THE ALPHA’S PAWN

“No” She declared firmly, the waver in her voice giving away the feigned courage she held up. “I will not do it”. Chantelle's heart raced as her colleagues gathered at her desk, their eyes filled with expectation and desperation. Her reply earned groans from them but she would stand her ground. She was not going to do this presentation; she had done all the work. She would not do this presentation too. "Ms. Sawyer, you've got to give the presentation on that new food product you developed," Mr. Blake, her team leader groaned, a hint of authority in his hoarse voice. "I... I don't know, sir," Chantelle stammered, her voice barely audible. "You know I get really nervous during speeches. It’s um…it’s an anxiety" Jada, her work friend and lab partner, chimed in. "Come on, Chantelle. You're the one who created this amazing dessert. It's only fitting that you present it to President Buckingham. C’mon girl, you’re an omega wolf, you cannot ever be scared. So pleasseeee." She pleaded and she clasps her hands together and blinked rapidly at Chantelle. ”True. Except that I have no wolf. That is why I am scared and that’s why I had to keep lying that I had one. To not have a wolf is a morbid sin and I will not be sending myself for execution.” She thought to herself, completely locked in her own subconscioness realm. “You took your inhibitors today, right? Jada asked out of nowhere. Chantelle's anxiety levels soared at the mere mention of the inhibitors. She had no wolf which meant she automatically cannot produce pheromones. This, was also a secret. "Yes, and Yes I understand that, but maybe someone else could do it?" She tried a last time, really hoping they’d back down. Mr. Blake feigned understanding. "We'll try to find someone else, Chantelle. But just in case, prepare a few points. You know, as a backup." As Chantelle nodded, her gut told her that they weren't really going to back down. Her heart pounded wildly as the time for the presentation drew near. She had heard stories about Astor Buckingham—his stern demeanor, his demanding expectations, his extremely good looks. It didn't help that she had a soft spot for enigmatic and dominant figures, which made her attraction to him even more nerve-wracking. She has fantasized about him multiple times without actually meeting him. But today, he was coming in person to their lab, a part of his big business empire. This was a big day for her and her colleagues. As much as she was excited to meet him, she was nervous. The moment arrived sooner than she anticipated. The office buzzed with heightened and tensed energy as Astor Buckingham entered, an aura of authority surrounding him. Chantelle's pulse quickened, her palms moistening with sweat. The familiar faces of her colleagues seemed to vanish, and all she could focus on was the intimidating man before her. “So this is the aura of a dominant Alpha.” She thought impulsively as the atmosphere thickened with every step he took. This is why they’re so rare. My God, he is perfect. Mr Blake cleared his throat and glanced at Chantelle. “Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, let's introduce our esteemed president, Alpha Astor Buckingham.” Applause filled the room as Astor nodded graciously. Chantelle's heart raced faster, her anxiety taking over. Jada nudged her gently, a reassuring smile on her face. Chantelle took huge breaths as she continued to be in awe of this magnificent man. "Chantelle, why don't you tell us about the dessert you've created?" Jada prompted, giving her friend a small push toward the podium, startling Chantelle in the process. “Son of a b***h. You said you’d find someone else.”She thought as she glared at Mr Blake. Chantelle hesitated, her palms sweaty. She took a deep breath and approached the podium, her gaze fixed on the notes before her. Her voice wavered as she began speaking about the intricate details of the dessert, its flavor profile, and the innovative techniques she had employed. However, as she spoke, her voice grew fainter, and her heart seemed to take residence in her throat. A sudden cough took her by surprise, and she choked on her own spit. Panic surged through her, and she fumbled for a sip of water that wasn't there. Just as embarrassment threatened to engulf her, a bottle of water appeared before her. She looked up to see Astor Buckingham extending it toward her. Their eyes locked, and for a moment, the world seemed to fade away. His gaze held a mixture of concern and something she couldn't quite decipher. "Here you go," his voice was smooth, a stark contrast to the chaos in her mind. "Th-thank you," she managed to stammer, her fingers trembling as she took the bottle. Astor nodded, his eyes never leaving hers. "You're doing great. Just take your time." Chantelle's cheeks flushed as she forced herself to regain composure. She took a sip of water, her fingers steadier now. Gathering her thoughts, she continued her presentation, her voice steadier than before. Astor remained by her side, his presence strangely comforting. His eyes, a captivating shade of deep blue on the left, and a light shade of green on the right, remained fixed on her, as though she was the only person in the room. His focused attention calmed her nerves, and she found herself speaking more confidently, her anxiety gradually fading away. As she wrapped up her presentation, she felt a sense of accomplishment wash over her. The room erupted in applause, and Chantelle offered a shy smile, her gaze briefly meeting Astor's. There was something unspoken between them, a connection that went beyond words. "Oh s**t," she heard herself whisper softly, a word that seemed to hang in the air like a secret. Their eyes locked once more, intensity and understanding passing between them. Chantelle's heart raced not just from anxiety, but from a newfound attraction that she couldn't deny. She was growing uneasy and she did not know why. But it was a good uneasiness which confused her further. She yearned Astor’s touch in addition to the gaze he held continuously. As the presentation concluded and all was done, Astor began to leave the room. However, he paused when he reached Chantelle. "New here?" he asked, his tone laced with condescension. Chantelle's heart skipped a beat. "Eh? What? No-no. I’ve been here for a while." She stammered, startled at the sudden question and proximity. He raised an eyebrow, his gaze piercing. "Strange. You reek of pheromones” Chantelle nearly choked on her tongue. “Pheromones? Me? It cannot be, I have never produced pheromones.” She thought to herself, her mind running wild and the thumping of her heart beating rapidly against her rib cage. With a hint of nervousness, she replied, "I... I didn't take my inhibitor drugs today, sir" Astor's lips curled into a subtle smile, revealing the deep dimple on his cheek. "Interesting. Keep that in mind next time." With that, he continued on his way, leaving Chantelle stunned. He looked back at her again as he reached the elevator door, their gaze locked again. An undeniable electrifying connection sparked between them and the tension was even felt by the other wolves around. Astor gritted his teeth tightly as if holding himself back, and Chantelle breathed like she just finished a marathon race. Without a word, Astor left and in Chantelle’s head came a word, one that sent her body in shivers. “Mate”