Filed to story: Watch Me Win Alpha (Olivia & Ethan)
Velare, the most exclusive and expensive restaurant in the city.
The ma?tre d’ led them into a private room, but when they walked in, three heads turned to face them.
Korbin, the vice president of Green group, sat at the far right.
Felix, Chole’s big brother was by his side. And last, but certainly not least, the man with the largest glare in the room… Ethan
Hawthorne.
Alexander was no fool. This meeting wasn’t about the joint resort at all. Ben was only here as a lobbyist. Olivia on the other hand couldn’t shake off the anxiety that hit her the moment her eyes locked with Ethan’s.
*Author*
Olivia could feel the less than subtle glances that were thrown her way. She knew what they were all thinking. It was scandalous that she was here with Alexander when her ex- husband was on the other side of the table.
But then Alexander’s words came back to her: The righteous always innocent, and the upright are not afraid of a crooked shadow.
She recognized what was at stake. Whatever these people thought about her didn’t matter. More importantly, she would not embarrass Alexander.
Olivia and Gai took their place at opposite ends of the table, and Alexander soon settled down beside her. Gai leaned in over the table and started whispering to Olivia. He needed to inform her that Ben Wilde had a reputation for pressing alcohol on his guests, and they would need each other’s support in order to gracefully decline.
As if summoned by their conversation, Ben Wilde, a tall man with a protruding belly, who looked to be about fifty years old entered the room. A young, slender woman followed behind him, looking like he’d had to chase after Ben.
“Well, well,” Ben declared as he sat down next to Alexander.
“Looks like we have some latecomers who need to be properly punished. And we all know there’s only one suitable punishment… a good drink to loosen everyone up!”
He clapped his hands, and his secretary rushed from forward from her position on the wall. She grabbed a bottle of wine from the table and quickly filled up her boss’s glass before doing the same for Alexander.
Olivia didn’t hesitate before jumping to her feet. She fixed a smile on her face for effect and reached for the wine glass. “Our Alpha isn’t feeling well today and really shouldn’t be drinking.
I’ll be happy to take his place.”
Her heart hammered against her ribs as she lifted the glass to her lips. But before the contents could flow into her mouth, the glass was suddenly snatched from her grasp.
“You don’t have to drink. Sit down,” Alexander said, putting the glass back on the table.
What was that about? Yve piped up.
I don’t know, Olivia responded. He seemed indifferent to me.
No. He sounded concerned. Protective even. I don’t understand why.
However, it wasn’t just Yve who’d noticed Alexander’s confusing tone. The entire room had gone completely silent. No one said a single word. The only sound was that of Ethan’s teeth clenching as he gripped the glass in his hand so tightly that
Olivia feared it might shatter.
Others wore varying facial expressions. Korbin and Felix frowned at them. Ben seemed thoughtful. And Gal, his eyes constantly darted around the room, as he pretended not to have seen the interaction.
His behavior still wasn’t clear to Olivia even as she sat down obediently beside him. She stole glances at his side profile, searching for some clue to decode what had transpired. But
Xander wasn’t revealing anything.
Korbin finally broke the agonizing silence. “Looks like you’re quite the compassionate leader, Alpha Alexander,” he said with a casual, playful tone.
The statement was far from innocent. Korbin was trying to create a reality that painted Alexander as a man who wouldn’t spare Ben Wilde even five minutes of his time. Yet, here he was intervening on behalf of a woman.
Alexander smiled faintly. He perfectly understood the game Korbin was playing. “Perhaps you could assist me instead,” he said smoothly, gesturing toward the abandoned wine glass in front of him. “I find myself… indisposed.”
As if to emphasize his point, Alexander turned slightly and released a series of weak coughs into his hand. Korbin’s jaw tightened. It was a clear command, and he couldn’t think of a way to refuse without blatantly disrespecting a powerful
Alpha.
He reached for the glass angrily and drained it in one swift motion. His face grew even redder as the liquid went down his throat. Once the glass was empty, he set it on the table with more force than necessary.
Felix observed the interaction warily. He wasn’t here to lock horns with Alpha Alexander, he was here because the Green group had rejected his proposals repeatedly.
It was only a few days ago, at some forgettable networking event, that he’d encountered Ben Wilde. Ben had been surprisingly receptive to Felix’s situation. “I know Alexander personally,” he’d said after downing his fifth glass of whiskey. “I can arrange a meeting. These things are all about knowing the right people, after all.”
The truth was, Korbin had been brought along to ensure everything went smoothly. But things were going anything but.
So far, it appeared to Felix that Alexander wasn’t giving anyone the time of day. Instead, his attention seemed to be somewhere.
Particularly, the dark-haired secretary seated on his right side.
It begged the question; Was the great Alpha Alexander truly smitten with this woman?
Ben Wilde had musings of his own. This meeting wasn’t going how he wanted it to. The people were too tense, wolf instincts were at high alert.
To ease the tension, he burst into laughter and clapped his hands loudly. “You’re absolutely right of course. It really isn’t advisable to drink when one isn’t feeling well.” He then turned to his secretary who had remained standing at attention near the wine bottles. He waved his hand at the younger man.
“Please, stand down.”
Despite Ben’s acceptance of Alexander’s state of health, it was clear to everyone in the room that the Alpha’s performance hadn’t convinced a single soul.
But Ben had to play his cards right. He was well aware that
Green group was under Alexander’s control. He couldn’t risk offending him.
It was too late for that.
“Mr Wilde.” Alexander fixed a polite smile on his face as he addressed Ben. However, there was a certain chill in his eyes that indicated he was in a far from pleasant mood. “I do appreciate advance notice when additional parties will be joining our discussions.”
To his credit, Ban maintained his cheerful demeanor. “I apologize, Alpha. I was only concerned you won’t show up.”
Felix jumped in immediately. “Alexander, I was hoping for another opportunity to discuss the loan for our project. I can promise you that it won’t interfere with the project’s progress in
Ethan remained in his seat, stiff with hostility. He threw the occasional glare at Olivia, which Alexander picked up on.
Alexander didn’t react immediately. He waited, listening to Felix patiently with a cold expression on his face. He was used to hearing desperate pitches, so he just let the man talk.
Once Felix was done, Alexander lifted his teacup and took a sip as if he were truly considering the man’s words. But then, he shifted his gaze to Ethan. And in a very casual tone he asked, “Ethan, do you have anything to say?”
*Author*
No one in the room moved as the two Alpha’s went head to head. Their gazes were focused on Ethan, waiting to see how he could react.
Ethan’s jaw tightened as he struggled to maintain his composure. He was in no position to anger Alexander. But his pride… the pride of an Alpha was a great thing. He couldn’t just let that go.
His gaze drifted Olivia who was still seated by Alexander’s side.
He resented her. How could she side with him? Did he mean nothing to her? What about the loyalty that was owed to him? To his chagrin. Olivia paid no mind to him. He watched as she gave the waiters clear instructions on how to serve Alexander’s meal.
New Book: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
Dayson was the alpha of the largest pack in North America. Powerful figures from other packs sought to offer gorgeous girls as potential mates for Dayson. He steadfastly rejected these advances, he was not a pawn to be manipulated. But eventually there came a mysterious girl he could hardly say No. Who was she?