CHAPTER 250: CHAPTER 250 CURIOSITY

Joseph’s POV

"Alpha Joseph, you have a board meeting at 10, lunch with the development team at noon, and the Storm Valley conference call at 3 PM," Eleanor’s voice came through my office intercom.

I groaned, rubbing my temples. Two days with Eleanor Larson as my new executive assistant, and my life had been completely restructured. No more late mornings after club-hopping. No more canceling meetings on a whim.

"And don’t forget to review those contract amendments I left on your desk," she added, her tone all business.

"Yes, ma’am," I muttered, flipping through the stack of papers she’d organized with color-coded tabs.

Dean, my wolf, chuckled inside my head. "She’s exactly what you need. Someone who doesn’t fall for your charm."

"Shut up," I replied mentally. "I’m the Alpha here."

"And yet she’s the one calling the shots," Dean remarked with amusement.

I could not argue with that. Eleanor was a force of nature. She was efficient, dedicated, and completely immune to my attempts at charm. No wonder Alpha Gerald had recommended her so highly. If she had been born male, I would bet Sebastian would have serious competition for the Blood Moon Pack Alpha position when Gerald retired.

When my office door opened, I looked up to see Eleanor enter with a fresh cup of coffee. I had to look twice. She was wearing a stunning navy blue dress that hugged her curves perfectly. She had tasteful gold accessories with it. It was very different from the conservative pantsuits she had worn the previous days.

"Wow, Eleanor. You look..." I paused, searching for a professional compliment that wouldn’t get me slapped with a harassment suit. "Very put-together today. New outfit?"

She placed the coffee on my desk. "Thank you. Yes, actually. I went shopping with my friend Caroline yesterday."

"Well, whoever helped you pick it out has excellent taste."

Eleanor’s expression brightened. "Oh, it was not Caroline who helped me choose it. There was this amazing sales associate at Harbor Bay Mall. She was a young woman with the most incredible style sense. She put together this entire look."

"She was gorgeous too. She had stunning eyes. She reminded me of Caroline, actually."

My interest piqued immediately. Beautiful women with good taste had always been my weakness.

"Is that so?" I leaned forward. "Got a picture of this fashion genius? Or maybe her number?"

Eleanor rolled her eyes. "Dream on, Joseph. Girls like her don’t fall for players like you." She tapped the stack of contracts. "These need your signature by noon."

"Come on," I pressed, ignoring the paperwork. "What’s her name at least?"

"Nice try. Now, about those amendments..."

I sighed. "Fine, fine. All work and no play."

"You are hopeless," Dean commented.

"I prefer the term ’appreciative of beauty,’" I replied.

My phone rang, saving me from Eleanor’s lecture about the contract language. Ryan Cole, Beta of Storm Valley Pack and my friend Draven’s right-hand man, was calling.

"Ryan! Perfect timing. Eleanor was about to force me to read actual paperwork," I answered.

Eleanor shook her head and walked out, closing the door behind her.

Ryan’s deep laugh filled the line. "Sounds like you’re finally getting some actual work done. About time someone whipped you into shape."

"Speaking of being whipped," I spun in my chair, "Word is that your Alpha has been completely tamed by his new assistant. What’s the story there?"

"Man, you wouldn’t believe it," Ryan’s voice lowered. "Draven is completely different around her. Actually shows up to meetings on time. Remembers birthdays. Smiles, Joseph. The man actually smiles now."

"Draven Thorne? Mr. I’ll-Rip-Your-Throat-Out-For-Looking-At-Me-Wrong?" I couldn’t believe it. "Who is this miracle lady?"

"Charming girl. Smart as hell. Takes no shit from him. "

"Now this I have to see," I laughed. "What’s she look like?"

"But don’t get any ideas. Draven’s already territorial, even if he won’t admit it." Ryan paused. "Which is weird, considering..."

"Considering what?"

"He’s still obsessed with finding that woman from the masquerade five years ago. You remember? The one who disappeared before midnight?"

