The Alpha's Ghost

Chapter 9

The Apex Tower, the building I had been working in for a week now, was the hub of all executive and administrative affairs of the pack. I recently discovered that the top three floors were for the executive, including the beta, gamma and deltas, with the alpha's office taking up the entirety of the top floor. I had figured he only had his office at his home. I later found out that because of the ghost, he had to stay away from the public eye. The ridicule from his own pack was immense.

The Alpha visited his office at the tower on rare occasions because of important work, and today happened to be one of those days. I caught a glimpse of him as he went up the elevator, Joneth, Mariah and a bunch of other people with him. I was more aware of his rank now and knew I couldn't just demand to see him once more.

But I did not expect to be called to his office.

The Delta accompanied me, hand in his pocket. I had the file of research in my hands, figuring that was what he meant for me to inform him about. We used his private elevator (apparently he had one) and made it to the top floor. The air felt different as we stepped out of the elevator, crispy and fresh.

As we stepped into the sleek, modern reception area, I rubbed my palm over the goosebumps on my skin. The grey and royal blue color scheme seemed to hum with an air of professionalism, but the warmth was sucked out by Mariah's icy glare from behind the front desk. Her eyes narrowed, her gaze flicking between Delta and me like a challenge. The only pop of contrast came from the vibrant green plants on the coffee table, but even their brightness couldn't soften Mariah's stern expression.

The room was sparse, with only a few carefully chosen pieces of art on the walls, but the overall effect was polished and intimidating. I felt like an intruder, and Mariah's silent scrutiny didn't help. Delta, however, seemed unfazed, striding confidently towards the Alpha's door.

Mariah's gaze lingered on me for a moment before she nodded curtly, her voice clipped as she said, "You can go in."

Delta rapped on the door, the sound echoing through the silent room. I trailed behind, feeling like I was walking into a lions den- or wolves den to be more precise.

As we entered the Alpha's office, I was struck by the sleek, modern layout. The room was expansive, with a high ceiling and floor-to-ceiling windows that flooded the space with natural light. The grey and royal blue color scheme continued from the reception area, but here it was accented with warm, rich wood tones and lush greenery from the plants scattered throughout the room.

To one side, a wet bar gleamed with polished stone and glass, complemented by a few stools for informal gatherings. Nearby, a plush sofa and armchairs formed a cozy seating nook, perfect for relaxed meetings or casual conversations.

The Alpha's desk, a massive wooden behemoth, sat at the far end of the room, positioned to take advantage of the view. His computer and papers were neatly arranged, with two to three piles of documents stacked beside him. Joneth, his assistant, stood beside him, hunched over a laptop, his eyes fixed intently on the screen.

Bookshelves lined one wall, stretching up to the ceiling and filled with leather-bound volumes and decorative objects. The overall effect was one of refined power, a space where important decisions were made.

The Alpha looked up, his gaze sweeping over us briefly, and slightly absent minded. Then, he did a double take, his eyes locking onto mine with a newfound intensity. His irises seemed to dance with a mix of emotions, the colors shifting rapidly as he stared. His entire demeanor changed in an instant, his relaxed posture stiffening, his busy fingers hovering motionless over the keypad. His typing ceased, and he was frozen, his attention fixed solely on me. I felt a shiver run down my spine under his intense scrutiny, and I looked down, my eyes cast respectfully at the floor, a nervous flutter in my chest.