The Assistant (sequel to The Beta's Mate)
YOU DID WHAT!!!

Royce was tired. Beyond tired. He was bone weary. Even his soul was tired. He was tired of fighting his grief. He was tired of trying to cope with it. He was tired of trying to hide it from Dylan, Stephanie and his two friends Colton, Stephanie’s mate, and Duncan, his head of security. As the black car pulled up in front of his home he decided to do something that he had not allowed himself to do in a very long time. He was going to shift and go for a run. Having decided, he felt somewhat better a little lighthearted.

He climbed the door to his home. Surprisingly, his son, Dylan met him at the door with a smile on his face. “Hi dad. Have a good time at the conference? Did you enjoy the guest speakers? Did you, by any chance, hook up with someone while you were there?” Dylan turned to look at his dad, who had stopped following him.

“What did you do while I was gone Dylan? You’ve done something, I can tell. I can smell your anxiety. What have you done, boy!” Royce was getting angrier as he spoke. Thankfully, his dad’s best friend, Duncan saved him.

“What the boy has done is to provide you with an assistant. A top-rate one at that. Now don’t be too harsh on the boy. It took that young lady the better part of a week just to straighten up your office and get everything organized and filed. She’s a gem, I tell .An absolute doll. Everyone loves her and the males all respect her.” Duncan chuckled, remembering an incident last week. “One of the younger wolves took it into his head that this female was his and he wouldn’t take no for an answer. So, Lizzie waited patiently until they were in full view of the pack and promptly told him that she was not only allergic to animal dander, but that she was saving herself for her mate, and he would hate to take that from her, wouldn’t he?” Duncan stopped laughing as he watched his Alpha digest this information.

“And just where is this lovely thing that supposedly works for me?” He replied with a bite to his tone.

“She’s visiting her daughter, dad.” Stephanie’s voice came from behind him, so he turned and there she was. Standing next to her was of course, her very large and protective mate, Colton.

“So you lot decided that I needed help, hmmmm? Well, I suppose I did. So, when will I met this paragon of virtue?” The sarcasm was tempered with a slight smile.

“Lizzie will be back tomorrow. Her daughter was moving closer and she wanted to help her. I think you’ll really like her dad. She said that you have a full appointment schedule and she wants to be here to help you get everything squared away.”

“Even I was skeptical, Royce, at first. I mean, bringing a human female into the male-oriented society of weres could have been a catastrophe. But she has managed to blend in well. Even the Elder loves her. Said something about her having an auspicious future here.” Colton was beginning to wish that he had not told his friend that his new assistant was human. He could see his anger rising hotly.

“A HUMAN!” Royce turned and looked at his two children. “HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MINDS!” Colton growled at his Alpha for speaking to his mate that way. “Royce, I realize that you are upset, and that you are my Alpha. But, Stephanie is MY mate and you, nor anyone else will speak to her in that manner. You would never have allowed anyone to speak to your wife like that.” Having spoken his peace, the large Beta gathered his mate and left to go home.