Her Boss the Alpha

by K. S. Martin

  “I will make sure that you get to pet one before we leave.” He chuckled and pulled a pair of jeans and a sweater on. “Hurry, there won’t be any breakfast left for us.” He pointed at her clothes. Lauren pulled jeans and a blouse on then twisted her hair up in the knot that she always wore. He liked it down but there was no time to argue, he was starving. She brushed her teeth quickly and Jake took her hand then led her to through the long hallways to the dining room. All heads turned to look at them when they entered the dining room. “Everyone, this is my friend Lauren.” There were so many faces and the room was huge like a ballroom in a hotel. A maid stood against a wall out of the way but she looked Lauren over like everyone else.

  “Welcome my dear.” A man that had to be Jake’s grandfather said from his seat at the head of the long table. He looked older than everyone here but he did not look ninety seven. He was not small and frail like you would expect. He was slim but tall with a head full of wavy gray hair. “Fix yourself a plate then you can sit here beside me.” He patted the table next to him. This man wasn’t weak at all like she would expect a man of his age to be. His hand was heavy and hard on the table.

  “Come, we’ll get our breakfast then I will introduce you to everyone.” Lauren smiled tentatively at them and went with Jake to the long side table filled with platters covered with every pastry, bread, and muffin imaginable. Platters loaded with the most beautiful berries and melon caught her eye, Lauren loved fruit. Domed lids covered more platters that she would soon find were full of meats and eggs. Jake filled his plate and put extras on her plate. He grinned when he added bacon and she made a face. “Maybe you like ham better.” He put a slice of that on top of the bacon.

  “Stop. I can’t eat all of this.” Lauren whispered.

  “Don’t worry about that honey, he plans on stealing those back later.” Jake’s mother laughed and sipped her coffee.

  “Oh! Is that your plan?” Lauren laughed and elbowed him away. “I’m not sharing.” He reached into her plate and stole the bacon back. “Hey!”

  “My plate is never big enough because I only get out here once in awhile so I have to make the trip worth it. “Do you like coffee?” Lauren nodded and the maid immediately set a cup of rich black coffee in an antique cup at her place. “Cream? Sugar?”

  “Cream.” The creamer appeared beside the cup for her to add. The maid stepped back from the table. Lauren noticed the children around the table watching her with curious eyes of every color. There were twelve she counted, seven boys and five girls. They sat between adults that they resembled.

  “Where are Geoff and the crew?” Jake asked when he sat down. “It won’t be the same without his nonsense.” Lauren was between him and his grandfather. No way was this guy ninety seven. She studied him when he wasn’t looking.

  “They are coming later. He had some things to attend to before making the trip, but they’ll be along. Don’t worry.” The man she assumed was his father answered. He looked like an older version of Jake and a couple of others at the table. Jake nodded.

  “Okay Lauren. In front of you there, is my mother, Victoria.” She nodded. “My grandfather, Louis, is mother’s father.” He patted her hand and she smiled. “My father there is George.”

  “Lovely to meet you dear.” He reached across to shake her hand.

  “That’s my youngest brother Michael, his wife Corrine, their children, Corey, Cadence, Mickey, Nicholas, and Mathew.” They all waved. “Then my second youngest brother Charles and his wife Anne, their daughters, Julie and Elise.” Lauren nodded as he went and they waved but she was never going to remember all of this. My oldest sister Elizabeth and her husband Rick, their sons Frankie, Donny, and Eddie. My youngest sister Bea and her, husband John. My oldest brother Darrell is next and his wife Dorothy with their daughters Donna and Dora.” Lauren smiled at the theme with the letter ‘D’. Something was familiar about the littlest one Dora. She was a red head and her eyes amber. Lauren was sure she’d never seen this child before but still there was something so haunting about her. “Now do you remember all of their names? Consider it a pop quiz.” Lauren’s brows furrowed and she bit her lip. Everyone laughed and went back to their plates. Lauren cleared her throat and began.

