Chapter Four

I knew my Mom was worried about Dad and Danny because they both went to protect the breech at the border. She always worries when they go into battle. I know that Danny is one of our best warriors and so is Dad, but there’s always the possibility of someone being better than you.

I went downstairs and put the kettle on for Mom’s tea. Being a twenty-year-old person, I’m not really into drinking tea but my Mom is. She especially loves drinking Chamomile Tea or Ginger Tea before bed. I made her a Ginger Tea. I took it to her so she could relax and get a good night’s rest.

Anderson just raised his eyebrow at me. What? I’m not drinking the tea and he knows it.

“What? Did you want something to drink to? If so, you know where it is. Why did you look at me like that?” I questioned him with my eyebrow raised at him.

“I was wondering who you were making the tea for since I knew you didn’t drink it,” replied Anderson.

“Who else would I make it for but my Mom? You know she drinks it. What’s up with you lately?” I demanded with my hands on my hips.

“I just don’t see you making tea very often is all. Now that we’ve been given the all-clear, I’ll go back home to Kayla. Let me know if you need me before tomorrow morning. I’ll see you for training,” Anderson advised as he started to walk out the front door.

“Okay. Good night Anderson. See you tomorrow morning,” I replied walking with him to the door.

Anderson left and I locked the door behind him. I made sure all the lights were turned off. I sat on the couch in the living room after I got some water. I waited for Dad to get home before I went to bed. Alpha Richard announced in the pack link that there would be no training tomorrow morning due to the attack tonight.

Dad didn’t get back home until around 2 AM. I had fallen asleep on the couch when I heard him unlock the front door. I was quick to meet him and reassure him that Mom was all right. We both made our way to our bedrooms so we could go to sleep.

As soon as my head hit the pillow, I fell asleep. I had a dreamless sleep. Before I knew it, the alarm was going off. I forgot to reset the alarm to account for no training today. It’s best that I go ahead and get up already anyway, right? As I lay there, all I could think about was when am I going to meet ‘him’? When am I going to meet my mate?

My Monday reminded me of the song ‘Manic Monday.’ I arrived to work like I always did. Anderson dropped me off at the front door of the office building. When I entered the building, it seemed we had extra people in the building. I’m not sure why.

As I passed the reception area heading toward the elevators, I was greeted by a tall male, 6’, 1” wearing a dark blue business suit with dark blue eyes and dark brown hair. He was handsome, but I could tell he was a player and definitely not my type.

“Morning ma’am,” he said as he walked past me on the way to the elevators.

“Good morning,” I replied as I kept walking to my set of elevators.

I was in my own world when I stepped off the elevator and headed to my office. The day seemed to be very busy. I was swamped with a dozen or more After Action Reports that needed my attention immediately. I had four meetings in the afternoon that I couldn’t miss on top of a business lunch with Dad that he arranged last week.

By noon, I was tired. I called my team over to let them know that tomorrow I had a morning meeting offsite and I would not be in until after lunch. If they had any questions or needed assistance before I got in, they could address them to Allison.

Meeting addressed. Now it was time for the lunch meeting. I reminded Allison that I was going to the lunch meeting. If I wasn’t back for the 2 PM meeting, she would have to be there in my stead. She understood.

I met Anderson downstairs. He had the car waiting for me. He informed me that my Dad wanted us to meet him at the restaurant. Sure, no problem.

We met at one of Dad’s favorite restaurants that had a private section for meetings. When I entered the restaurant, no one was at the hostess stand which was weird. I stood there for a few minutes waiting.

Finally, someone came over and asked if they could help me.

“Yes, I’m with the Miller Firm Party,” I announced.

The hostess looked me up and down. She made a face of disgust before she said, “Who?”

“I’m meeting with Mr. Miller and his party in the back,” I stated once again.

At this point, I had already opened a link to my Dad to let him know that the hostess was not showing me to the back of the restaurant.

“Yes, now I see. Right this way miss,” she curtly smiled and turned on her heel to show me the way.

I followed her to where we were meeting. When I entered the private area with the hostess. My Dad got up and greeted me.

“Ah, you finally made it. Good. Benedict, this is my daughter, Melanie. Melanie, this is Benedict.” Dad introduced us purely for the benefit of the hostess. Her eyes just about bugged out of her head when she heard ‘my daughter.’

When she left, Dad chuckled. “I couldn’t help it. Sorry, Melanie. So, how has your day been so far? Hmm?” Dad inquired as he held my chair out for me.

“Extremely busy for a Monday. I haven’t had two seconds to breathe let alone to use the ladies' room today without someone tracking me down to sign some paperwork,” I chuckled.

As I looked at Benedict, I noticed he was the one who told me good morning this morning in the lobby. Hmm. What a coincidence. I think not. Maybe he already knew we were going to be meeting today. I wonder.

“Mellie, the reason for our lunch today is so that you can get to know Benedict. I want to bring him on board with us to take on half of your workload,” Dad explained.

“Okay, where am I going?” I asked Dad.

“Remember, you will be taking my position as Delta soon. I want to make sure he knows the ins and outs of your job at the Firm. It’s not an easy position to fill. He will need to know all the players involved as well as the protocol involved,” Dad instructed.

“Yes sir. I will make it happen. May I ask why we are meeting here instead of at work in a conference room then? Why are we offsite for lunch?” I inquired looking suspiciously at my dad.

“Melanie, we all work hard. You especially. I wanted to make sure you had a good lunch. That you were able to eat, digest it, and enjoy it without any interruptions. I’ve noticed of late that your lunches have been one or two bites at the most before you are interrupted and then it is forgotten. Not today,” lamented my dad.

I chuckled, “You would notice that wouldn’t you? You know how important I view my work, Dad. I promise to take my time and enjoy it today,” I assured my dad.

Benedict chuckled at our banter. “So, Dad, what can you tell me about Benedict? Why did you choose him to take my position over?” I questioned him as our meals were being placed in front of us.

“Well, I like the way he works. He reminds me a lot of you. He’s very thorough when he reads a report and summarizes it. He knows how to handle his team efficiently and effectively—just like you do. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he was your twin instead of Daniel,” Dad chuckled.

“Hmm. Okay. Benedict, can you tell me a little bit about yourself? What pack do you belong to?” I inquired as I began to eat my meal.

“Well, I belong to the Silver Springs Pack. I am the baby of four boys. My father was the Delta of our pack now my oldest brother is. I have no sisters. I have two uncles and eight cousins. I love most sports, especially football and baseball,” Benedict stated as he ate his meal.

“Hmm. Four brothers. Wow. I only have one and he can be annoying sometimes but I love him just the same,” I mused out loud to no one in particular.

“Yeah, brothers can be annoying especially when they gang up on you. Is it going to be a problem that I’m unmated since your unmated?” Benedict inquired.

“It shouldn’t be. Why do you ask?” I asked him curiously.

“I just wanted to make sure it wouldn’t be a problem,” Benedict assured me.

“Okay. I’m still waiting to find my mate. Hopefully, soon I’ll meet him. Who knows,” I softly whispered mostly to myself.

We finished our lunch with a casual conversation. Dad insisted that Benedict start shadowing me starting Wednesday since it was late today and tomorrow I was coming in late due to the meeting with the Alpha.

Anderson was waiting for me at the entrance with the car when lunch was over. He drove me back to the office just in time for my afternoon meetings to begin.

The rest of the afternoon went off without a hitch. It was one meeting after another. Lucky me. I couldn’t wait until it was time to go home. I wanted to soak in the tub tonight and just relax with my book.