Chapter 27
ANITA
Mason is driving us in his huge four-wheel-drive truck, and I feel ridiculous.
All four of them insisted on coming as though I need an entire security detail just to meet with one asshole at a hotel.
I’m in the front passenger seat, dressed as Ash—new wig and facial hair, the binder strapping down my chest uncomfortably, baggy clothes, the whole works. And behind me, Slater, Dylan, and Jasper are somehow crammed into the back seat like sardines in a very expensive can.
“You know this is complete overkill, right?” I say, adjusting my fake beard in the visor mirror.
“Nothing is too much for you,” Mason says firmly, his hands steady on the wheel.
“Besides, you smell especially divine today,” Dylan adds from the back. “Like, unusually so. It’s distracting.”
I glance back at them, and all three are staring at me with varying expressions of discomfort and amusement.
“So weird looking at you as Ash,” Slater adds, shaking his head. “It’s really throwing me off. My brain knows it’s you, but my eyes are seeing a scruffy guy.”
“It’s disturbing that I’m so drawn to you looking like that,” Jasper agrees.
“Well, that’s kind of the point,” I say with a grin. “I need to be convincing.”
“Just don’t forget to scratch your groin,” Dylan says, completely serious. “Guys do that all the time. It’s expected.”
I burst out laughing. “What? Why do guys do that constantly? It’s so gross.”
“It’s adjustment,” Mason explains, like he’s discussing the weather. “Things shift around. Need repositioning for comfort.”
“I do it simply because I’m too big,” Dylan adds with a straight face. “Requires frequent management.”
“Oh, fuck off,” Jasper says, shoving Dylan’s shoulder.
“You want to compare right now? I’ll do it,” Dylan shoots back with a grin.
“Are we really having this conversation?” I ask, laughing.
We drive through town, and I’m trying not to be nervous, but my hands keep fidgeting with the edge of my shirt.
“So Dylan’s going in to watch from a distance?” I confirm again from our earlier conversation over breakfast.
“Yep,” Dylan responds. “I’ll hang back, keep an eye on things. Reed probably researched you guys since I don’t have much social media presence. No photos online, really. So he won’t recognize me from across a lobby.”
“And we’ll be in the car right outside,” Mason adds. “You need us, you text. We’ll be there in seconds.”
“My bodyguards,” I say with affection.
“Damn right,” Jasper growls.
We pull around the corner from the hotel, and I take a deep breath, getting into character. Walk like Mason and Dylan showed me. Shoulders back. Confident stride.
“Remember,” Slater says as I’m about to get out. “You’ve got this. He’s just a man. An asshole man, but still just a man.”
“Channel your inner caveman,” Dylan encourages.
I step out of the truck. The hotel looms in front of me—The Lofty Grand. Stone facade with huge windows, a grand entrance with double doors, and a doorman in a blue uniform who nods at me as I approach.
I push through the doors into the lobby and am immediately embraced by the sheer opulence of the place.
The ceiling soars at least three stories high, with an enormous crystal chandelier as the centerpiece.
The floor is polished marble in cream and gold patterns.
Plush velvet furniture in deep jewel tones is arranged in conversation areas.
A massive fireplace crackles on one side, and there’s even a grand piano in the corner, where someone is playing something classical and soothing.
Fresh flowers are everywhere—huge arrangements on every surface that probably get replaced daily. This place screams money and prestige.
I spot Reed immediately. He’s sitting in the hotel’s café area off to the side, a small, intimate space with marble-topped tables and leather chairs. He’s on his phone, looking annoyed, and when he sees me, he waves me over impatiently.
I straighten my shoulders, remembering my training.
Guys act like they’re in charge of everything, like the ground should be grateful they’re walking on it.
I start across the lobby with what I hope is a confident, masculine stride.
I’m halfway there when I pass a man in an expensive suit, clearly an Alpha, based on his build and presence. He pauses as I walk by, his nostrils flaring slightly as he catches my scent.
His eyes go wild for a second, pupils dilating, and he stares at me with confusion written all over his face.
Then he quickly walks away, glancing back once with a disturbed expression.
Shit.
I’m starting to think maybe my heat is coming faster than I anticipated. Even with all the cologne and scent patches, something’s getting through.
Is it a smart idea to meet with Reed right now?
But he’s calling me over again, more insistent this time, and I don’t have a choice.