  “Louis, Victoria, George, Michael, Corrine, Corey, Cadence, Mickey, Nicholas, Mathew, Charles, Anne, Julie, Elise, Elizabeth, uh Rick?” Rick nodded grinning at her. “Frankie, Donny, Eddie, Bea, John, Darrell, Dorothy, Donna, Dora, and your brother Geoff is missing. Are you the oldest?” Jake was smiling down at her pride shining in his eyes. He leaned over and kissed her lips. Lauren flushed crimson.

  “Yes, I am the oldest and the wisest.” Someone threw a wadded napkin at him and he laughed.

  “Are you gonna mate with Uncle Jake?” The little red haired girl asked from Jake’s other side. She was wearing a pink tee shirt with a sequined star on it. Lauren nearly choked on her coffee. The little girl’s mother whispered something in her ear and she looked back at Lauren. Her mouth was in the shape of an ‘O’. Jake patted her back and laughed. “Are you gonna marry Uncle Jake?”

  “I told you that it would get asked.” He turned to Dora. “Lauren and I are still getting to know each other, but we’ll see. Okay?” She nodded and stuffed a powdered doughnut in her mouth trying not to giggle.

  “How long before you know?” The teenager named Eddie at the other end of the table asked. He wore ear buds but the music was apparently not on. His older brother Donny elbowed him. “What? It’s a legitimate question. They spent the night in his room, so they slept together, only married people sleep together. Right Mom? That’s what you said.” His mother leaned over and said something that he didn’t like. “Sorry, that’s none of my business Miss Lauren. I apologize for my bluntness.” His mother nodded and he stuck his ear buds back in his ears.

  “Sorry.” Jake murmured against her ear and she trembled. His mother gave her an approving glance. Wow, his Mom was pro sex before marriage. Go Mom! Lauren ate her fruit while he stole the bacon, ham and poached egg from her plate that he’d put there. She giggled then sipped her coffee. This had to be the best coffee she’d ever tasted. Even the fancy coffee boutique coffee wasn’t this good. Lauren let the maid refill her cup. It was no wonder that everyone was enjoying second and third cups.

  “So tell me Lauren, what do you do for a living?” Jake’s grandfather asked. “Do you work for Jake?”

  “Yes sir. I work in the accounting office.” Lauren answered.

  “Don’t let her fool you Pops. This woman can key numbers faster than I can. She is yet to make an error and she handles more accounts than anyone else in the office. That includes supervisors.” Lauren’s face heated. “Don’t be embarrassed. I haven’t said anything that isn’t true.”

  “If she’s that good why is she just working in accounting? Why haven’t you promoted her? You know Devlin is trying to steal your best help and with it your secrets. She would be a real find.” His grandfather advised. Lauren bit down on her bottom lip. The people from Devlin had approached her a week ago and she was supposed to give them an answer by Tuesday. They were offering a much better package. Zoe gave them Lauren’s name when they’d asked her. At least that was the story that Zoe gave her, Lauren suspected that it wasn’t the whole truth. Zoe was currently sucking the life out of one of the higher ups. If she left, she’d lose access to him, his money, and her quick promotions. Lauren wasn’t sure which manager it was but she had her suspicions. Devlin was closer to her apartment, offered profit sharing, flex hours and more pay. Lauren should’ve jumped on it but something felt weird about it besides that Zoe was ‘doing her a favor.’

  “They’ve made you an offer haven’t they?” Jake murmured in her ear and she nodded. “Why didn’t you tell me?” She thought about it now, why hadn’t she?

  “Because I have no intention of accepting their offer. Something feels wrong about it. Zoe referred me and I don’t trust her. Also because I haven’t thought about much since I had that flat.�
� Jake smiled wolfishly and she elbowed him, he laughed.

  “What did they offer you?” He asked watching her from over his coffee cup.

  “Well, more pay, profit sharing, flexible hours, stuff like that.” He nodded.

  “Are those things important to you? He sipped his coffee nonchalantly.

  “Sure they are. The more perks there are, the better it feels to go to work.” He nodded again.

  “So do you think if those things were offered at our office, people would stay?” Lauren nodded.

