Playing For Keeps

The phone rang at my desk. Irritated, I reached for it, “Accounting Office, Lexi Knight Speaking,” I said as I leaned back in my chair. “You're still at work,” came my sister's voice on the other end of the line. “Ally, you called me at work, of course, that means I am still here.” She really was brainless sometimes. “But Lexi, you said you would be home early, and we would go out tonight,” she giggled into the phone, and my nerves were already shot. “Ally, you are going to have to go out without me,” I said, maybe a little too happily. Going out with her was never fun for me. She just wanted me with her to drive after she drank too much and started throwing herself at anything that moved. She was supposed to be the more responsible one, after all, she was six years older than I. However, after our parents died, I changed packs after I met my mate the summer before graduating high school. “Lexi, you are never any fun!” She whined, “How does Morgan survive being mated to you?” I clutched the phone tightly. I hated it when she brought Morgan into the conversation. “Morgan survives because he’s never around. We are both very busy people. If you had gone to college, Ally, you would understand.” “That's not fair, Alexandria,” she yelled at me, making me almost regretful. “I had to take care of you when our parents died.’ “That was eight years ago,” I whispered harshly since I was at work. “You could have gone since. I can’t do this with you, right, Allison? I need to complete this project for Jared. I'm not sure when I'll be home, but it will be late. Please don’t trouble yourself about waiting up.” I was about to hang up the phone when she shouted, “And what should I tell Morgan?” “Morgan’s there?” I rubbed my forehead in frustration. “Just got here, guess you forgot he was coming home this weekend to see you.” I scratched my brain trying to remember if he had told me, but I didn’t think so, “Never mind, he says it's not your fault, it was a surprise.” “Let me talk to Morgan,” was all I replied. “Hey Babe,” Morgan’s playful voice came over the phone. I shook my head. “I’m sorry you came all this way, and I am stuck at work.” I apologized, feeling bad. He was probably only in town for the night or weekend at best. “It's okay. I did not tell you I was coming. We will have all weekend and even Monday because my dad called me back to the pack. Says I have to be at the company on Monday morning for a special announcement.” He rambled on, but I hung on to each word. I just loved listening to his voice. “I’ll just head to Max’s house or the pack house for tonight and call you in the morning.” “Tell Max to keep you out of trouble.” I don’t want to have to bail you both out of jail tonight. “Come on, Lexi,” he said playfully, “when have you ever known the Alpha’s sons to spend a night in jail. “Just because it hasn’t happened yet, doesn’t mean you don’t deserve it,” I joke. A strong hearty laugh came over the phone, “touché,” he replied. “If it will make you feel better, I can drag your sister along to babysit us,” he joked. I laughed at that, “I am sure she would be thrilled by that suggestion.” “She’s glaring at me right now,” he laughed. “Oh, I am sure she is,” I laughed. “Bye, Lexi.” Then the phone was disconnected After hanging up my phone. I slouched back for a few minutes. Max and I never really had the strong pull that many wolves experience. I have often thought it was distance. We were a rare couple, as I was two years older than he. When we met, he was fifteen, and I was seventeen. Almost two years later, and only mating is still not complete. I was probably the only virgin mated wolf at twenty years. Maybe that would change this weekend. I was thoroughly distracted till I heard my cell phone beep. Secretly pulling it out of my purse, there was a text message from Ally. “How do you tell Max and Morgan apart?” I laughed at the question. I could tell them apart easily, but that was partly because of the bond. Laughing I sent back, “Have them stand up, Max is taller.” I replied. A few seconds later came another text, and I rolled my eyes at her response, “Is that all? That’s not very helpful,” I thought about for a few minutes, then sent her a more helpful clue: “Morgan has a small freckle on his left hand. It's noticeable between his pointer and thumb.” One more response came in with just a thanks, and I tucked my phone back into the pocket of my purse. The office was quiet after that. Most people had left for the day. "Lexi Knight, you're working late tonight," Megan called out as she passed by my desk. She was the personal assistant to the Alpha. Megan was a sweet older lady who had been working at the firm since before Alpha Milo even started here. She genuinely cared for everyone. “Just trying to fix the accounting problem Alpha Milo brought to Jared this afternoon,” I replied