The next morning began like normal except Benedict began to shadow me. He met me at my office promptly at 9 AM. I forgot how handsome he was and that business suit only made him more drool-worthy. He’s 6′ 1″ with short dark brown hair that he kept neatly styled with honey-brown eyes. He has a straight nose that leads to plush lips and a chiseled jaw.
“Good morning, before we begin this morning, we need to have a talk about next week. Then, I will be introducing you to my staff in a short staff meeting,” I advised him as I greeted him
“Good morning to you as well. Okay, where do you want me to be?” Benedict inquired as he looked around my office.
“According to my father, you will be shadowing me and taking over part of my position within a month. So, he will have another desk brought in today for you to use. It should be here within the hour. We can change the floor plan of the office when it gets here to accommodate the extra desk if you want to. I’m open to anything to make you feel comfortable,” I announced as someone knocked on the door. “Come in” I held up my finger to say one second to the person who just walked into my office.
“Sounds like a plan. I don’t want to put you out. We can share a desk or they can simply put a table in here for me to use. I don’t need much,” Benedict explained as he put his computer on the edge of my desk.
“Yes, Brad. What can I do for you today?” I curtly asked him.
“First, why don’t you lose the attitude. Second, I have a report for you. Third, I’m sorry for last week,” Brad snapped as he handed the report to me in a manila folder.
“Thank you for delivering the report to me. For future reference, it will take more than an apology for me to forgive your impertinence last week. If you ever come into my division again treating my staff members the way you did last week, you will be fired. I will not hesitate to have you escorted out of the building. Am I clear?” I declared in a low, cold voice as I maintained eye contact with him.
“Yes, you are perfectly clear. I guess being the boss’s daughter, you think you can talk to others any way you want to? Huh?” sneered Brad not backing down.
“It doesn’t matter if I am the boss’s daughter, we deserve to be treated just like everyone else. We are not your personal servants. You will not order them around like they are. Am I clear?” I growled with a deep, low deadly voice.
“Yes, you are clear. May I leave now?” Brad fumed through clenched teeth.
“Yes, you may. Thank you so much for bringing the report to me. Please let Ryan know that I will be following up with him later. Have a nice day,” I excused him with a smile.
Brad quickly exited my office without another word. I turned to face Benedict who had a confused look on his face. So, I started to explain, “Brad came by last Tuesday afternoon to ‘drop off’ a report. He then made himself at home at an empty desk. Then, he proceeded to order my staff around like they were servants. When they didn’t move fast enough, he made rude and demeaning comments toward them. He even groped a few of the female employees. I had them fill out a grievance against him.”
When I finished explaining, Benedict had a thoughtful expression on his face. “Now I understand why you addressed him so curtly. I wouldn’t have been so nice to him. But I do approve of how you handled him. You are a good leader,” mused Benedict.
“Thank you. Anyway, next week I will be at the Lakewood Pack with my Alpha, my father, and my brother. I have been asked to train their females since their previous Alpha did not allow them to train. I will show you what I do on a daily basis here at the office. I will also be available via teleconference to help you as will Allison. Allison is my next in command, I’ll introduce you to her in a few minutes. Any questions so far,” I asked him afraid I was overwhelming him already.
“No, no questions,” replied Benedict.
It was time for the staff meeting I called this morning so I could introduce Benedict to them all. I informed them that he would be shadowing me starting today and for the foreseeable future. Also, I will be on a business trip next week. I will be available via teleconference only. I asked if anyone had any questions and of course, Annie had a question.
“Does this mean he’s going to take your place?” Annie questioned me
“No, Annie. At least I have not been informed of this at this time. The plan is for him to become familiar with my duties within a month or two. ” I explained. “Any more questions?”
Everyone shook their heads ‘no.’ “If there are no more questions, then we will adjourn this meeting. Everyone, we will have lunch in the conference room to welcome Benedict to the division today. See you there,” I exclaimed as I dismissed everyone so we could resume our day.
When we entered my office, Benedict’s desk had been delivered. Benedict and I looked at each other then looked back at the desks. It’s as if we automatically knew how the furniture should be arranged. Benedict moved his desk off to the side while we moved my desk slightly off to the side so it was at an angle. Then, we put his desk across from my desk. Perfect.
This configuration worked because neither of us had our back to the door and we still had room for people to sit in chairs to sit for a conversation with us.
Now that the desk situation has been figured out, I started showing him the different reports I ran every morning before I began my day. Then, we proceeded to analyze each report. I was in the process of explaining the procedure associated with each report when one report caught my eye.
This particular report concerned an ongoing surveillance team which was comprised of human ex-military special forces. I explained how we had to inform not only the packs surrounding the surveillance but also the Council and the Alpha King because it involved humans, not just our employees. The whole situation had to be handled with kit gloves. This was a government contract.
Benedict, Ben, as he wanted me to call him, was a quick learner. By the end of the week, he could perform most of my job with minimal mistakes (well the part of my job that Dad said we were giving to him to handle). I am still keeping the highest level security clearance reports to manage for obvious reasons.
At the end of the week, I reminded my team that I was going to be out of the office next week but I would be available via teleconference. I told them to send me a text message first before calling me due to the nature of my meetings.
I spent the weekend mentally preparing myself for the trip to the Lakewood Pack. I knew I was walking into a pack that hadn’t treated females equally in the past. It wasn’t because of their current Alpha but their former Alpha. At least the current one is trying to bring his pack into the 21st Century.
Still, prejudices like my grandfather’s will be present. I had to put on my protective armor so to speak. I had to make sure that I didn’t overreact to their prejudices. I hope and pray that I work with wolves who want my help in protecting their pack.