The Alphas’ P**n Star Mate

Estel

POV

"And this, as you can see," the sly, suit-wearing man extended his arms, turning in a half circle, "is the commercial kitchen. Fully functional. I can confirm that the stove is vastly capable of cooking up delicious dishes. Just at lunchtime, our chef whipped up a few fabulous beef

wellingtons. The creamed potatoes and steamed carrots were divine."

"Looks great!" I tried not to show my distaste for the pink paint slathered on the greasy walls. It's obvious whoever was painting this area stopped trying to impress the snobbish Luna. They probably didn't think she would ever set foot in here.

By the look on her face, I can see she's not too happy with the rushed paint job either. I braced myself for a meltdown, but she just gritted her teeth and stayed vehemently silent.

"There is an excellent view of the pool from the chef's office. The kitchen has a capacity too...."

I mindlessly nodded along and wrote down random tidbits of what he was saying on my clipboard. I've been doing this for the past hour, and have it down to an art. None is the wiser.

Maybe I really should go into real estate. Maybe this is a calling.

"Is the necklace going off any more?" Kai asked for the tenth time.

"Nope. Still nothing."

It stopped as soon as it started to pulse on my throat when I first entered the hotel. I began to panic, but then remembered that the Alpha had dark magic cast on him. Maybe the necklace was reacting to him.

I thought it could be the suit-wearing man who had yet to give me his name. Not that I needed him to introduce himself for me to know who he was. Mr. Smith, or whatever, hasn't corrected any of my assumptions, but he has been the most friendly. I've been closest to him among all the others here since I entered the building, and it has yet to react again.

The Alpha, on the other hand, was furthest from me, walking like a guardian dog behind his Luna. He seemed like her shadow, moving when she moved. If she whined or made any sounds of distress, he gruffly moved into action to fix what he could. He literally backhanded one of his own warriors hard enough to break the warrior's nose because she accused him of rolling his eyes at her.

I was shocked to my core, not knowing how to react. That was the only time I saw the man I know as Mr. Smith dropped his hospitable act. His dark eyes glazed over with malice, his scowl so deep it was almost as surprising at the slap.

"Forgive them," he had quickly recovered and told me. "Discipline is taken very seriously in our pack. I do hope you understand."

"Of-of course," I managed to mutter. Then, he continued the tour like nothing had happened, and the Alpha and Luna have been quiet ever since.

So far, they have shown me most of the rooms on all the floors. I wasn't too concerned about looking at them, but didn't refuse. All the rooms have windows, and Kai assured me that he would have caught at least a little movement if his friend was being kept in any of them. I insisted on seeing every utility room. All the offices and service rooms. We're exploring the staff areas now.

All that should be left is the basement.

"So, I've seen the rooms needed up here," I said, snapping a few pictures and writing some made-up nonsense about the makes and models of the appliances in the kitchen. "I think the basement is all I have left to photograph and document. Can you take me there next?" The Alpha and Luna exchanged nervous glances. Well, the Luna looked nervous, and I guess the Alpha just felt nervous because she looked on the verge of a panic attack. His gruff expression only changed if it was in regard to her.

The warriors who had been following stoically along started to look to their Alpha, like they were waiting for a command. A command to kill me? Stop me from going to the basement?

"Shit, should I calm in the reinforcements?" Kai suddenly asked. "Billy said they're ready to deploy."

"No, wait," I stopped him.

Mr. Smith didn't let his smile falter, and looked agreeable.

"We need to get in that basement," my wolf told me.

I know we did. I felt it too. I don't know why, but there was an unexplainable need to see what was down there for myself.

"Of course!" Mr. Smith said, sending a glance at the Alpha and Luna at the other side of the room. "We just have laundry and storage in the lower quarters. Not very exciting, but I guess it would be customary to see all of what you are selling. This way." He waved his cane towards the door, then swung it over one shoulder.

He began walking out the double swinging door, warriors posted stiffly on the other side hurrying to open them. I followed behind, trying to keep calm. The nervous energy pressing behind me began to feel lethal. My wolf's ear and senses were perked, waiting for any sign of a sudden attack.

When we came to a set of wide stairs at the very back of the employee area, where the service elevators and break room were, that desire I felt to see what was below began to feel like a physical pull. Something was drawing me to continue on, though my head was screaming at me how dangerous my situation really was.

"It's dark," I commented lightly, looking around the walls for a light switch.

"Apologies, my dear," Mr. Smith offered me a hand. "Allow me. The lights are fickle in this part of the building."