The Alpha and the FBI Agent

Bad Coffee

          Frankie

         I sat and stared at the door after Agent Marshall left. Hazel was in my head going crazy for her mate. I look down at the splintered desk. Garrett is still laughing, and I growl at him. “Stop it,” I snarl.

           “Seriously, some random guy walks in here, and he turns out to be your f*****g mate?!” He howls with laughter. I pick up my stapler and throw it at him. He dodges it, and it hits the wall. “Hey!”

           “Stop it,” I mumble. “It’s not that funny.”

           “A random human is your mate? So does that make him Luna or what?” Garrett keeps laughing, and I want to strangle him.

           My mother knocks, walks into my office and glares at Garrett, who stops laughing. “What is going on in here? I hear this i***t laughing like a baffoon down the hall in my office.”

           “It’s nothing, Mom.” I shake my head.

           “Frankie found her mate,” Garrett blurts out.

           “Francine, is this true?” Mom asks me.

           I glare at my beta. “Don't you have some f*****g work to do, Beta?” I hiss.

           “Francine Gabriella!” Mom yells at me. “Language.”

           “Mom, I am the Alpha of this pack and-“

           “I am still your mother!” She puts her hands on her hips. 

           I sigh heavily. “Right.” I pinch the bridge of my nose.

           “So, you did find your mate?” Mom asks. “Where is he? Or is it a she?”

           “A human,” Garrett mentions.

           I pick up another object to throw at him. “Seriously, get out, Garrett.”

           He laughs with his hands up. “Excuse me, Luna Carol,” He nods at my mother before scurrying out of my office

           “Your mate is a human?” Mom steps towards the desk.

           I bury my face in my hands. “Yes,” I groan. 

           “When did you have a human in here?” She sniffs the air. 

           “Just a few minutes ago. He is here to investigate the death of one of our omegas,” I respond.

           “Wait, is he a human cop?” Mom presses.

           “An FBI agent,” I reply.

           Mom laughs loudly. “A what? An FBI agent? Like on the TV?” She keeps laughing.

           “You aren’t helping, Mom.”

           She stops laughing and leans forward to touch my arm. “Sweetie, I’m sorry for laughing. Where is this mate of yours?”

           “He is speaking to the family of the dead omega. Tyler is there with him.” I explain. My wolf is frantic in my head, trying to urge me to find Clayton and claim him. “My wolf is going nuts.”

           “I bet she is,” Mom snorts. “What is this man’s name?”

           “Clayton Marshall,” I respond. “I can’t have a human mate. I’m having a hard enough time leading this pack as it is.”

           “Human mates happen sometimes. They are just as good as wolf mates. My cousin Harold is mated to a human,” Mom explains.

           “Still, I think I’m going to reject him,” I state, and my wolf lets out a vicious growl.

           ‘If you reject my mate, I will never speak to you again,’ She growls.

           ‘But he’s human, Hazel. He’s not strong enough,’ I try to reason with my wolf.

           ‘Did you look at him? He is more than strong enough.’ She snarls.

           “I take it your wolf didn’t like what you said,” Mom interrupts my conversation with Hazel.

           “Yeah, she threatened to never speak to me again,” I sigh. “What should I do?”

           “Give him a chance, baby. The Goddess gave him to you for a reason. An FBI agent means he is pretty strong for a human. Just don’t make a rash decision,” She tells me, and I start to feel better.

           “I guess you are right.”

           “Mom,” I hear my sister Jamie calling from out of the office.

           “I’m in here, Jamie,” Mom pokes her head out of the office.

           My younger sister walks into the office. “Remember, we were going to go shopping for my dress.”

           “I know Jamie,” Mom says to her. “I was just talking to your sister.”

           My younger sister Jamie looks like our mother with her light brown hair and hazel eyes. Our brother Carter had the same eyes and hair color. I got my looks from my father, Vincent Abernathy. Jamie just turned eighteen a month ago. “What’s up with Frankie?”

           “She found her mate,” Mom blurts out.

           “Mom,” I whine.

           “Francine, quit whining. You are the Alpha of this pack,” Mom chastises me.

           I roll my eyes. “You can take Jamie shopping now. I have work to do, and of course, Alpha Clarke will be here soon.”

           “Are you sure you don’t want me here to help you with that asshole?” Mom laughs.

           “I think I can handle him,” I reply.

           “Your father could barely handle him.” Mom snorts.

           Garrett walks into the office. He has now dressed in black slacks and a blue button-up shirt. “Frankie, Alpha Clarke, and his entourage just arrived.”

           I let a groan. “You know the drill, Garrett. Have him meet me in the conference room, okay?”

           “Right,” Garrett smirks. “So, what are you going to do about your mate?”

           “Garrett!” I stand up. “Go take care of f*****g Alpha Clarke now before I tear your head off!”

           Garrett rolls his eyes. “Geez, alright.” He leaves the office.

