Chapter Thirty-Two #2
I nodded and then bowed. “Thank you Alpha Vince.” Then he was gone, leaving me alone with Brandon. I turned to him and smiled. “Where to?”
Brandon came around from behind and took the lead. “This way.”
I nodded and followed. “So Rick?”
Brandon looked over his shoulder. “An old wolf. Smart. His daughter is sickly, and my father takes care of her.” I could feel my stomach clench. Vince wasn’t the caring Alpha.
“That’s sweet of him.” I followed him down the rest of the hallways and to a door. I did my best to keep up the conversation, but my mind was already spinning about Rick and his sickly daughter.
“This is it.” I came to a stop behind him, and I smiled. But internally, dread has settled in my chest. I had no idea how to get here. I wasn’t paying attention. Fuck.
Don’t worry. Nix snorted. I know the way. She shook her head. You know your father would be disappointed you allowed your training to fail you so badly.
She was right. He used to make me work on word problems and math as he took me through a maze he built as a pup. It was to keep my sense of direction sharp, even if I was blindfolded or not paying attention. I think we should start training like that again. Nix nodded and then nudged me to focus.
Brandon was staring at me. I panicked, but Megan chuffed out a laugh. He asked if you were ready.
“I’m ready.” I smiled.“Sorry. I’m nervous.” He turned to look at me with a raised eyebrow. “It’s stupid I know.”
He released the doorknob and turned to face me fully. “Nothing you feel is stupid. But talk to me.”
I leaned against the wall and started to pick at my nails.
“You know my dad was the one who told me to go into computer science, right?” He nodded.
“I loved my dad. Even though he was a shitty mate, he was an amazing dad and Alpha. He taught me everything I know about being an Alpha. And now that he’s gone… everything I do is to make him proud.”
Brandon snatched my hand and squeezed. “That’s understandable…but I am still a little lost.”
I sighed. “This is the beginning. This door,” I gestured to it. “Is the very beginning of my career. One I have dedicated to my dad. It’s the start of learning how to keep my pack safe.”
Brandon furrowed his brow. “You spent the last two, almost three years learning how to do this job.”
I nodded. “I know. But this, this is making it real, and I’m freaking out. What if I suck?” I pushed as much uncertainty as I could into my voice.
He laughed. “You are one badass Alpha.”
I nodded. “I know how to be a badass Alpha. Being able to create a security system that holds up is completely different.” I smiled. “I told you it was stupid.” I hit his arm lightly.
He grabbed my hand and squeezed it again. “I know you, and I know you’re going to do amazing. I promise you, you’ll make your father proud.” I nodded and took a deep breath.
“Thank you.” I closed my eyes and took another deep breath. “Okay. I’m ready!” I pumped my other fist, making Brandon laugh again.
“Let’s go.” He intertwined our fingers and opened the door. I pretended to pull my hand from his.
“Brandon.” I hissed as I tugged again, but it just earned me a smile.
We stepped into a square office with a desk to the left. A sweet-looking omega sat at the desk there and waved her hand. Brandon pulled me to the desk. “This is…” Confusion flashed across his face.
“I’m Omega Alannah.” She stood and bowed. “I handle the calls and schedule. I also handle all the office like tasks around here.” I smiled.
“Nice to meet you.”
Brandon called back to the open door on the left. “Rick, this is Amy. Your new disciple.” Rick groaned from inside the office and I heard him move back a chair.
“For the last time, I do not want nor need a disciple.” There were a few heavy steps before a big man with graying hair at his temples came around the door frame. He came to a stop right outside the door. “You’re Gavin’s kid.”
I tilted my head to the side and nodded slowly. “I am.” I smiled. “Did you know my father?”
The man chuckled, the little extra he had around his waist jiggling with it. “Yeah, I know your dad. How is the old bastard?”
I froze, and I forced tears to spring to my eyes and I looked down at my hands. “He passed away in a rogue attack a few years ago.” I looked up and I let one tear drop. “But you are right, before he went, he was one old bastard.” I smirked and wiped the tear away.
The room was silent for a few minutes and Brandon leaned over and whispered to me. “It’s okay.” He rubbed my arm with his hand. I smiled up at him and nodded.
“I’m sorry.” Rick sighed and rubbed his face. “I didn’t know.” He came over and stood with his hands in his pockets. “Now I normally hate any person Vince forces on me, as I feel like he is going to force me out once he has young blood in here. But for Gav, I’ll take you without complaint.”
I laughed, sniffling along the way. “Sounds good.”
Brandon turned, but then stopped as a ring sounded.
He pulled his phone from his pocket and I watched his eye twitch as he glanced at me.
“I have to take this call.” He turned to Rick, whose gaze was narrowed on Brandon’s screen.
“Rick, can you show Amy to her office and help her get settled? She has to get set up with the new laptop.”
I smiled and nodded as the phone rang again, and Brandon’s jaw clenched. He gave another nod. “I’ll be fine.” I waved him off. “Go.”
He sighed and turned to leave, and I caught a glimpse of his screen. I smirked when I saw Shannon’s name flash over the display again. “I’ll be off. Have a good day, and I’ll come visit when I can.”
I gave a tiny wave as the door shut, and then I turned to look at Rick. “I’m at your disposal.” I smiled, genuine this time. But something had Rick upset. I could see it on his face. He took a deep breath and sighed as he looked at me.
“Follow me.” Rick brought me into a nice enough office. There were tall windows that overlooked the training ring where I could see Derek training with the warriors. I felt my stomach clench as he took his top off and howled. “Never mind the boys, girlie. They won’t help you here.”
I laughed the first of the day. “The boys won’t distract me unless you are talking about me criticizing their shitty training.
” Rick turned to me with a soft smirk on his face.
“My father would roll in his grave if I ever became distracted by shitty training and shittier men.” Rick looked at me for a minute and then nodded.
“Your father was a good man, and a better Alpha.” He pulled out my chair. “Now sit, I’ll get you logged onto the servers, and then I’ll see what you can do.” I sat, and we got to work. A few hours later, he looked at his watch and sat back. “Now that you’re logged in, I have a test.”
I sat back and cracked my neck. “Okay.” I turned my chair to face him. “What’s the test?”
Rick held up a finger and then walked out, coming back with a stack of papers. “This is the test.” He placed them down in front of me and I leaned in. I paged through the stack and looked up at Rick.
“This is…cat and mouse.” I looked back to the papers. “You want to play cat and mouse?”
Rick smirked. “I do.”
“Why?” I leaned back, tapping the page. “How long do I have to hide from you?”
He laughed. “You aren’t the mouse…I am.”
I sat back. “I have to catch you?” He nodded. “How long do I have?”
He smiled. “You have the rest of the day, IF you can catch me.”
I smiled. “Challenge accepted.” I bent over my keyboard. “I’m ready whenever you are.”
“Hold your horses.” He laughed. “I need thirty minutes to hide somewhere in the mainframe. I’ll send Alannah for our lunch, and I’ll hide while we eat. When we are back, you can come find me.” He seemed very giddy.
“You’re excited?”
He nodded. “Honestly, I am.” He pointed to the computer.
“I’ve watched you navigate the systems, and I think that you might have the skills to give me a run for my money.
” He knocked on the desk. “Now, read the rest of the packet. There is more information in there that explains the game more in depth. Like, what happens if you find me?” Then he turned away and left.
But he came back. “Remember to give Alannah your lunch order? I just put mine in.” He grinned as he disappeared around the corner again. I just smiled.