"Excuse me, Alpha Stone?" Hamma's tone faltered in shock. Jexanna kept her eyes on the ground.
"You heard me." The deep rich voice spoke again. Jexanna's heart raced. How could a single voice be so damn attractive? "The Whitehaven pack will only continue to supply this force with the necessary supplies and research if Dr. Jess Lewis is elected the head of the force." But it said that statement once more, and whatever attraction laid within was promptly flushed from her system. The head of the task force was not where a spy needed to be. It wouldn't provide her the full picture. This situation wouldn't do at all for the mission.
"Alpha Stone," Her eyes shot up to meet a pair of deep gray eyes. For a moment, she felt an electricity surge in the air. "I am unqualified to take such a position." She was much closer than before. Jexanna could see Alpha's Stone features. His dark brown locks had a slight curl to them as they laid away from his face. His face was sharp and long, with a strong square jawline. It wasn't at all like Aerin's or fae that she had encountered during her time at the FLA. He had a subtle beard that framed his face perfectly. Every part of her wanted to remain and drink him in. But that wasn't going to happen. No, she needed to focus. She pulled herself out of the trance as his eyebrow twitched upwards.
"Excuse me?" He spoke to her for the first time. Shivers went up and down her spine. She wanted to groan and pull her hair out in frustration. Gods and Goddesses, why was it so damn attractive?
"I'm not qualified enough to lead the taskforce Alpha Stone," Jexanna explained, slowly sitting up. "For the past six years, I've been away, helping villages in third world places. I'm hardly qualified to lead a task force of this importance. I've not worked in the field here for years now." Her eyes narrowed at his as he proceeded to give her an unyielding stare. She didn't back down, meeting him determined not to lose. Alpha Stone's eyes glistened in the light as his eyebrows softened. It didn't take Jexanna long to understand what was going to follow. He found her amusing, cute even, with no intention of backing down.
"Even if that is true, I'm afraid that Madame Hamma has a long road ahead of her to regain our packs' trust. She's offended us, not just by wanting to keep the virus contained, but by the fact that she didn't even express her personal gratitude for everyone being here. That tells us two things: she doesn't care about the innumerable lives affected and that she's in it for herself. And regardless of whatever she spouts out, we know that she doesn't understand what went wrong here. You, on the other hand, are the only one here that bared her neck down in apology. If it weren't for you, Alpha Brothe would have lashed out. If my pack is going to continue in the task force, then I would prefer to deal with you rather than any fae here."
"If you wish to have someone else at the helm, then might I suggest a third-party strategizer, one with a basic knowledge of science but also skilled at diplomacy?" Jexanna challenged Alpha Stone. "Because I will not take the position."
"And who do you think in this room would be a good candidate?" Alpha Stone rose a brow at her. Jexanna snorted.
"No one here should be in charge, Alpha Stone." She waved her hand, pointing at the room full of terrified experts. "I would suggest Captain Yong of the logistics division." He would be the best leader. Honestly, he should have been in charge already. He would have been the best candidate. The Captain had learned a lot about her father's research when assigned to guard him. Once her father passed, Captain Yong was transferred and had risen through the ranks of the FLA's logistics and strategy division.
"And how do you know Captain Yong will be sufficient?" Alpha Brothe finally injected himself into the dialogue.
"I had known the Captain growing up with my father. He's smart and resourceful and doesn't care much for politics. He likes to get the heart of a matter, rather than worry about image." She turned to Alpha Brothe, looking at his mouth rather than his eyes. Jexanna didn't honestly care about maintaining respect with Alpha Stone, but Alpha Brothe was already on edge. The last thing she needed was to piss off his wolf even further.
"I've heard of Captain Yong. So if we can have him, that would be sufficient for me, Alpha Stone." Alpha Brothe turned to Alpha Stone. Jexanna watched his lips form a tight line before nodding. He wasn't happy about this.
"We will go with your recommendation." Jexanna could hear the tension in his stretched tone. "This task force is on pause until tomorrow. Madame Hamma, I expect you to reach the proper parties and make sure that Captain Yong will be the head of this unit by tomorrow. " Alpha Stone stood up. He was taller than she thought. Jexanna would only reach the middle of his chest. For a moment there, she was thankful that she could sway their anger. While taking down a 400-pound mountain troll was a breeze with her powers, without them, it would be a death sentence to face both Alphas. Shivers ran down her spine as Alpha Stone's gaze trailed up and down her being. If it were anyone else, she would suspect that it was lust driving his eyes. But as she caught his gaze, Jexanna saw the furious depths of a storming sea. His eyes narrowed as they landed on hers. Alpha Stone's lips curled upwards into a smirk.
"Dr. Lewis, I hope that for your sake, that Captain Yong will be available within the next day. If not, I will not be as accommodating." He stated before stalking out of the room. Jexanna resisted the urge to follow the wolf as her brow went up. That was a warning. He wasn't going to be easily swayed, as he was today. He was going to have his way, at any cost.
Great.
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