I approach the table, and Reed stands to shake my hand. His grip is too firm, trying to prove something, and he claps me hard on the shoulder in that way guys do.
“So good you came, Ash!” he says loudly. “You have no idea what a great decision this is going to be for your future. Come, sit, sit.”
There’s already a black coffee waiting at my spot. I sit down, trying to take up space like the guys taught me, and wrap my hands around the cup.
“I don’t have a lot of time,” Reed continues, checking his expensive watch. “I’m leaving in an hour, and we’re heading to the venue to prep for the live event. But I wanted to see you in person, get a feel for your commitment level.”
“I’m very committed,” I say, deepening my voice slightly.
“Good, good.” He leans back, studying me.
“Here’s what I’m thinking. I want you to show me how good you are at social media.
On the day of the event, you’ll be there taking photos, posting updates to my accounts, hyping up the important moments, interviewing attendees, capturing the energy.
” He pauses for effect. “Consider it an audition. A test run to see if you’ve got what it takes for the real position.
No payment for this one but more of an investment in your future. ”
Any other time, I would tell him exactly where to stick that offer. He’s clearly using people, getting free labor by dangling promises. But I need in. So I nod enthusiastically.
“I accept that chance,” I state.
“Excellent.” He smiles. “And as part of this opportunity, I’ll also be your personal mentor on how to be a stronger man. See, even as a Beta, you can learn to act like an Alpha. Gain the same benefits, the same status. Nobody knows the difference if you know what you’re doing.”
He leans forward conspiratorially. “Imagine the women you could attract. The respect you’d command. The doors that would open.”
I nod, thinking this guy is so completely full of himself that it’s actually impressive.
We drink our coffee, and I’m trying not to gag on the bitterness—from both the coffee and having to sit here listening to his garbage.
“Bit of advice, though,” Reed says, wrinkling his nose. “Lay off the heavy cologne. It’s really not doing you any favors. Less is more, you know, as currently, it’s unpleasant?”
“Yeah, good point,” I say, finding that odd. If the cologne is that off-putting to him, what is he smelling?
“Now, this event is going to be enormous,” Reed continues, pulling out his phone to show me promotional materials. “We’re expecting over five thousand attendees. This is about reclaiming true masculinity. Teaching Alphas how to be the leaders they were meant to be.”
“And Betas?” I ask.
“Betas can learn too,” he explains generously, like he’s doing us all a favor. “It’s about mindset more than designation. Acting like you’re in charge, taking what you want, not apologizing for your strength.”
“What kind of topics do you cover?” I ask, trying to gather intel.
“Oh, everything. The natural hierarchy and why it matters. How modern society has weakened men. Proper pack dynamics—why Omegas need structure and guidance. How to identify and eliminate toxic femininity from your life.”
I want to punch him so badly my fist actually clenches under the table.
“Sounds comprehensive,” I manage.
“It is. Life-changing, really.” He scrolls through his phone.
“You know what, Ash? How would you feel about being part of the presentation? I could call you up onstage, tell your story about how you’ve always struggled with standing out, how you joined my mentorship program and are already seeing improvement. ”
My stomach drops. “Well, I’m very much a work in progress right now…”
He laughs, but it’s condescending. “See, an attitude like that is exactly why you’ll never make it. A real man owns any situation, regardless of the truth. You fake it until it becomes real. Confidence is everything.”
I blink at him, biting back about fifteen different responses that would blow my cover.
“Sure, let me think about it,” I say carefully.
“Good. Tell me the morning of the event so I know whether to introduce you as a man on a new journey.” He stands, clearly done with me.
“Be there at seven a.m. sharp. The venue address is on this card.” He hands me a business card with embossed gold lettering.
“I’ll give you access to all the social accounts that morning.
Be ready to have your mind blown by what you learn. ”
We shake hands again, and he gives me that condescending smile. “Seriously, though, work on that scent situation. It’s not great.”
Then he’s gone, striding across the lobby like he owns it, and I’m left sitting here trying not to scream.
I turn and immediately spot Dylan near the entrance, leaning against a pillar like he’s just casually people-watching. Our gazes meet, and I stand quickly, heading toward him.
We don’t talk until we’re outside and hurrying to the four-wheel drive parked around the corner.
We’re halfway there when a shape peels off the wall near the side exit.
The Alpha from earlier who walked past me, who seemed to sniff me.