Page 31 of Fated to the Enemy Alpha

Stephen’s firm voice took over as he cautioned Magnus about the potential backlash from the shifter community by bringing in the Concord Program. “The Hamilton Pack in Ontario suffered from a ten percent drop in their shares once they’d implemented a similar program ten years ago. The Gladwin Pack in Michigan, too, tarnished their company’s public image with their breeding program.” Stephen pulled up a report on the company being boycotted and a report on their business going into administration, making Magnus’s bushy brows gather together.

I chipped quickly in to build on the negative repercussions the omega-breeder program had caused in these two packs and companies. “Although the program might bring short-term gains, it undermines the company’s long-term sustainability. You can see here that by exploiting this segment of the workforce, a high proportion of the talented individuals within these companies left.” I drew up the graph showing Hamilton and Gladwin’s high employee turnover.

I glanced at Magnus, whose frown had deepened considerably over the course of the presentation. “Alpha, we understand the pressure to increase profits, but we need to consider the long-term impacts of the Omega Concord Program.”

Stephen nodded in agreement. “Utilizing our employees in this way may yield short-term gains, but it’ll cost us significantly in the long run. Public backlash, low morale, high turnover of staff—these factors could be devastating to our reputation and our bottom line.”

Magnus stopped and narrowed his eyes. “You really think shifter high society cares about omegas?”

“Yes,” I said before Stephen could. “The facts speak for themselves. Their suffering will resonate beyond our pack. We could lose valuable partnerships and face protests. This won’t just impact us within Blackthorn Corporation and our pack but will be felt throughout shifter society at large.”

Stephen interjected, “Whereas a company known for its ethical stance will attract innovative talent, boost employee satisfaction, and allow us to continue to lead the market.”

“Very well, let’s call it there,” Magnus said, his voice dipping low, sending an icy chill creeping down my spine as I wondered whether all our research had been in vain. “I want projections on retention and profits by the end of the day with and without Concord before I finalize my decision.” Magnus added, “And let’s not put both of you on this today. I think enough resources have been swallowed up by the Concord Program, don’t you? You’d be much better getting on with some work on Lenidex, Lina,” he commanded.

I nodded. “Of course, Alpha.” I fought the flurry of apprehension churning through my gut. Was Magnus just annoyed that I’d been working on the Concord Program because he wanted to instigate it in the pack, or was he suspicious of Stephen and I working so closely together?

Nervousness fluttered through me as I returned to our office, but I reminded myself that Magnus hadn’t been here for the last two days.

The rest of the day, Stephen put together the projections Magnus had requested while I worked on Lenidex.

That evening, Magnus’s sharp rap sounded on the door. He stepped in, a slight crease forming on his brow.

Stephen stood up quickly, gesturing to the sofas by the window. “Alpha, please have a seat.”

“No, I won’t be staying long,” Magnus said.

Anxiety twisted through me. His reaction gave nothing away as to whether Stephen’s final projections had cinched the outcome we wanted.

Finally, he put us out of our misery. “I’ve decided to put a pin in the Concord Program,” he announced, his voice tinged with begrudging reluctance. “Your figures were very convincing, Lina.”

I felt a small flicker of triumph, and yet, I was disappointed as Magnus’s presence meant I couldn’t share the feeling with Stephen. But the important thing was that the immediate threat of the program had thankfully been staved off, if only temporarily.

Magnus’s dark stare went to me for a moment, and he added, “You should come home and rest, my dear. You look tired.”

I smiled, trying to give my expression a warmth I didn’t feel. “I was just going to head home. Would you walk me out?”

Magnus helped me with my coat, and I was reminded once again that time was slipping away from me. Since the attack, Magnus had mentioned a couple of times that we should discuss dates for our upcoming nuptials. I felt queasy at the thought and reminded myself to refocus on what I was really here to do: find my mother. We both said goodnight to Stephen, even as my heart ached to stay here and celebrate our success.

The following week was filled with late nights and the heavy weight of the backlog caused by giving so much of our time to working on the Omega Concord Program. Once again, though, luck seemed to be on my side, as more client meetings took Magnus out to the West Coast again, and I continued to use my late evenings when Stephen had gone to hunt on the less used floors for any signs of places my mother might be.

But when Friday finally came back around again, exhaustion and a sense of hopelessness at finding nothing on my mother clung to me. At least we’d successfully caught up on our workload and wouldn’t see Magnus until tomorrow back at Blackthorn Villa when he’d be back from the West Coast.

“Let’s order takeout,” Stephen suggested, his voice breaking the heavy air in the office late that evening.

“Make it Nonna’s, and I’m in,” I replied, fingers still dancing across the keyboard.

“Oh, you’re a Nonna’s girl, are you? But Giuseppe’s on 4th’s so much better.”

Warmth blossomed through my chest. “All right, Emily!” I exclaimed before I’d even thought about it. Just for a moment, I felt as if I were home, swept up in a world of passionate pizza debate.

Stephen’s brow arched with curiosity, and I explained, “My friend Em swears by Giuseppe’s,” I added, wishing I was with her and Matt. Then a flurry of confusion whipped through me as I admitted to myself that wasn’t entirely true; I liked the unguarded spark of warmth simmering in Stephen’s eyes as he watched me. “Let’s order both, then,” he declared.

We fell back into our work, settling into an oddly comfortable silence. Thirty minutes later, reception called up. This late in the evening, the security guard couldn’t leave his post, so Stephen stood up, flashing me a grin. “I’ll be back with Nonna in a moment.”

That had to be the first time Nonna had ever sounded sexy.

When the aroma of pizza finally wafted through the office, I savored the scent of warm, cheesy goodness. We sank into the plush couch by the floor-to-ceiling windows, with the glittering skyline of skyscrapers to our left. The city was alive outside, a splendid backdrop as we indulged in our feast.

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