye."

Her laughter was like a needle pricking his patience. " Neon Faye? Calling me by my full name is quite unusual from you, Astie. Did I strike a nerve?” She asked rhetorically, with evident mockery in her voice.

“Ah, Astor, still as serious as ever. But don't you wonder why father always favored you? Perhaps I'll uncover the reason." She added coldly.

His gaze shot daggers at her, his voice cold and firm. "Neon, I suggest you mind your own affairs."

She stepped closer, her gaze unyielding. "Or perhaps I'll uncover your affairs for you?" she replied stiffly and sharply.

Astor's restraint snapped, his voice sharp. "You do that, Neon, and see where it gets you."

Neon’s taunting smile widened as she turned to leave. "Until next time, my little step brother."

As the library door closed behind her, Astor released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. His heart raced, a mixture of annoyance and relief coursing through him. The atmosphere was thick with tension. Two dominant alphas in the same space was no joke.

“b***h” He muttered sulkily before returning back to the book in his hands, realizing he had been clenching it in his frustration.

He flipped through the pages, his fingers tracing over the text. And then, after about twenty five minutes, amidst the words, he found it—an unexpected revelation that sent a shiver down his spine. His thoughts raced as he closed the book, the weight of the discovery settling over him. He smiled menacingly as his gaze remained on the book.

“haha..ha…hahahahaha “ he cackled like a maniac. “Jackpot”

His smile widened as he left the library with the book, his steps purposeful, and headed to his computer in his cozy house. The screen illuminated his intent gaze as he typed with urgency, his fingers moving with a mixture of anticipation and apprehension. He scrolled through employee records, his heartbeat quickening with each search.

“C H A N…” He chanted as he entered her name into the search bar, his eyes glinting with anticipation.

Her image and information appeared instantly on his screen as he scrolled through and read everything there was to read.

"Chantelle Sawyer…omega…favorite flowers, wisteria…orphan…hates bananas…," he reads out, his voice a mere whisper in the silence of the dark room. Suddenly, his brows furrowed together and he stopped abruptly. He leaned closer to the computer screen as if to confirm if he had read wrong. His mind raced, his thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and intrigue.

"Eye color…hazel?"