Alpha King's Missing Mate (Book 1 Of The Regal Eclipse Pack Series)

Chapter 16

The closer she got to Big Apple Industries, the more nervous Talia grew about everything. She had no idea why the Alpha wanted to see her, why he'd blown up her phone for the last three days. She was just glad that James was with her. His presence helped calm her some.

They rode the elevator all the way up to the Alpha's office. Talia had never been inside the building before, but James had. He worked for Big Apple Industries, and he was also one of the top pack warriors. Or at least he did. Talia frowned. She and James were probably both out of a job since neither had bothered to call themselves off for the last few days. She groaned inwardly. What were they going to do? James slipped his hand in hers, sensing her anxiety and growing unease.

The action of her mate helped her to calm down some, and she forced herself to breathe, steadying her nerves until the elevator dinged. The door opened, and she followed James out. The secretary's desk was empty, but the Alpha's office door opened at that moment, and Alpha Quinton himself walked out, looking a bit relieved to see them both.

Talia and James both bowed their heads to him. "Alpha."

He came forward. "James? You're Talia's mate?"

James smiled proudly. "Yes, Alpha. I am."

Quinton smiled. "Well, Congratulations. I suppose you have been absent the last few days as well, haven't you?"

James frowned. "Yes, Alpha," he answered sheepishly.

Quinton sighed. "You young people. You're excused this time, James. I know how it is to find your mate, but don't let it happen again."

James breathed a small sigh of relief. "Yes, Sir. Thank you, Alpha."

Talia's own shoulders relaxed with relief. At least one of them still had a job, and the Alpha didn't seem overly angry.

"Please, come into my office," the Alpha stepped to the side and gestured for them to come forward.

Talia followed James past the Alpha, feeling as though she was going to throw up. Her wolf was trying to calm her down, but she could only imagine the worst. Why was the Alpha so interested in speaking to her?

Alpha Quinton closed the door and moved to stand behind his desk. He motioned for Talia and James to sit in the chairs in front of his desk.

"Talia, I'm sure you know Daniel ..." Quinton started.

Talia looked over and saw the werewolf from last Saturday night, the one Jenna had slept with, and groaned inwardly. How had she not felt his presence in the room? The male was practically invisible until you noticed him. Even with no aura on display, no sign that he was an Alpha, he still seemed to take over the room. This couldn't be good. Did he know that Jenna knew about werewolves? Feelings of dread made her stomach churn.

"... Remington," Quinton finished.

What??? The Alpha King? Her best friend had been dancing with and had sex with the Alpha King? Talia felt her heart drop. She stood quickly with James, bowing her head, fear racing through her. This male would not hesitate to kill her if she so much as looked at him the wrong way. "Alpha," she said softly, trying her best to keep her voice steady as she kept her eyes lowered.

Daniel stood and moved behind Quinton's desk, leaning against the window where he could easily watch Talia. He could sense her fear and wondered why she was so afraid. From being summoned to the Alpha's office? She had been scared when she'd walked in, but her fear had drastically increased when she'd realized who Daniel was. Her heart was racing, making him wonder why.

"Talia, the reason we have been trying to get in touch with you is because of your friend, Jenna," Quinton stated.

Talia bit her lip. Had Jenna betrayed her? She didn't think so. She had stressed many times how important it was that Jenna never tell anyone about werewolves. Were they fishing to see if Jenna knew? She squeezed James' hand tighter.