           “What did I say about the language, Francine?” Mom puts her hands on her hips.

           “Mom, I am dealing with a lot of s**t right now. I don’t need you to lecture me. I am the Alpha!” I yell.

           “And I am still the Luna of this pack,” She argues back. “You do best to remember that.” She looks at my sister. “Come along, Jamie, let’s let Alpha Francine do her job.”

           “Mom,” I sigh.

           My mother and sister leave the office, and I sit back down. I take a moment to gather the strength to deal with Alpha Clarke and his i***t son. ‘Frankie, Alpha Clarke is asking for you.’ Garrett mind links me.

           ‘Tell him I will be right there,’ I snarl. I stand up and look at myself in the mirror hanging by the door. I smooth my shirt and then leave the office. The conference room is down the hall, and I walk in to hear Alpha Clarke yelling at one of my omegas about the coffee.

           “Do you even know what coffee is, you imbecile!” He roars. 

           The female omega is nearly in tears and looking at the ground. I rush over and stand between her and Alpha Clarke. “Why are you yelling at my omega, Alpha?”

           “Ah, Alpha Frankie, it’s about time you got here.” He says with his nose in the air. The other Alpha, about five inches over me, has greying and balding hair and eyes the color of fresh s**t. His dumbass son is standing a few feet behind him with another man. I assume him to be Alpha Clarke’s beta. “I just wanted coffee that didn’t taste like dirt.”

           “That is excellent coffee, Alpha,” I sigh. I turn to the omega. “Sandy, go see if there is other coffee in the kitchen and bring it in here. Please?” I pat her shoulder, and she nods.

           “Yes, Alpha,” She hurries out of the room.

           “Why don’t you have a seat while we wait for fresh coffee.” I gesture to the long table.

           “You remember my beta, Joel Stone, right?” Alpha Clarke gestures o the other man.

           I hold out a hand, “Yes, it’s nice to see you again, Beta Joel.”

           “You have grown since the last time I saw you, Alpha Abernathy.” Beta Joel nods.

           Everyone sits down, and I notice Harvey Clarke eyeing me. “You look good today, Frankie,” Harvey smirks.

           Hazel growls in my head. ‘Only our mate should look at us like that.”

           “Um, thank you, Harvey,” I mumble. 

           Sandy, the omega, comes into the conference room with fresh coffee. “I hope this is to your liking, Alpha Clarke,” She says in a shaky tone. Sandy pours the other Alpha and his party some coffee.

           Alpha Clarke takes a sip and sneers. “It still tastes like dirt. Honestly, Frankie, can you not get proper coffee in this pack?”

           “It was my father’s favorite kind,” I respond while holding back my anger. 

           “Well, that explains it. Ole Vinnie didn’t have much in the way of taste,” Alpha Clarke laughs and sets his mug down. “Leave the pot, omega.”

           Sandy sets the pot of coffee down and the other items. “You can go back to the kitchen Sandy,” I say to her. She nods and hurries out of the room. “So, what is it you came here for?”

           Alpha Clarke takes another sip of the coffee. “I came here to try and persuade you to take Harvey as your chosen mate.”

           Hazel snarls viciously in my head. ‘No!’

           I ignore her. “And why would I do that, Alpha?” I say calmly. I glance at Garrett, who is glaring at the other Alpha.

           “Because it’s not normal for a woman to run a pack on her own. The position of Alpha is a man’s job, and you need a man. You will probably make a fine Luna but leave the heavy stuff to a man.”

           I roll my eyes. “There are other packs with female alphas,” I argue. “And they do just fine.”

           “That’s what they make you think,” Alpha Clarke snorts. “And besides, those aren’t packs with large holdings and companies.”

           “I don’t want someone else to come into my pack and try to change things and take over. I know this pack better than anyone else. I may not have been trained to be Alpha like my brother was. But I spent a lot of time in the office at my father’s side, and I learned plenty.”

           “You have to be reasonable, Frankie. You can’t do this alone,” Alpha Clarke argues. 

           I stand up. “I have been doing just fine the last six months. And I am not alone. I have plenty of help. We may have taken a hit at first, but things are turning around.”

           Alpha Clarke stands up. “You won’t even consider my son?” He gestures to Harvey. “Look at him. He is a fine man and would make a good alpha.”

           “He also sleeps with anything that has a v****a. I would prefer not to catch any venereal diseases,” I counter, and Garrett lets out a laugh.

           “I don’t have diseases,” Harvey folds his arms. “And so what if I like the ladies? They love me.”

           I press my lips together. “There you have it. I am not interested, Alpha. Now, if you have no other business here-“ I trail off.

           “I don’t,” Alpha Clarke adjusts his suit. “Though I would like Harvey to remain here for a few days. Maybe he’ll grow on you.”

           ‘Like a tumor.’ Garrett mind links me, and I have to refrain from laughing.

