Page 13 of Chosen Beta

I look the shiv over and I can’t help but wonder how she made it.

“How did she get this thing so sharp?”

He shakes his head. “I have no idea, but I think we need a security detail on this room.”

“That might be a problem,” I admit. “We’re a little light on security staff.”

It’s the understatement of the year. We barely have enough security staff to keep the academy safe from intruders right now, and considering how pissed off the old donors are with the changes I’ve been making, we definitely can’t afford to be lax in that area.

“Funding issues?” he asks.

I shake my head. “More like trust issues. The guys I do have are solid. A lot of the others left when I took over, and I’ve been wary of hiring the wrong people.”

“I might have a solution, but I’ll need to make a few calls.”

“You know a good security company?”

Wow. He’s actually offering to take a problem out of my hands?

I didn’t need another reason to like him, but, damn, that really does it.

“Only the best in the business.” He gives me a wry smile. “Of course, I might be biased on that since my pack mates run the company.”

I blink at him, but I manage to hide my disappointment under my surprise.

He has a pack.

Of course he does.

I knew he was too attractive not to be spoken for.

Still, it stings just a little to have it confirmed.

I don’t know why I have such a desire for things I can’t have.

It’s only setting myself up for failure.

No wonder my dating life is completely non-existent.

“The guys they hire are thoroughly vetted,” he goes on. “Should I make the call?”

I nod, since he’s offering to take charge of something that’s still on my long list of important tasks. “I’m sure they’re great. Just let them know we can only hire Betas, for obvious reasons. I’ll need to be sent some information to sign off on, including costs and benefits required. And I’ll have some paperwork for them to sign, too.”

“No problem.” He looks thoughtful now, a wry smile on his lips.

I wonder what he’s thinking about, but I don’t ask.

If he has a pack, he must miss them.

He hasn’t had any visitors in the three weeks he’s been at the academy.

“I need to get back to work,” I admit. “Are you able to stay with her for now? Or should I reassign one of our security guards to the door?”

“I’ll stay with her for now,” he assures me. “But I have other patients I should check on later this afternoon. We’re probably talking tomorrow for cover from Owen’s men.”

“I’ll reassign someone to cover the door from noon onward today.”

“Perfect. Thank you, Lana.”

---