Page 1 of Lethal Alpha

1

Mathew

The doorto my office slowly opens, letting in light from the hallway, illuminating the crumpled carpet in the middle of the room.

With everything going on these last few weeks, I’ve still not gotten around to getting it replaced.I really should do it soon.I can’t really have clients over if it looks this messy, it’s not professional.

Not that I’ve had any meetings in here since the night Vera and Caleb arrived, things have been a bit too hectic for that.

First, I didn’t want anyone around while I was getting to know them, then Vera and I went into heat and then we found out that the organisation that used to own me had gotten much closer to me than I thought.

So, for the last couple of days, we’ve been pretty much locked in here while we’re redoing the security.

The office door closes again, the room returning to darkness, as footsteps softly come towards me.

Caleb’s deep forest scent spreads through the room, easing my nerves.He’s in his boxer briefs and a t-shirt, he didn’t even bother to grab a robe to come look for me.

“Why are you sitting here in the dark?”His voice is quiet as he makes his way over to the desk.He stops behind me and puts his hands on my shoulders, softly kneading, massaging the tension from my muscles.“What’s on your mind?”

I lean my head back, against his chest, looking up at his worn face in the gloom, not sure what to answer him.I don’t want to make him frown or worry, I want him to be happy and smile at me.I want him to be able to finally relax, and what I’m working on won’t do that.

He meets my gaze, sliding one of his hands up to softly run his calloused fingers over my cheek.“Can’t sleep?”

I shake my head, reaching up and taking his hand from my cheek, realising it’s his left hand, the one with the scar.“I keep wondering, how did this happen?”I rub my fingers over where his pinkie is supposed to be.

He snorts, grinning, as he pulls his hand back, going over to the couch and sitting down.“Nothing fancy.I was working on the engine of an old car and got my hand caught.I was lucky I only lost my pinkie and not the rest of my fingers too.”He rubs over the area with his other hand.

“All of it?The whole side of your hand just gone?”I follow him to the couch, sitting next to him, leaning against him, craving to be near him now he’s here.“I’m surprised the scar’s not bigger.”

“I didn’t lose all of the side, just a good chunk.”He holds up his hand before he slides his arm around my shoulders and pulls me against him more.“They removed the last bits of the bone in the hospital.No use keeping them in and potentially bringing me trouble later.”

“Did it happen before or after you met Vera?”

“After.She was really upset when she found out.I’ve rarely seen her so angry as when she was cursing me out that day.She was furious that I’d been so careless as to put my hand into a running engine.”His voice is soft, his pheromones warm and soothing, loving.

“I can imagine it.”I smile, pulling my legs onto the couch and leaning against him more.“She must have been quite the sight.”

“You won’t have to imagine it for long.I’m sure it’ll happen to you plenty of times.”He laughs, moving slightly so it’s easier for me to lean against his chest.“If she’s angry, you’ll know it.She will not keep quiet.”

I let out a soft laugh, not able to suppress my smile.“Oh, I believe you.”Vera doesn’t really hide her emotions, either because she doesn’t want to or because it’s not something she’s very good at.It’s what makes her so much fun.

She might have been upset with me a couple of times in the last weeks, but I’m sure I’ve not seen her angry-angry yet.

And while I wish I could avoid it, I also know that I’m too much of a risk-taker to not take a couple of risks that work out poorly, which will definitely anger her in the future.

My eyes slowly slide shut, my body warm and comfortable, and I notice the soft rumble in Caleb’s chest.It’s the same rumble he always makes when Vera’s sleeping against him.

“You’re trying to make me fall asleep.”My accusation gets lost in a deep yawn.

“Is it working?”He rubs his hand over my arm, the motion soothing, like he’s rubbing the stress out of me.It feels good, really good, but this isn’t the right time.

“For a moment, yes.”I sit up straight, blinking fast, trying to clear my head.“But I can’t fall asleep.Not yet.”

“Why not?You need sleep.You can’t keep skipping sleep, it’s important.”

“I know.”I eye him, really wishing I could just fall asleep against him, but I’ve got other things to do first.

I stand up, going back over to my desk, and move the mouse so the screen wakes up.Even though the brightness is on the lowest setting, I still blink against the light.

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