           “Fine, but if he causes any trouble, then I’ll send him packing,” I mumble.

           “You hear that, Harvey. Behave yourself,” Alpha Clarke laughs. “Do you have a room prepared for him with silk sheets as I asked?”

           “Yes,” I respond while trying not to roll my eyes.

           “I’ll have the omegas take his luggage to his room,” Garrett stands up beside me.

           “We’ll discuss the treaty at another time,” Alpha Clarke smirks. “ Though I might add that negotiation will more likely sway in your favor with my son as your mate.” He looks at Harvey. “Come, Harvey, let’s get your luggage from the car.” He leaves the room.

           I walk down the hall to my office and sit in my chair in a huff. “Gods, I hate that man.”

           “Me too,” Garrett sits across from me in one of the chairs in front of the desk. 

           My gamma, Tyler, walks into the office smelling like leather, and it takes everything I have to hold Hazel back. He sits in the other chair beside Garrett.

           “So, how did it go with Agent Marshall?” I force out. 

           ‘Find mate!’ Hazel demands.

           I grip the desk as my gamma eyes me. “He is suspicious of us,” Tyler responds. “Are you okay, Frankie?”

           “I’m fine,” I say through gritted teeth. “You just have my mate’s scent on you, and it's driving Hazel nuts.”

           Tyler snorts. “So he really is your mate? Shit.” He laughs.

           “Gods, not you too. Everyone seems to think it's funny.” I lean back in my chair and close my eyes. “I swear the damn Goddess thinks she is hilarious or something.”

           “I don’t know. Agent Marshall seemed kind of cool.” Tyler shrugs. 

           “Do you think he’ll be back?” Garrett asks.

           “Probably. He is eager to find out why and how Larry Johnson died.” Tyler explains. “Anyways, Frankie, I have some things to take care of.”

           “Go ahead, Ty. Thank you.” I say to my gamma and look at my beta. “Why don’t you make sure that Harvey Clarke gets settled.”

           Garrett cringes. “I am not babysitting that jackass.”

           “I’m not asking you to babysit him, Garrett. Just make sure he is settled and let the rest of the pack know he is staying.” I explain.

           Tyler and Garrett both stand up. “Fine.” Garrett snarks.  He and Tyler leave my office.

           I spend an hour trying to concentrate on work. I eventually go to the dining hall for some lunch. I stare at the large salad I ordered, but I have no appetite. My wolf and my mind are entirely thinking about Clayton. His handsome face and those big brown eyes. The way he swaggered into my office with that gun on his hip. I wondered what he looked like without clothes on.

           “Hey, Frankie,” Harvey Clarke interrupts my thoughts. He drops a tray of food on the table and sits down. 

           I shake my head and look at Harvey. He would almost be handsome if he weren’t such a douchebag. “How is your room, Harvey?”

           He shrugs. “It’s kind of small.”

           “Small?” I narrow my eyes at him. 

           “Yeah, well, I guess it’s alright for this pack. Things will change when I become the Alpha.” He looks at his food. “Like the food, for instance. No more of this cheap crap.”

           I look at his food. He has a big cheeseburger with all of the fixings. “We get only the freshest ingredients, Harvey. That’s grade-A beef.”

           “Well, it should be wagyu.” He argues.

           “I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Grade A is just fine for regular lunches. And who says you are going to be Alpha of this pack?”

           He leans into me. “I’ll break down the wall of yours. I mean, I am probably the best looking one here.”

           “Debateable,” I counter. I push my salad away. “What are your plans while you are here in my pack?”

           Harvey shrugs. “Hang out, I guess.”

           “Great,” I mumble. I stand up. “Well, if you’ll excuse me, I have some office work to do.” I walk out of the dining room before he can say something. 

I go back to my office and force myself to work, but Hazel is getting worse about Clayton. I finally concede and go to the garage and get into my Dad’s old Mercedes. I look at the card Clayton gave me and drive the car to the address. I sit outside of the FBI headquarters, wondering if I should go in and find Clayton or not. I sit there for hours. I am about to go into the building when my mate drives by in his vehicle. I turn on the Mercedes and follow Clayton. I should be less conspicuous, but a horny eager wolf is driving me, so I am not thinking clearly. 

Clayton begins to turn up and down different streets. I can tell he is trying to lose me. So I park the Mercedes and decide to follow him in wolf form. I shift into my black wolf, something rare for a she-wolf, take off into the woods and run alongside the road. Clayton finally pulls into the driveway of a rather nice house. I watch him go inside while looking around him. He is cautious, and I like that. For a moment, he stares back at me, and I break away and disappear into the woods.

‘Go back,’ Hazel whines.

‘I’m not ready,’ I respond.

Hazel a sad howl, and we run back to the car. I shift back into human form, pull a pair of shorts and tank top from the trunk, and put them on. I drive to Clayton’s house and sit outside all night. I eventually fall asleep while Hazel dreams about Clayton.