as I focused on my computer, trying desperately to find where the money that was in question had vanished to. “Do you know what time it is, Miss Knight?” she asked. “No Idea,” I replied without looking up. “It’s after 9,” she stated, tapping on my screen to get my attention, “You need to be getting home, Miss Knight.” “I just need to finish this, you're also here late,” I replied. “That is only because I was called back in to help deal with an issue with the Alpha’s son.” I cringed at that. What trouble had those two gotten themselves into now? “Must have been bad for you to return,” I said, and waited for a response that never came. Instead, she smiled at me weakly and changed the subject. “Suppose Jared took off for the evening,” Megan answered. “You know he did. Anything after business hours is left for me to figure out tomorrow. Now, if you have nothing else, I need to find the answer to Alpha Milo's questions,” I reiterated while still typing away, not even looking. If I had, I would have noticed two things. One, Megan had already left the room, and two, Alpha Milo was standing behind me, watching me work. “I’m never going to find this,” I loudly exclaimed. A laugh behind me made me jump out of my chair, almost crashing into him. “Sorry to frighten you.” The Alpha's voice caused me to swing around, bewildered. How long had he been there? “I’m sorry, Sir… um… Alpha Milo. I thought everyone was gone for the day.” I uttered, trying to get my heart to slow down. “It’s alright, Miss Knight, I was just watching you work. I must say you have an incredible amount of focus. The company could use more like you.” “I’m sure there are many highly competent people here,” I replied. “Just not Jared. Where is he, by the way?” He asked, leaning against the side of my desk. “I’m not sure, Alpha Milo,” I replied barely above a whisper. “Are you afraid to be here alone with me, Miss Knight?” he leaned closer as he spoke. “No,” I whispered again. A hearty laugh followed, and I found my gaze drawn to his mouth. “Then why are you whispering?” he questioned before standing and moving away from me. “I’m not sure, Alpha Milo.” I replied in a normal voice. “I thinks its about time for you to leave for tonight,” he said while turning of lights around the office. “But I’m not finished, Jared," I started, and he shot me a look which made me stop talking. His dark eyes were so compelling. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I have a mate. All of a sudden, a piercing pain shot through me like I had never experienced before, and I screamed out in pain as I fell to the ground. Alpha Milo rushed over to me and picked me up, holding me firmly against his chest. “What's wrong?” he questioned. “Should I bring you to the pack doctor?” his face looked worried. When I didn’t answer him, he stared down at me. I thought he was going to kiss me, but that would be ridiculous. Instead, I broke the silence of the awkward moment. “You can put me down now, sir, whatever it was is done, and I feel fine.” His brow raised in question of whether I was telling the truth before he nodded and placed me in a chair, “Stay here, I will get you a glass of water. After you drink it, I am going to walk you to your car, and you are going to go home.” “But Alpha, I’m not finished,” I complained. “When I said I was walking you to your car, that was not up for discussion. You can continue this tomorrow, and if Jared has a problem with it, he can speak to me. Is that clear, Miss Knight?” He all but ordered. “Yes, Alpha Milo,” I smiled and pushed my hair back over my shoulder. I sat fidgeting while he went to get me a glass of water. When he returned, he handed me the glass and watched intently as I drank the whole thing. I moved to get up and take care of the glass, but he just took it out of my hand, placing it on a nearby table, and then said, “Before we go, has this happened before?” he looked concerned as he asked. “A couple of times, but never this bad,” I answered honestly. “Alright, let’s get you home,” he stated matter-of-factly. I just stared at him for a moment. This was all so confusing. He motioned for me to go, and reluctantly, I stood and started walking. Together we walked in silence to my car. “Thank you for walking me, Alpha Milo,” I said, hitting the key fob and opening the door. “Are you sure you are safe to drive, Miss Knight?” He asked as I got into the car. “Absolutely, Alpha, whatever that was in the office seems to have passed,” I smiled up at him. “Very well,” He smirked, “Good night, Miss Knight.” Then he shut the door. I put the car in reverse, backing up, and realized he was still watching me. I waved at him as I shifted into drive and drove away. I laughed at the craziness of the day. Even though I worked in the same office as him and was mated to his son, this was the longest conversation we had ever had.