  “I know that salary is negotiated during the hiring process but it can be reviewed can’t it? If an employee is a hard worker and is highly productive, that should be rewarded. Why don’t you offer flexible work hours? I mean if I am more of a morning person and my best work is done from five am till one, what difference would it make when I did my work? Or if my work load is heavy at the beginning of the week but slow at the end, why not let me work twelve hours on Monday and four on Friday, if I want to? If your employees are happy, they are loyal. If they are happy, they are productive. If they are loyal and productive, it can only benefit the company. If I share in the profits, I’m working harder for you. If I can get free coffee in the office, I won’t make trips to the corner for a half an hour. That’s more quality time I spend in the office. There are lots of things that you could do to make people happier, more comfortable, and loyal. You have to be the best company to work for or people will go where they get a better deal.” Jake nodded and watched her through narrowed eyes. “What?” His grandfather laughed.

  “I’ve told him the same things young lady but he dismisses my advice because I’ve been out of the game for years. He’s sitting there now wondering if I’ve put you up to saying that and when I had the opportunity.” Jake grinned.

  “You always were good at reading my mind Pops.” The old man laughed heartily.

  “Well it’s true. If I trusted Zoe just a smidge, I would’ve been gone already.” Her eyebrows rose. “That’s something else that you can check into. She’s their top recruiter.”

  “What do you mean?” Jake was starting to look angry.

  “Zoe put them in touch with me. I know she spoke also to Pete, Mike, Carrie, and Lexi too.” Lauren grabbed strawberry that she’d neglected earlier.

  “So she is singlehandedly trying to ruin me.” Jake exhaled.

  “Why not? I don’t know if she’s making anything off of the people that she sends over to Devlin but knowing Zoe she’s probably getting paid on the side.” Jake nodded.

  “I am going for a run. Would anyone care to join me?” Louis asked surveying the table and several grandchildren stood as well as Jake’s Dad. “Patio, ten minutes youngsters.” Jake and Lauren went back to his room hand in hand.

  “Thank you for your candor Lauren, about the goings on at the office.”

  “I wouldn’t usually say anything, it’s not my business what you do, but I like my job and your company. I don’t want to see it fail because of someone like Zoe.” He nodded and closed the bedroom door. “What are we going to do now?” Lauren tried to contain the smile on her face but she was hopeful that they would go back to bed.

  “Hmm.” Jake pulled his sweater over his head and her heart sped up. He was gorgeous. Her fingers ached to explore the corded muscles of his abdomen, the hills, and the valleys under the warm silken skin that she remembered from last night. Her midsection tightened deliciously. How was he so fit when he worked longer hours than she did? When did he have time to go to the gym? She couldn’t find the time to watch the shows on her DVR and when she did, she usually fell asleep before they were over. He went to the dresser and got a sweat shirt out then pulled it over his head. She was disappointed. “I want to show you the grounds. The estate is lovely this time of year with the leaves changing. Also, we may see one of those wolves that you wanted to pet.”

  “Outside, in the wild?” Her eyes were round.

  “It’s just the backyard and why not? If it approaches us, let it sniff your hand like you would with a strange dog. If it doesn’t run away you can pet it. Come on.” He headed for the door. Sure just let it sniff me then it will be close enough to bite me, she thought. Lauren followed him outside and took his offered hand. Jake led her down a stone path that ended at the patio and pool. “Do you swim?”

  “I can when it’s warmer outside. It’s a little cold to swim right now, don’t you think?”

  “It’s a heated pool sweetheart.” He gave her a ‘you’re so silly,’ grin.

  “But you still have to get out of the water. You can’t stay there until June.” Lauren laughed.

  “I’ll keep you warm.” He winked at her and pulled her passed the pool. She saw them then, a pack of wolves. She counted seven of them. They came in all colors and her hands went to her mouth.

  “Oh my God they’re right here in the yard. They’re so beautiful. They won’t bite me will they?” She hid behind Jake. The largest of them was silver and white. He came forward slowly. The others trailed behind flanking him. He sat at Jake’s feet.

  “Hello there boy.” The wolf lifted its paw and Jake shook it laughing. “Come say hello Lauren.” He pulled her out from behind him. She was shaking. “Don’t be afraid sweetheart. He’s very friendly, shake his paw.” Lauren shook her head and backed up against him. “You wanted to pet a wolf, here’s your chance.” Lauren took a deep breath and reached her shaking hand toward the beast. It dropped its head and let her pat him. “You can do better than that. Scratch his ears, he likes it.”

