The Queen Alpha

A Dinner to Remember

(Emma)

It’s been a week since the engagement, Carter has came inside me four times since then, and I’ve taken the Plan B pill twice. I’m not sure how many times I can take it before I start to have serious side effects but the thought of having a baby makes it hard to breathe. I don’t want children with Carter, I don’t think I’ve ever wanted children and now I’m being forced to become breeding stock.

I lay on my bed with various spell books scattered next to me, staring at the boxes littered across the floor. Carter has insisted that I move in with him this weekend and I’ve spent the last four hours trying to find ways to get out of it. I could give him a love potion for another woman. Or put a spell on him that makes him hate me. I frown, both of those options could lead with him becoming more abusive to me.

My alarm begins to chirp, alerting me that it’s time to start getting ready for work. Carefully hiding my books in the top drawer of my nightstand, I heave myself from my bed. According to both my mother and Alpha Jeremy, I’m not supposed to be studying magic, since it’s far too dangerous for me to use my powers.

I sift through my closet, finding an electric blue top that has a high collar and puffy short sleeves. I match it with a pair of black dress slacks and neon green pumps. I can already imagine the disapproving look Carter is going to give me when he sees my outfit. Last night he told me I shouldn’t dress like I’m going to Disney Land while at the office. I try to tone down my look for today, but I love bright colors. It makes me feel happy to walk past a mirror and see my skin glowing against vibrant fabrics.

My auburn hair is looking rather flat this morning so I throw it into a ponytail and splash a little makeup on my face, making sure to avoid lipstick. Now that I’m ready, I glance at the clock and decide the safest bet is to stop at the pack’s coffee shop and get breakfast there rather than risk being late.

I pull into their drive-through and order some sandwiches and drinks, making sure to let them know these are for the Alpha. I enchant the cups and give the logos appearances of the other shop before parking in my usual spot.

As I walk through the front door it feels as if all eyes are on me. I know somethings wrong when I spot Alpha Jeremy outside his office waiting at my desk.

“Emma, why don’t you come have breakfast with your future father? I’d love to talk with you about some things.” He seems unusually uneasy this morning, and I can feel his nerves from across the room. I glance over to Carter’s door and notice it’s shut, which it never is unless he’s in a meeting.

I follow him wearily into his office and he sits across from me, grabbing the bag of sandwiches and fishing one out for each of us. He takes a bite into his and pauses. “Did you really think switching labels would change the taste?” He asks with a mouthful.

“ I’m sorry Alpha, I didn’t want to be late and I didn’t want you mad-“

He holds his hand up to stop me. “Stop that Emma, you’re going to be the future Luna of this pack, we can all stand to eat what you like sometimes.” I blink, slightly surprised, but now even more suspicious of what’s going on. “Now, we have a very important guest partner flying in to have dinner with us in the city tonight. We’re going to need to leave around noon in order to get there on time and get our shopping done. I’m having Ramona fill in for you the rest of the afternoon.”

I smile at him. “I’m sure she’ll love doing that.”

He winks at me. “Teaches that old crow right for messing with my daughter.”

I finish my sandwich and am about to get up when Carter walks in, with a small brunette standing slightly behind him.

“Babe, I’d like you to meet Claire, she’s going to be the new secretary.” He says and she smiles sweetly at me. Something feels off about her and I don’t like it one bit.

I shake my head confused. “But I’m your secretary?”

He laughs, almost mockingly at me. “You can’t be the secretary now that you’re my fiancé. That’s why I just hired Claire, she has great references and will do a wonderful job. Her interview went great.” As soon as the last word leaves his mouth, Claire smirks. Jealously boils in my chest and I c***k my neck to the side, as I do she yelps and holds her cheek. Everyone turns to look at her and I squint, making the pain worse.

She winces and shakes her head in disbelief. “Sorry, I just got a sudden toothache, please excuse me.” Claire says and hurries out, I can’t help but notice how much smaller she is than me, and I feel self conscious.

I stand up and face Carter. “Babe, you can’t replace me, I love this job. What am I supposed to do with all my free time?” I ask, tears brimming. I swallow hard, shoving my sadness down. I’ve always been such a crybaby and Carter hates it.

He scoffs at me. “Emma you don’t need to be working, I’m planning to fill that belly of yours with a baby as soon as the goddess allows. A hybrid is exactly what this packs needs to give us an edge. Plus it’ll give you an excuse to eat all that food you’ve been shoving in your face.” He says, distaste in his last sentence.

I blush and look down. “Please let me keep my job. I don’t want to stay home.” Glancing at Jeremy, I see he’s staring at the computer, making it clear he wants no part of this conversation.

Carter shifts his weight, seeming annoyed. “Would you stop whining? You’ll train Claire for the next week or so then I want you staying home and studying under my mother so you can learn how to be a Luna.”

