Against Me!

Arabella Westwood:

I was busy making notes from the financial records while Rick went through another stack of files, signing the ones he’d already checked and passing them over to me. We’d been at it for nearly two hours, and I was beginning to wonder how much paperwork one pack could possibly have.

Just then, my phone started ringing. Without checking who it was, I answered and intentionally put it on speaker so I could keep writing.

“Hello?”

“Ms. Arabella? How’s everything going over there?” I immediately recognized Lucien’s deep voice and straightened in my seat.

“Your Highness!” I greeted him politely. “Everything is going well, thank you. Beta Rick and I are still working on the reports.”

Rick stopped writing and glanced at my phone.

“Good. Listen, I reviewed the reports you emailed me last night, and I’m impressed. The figures are well organized, and everything is properly accounted for. Excellent work, Arabella.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“And do pass my compliments to Alpha Chris. In fact, tell him I’ll be extending a special invitation to the royal palace soon. We’d be delighted to have him stay at the palace as our guest. He’s clearly doing a wonderful job managing Blackthorn’s affairs.”

I looked up from my notes. Across the desk, Rick was busy staring at the document.

“Your Highness, if I may…” I hesitated, glancing at Rick before continuing. “Actually, Alpha Chris hasn’t been involved much in preparing these reports. It’s Beta Rick who’s been helping me with everything.”

“Really?” Lucien sounded genuinely surprised. “Well, I had no idea! I must say, that’s quite impressive. Five years of financial records, and he’s managed to put everything together so efficiently?”

“Yes, Your Highness. He’s been handling most of it himself.”

“Then I’ve been giving credit to the wrong man!” Lucien laughed. “Please convey my appreciation to Beta Rick. It’s good to know Blackthorn has someone so capable looking after its affairs.”

Rick slowly leaned back in his chair, a smile spreading across his face.

“Of course, Your Highness,” I replied, doing my best to sound professional.

“And Ms. Arabella, remind me to speak to Rick personally when you return. A man who knows his work this well deserves some recognition.”

“I’ll certainly do it, Your Highness.”

By the time the call ended, Rick was looking rather pleased with himself. He picked up his pen again, but instead of returning to the paperwork, he began telling me about the improvements he’d made to Blackthorn’s financial system over the years.

While telling me all those stories, he had completely forgotten that I was the same slave who served him for so many years.

I listened politely, occasionally nodding along. At this rate, I wouldn’t even have to flatter him myself. Lucien had already done half the job for me.

***

Later that afternoon, I went to Chris’s office with a stack of files that needed his signature. Since he was the Alpha, nothing could be submitted for final approval without his authorization.

“Alpha Chris, do you have a few minutes? I need you to sign these.”

He gestured toward the chair across from his desk. “Sure.”

I sat down while he began signing the documents, although he hardly seemed interested in what he was approving. Every now and then, he’d glance at his laptop screen, read something, and smile to himself before returning to the paperwork.

Was this how he always handled official business?

I kept my mouth shut, though. I had something far more interesting planned, and I certainly wasn’t going to ruin his good mood just yet.

A few minutes later, someone knocked on the door. A pack official entered, carrying a sealed envelope.

“Alpha, this just arrived from the Royal Palace. It’s addressed to Blackthorn Pack.”

Chris accepted it and signed the delivery register before setting his pen down. He pushed the remaining files toward me.

“Arabella, can we finish these tomorrow morning?” He yawned loudly. “I’m not really up to dealing with paperwork right now.”

Oh, poor thing. A few signatures must have been terribly exhausting.

“Of course, Alpha. I’ll come back tomorrow.” I began gathering the files while Chris broke the royal seal and unfolded the letter.

I was almost done stacking the papers when I noticed his face. The smile he’d been wearing was gone, and his face had turned pale.

I lowered my head to hide my smile. I knew exactly what was in that envelope.

It was an official letter of appreciation from the Royal Palace, recognizing Beta Rick’s outstanding contribution to Blackthorn’s financial management and his assistance during the royal audit. But that wasn’t all.

His Majesty had personally invited Rick to stay at the palace as an honored royal guest, with a luxurious suite, personal attendants, and access to the finest facilities the palace had to offer.

