Hunted

Chapter 26: Cloud Watching Can Be Dangerous

I was trying to not get hung up on this Colton ignoring me thing. I was torn between just going up and asking him about it and ignoring the problem. If he didn’t want to be friends with me anymore for whatever reason he has I should just let him…right? It’s not like I can really do anything to change his mind. I did think we were better friends than this but I only knew him for a few months. It wasn’t like I was his friend since childhood. I sighed and tugged the end of my hair down and then let it go watching it bounce.

I hated this feeling of uncertainty. I just wanted to know what he was thinking. I wanted him to know that I wasn’t…I don’t know. I didn’t want to lose another friend because of my attack. I should have expected it or at least known better. I groaned and pulled my hair up into a pony tail before walking into my dad’s office.

Even though I had been working most days at the coffee shop my dad had decided I started to learn about being Alpha. I was going to be his “intern”. Basically he wanted me to follow him around all day I guess. I wasn’t exactly sure.

I smiled at his secretary as she waved me through. “Hey dad!” I called out waving at him. He was sitting at his desk. There was someone else sitting across from him. I tilted my head in confusion. The gentleman sitting turned to look at me and I nearly had a heart attack. There was Colton looking like he had lost all his toys.

I knew Colton worked for my dad but I wasn’t expecting him to be in my dad’s office…when I was supposed to be.

“Hey Emmry.” My dad got up and came to give me a hug. He placed a small kiss on my forehead and I can proudly say I didn’t jump back or even flinch.

“So what’s up? You wanted me to start today?” I asked him following him back to his desk. He gestured for me to sit next to Colton. I slipped into the chair. I tried to ignore the fact that Colton moved his arm into the chair and scooted closer to the other side. He couldn’t even stand sitting next to me. Great.

“Well I decided that you’re going to work with Colton. He’s been working as my assistant for a long time now and he knows the job pretty well. I want you to gain as much experience as you can.” He smiled at me.

“I thought I was going to be with you.” I gave my dad a desperate look. Oh how I wished I could mind link him and tell him there was no way he was going to have me stuck all day with a person who hated me.

“You will be, but for now I think you should get the ropes from someone who was in your position before. Okay?” He nodded and handed me a badge and some other papers. I sighed and decided there was no way I could really get out of it now. “Is that good with you Colton?” My father asked looking over at him.

I let myself look over. His jaw was clenched and it seemed like he had a very forced smile. “Yes Alpha of course.” How badly did he hate me after finding out…

“Alright. Take her to your office then. I had them put a second desk in there for Emmry for now.” He waved us on and started working at his desk.

“I guess we are dismissed.” I gave my dad a look before standing up and heading towards the door. Colton beat me to it and opened the door for me. I walked through it trying to come up with something to say. Do I just spill everything? Do I ask him about why he’s been avoiding me? Or do I just ignore it and pretend nothing is happening?

I followed Colton to his…well I guess our office. As my dad had said there was a desk set up. He even put a picture frame with me and him on it. That man is just too cute. I really did love him dad he was growing on me.

I picked up the picture and then set it back down. “So what’s first boss?” I asked leaning against my desk looking over at him.

He didn’t even look at me. “We’ve got filing to do. Then we have to calls…and then I’ll probably let you go.”

That didn’t seem like it was going to take us all day..especially if two of us were doing things.

“Okay well I can do the filing if you tell me where it is. That way you can make the calls. Divide and conquer.” I decided to give him an out. It wasn’t going to bring me anything but sadness if I asked him right now and I didn’t want to ruin this first day. My dad was so excited about it.

Colton nodded, picked up a box from against the wall and took me to the file room. He gave a quick tour showing me how to call him on the intercom if I needed him before disappearing out the door. I really wanted to be mad at him but I just couldn’t.

I needed to stop thinking about it and start focusing on the work. I spent the next few hours filing all these silly files. When I was done I started to go back to Colton’s office when I realized I had been so focused on not bringing up him ignoring me that I didn’t pay attention to where his office had been. I was now lost. I could just ask anyone who worked here to help me…but that would be admitting that I had indeed gotten lost.

I decided the best thing to do was to just wander around till something looked familiar. It was a big building but not that big. I don’t think we went on an elevator…or maybe we did. I couldn’t remember at all. I slowly walked through the hallway looking at the names on each door to see if I recognized anyone. Sadly I did not see a single name that I knew. I somehow found my way to a small courtyard. I guess this is where I’ll stay for a bit. It’s not like Colton really wanted my company anyway.

I sat down on the bench and looked up at the sky. Why did I care so much? I didn’t have that many friends…and when I got them I tried to really keep them. Maybe that was it. I turned so I was now laying on the bench staring up at the clouds. I watched as the blew slowly past me. I really don’t think I’m cut out to be the Alpha of a pack. I can’t even make it back to someone’s office. How am I supposed to run a pack?

This was just ridiculous. The members of the pack would never accept me. They’re better off putting Colton in charge and having his mate be the Alpha Female. That way they can have strong leadership with someone they already know instead of some should be shifter who can’t actually shift.

Everyone here seemed so welcoming but there had to be people out there that didn’t want me to even remotely be close to a leadership position in the pack. I couldn’t tell you who they were…but I was pretty sure they existed.

I hadn’t really been paying attention to the time until I realized the sun was starting to set and I had been literally laying on this bench for hours. Oh my dad was really going to kill me this time. I got up and went to go to the door. It was locked. I tried scanning my key card over the lock and all it did was mock me. I was now stuck in this silly patio…in this silly dress my dad wanted me to wear. I’m sure it was going to get cold and now I’m going to be hungry.

Well this was rather unfortunate. I knocked on the door and tried to look inside. I didn’t see anyone… I couldn’t even tell you what time it was. I knocked a few more times.

“Hey! Is anyone there?! I got locked out!! Well locked in….” I knocked on the glass for a few minutes before giving up. I sat down on the sidewalk and sighed. Someone was going to notice that I was missing…I mean someone had to notice right?