The Mad Alpha's Substitute Bride

(ALICE)

I don’t waste words when meeting with clients. But I also know how to play with words. Katherine has already outlined the terms of the collaboration, and it’s my job to make sure that there are no legal loopholes and that she doesn’t screw herself over with her conditions. Acme Intech has also sent over their proposed terms.

"There are a few things that I feel Katherine should discuss with them, or at least consider, before agreeing to what they’re saying." I hand Harry a paper from my briefcase. "Considering Pinnacle Group’s current status in the industry, the demands Acme Intech is making are a little ridiculous. At least a few of them. I’ve highlighted the ones and scribbled my own opinions beside them."

Harry goes over them and raises his brows. "I think you can leave the second one as is. They have a right to demand a higher cut of the profit if they are the only ones capable of producing the technology. But I do agree with your first point and the other three. They can’t dictate the marketing and to whom their partner company sells the product. Also, they cannot demand a renewed contract once a certain number of sales are made. I think you should head over to Miss Lockhart’s office early and hammer out these details before the meeting."

I listen to his words attentively. "I was planning to leave in two hours. The others can join me later, but I have to discuss this with Katherine. I just needed your input. I was going to call you last night, but it was quite late."

Harry’s smile warms. "You can call me any time, Alice. I will always pick up your call, no matter how late it is."

His words are sweet and inviting, but my heart stays steady. Perhaps seven years ago, when I was more vulnerable, I would have been swayed easily, but now, when a man says nice things to me, neither am I impressed nor does my heart melt. The cynic in me wants to call him a liar.

But Harry is a friend, and he probably meant what he said from the point of view of friendship or as my boss. After all, he has never expressed any feelings for me. It’s just my own assumption that he has them based on how much preferential treatment he gives me.

I choose not to respond to his statement. "But I’m glad I caught you now."

"I will go talk to the others about this. You have breakfast." He waves the paper at me before leaving my office.

I sink into my chair. Despite my best efforts, I have not been able to dig up anything on Acme Intech Corporation. Katherine was right; they are very secretive. And their CEO isn’t real. All I had to do was reverse search an

image of him to figure out that no such man exists. They made up a person out of thin air and put up a fake picture on their website. Why? What are they trying to hide?

It’s true that they only work with a select few companies, and it turns out that those companies are also very selective with their suppliers and distributors. I don’t quite understand. It’s as if there’s an entire network of businesses existing outside of the usual industry networks. They only interact with each other. It makes no sense.

No matter how deep I dug, there was nothing I could uncover about them. It bothers me. This whole thing bothers me.

I unwrap my sandwich and bite into it before sighing heavily. I’ve already emailed my concerns to Katherine, but going over to her office and discussing them in person is the better option. I know she wants to make an impression, but I don’t want her to be so overeager that she shoots herself in the foot.

I’m draining my coffee by the time Harry returns with more notes scribbled on the paper. I spend the next hour with him as he goes over additional points the partners thought I should consider. By the time we are done, I feel more confident.

The truth is that even though I am a good lawyer, I’ve only been in the game for four years. Four years is not enough time to make a mark for yourself in this field. Even if my success rate is indeed high, and I have brought in multiple clients for the firm, I know there’s still a lot that I have to learn. Having somebody like Harry watching over my shoulder comforts me.

Katherine’s office is not far from my own. The only problem is that the rain has worsened. Dark clouds are looming in the sky, and a feeling of foreboding washes over me. But I have a job to do, and I’m not going to let superstitious thoughts worry me.

When I get to her office, my friend is staring at her phone, looking stressed.

"Got a minute?" I knock on her door, and her smile blooms when she sees me.

"Alice! I was just about to call you. They pushed up the meeting! They’ll be here in ten minutes."

"What?" I stare at her, shocked. "But you said—" "I just found out. Is everybody else here with you?"

"No. I’ll give them a call." I quickly take out my phone and call Holly. Relaying my instructions to her, I know my assistant will take care of it. She’ll get everyone here even if she has to drive them herself.

"Relax," I reassure my friend. "It’s going to be fine. Let’s go to the boardroom, and we’ll talk on the way. There are a few things we need to go over before the meeting starts."

I can feel how tense Katherine is. This project really means a lot to her. Even more than I thought, apparently.

My team is still on its way when Katherine’s assistant, Brandon, knocks on the door. "The people from Acme Intech Corporation are here, Miss Lockhart."

Katherine exchanges a nervous look with me before straightening her suit jacket and getting to her feet. "Let them in."

I stand up, as well.

The door to the boardroom opens, and two men walk in. Alarm bells immediately start going off in my head.

Wolf shifters.

Those are wolf shifters! Dammit!

Suddenly, the whole thing about a selective network begins to make sense to me. This corporation must be owned by a wolf shifter, and they only deal with other wolf shifter companies. No wonder! It’s very rare for shifter-owned businesses to work with human-owned ones.

The two men who enter the boardroom sniff the air discreetly, and their eyes settle on me. I see their interest in me written all over their faces, and I give them a cool look. Even if they recognize what I am, they don’t know who I am. Just because I live in Phoenix, it doesn’t mean every shifter in the city knows I’m here. I know for a fact that my identity was erased from the shifter registry after I disappeared. Mary told me.

It’s not like I haven’t run into shifters in the last seven years. However, with my scent diluted, they usually have a hard time figuring out what I really am.

The taller of the two speaks first. "Miss Lockhart. I’m Mark Turner, and this is Smith Miller."

He’s speaking to Katherine, but his eyes are fixed on me.

Katherine exchanges polite pleasantries with them as others walk in. There are a total of eight people in the room now, and Mark says, "Our CEO is joining us as well. He’ll be here in a minute."

My own team has not arrived yet, and I’m feeling uneasy. I know Holly will not let me down, but having the people from Acme Intech here already puts us at a disadvantage.

Mark’s eyes keep flicking toward me, and he finally says to Katherine, "You haven’t introduced us to your associate."

Before Katherine can say anything, the door opens, and all eyes turn toward it.

A man is standing there. A man far too familiar.

His dark hair is styled into soft curls that give him a distinguished but handsome look. His green eyes, once filled with laughter when looking at me, are cold and empty. Exactly the way they were on that day seven years ago.

When he enters the room, I see the way his body turns stiff. His head turns, and he looks directly at me.

My heart skips a beat, but it’s not out of attraction. It’s fear. It’s Darian Wild.