"The newest consumer data on the balancing spray test samples have exceeded our projections," Clara said, glancing down at thereport in her hands. "If it’s as good as customers are saying, then sales will skyrocket once it’s out on the market fully."
A small smile appeared on Arabella's face.
"We're incredibly proud of our upcoming product," she said, placing a hand on Arabella’s shoulder.We. The single word lodged itself in my head. Arabella had not made that product - she’d only marketed it. Nobody noticed my fingers tightening around the pen in my hand. Across the table, however, Elias's eyes lifted from his notes.
The only reason I was there was for a few minutes when we had to call an investor. The representative had some questions about the proprietary formulation, and then everyone turned to me to explain. I guess I was useful when it came to making money for the company.
The meeting continued for another twenty minutes before George finally called for a short break, and relief immediately coursed through me. It was difficult being in these meetings - my body keened to be closer to the pack, and yet I had to watch Arabella sit with them, her hands on each of them at one point to demonstrate her claim. And of course, I was kept on the opposite end of the room - as a ‘safety precaution.’ It was the first time I’d seen the pack since that horrible dinner where Hunter forced me to apologize to Arabella. I wasn’t able to look at them too long, partially out of embarrassment and partially because it hurt to see them next to her.
“Ivy, you can leave. We have no need for you once the meeting continues.” Clara said, dismissing me. Of course they would keep me out of the higher-level discussions. God forbid anyone acknowledge that I had anything to offer. I sighed and picked up my notebook, heading out of the conference room to go back to the lab. I was halfway there when a familiar voice called my name.
"Ivy." My pulse raced at the voice. Looking back, I saw Elias.
He looked so handsome. His brown hair was slightly tousled, and the sleeves of his button-down shirt were rolled to his forearms. Those grey eyes of his found mine, and I felt my body respond before I could help it, drawn toward him like I was under a spell.
"Would you walk with me for a moment?" he asked. I nodded without thinking. He could ask me anything, and I would comply. There was something unfair about how easy he was to be around. Alphas seemed to be able to fill every room they entered through sheer presence alone. But Elias also grabbed attention without even demanding it. He was so charismatic and engaging, that he just lit up any room. And when he extended his attention onto me, the whole world disappeared. I missed that.
But today, he had my complete and utter attention just from his scent alone. He probably forgot to use descenter because he was around Arabella so much. He’d scent-marked my scarf before, but until this moment I hadn’t smelled the full force of his scent up close. I walked next to him, my lungs filling with the steady, masculine scent lightly coming from him.
The black tea and cotton scent took my breath away. It was addictive and perfect, yet it made something inside me settle. I couldn't even think or speak for the next few moments, walking next to him, stunned as I breathed in the pure scent from him. It was perfect. I wanted to make a replica just to be able to smell it when he wasn’t around.
I tried not to swoon too much at his scent. The hallway outside the conference room was quiet, and for a few moments neither of us spoke. Finally, Elias broke the silence.
"How are you holding up?" He asked, looking at me closely. I looked away instinctively.
"I'm fine," I said, although my smile was more of a grimace. From his expression, it was clear he didn’t believe me.
"I know you're not." He said, his gaze on me the entire time. I frowned.
"What? Of course I am." I said, a little worried. I wasn’t supposed to show any signs of unhappiness. My family hated it, and if I didn’t act perfectly, they’d hide me away again. I didn’t know how to get through to the pack, but if I was kept away too long, they’d end up with Arabella permanently. Elias looked at me again, this time with more compassion than anyone ever had.
“I know it hasn’t been easy lately.” He said, his voice calm and understanding. But I felt the familiar defenses rising up in me at his comment.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Everything’s fine. I want to move on.” I said, setting my jaw. If we talked too much about the incident, my throat would close up from my father’s alpha command. Elias took a step toward me. We weren't close enough that anyone seeing us would think it was inappropriate, but he was getting as close as he could.
“It’s not fine though, is it?” He asked, his grey eyes pinning me to where I stood. “I know you were the one behind the new spray product. It was one of the first things we talked about.” He said, and I froze, stunned that he remembered.
“I…” I was at a loss for words. He was the only person so far who realized Arabella was claiming my product, yet again.
“You were working on it from the very beginning stages. I was there,” Elias said, his volume lowering. “And it's not okay for anyone to pretend your role in that was insignificant. Which, according to that meeting we just had, your entire family just did.” His words were so simple, but so blatantly truthful, that my mouth dropped open. No one had ever called it out before.
“We all make mistakes. I know it must be hard to deal with another person claiming what’s yours.” He said, and for a moment I hoped beyond hope he could think beyond my product, to what she had really claimed. “I know you acted out. But that doesn't mean you have to be punished forever.” He said, stepping inches closer. “You should be able to claim your successes as much as you admit your failures.”
My breath caught, and I felt like he could see straight through to my soul. I swallowed, and all I could do was nod.
“Thank you, Elias,” I said in a breathy voice, once again feeling my body attempt to perfume despite the suppressants. Elias continued.
“I know it changed things when we started courting your sister.” He said.Step-sister,I thought. I would not claim Arabella to be any closer to me than she was. “But I’d like for us to still be cordial. I enjoyed working with you, and I think you have so much to offer. You just need to let everyone else see it.” He had no idea how much things had changed. But my father’s command still wrapped around me.
Then I had an idea.
“I'll try,” I said, truly grateful that he acknowledged that I had, in fact, come up with the newest product idea. “I have a question for you,” I started, testing out the limits of the command. He looked surprised.
“Sure,” He said, watching me closely.
“You know more about biology than most people. How long would you say an alpha bark normally lasts?” I asked, and his brows raised.
“Normally, not more than a day. Why?” He asked, and I shook my head.