There was even mention of a special royal banquet in his honor, where he would be considered for an award recognizing his exceptional service to the pack.

It was an honor very few were ever given. Even some Alphas went their entire lives without receiving such recognition, let alone a Beta.

And judging by Chris’s face, he hadn’t been expecting his Beta to receive all the credit.

***

“How was my acting, sweetheart?” I couldn’t help smiling when I read Lucien’s text message.

I rolled my eyes, trying not to grin at my phone like an idiot. Anyone watching me would think I’d gone crazy.

“You should be in Hollywood. What are you doing sitting on a throne, Your Highness?” I typed back.

His reply came almost immediately. “Hollywood can’t afford me, menace. Besides, I look much better on a throne… especially with you sitting on my lap.”

Jerk!

I was about to type something back when someone called my name. “Miss Arabella?” I quickly locked my phone and turned around. Chloe was standing beside me with a glass of water.

“Yes, Chloe?” I whispered, glancing around to make sure nobody was listening. “Is everything all right?”

She offered me the glass, looking every bit like an omega going about her duties. I accepted it and took a sip.

“Miss Vikki thinks I should go over to the Alpha’s residence,” she said quietly. “She wants me to help with the preparations for her daughter’s delivery. Apparently, the baby could arrive any day now.”

Oh, that worked out nicely.

“Good job, Chloe! Did you tell her you have experience looking after pregnant she-wolves?”

“Yes, Miss. That’s why she suggested sending me. But, Miss… what about your…”

“My safety?” I finished for her. “Don’t worry about me, Chloe. Just concentrate on what I asked you to do.”

“All right, Miss.” She hesitated, then smiled. “Oh, and I’ve already taken care of the other thing you mentioned.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Really? You did?”

“I was chatting with a few of the other omegas earlier. Beta Rick happened to walk past us, so I made sure he heard me saying that Blackthorn would have fallen apart years ago if it weren’t for him. That he’s the one keeping everything running while everyone else gets the credit.”

I nearly laughed. “Wow! And?”

“He slowed down to listen.” Chloe smiled. “He didn’t say anything, but I could tell he liked what he heard.”

Wonderful. Now the servants will openly criticize their Alpha.

“Chloe, be careful. Rick might enjoy hearing that, but if Chris finds out people are saying these things, he’ll start asking who put the idea in their heads.”

Her expression grew serious. “I understand.”

“And don’t repeat it yourself. Let the others talk if they want to.”

She nodded.

I took another sip of water, although I wasn’t thirsty anymore. I’d wanted Rick to start questioning why he was still a Beta after doing so much of Chris’s work.

I looked at Chloe for a moment before continuing. “Stay here for another two days. After that, go to Alpha Chris’s place. You know what you need to do there, right?”

“Of course, Miss Arabella. I’ll start by getting friendly with the servants and casually mentioning what a wonderful Alpha he has been. How lucky Blackthorn is to have him, and how terrible it would be if someone ever tried to take his place.”

“Good. Just don’t make it too obvious. And what else?”

“I haven’t forgotten about the text message, Miss Arabella. I’ll make sure I’m nearby when Mr. Dante receives it on his phone. Don’t worry.”

I nodded, satisfied, and gave a little pat on her shoulder. “Good girl.”

Then I remembered where we were. Anyone passing by could see us talking, and I certainly didn’t want people wondering why a royal representative was being so friendly with a newly hired omega.

I quickly withdrew my hand and put on a frown.

“All right, that’s enough chatting. Go and finish your work,” I said loudly. “I don’t want you standing around gossiping when there’s plenty to do. And I want something simple for dinner. Grilled chicken with sautéed vegetables will do.”

I deliberately made it sound as though Chloe had been trying to gossip with me. Thankfully, she understood immediately.

“I’m sorry, Miss Arabella.” She lowered her head and gave me a quick bow. “I’ll get back to work and make sure your dinner is ready.”

“See that you do.”

She hurried off to the kitchen. I watched her go for a second before turning back toward my room. Chloe was proving to be quite good at this.

Everything was going according to plan. One wrong move, and Rick and Chris would realize someone was playing them against each other. And if they traced it back to me, all hell would break loose.

I had to make sure they turned against each other before either of them thought to turn against me.