I remembered all too well. Draven had met a mysterious woman at the annual Moonlight Masquerade. They’d spent hours together, then she’d vanished without a trace. He’d been searching for her ever since, his own personal Cinderella story.

"So he’s juggling his Cinderella fantasy and this new assistant?" I said.

"Tell me about it. Anyway, we still on for that meeting today? Thorne Enterprises and Puma Global need to finalize the partnership agreement."

"Yeah, Eleanor has me on a tight schedule. We’ll be there." I hung up and leaned back in my chair.

Draven’s situation amused me. He’d always been so judgmental about my casual approach to women. Now he was caught between two. The difference was, I had no delusions about fated mates or true love. My own parents’ disaster of a mateship had cured me of that fantasy early on.

My father, Steward Garcia, had been the very definition of a werewolf playboy. He’d cheated on my mother constantly, using the excuse that she wasn’t his true mate. Eventually, Mom got tired of it and divorced him.

I’d learned my lesson. Enjoy women, but never make promises. And never, ever believe in the fairy tale of fated mates.

In the afternoon, I walked into the conference room at Thorne Enterprises.

The meeting was starting in ten minutes, but I liked arriving early to look at new faces.

And what a face I found. Standing near the window was a stunning blonde woman in a perfectly tailored red dress. Her hair fell in golden waves down her back, and when she turned, I caught my breath. High cheekbones, full lips, bright green eyes – she was a knockout.

She and Eleanor hugged warmly, then Eleanor introduced her to me.

"Joseph Garcia," I said, approaching with my most charming smile. "Alpha of Nightbane Pack and CEO of Puma Global."

Her smile was dazzling. "Caroline Bennett. Executive assistant to the CEO at Thorne Enterprises."

"Eleanor, I will have to fight with your father. When he asked me to recommend Miss Caroline for the position here at Thorne’s, he failed to mention she was a goddess!"

Caroline gave me a charming and slightly shy smile. I had not even noticed Draven entering, but I heard his voice thunder across the room.

"Joseph, keep your hands and eyes away from my assistant. Miss Bennett is not like those women you usually date!"

Great, now everyone was criticizing the women I had been with. But I noticed there was some possessiveness in Draven’s tone. I found this very interesting. My friend had never acted this way about any woman before. I smiled as I looked at Caroline, then at Draven. I knew he was in big trouble. He had already fallen for her. I could not miss this chance to tease him.

"My dear friend Draven, I do not know if I can resist the charm of such a beauty."

"But you better stay away, Joseph." Ryan walked in and said, "You do not want to anger my Alpha." He smiled mockingly. He was enjoying Draven’s embarrassing situation.

"But, Joseph, who is this beautiful lady with you?"

"Do not waste your effort, Ryan. This is Eleanor Larson. She is not only Alpha Gerald’s daughter, but she also has a boyfriend who looks like a prince. In short, she is as untouchable as Miss Bennett. No wonder they are best friends." I rolled my eyes and answered.

"Oh, what a shame! But you two can introduce a friend as beautiful as yourselves to me, right? I feel so lonely..." Ryan put on a pitiful expression. Everyone laughed.

"My God, Ryan, you really have no shame!" Draven said angrily.

"Unfortunately, we do not have any friends as beautiful and wonderful as us to introduce to you, Beta Ryan. I am truly sorry," Eleanor answered with a laugh.

Draven rolled his eyes and told us to control our hormones.

As if he himself was not completely enchanted by his new assistant. Just thinking about it, my friend, the most serious and calm one among the three of us, would lose his usual composure because of this sexy assistant. That scene would be so interesting to watch.

Seeing how beautiful Caroline was, I remembered what Eleanor said today about meeting a beautiful woman at the clothing store. Caroline was taken, so I could not miss another goddess like this.

When I have free time, I’d make a trip to Harbor Bay Mall. After all, what harm could come from a little shopping expedition?

"You’re asking for trouble," Dean warned.

"Maybe," I replied. "But trouble has always looked good on me."