Elite party
Saturday evening, on top of the most luxurious hotel in Mayford, Nate and Samantha arrived just in time to be photographed by the press.
Nate was wearing a dark suit and a red tie. His hair was glued back, and he stared at the rest of the guests with his cold, blue eyes. He didn't have the curt expression he reserved clients, nor the soft one he showed to friends and family.
He was untouchable, cold, and somehow dangerous. The woman at his side didn't look more smitten.
Her eyes in different colours shined under the lights of the party, and the first-class dress revealed her figure. The head of the sales department of LY Corp was as famous as the CEO for her good looks, swift moves, and merciless business techniques.
«Maybe, I should have rejected you,» Samantha commented.
«Would you dare?»
«Oh, yes. Do you smell it? The crowd is filled with stinky wolves.»
«Don't get too far, Samantha. We'll be here until the Alpha finishes his speech. Then, we'll toast a couple of times and go back home.»
«We travelled two hours in a car just because of this.»
«We did,» Nate sighed. «Now, focus on not starting a war, please. Don't break bones if someone comments about you. Just let it slide this once.»
«I know how to control myself.»
«As much as Scarlet,» he murmured.
Samantha giggled, amused how the pups were starting to be part of his life even if he didn't realise it.
They chatted with some of the guests, old business partners and competitors alike. The Alpha of the Mayford pack didn't show up until the event was late. He walked on the stage and greeted his guests.
«Welcome to the celebration of the fourth year of Blue Moon Enterprises. Our company has grown so much in just a few years, and we owe our growth to our dearest stakeholders!» He raised a cup and took a sip, followed by the cheers of the guests.
His black hair reflected the lights of the stage, and his fit figure caught the attention of all the women in the hall. He was a few years older than Nate, still too young for the position he was in.
He said a few more things about the company and their new plans, but Nate and Samantha didn't care enough to keep track. They were waiting to leave.
They cheered and drank together with the other guests, keeping their presence as unnoticeable as possible. In the end, they were rival companies. It made sense they didn't feel overjoyed by Blue Moon's success.
Their packs were more than rivals. They were enemies. But humans couldn't know that, and they would think CEO Woods and his sales manager were just bitter for the others' well-being.
Samantha walked away to reach the restroom and take a break from talking. She didn't have much to say, for she just managed her department without any politics in mind. Also, most of the people were looking for Nate anyway.
«I will be right back,» she said.
She walked in the hallway when a new feeling told her to stop. She turned on her heels and followed her guts. She saw the members of the rival pack, all wearing security uniforms.
«Everything clear,» one of them reported.
«Good. You can return to your job. Don't lower your guard, or the Alpha will kill you if anything happens.»
The voice of the person talking made Samantha shiver. She herself couldn't tell if it was fear or something else. Her hands clenched into fists, and she inhaled the scent that came to her.
Among so many stinky wolves, there was one that made her sigh. She walked even further, attracted by the scent and voice of that person.
The turmoil in her belly warned her of the danger, but she continued to walk.
As if under a spell, she turned the corner and saw the group.
«If I catch someone sneaking around, you won't reach the Alpha in one piece, for I will kill you with my own hands,» that man continued.
Samantha was startled, wondering if she was an intruder at that moment. Not that she would have been killed that easily. She was confident in her capabilities.
Rather, she didn't want him to think she was spying or something...
«Boss, there's someone...» one of the wolves commented.
«I know. I will take care of this. You go.»
As Samantha proceeded towards him as hypnotised, she realised the need for a good reason to be roaming around like that.
«Do you... Do you know where is the r-restroom?» she asked.
Her voice trembled as if she was scared. But she was not, that was sure! She felt hot all over, and her lungs couldn't collect enough air to lower the temperature.
«It's on the other way, miss,» one of the wolves replied.
«I said, go!» their boss said.
He turned to Samantha and walked with certain threatening steps.
Yet, she didn't even flinch. She couldn't sense any danger coming from him. Was it an effect of what was happening to her?
«Hello,» she said, giggling quietly.
Her eyes met a pair of pitch-black irises, and she inhaled deeply. She wasn't expecting to shiver at the sight of his eyes. Nor to quiver at the sound of his voice.
«Can I know your name?» she murmured.
The man stopped in front of her, smiling as if he had more control. He was wearing a black shirt tightened around his chest. Samantha's eyes caressed the muscles visible through the fabric, subconsciously licking her lips.
«Do you really need a name?» he inquired. «Wouldn't you rather have all the rest?»
His words flowed as if there was nothing wrong, and Samantha just nodded. She reached closer to him and grabbed the neck of his shirt.
She pulled, forcing him to bow down a little to meet her lips. Not much, because she was already tall without heels. With the sandals she was wearing that night, the man just had to bend his head downwards a little.
Their mouths crushed, their tongues fought.
As Samantha hugged his neck to prevent him from escaping, his hands wandered on her back.
It all happened too quickly for either of them to realise.