Chapter 7

(Julia's POV)

I watched Sandy’s eyes bounce from the drink, to my face, and back again. Oh, no. Come on! My sister was typically so self-centered, but every so often, she seized on a piece of information that I didn’t want to talk about and wouldn’t let it go.

“That’s strange,” she said slowly. “Why would Ronan care about whether or not you drink alcohol tonight? I mean, I know he’s a bit of a control freak, but why on earth would your drinking habits concern him?”

I was surprised at how quickly an excuse sprang to mind. “He just wants to keep me on my game for later tonight,” I said. “We’re working on a project later, which we usually do. You leave early every day,” I added. “So how would you know what time I actually finish?”

Sandy just smiled back, eyes mean. “Oh, I’m sure. But just know this: no matter how hard you try to get closer to him, Ronan isn’t going to fall for you. You’re too boring, too obsessed with work, just like Kevin said. God, no wonder he dumped you.”

I decided not to point out that Kevin hadn’t really dumped me. More like he’d cheated on me, then came crawling back asking if I could consider adding Sandy to our relationship, and I had dumped him.

“And besides, Ronan just found his Luna,” Sandy went on, clearly not realizing I wasn’t all that upset about what she was saying. “To be Ronan’s Luna, she must be incredible. Beautiful and smart and sexy.”

She continued, “His Luna is probably better than you in every single way — not that that’s hard to find. You better be careful. His Luna, whoever she is, will probably sniff out your little scheme in no time and put you in your place.”

I was surprised to find myself feeling…nothing. I wasn’t bothered by her cruel words. Why should I respond to my sisters’ insults, especially when I was the Luna she was talking about? Not that she ever needed to know that.

However, my silence seemed to just bother Sandy even more. “God, you must be dying of jealousy. First I steal Kevin right out from under you and make him love me more than he ever loved you. I mean, he’s already talking about having a baby with me.”

“And if that’s not enough,” she continued. “I’m doing better at work than you are. Everyone can tell you’re totally distracted and can’t perform your Acting Beta duties. While you’re running around wasting time, I’m getting access to all the important business information you’re just dying to find out.”

Sandy added, “They tell me all kinds of things you never get let in on. You might be the Acting Beta right now, but I’m sure I’ve got a promotion coming any day now. As soon as they can figure out how to get rid of you, I mean.”

Before I could respond, Alex’s voice filled the room. “Everybody raise a glass for a toast! We’re here to celebrate some big news. As you all know, PackHouse has been working hard on a deal that has been taking up all our time and energy.”

“But all that hard work is about to pay off,” he smiled. “I am so pleased to announce to you all that our pack will soon be merging with Pack Theta.” The room erupted in polite applause and some cheers from some of the more intoxicated partygoers.

I clapped along with everyone else. I knew Ronan and some of the other high-ups at the company had been working hard on a project, but was never let in on the details. However, a merger with Pack Theta was great news.

Pack Theta was a mid-sized pack PackHouse had had pleasant dealings with in the past, and I had heard through the grapevine they had been looking for a larger pack to align themselves with. It wasn’t surprising they had chosen us — and that PackHouse had agreed.

Almost as soon as Alex stopped speaking, I heard a voice in my head, echoing through with a mindlink message. “Get familiar with the paperwork on this and prepare for some late nights at the office,” Ronan’s voice said, just as gravelly as his real voice. “You’re leading this deal.”

I felt a pit in my stomach. When I signed the deal with Ronan, I never dreamed he would start pulling strings at work to help me get ahead. Was this some kind of weird favor? Did he think I needed his help to get ahead at work?

I sent my own message through our mindlink: “I signed the deal, Ronan, which means I’ll hold up my end of the bargain. You don’t need to start doing favors for me at work. I can handle myself.”

“I put you in charge of the deal with Pack Theta because you’re the best person for it. You’re a competent worker, and you’ve earned this,” Ronan replied. “This is your first assignment since becoming Acting Beta, and it’s vital you take it seriously.”

His voice grew even deeper somehow. “All eyes will be on you, from the moment the deal is set in motion. Everyone will be waiting for you to mess up, and if you do, it will reflect poorly on me and my judgement. I hope you won’t disappoint me.”

I blinked slowly, Ronan’s voice fading slowly from my mind. His answer surprised me. It never occurred to me that Ronan might have seen my hard work at PackHouse and appreciated it. Admired it, even.

I worked hard because I enjoyed my work and felt it was important. I didn’t expect any praise or pats on the back. But now, it seemed like someone had noticed how hard I was working, and was rewarding me. And somehow, that person was Ronan.

Alex tapped his glass, getting the room’s attention once more. “Hold on, hold on, that’s not it!” He smiled. “We’ve got some other news for you all. Now, this deal with Pack Theta is very important, so it’s vital that it goes through smoothly.”

“This is a project that will require long hours, hard work, and a great eye for the details,” Alex said, looking around the room. “So, obviously, we want our best person in charge of ensuring it goes well.”

I glanced over at Sandy, who had just applied another coat of lipstick and was checking her reflection in a compact mirror. She snapped it shut, then looked around the room, a huge smile on her face.

To my surprise, Sandy even stood up, clearly preparing to make her way to the center of the room and accept the promotion she thought she deserved. I tried not to wince. Sandy was definitely about to make a scene, and I really didn’t want to watch it happen.

“This upcoming merger with Pack Theta will be led by our Acting Beta, Julia,” Alex announced. “Now, please join me in giving her a round of applause!” As our coworkers cheered and clapped, the smile on Sandy’s face turned sour.

I beamed at my sister. Sandy might have taken my mate, but with this new assignment, I was showing her that I had power, too. She can try all she wants to take what’s mine, but in the end, I would come out on top.