Unhappy with my defeat, I walk past him and go to sit at my desk. How could he toss me aside so easily? Especially for another woman, whose obviously far prettier than me. I take a deep breath and log into my computer, ready to distract myself with work until it’s time to leave for our drive.

I ride with Carter in the car to Portland, but neither of us speak for most of the trip. Once we get there, I spend the next couple hours shopping for an evening gown to wear, as Carter reminded me there’s a strict dress code. I find a deep v neck forest green dress that hugs my figure beautifully and decide to pair it with gold shoes and shimmery eye makeup.

Once at the hotel I start getting ready, curling my hair and giving myself a full face of makeup. I look in the mirror and want to jump up and down. Damn I look sexy. I blow myself a kiss and saunter over to the door, ready to find Carter and remind him what he has rather than that tiny waisted replacement he’s found.

I step into the elevator and the door dings as I reach the ground floor where the restaurant is located. I spot Carter standing with his mother and father, looking handsome in his black suit and tie. He smirks as his eyes travel up and down my body, and I feel like I’ve accomplished my goal. He stalks up to me. “You look incredible baby girl. I can’t wait to let this other Alpha see the prize I’ve scored.” He takes my hand in his and we head inside. I can practically feel Susan’s eyes burning holes into the back of my head. Good, let her be angry.

As we walk through the rows of tables towards the private seating I can’t help but feel this powerful tugging at my heart. It’s as if there’s something pulling me forward, and the closer we get the faster my heart beats, my hands start to sweat and I feel flushed. The world seems as if it’s spinning around me and, for a second, I’m dizzy. All at once, it all stops. We’ve reached our table and I stare at the person across from me and only one thing can come to mind. I’m her mate.

She’s stunning. The woman before me is tall and looks as if she’s been sculpted from ivory. Her incredibly fair skin seems to shimmer in the dim dining room light, and her hair is as equally mesmerizing. It sits perfectly straight, falling like ribbon down past her chest, not a hair out of place. The Navy blue gown she’s wearing sparkles as the light dances off it, and I can’t help but notice the way it curves and defines her breasts. Her narrow hips spread into an hour glass figure that my hands tingle at the thought of touching. My lips part when I make it to her ice blue eyes, and the emotionless expression she held like a mask cracks for a minute as we make eye contact.

Without thinking, I take a step forward to get closer to her but Carter grabs my arm tightly and my dreamlike state is shattered as I snap back to the moment. “Babe be careful, you almost tripped.” Carter says with such false worry it’s almost nauseating. “Sorry,” he says to the woman, “my fiancé can be rather clumsy. I’m Carter Balt. You must be Kara Kingston. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard many things about you and your father.” He says flashing her a smile. I can’t help but feel jealousy as he eyes up and down her body. I’m jealous that he’s looking at my mate like that. If anyone should be gawking, it’s me.

Her face has returned to its stone expression as she looks at him as if he’s a stray dog. “Yes, wonderful to meet you. Might I ask your name dear?” Kara looks to me with a slight curve to the corner of her mouth, obviously trying not to smile.

I just stare at her mouth, her beautiful nude lips calling to me. Speak stupid, before she thinks your broken. “I-I’m Emma Scott. Its a honor to finally meet one of the Alpha’s business partners.” I squeak, my voice cracking. I can feel Carter dig his fingers into me and I know he’s annoyed.

“Potential partner.” A mountain of a man next to Kara says. He’s quite literally a giant. At least 6’7, with muscles that seem impossibly big under his suit. He looks uncomfortably awkward dressed up, and his thick white beard takes over so much of his face it’s hard to tell if he’s smiling or frowning. He has the same eyes as his daughter, though his seem much less inviting than hers.

Jeremy chuckles nervously. “King Jorah, it’s so great to finally meet you. I’ve heard rumors of your size but to actually see you in person, you look as if you may not be a wolf at all but rather a bear!” He laughs, hoping to break the tension.

Jorah laughs once, but it sounds strained. “Actually, my wolf and I hunt bears. It’s quite fun, you should come visit our home and I’ll take you on a hunt some time.”

I can tell this makes Jeremy happy, and he says he looks forward to that. We all take our seats and I try my hardest to keep my eyes on the table. This is going to be a long dinner. My heart is fluttering and I have to constantly remind myself to not look up. I can’t believe I have a mate, and why on earth is it a girl? I’ve never even thought about being with a girl. How could I possibly leave Carter for the future Alpha Queen? So many questions raced through my mind.

The men make small talk and Susan sits quietly, listening and every once in a while complimenting Kara on her charm or beauty. Kara doesn’t speak much either, her eyes barely leaving me the entire time. Finally, a waitress takes our order and as soon as she’s gone I take this opportunity to get out of there. “Please excuse me, I’ll be right back.” I mutter, and Carter looks at me disapprovingly and I shrug subtly at him, then head for the bathroom. I need a second alone to compose myself.