Filed to story: Watch Me Win Alpha (Olivia & Ethan)
It was obvious that she didn’t give a hoot about his feelings.
Regardless, Ethan needed Alexander. He had to put his ego aside and agree to a compromise, no matter how degrading it felt to him.
“Fine,” Ethna began. He took a moment to swallow. “I’ll agree to Windsor’s proposal.”
But Alexander wasn’t about to make it easy for the prideful Alpha. He tilted his head with mock confusion. “I’m afraid I don’t quite recall the specifics. It’s been such a busy week, you understand. Perhaps you could refresh my memory?”
Ethan couldn’t contain his rage any longer. How dare this man try to belittle him? He shot to his feet, pushing the chair back harshly. “I don’t have to listen to this.”
Alexander didn’t blink as Ethan huffed and turned toward the door. But before he could take more than two steps, Felix’s hand closed around his wrist.
“Ethan. Come on, let’s go get some air.”
Felix rose, escorting Ethan out of the room while the Alpha rambled on about how he felt disrespected.
Once they left, Ben realized things weren’t looking too good for him. Alexander was obviously in a foul mood, and probably won’t look at him favorably. It was a difficult situation, and he couldn’t think of a way to turn things around. Well, except for his blonde, doe-eyed secretary that stood by the wall.
He gestured and she came to stand by his side. He took her hand and held it out to Alexander. “Alexander, perhaps we could discuss some… alternative arrangements? I’m sure Miranda here would be happy to assist with any personal matters you might need handled.”
Alexander’s expression didn’t change. He understood Ben perfectly. “I think you misunderstand the nature of this meeting, Ben. Your services, and those of your secretary, won’t be necessary.”
Ben’s smile faltered as he realized his plan had failed spectacularly. He was at a loss for words now.
From her position at Alexander’s side, Olivia smiled knowingly.
This exchange only confirmed what she already expected;
Alexander wasn’t actually interested in women.
Alexander caught Olivia smiling, and without turning to look at her directly, he nudged a small plate of pastries in her direction.
“You should eat something. Your brain needs fuel if you’re going to keep up”
Olivia didn’t second-guess it. She reached for the plate, throwing a thankful glance at her boss. But just as she did so, the door swung open and Ethan strode back into the room with Felix behind him.
The first thing Ethan saw as he entered was Olivia’s face, turned toward Alexander with an expression of pure adoration. One that he believed was reserved for him alone. Whatever composure he’d managed to retrieve outside with Felix was gone.
Jealousy spread through him like poison. Without thinking, he launched himself between Alexander and Olivia, forming a barrier between them.
He looked at Olivia, pure rage and accusation in his eyes. “Don’t look at him like that.””
The tension had returned. It thickened when Ethan turned away from Olivia and faced Alexander.
Olivia’s mind raced as she watched Ethan advance toward her boss. She noted the way he flexed his shoulders, the way his hands had curled into fists at his side.
“Ethan stop,” she blurted out, worried he was about to start a fight. Alexander wasn’t one to back down from a fight, and Olivia already knew how it would end. “Don’t do something you’ll regret.”
Her words had their intended effect. Ethan froze mid-step, but then turned back to face her with a bitter expression on his face.
“Of course you’re worried about him. It’s always about him now, isn’t it, Olivia? You don’t care about me anymore.””
Olivia’s face remained neutral. She said nothing, knowing that any response she gave would only fuel his anger.
Then, out of the blue, Ethan shifted toward Xander. Instead of the confrontation everyone had been bracing for, Ethan lowered his head slightly.
“I owe you an apology. I haven’t been sincere enough, and for that, I apologize.”
Ethan leaned down and picked up the bottle of whiskey that had been sitting untouched. He poured himself a full glass and held it up. “I need to punish myself for being so unprofessional.”
He downed the first glass, the second followed quickly, and then the third.
Everyone thought he would stop there. But Ethan was committed to the act. He kept going, downing glass after glass.
Most of the people in the room were uncomfortable with the direction this meeting was going. Ben cleared his throat nervously, while his secretary stared fixedly at her hands. Even
Korbin and Felix weren’t sure whether to intervene or not.
They all knew Ethan wasn’t really apologizing. Far from it, actually. He was silently accusing Alexander of stealing his wife by playing the depressed ex-husband who drowned his sorrows with alcohol.
Alexander, however, remained unmoved by the spectacle. He was aware of Ethan’s tactics, and quite frankly, he couldn’t care less. He just looked at him coldly. The man was playing hardball, and Alexander wouldn’t engage in such low methods of manipulation.
After his tenth glass, Ethan suddenly pressed his hand to his stomach, face contorting in pain. “I think I’ve… I can’t…” He trailed off as he stumbled forward.
And then, almost as if he’d practiced the move, Ethan allowed himself to fall directly on Olivia’s lap. He wrapped his arms around her as he sagged against her body.
*Author*
Olivia shrieked. “Ethan!” She tried to shove him off her, but the man had fifty pounds on her. “Let go of me.”
But Ethan’s eyes remained firmly shut. He didn’t budge. He’d already committed to this final act and he was going to see it through no matter what.
Alexander watched quietly, giving Ethan the opportunity to get up with his dignity intact. But after the third shove and n? improvement, Alexander rose to his feet. He grabbed Ethan’s wrist, and with a firm pull, he pried his arm away from Olivia’s waist.
“I believe she asked you to let go.” His own arm moved protectively toward Olivia, making it clear that if anyone had the right to touch her, it was him.
Ethan’s jaw tightened at the interference. With an irritated shrug, he wrenched his arm away from Alexander’s grip. The stomach pain had apparently disappeared, leaving behind an obvious annoyance. “Mind your own business.”
Olivia noticed that the men were focused on each other now, stuck in a power struggle. She saw an opportunity and slipped from her seat and fled the room.
The sound of the door drew the men’s attention and they finally realized Olivia was no longer seated. Ethan immediately moved to follow her, but Alexander caught his arm again with even more force this time.
“I don’t think so,” he said as he blocked Ethan’s path.
Ethan’s ego was on the line. He wanted to attack, but he couldn’t challenge the Alpha directly. So once again, he called on his acting skills.
“You think you can just… just push me around?” Ethan slurred his words deliberately, allowing the alcohol he’d consumed earlier to serve as his excuse.
He stumbled backward, then lunged forward, and swung his fist wildly toward Alexander’s face.
Alexander didn’t flinch. He just blinked at the man before him, clearly unimpressed.
But before the situation could escalate further, Felix rushed between Ethan and Alexander. “That’s enough.” He pushed
Ethan back, holding him firmly on the spot. “Ethan, stop. You’re clearly intoxicated.’ Then to Alexander. “I apologize on his behalf. We should probably end the meeting here.”
Alexander straightened his jacket. His expression remained cool, revealing nothing. “I don’t believe intoxication is the real issue here, Felix. Ethan appears to be very sick…” He leaned in for effect. “Mentally, I mean. He might benefit from professional help.”
He glanced at Ethan, offering him a pitiful look. “I could recommend an excellent psychiatrist if you’re interested.”
Felix’s eyebrows rose at this unexpected turn. He’d been prepared for the Alpha’s rage, or demands for apologies. But this seemed promising.
He glanced at Ethan who was still swaying slightly before he answered, “That’s quite generous. I appreciate it.”
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?