Page 44 of Her Cruel Alpha

“You all know that isn’t how this works,” I snapped, growing irritated. Henrik already felt bad enough about all of this, and how they were wording this wasn’t helping.

“You were all asleep just like we were. None of us had any warning that this was coming.”

They all fell silent, and Henrik placed a hand on my thigh. He gave me a soft expression before looking back at the Council.

“Katie, regarding you're research.”

I swallowed, fully prepared to give them detailed reasons why, if they cut me out, it was going to be the biggest mistake of their lives. That there was no one more qualified than I was. That it would take years for someone else to get caught up. That this was my baby, my pride and joy.

Weird how, just weeks ago, I was so willing to throw it all away in fear of being married, and now I stood here fightingto stay connected to it. I didn’t want to be pulled away now, not when so much was hanging on the line.

“We need you to start focusing more on it. Your projects for the women need to be set aside so you can focus on our main issue. We need to stop whoever this is.”

I stiffened. “Wait…you’re not going to cut me out?”

Jennisa looked at me, confused. “Why in god’s name would we do that?”

“You’re the most qualified for the job and you have gotten further than anyone else has in your position,” Ralph added. “If we pulled you, we would be signing the deaths of hundreds of people.”

“While your safety is a huge concern to us, we also know that you are the only person for the job,” Steve added. “Everyone is going to be more watchful about this.”

“Katie, your big project is to get your full attention.”

I felt my shoulders drop. It wasn’t because I didn’t enjoy my job, but the thought of breaking the news to all the girls that I wouldn’t be helping them get pregnant stirred my stomach.

“I’m confused. Isn’t that your big project?” Henrik asked, looking at me and the Council. “What else is there?”

“Katie has been handling several projects, including fixing the infertility issue, helping women become mothers, and many others. But she was signed on for a secret project that the packs aren’t aware of.”

“Why else would we hire a microbiologist.”

Henrik looked at me confused, and I felt a little bad that he didn’t know. It wasn’t like I could exactly speak about it and it wasn’t my main job since we started being together.

“And what about the women? You can’t just cut that. You have me pairing up all the Alphas. What will the women think?”

Olivia tapped her nails on the table. “What do you propose then?”

“Can I bring someone in on that? I have hundreds of couples that need help, and I know several colleagues who would be great for the role.”

“You know what you do is delicate work.”

“I’m not handing the project over, but it needs to continue. We have no idea on anything, and the women out there need this.”

“Fine,” Ralph waved a hand. “You may bring someone on, but they have to go through a screening process and sign an NDA before you can even show them anything.”

I nodded, feeling a little better about that.

“In the meantime, everyone is on high alert and we are going to have people taking shifts watching the woods. Until we get this figured out, this is our best option.” They all looked at me. “Katie, you need to start focusing because we depend on it now.”

I nodded.

Henrik and I got up heading out. But as soon as the doors shut and we were alone in the hallway, he yanked me back, pinning me against the wall. “How is it that there is a huge project you have, and I have no idea what it even is?”

I swallowed. “It’s kind of top secret.”

“I’m your husband,” he grumbled back. “I have done nothing but be honest with you.”

He had a point. I reached up, cupping his face. “Would you like me to show you? You have to promise not to freak out.”

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