  “How do you know?” She hissed.

  “I’ve known him a very long time. He’s the alpha of this pack and has been for years.” Lauren reached down to scratch him behind the ears. His fur was thick and soft there. The wolf’s eyes glazed at her scratching and he stretched his neck back and forth. Lauren laughed. “You’ve made a new friend I think.” Jake watched her. Lauren knelt to get a better angle and two more wolves approached. The small red one from earlier came close and nudged Lauren’s arm with her nose. “Apparently they all like to be scratched.” Jake looked at them all with a quirked eyebrow and the silver one yipped at them. The pack turned to follow him away from Lauren.

  “Did I do something wrong?” She worried.

  “Nah, the silver one never hangs around long, but he likes to visit often. He’s off to hunt. Don’t worry about it. You may see them again later but right now, we should go back inside, you’re cold.” He rubbed her arms. She nodded and let him pull her close. They went back to his private entrance with his arm around her waist. “I’ve thought about your demands.”

  “My what? When did I make a demand?”

  “About the office. I am going to offer flexible hours starting on Monday and I will look into getting the new coffee bar installed on each floor. I will have to get a consultant for the profit sharing, that will take some time but the salary reviews can start immediately. You are absolutely right about everything. Is there anything else that you think would make our company more attractive?”

  Our? She thought about her answer, not giving herself time to consider ‘our.’ He’d only meant the company where they both worked, nothing more. “A leave package. Instead of the standard two weeks of vacation and one week of sick. Why not let people earn leave and save it up? Like six hours a check and then when we retire, you can pay us for any that we haven’t used. That’s incentive to show up every day.” Jake nodded.

  “Okay. I’ll think about it. Have you considered a career as a union rep?” Lauren laughed and went inside when he opened the door. It clicked closed and his arms were around her, his mouth on her neck.

  “Finally.” She melted into him.

  “Mmm hmm.” His fingers were working on her buttons while she worked on her jeans. “I love it when you’re helpful.” He pulled his sweat shirt over his head while she unbuttoned his jeans. He lifted her while he walked out of the denims and carried her to his bed. “I want you so much Lauren.” Her hands twined in his hair. “I
need you.” He mouthed her belly and ribs then pushed her bra out of his way. His teeth grazed her nipple and she gasped. Jake smiled looking up into her eyes and did it again. Her fingers knotted in his hair and he chuckled. Caressing her areola with his tongue his deft fingers unclasped her bra and threw it aside. Jake’s hardness rested against her softness and she moved her hips hoping he would hurry. “Not yet baby.” His mouth caressed her throat as he spoke. “I want to bury myself so deep inside you that you won’t know where I end and you begin. But I want to enjoy you first.” Lauren gasped then moaned. Someone pounded on his bedroom door and Jake groaned. “Go away!”

  “Uncle Jake, there’s been an accident. You have to come now!” Jake jumped from the bed and into his pants. He pulled a tee shirt over his head and shoved his feet into his shoes.

  “Get dressed and find me.” Jake hurried out of the door that led into the house slamming it behind him. Wondering what could be wrong Lauren dressed quickly and pinned her hair back up in the constrictive knot. She wandered through the halls until she heard voices and followed them. When she got to the living room at the other end of the house, she nearly screamed. Louis lay in pool of blood not moving, a bullet wound in his chest, and his skin ashen. The family was crowded around a black wolf that had been shot twice and was bleeding out quickly. It struggled to breathe, its breaths a gurgle. The black wolf’s blue eyes focused on Lauren then went blank and closed. Its hair receded, its paws changed to feet and hands. The body lengthened and paled. The wolf was Jake’s father George, Lauren suddenly realized. Victoria let out a loud wail collapsing over him then sobbing. Jake’s head turned at Lauren’s whimper. Tear streamed down her face and she dropped to her knees. He’d been so focused on his father he had no idea how much she’d seen. Jake went to her and pulled her to her feet. He wrapped her in his arms while she sobbed into his chest.

  “Who did this? How did this happen?” Her voice was muffled against him.