Chapter 127

Nathan POV

I walked into my office on Monday morning, ready to dive back into work.

I’d spent the weekend trying to think about what happened between me and Claire at the palace.

Trying to understand how our relationship had ended up so tangled and complicated.

And while I had realized Claire and I needed to talk again, I was eager to return to work and focus on my duties.

And my campaign.

Then I walked into my office, and that warm, female scent hit my senses.

I stopped in shock, my thoughts completely derailed.

Claire??

But no.

It was Catherine.

And I had completely forgotten she was coming.

She was standing at the large bank of windows, looking out, giving me a moment to try to steady myself. And to study her.

It was uncanny how much she smelled like Claire, and I wondered once again why I hadn’t noticed that before.

But we’d only met briefly, and always with Claire around, so maybe I just hadn’t been close enough to her to tell.

Now, with no other scents to cover hers, I was able to take it in.

It was incredibly similar to my mate’s.

And that was going to take some getting used to.

After a brief pause in surprise in the doorway, I walked into the room, determined to handle this encounter better than our meeting back at the palace.

“Duchess Catherine,” I said, keeping my voice even and normal. “It’s good to see you again.”

She turned from the window, smiling. “Hello again, Alpha. It’s so good to see you as well.

“And please, call me Catherine.”

I couldn’t help but smile as I sat down at my desk, motioning for her to sit at one of the chairs on the other side.

“Well then, you can call me Nathan. And thank you for coming in today.

“As you can see, we definitely need the help here,” I added, gesturing to the pile of files, notes and messages already waiting on my desk.

Catherine chuckled. “I can see that.”

“I’ll warn you,” I said. “It’s like this every day.”

“I bet it is. Campaign management is a full time job.”

“It is indeed,” I said. “Why on earth would you want to take all of this on?”

“Honestly, Nathan? It’s because I believe in you.”

I raised an eyebrow.

She smiled. “It’s true. The more I’ve followed your campaign, reading your speeches and learning about you as a leader, the more I’ve come to believe in you.

“You’re a strong candidate, with a real chance to win this race. And I believe you’re the best choice for the next Alpha President.”

I smiled at her earnestness. “That’s very flattering to hear.”

And it was genuinely touching. Support like that was rare.

“So, tell me more about your experience. And why you’re interested in possibly taking all this on.”

Catherine sat forward in her seat, her body language going from casual and chatty to brisk and efficient.

“Honestly, it’s the kind of work I love. I took over as my father’s media manager when I was fresh out of college.

“Within a few years I was running an entire department of marketing and media experts.”

She began to list her further experience, as well as her skills and certifications.

I listened, growing more and more impressed with each passing moment.

The Duchess was a beautiful woman, and a member of the Royal family. She could have spent her entire life going to fancy parties and simply serving on charity committees.

Instead she’d built an entire career for herself.

Obviously she was a talented and skilled manager, one any Alpha would be lucky to have her working for him.

And it didn’t take me long to realize she had all the skills needed to organize and run a successful Alpha President campaign.

I held up my hand, stopping her when she began to offer me the names and contact information for her references.

No doubt they would give her sterling reports. But I didn’t need them.

“I’ve heard enough,” I said. “You’re hired.”

I looked ruefully at the pile teetering on my desk.

“Can you start today?”

Catherine laughed, obviously delighted. “I can, yes. Thank you!”

“No, thank you. I sincerely mean that.”

I rose and showed her out to my receptionist’s area.

“My administrative staff will get you set up with an employee ID and access badge. After that they’ll get you an office, and you can dig in.”

“Oh,” she said, stopping to turn and face me. “I was hoping…”

“What?”

“Well, I think it would be best if I had a work station in your office. Campaign management requires a lot of fast paced communication and decision making.”

Had the hallways in this building always been so narrow?

As I looked down at Catherine, caught in her wide-eyed gaze, I felt like the walls were drawing in.

Pushing us closer together, filling the space with her sweet and spicy scent.

“I should be as close to you as possible,” Catherine said, her voice soft and husky. “So I can keep in touch with you.”

I blinked and took a step back, breaking the strange moment. It was like a spell had been cast, and the rest of the world simply disappeared.

Clearing my throat, I straightened my tie. “It’s, uh…That’s a good idea. I’ll see to it.

“Come back to my office when you’re ready to get to work.”

Catherine smiled sweetly. “You can bet I will.”

I went back to my office, shaking my head to try to clear my thoughts.

What was going on with me?

Settling myself back at my desk, I decided it was the long weekend I’d spent struggling to settle myself after that meeting with Claire.

I needed to get back to work, I told myself. The work and routine would go a long way toward helping me settle down and get back on track.

And it did.

For an hour I lost myself in status reports from various projects going on throughout Silverfang territory, reading and answering communications from project leaders.

A report from the clinic gave me pause, making me think of Claire.

We’d lost a number of key staff during the rogue attacks. They all went to the Royal territory to help Claire and her people.

And a number of them had decided to stay there.

Rebuilding staff and assessing the clinic for possible updates to the building was now a priority, and I flagged it as something for Beta Evan to address as soon as possible.

Then I looked up to find two janitors turning into my office, balancing a desk between them.

More staff followed, with a chair, a computer and other necessary work accessories.

And Catherine, smiling from ear to ear.

“Hello, again! Isn’t this exciting? I can’t wait to get started!”

Charmed by her enthusiasm, I watched my staff set up her work station quickly and efficiently.

In no time her station was assembled, and the janitors and staff filed out, leaving Catherine and me alone again.

“Ok,” she said, settling herself into her seat. “Give me everything you got!”

Chuckling, I got up and bundled together all the files currently waiting on my desk.

“Be careful what you ask for,” I said, smiling as I handed her the stack.

It was filled with the notes and lists I’d been putting together in order to book speaking dates in a number of different packs.

Catherine reached up, needing both hands to handle the stack. Our hands grazed for a moment when she did.

And I froze, shocked at the sensation that coursed through me when we touched.

It was like a massive static shock, but one that tingled rather than stung.

And it had been…thrilling.