I went to work the next morning like I always did. I tried to pretend that everything was okay. I held my head up high. When I entered the building, all I saw was pity in everyone’s eyes.
As we entered the elevator and the door closed, I saw the reflection of their faces as they looked at me. I wanted to scream at them but I couldn’t do that could I? I tried to keep my face as neutral as I could. I was determined I wasn’t going to turn tail and run home either like a scared little pup.
When the elevator reached my floor, I exited and turned right. I walked toward my office only to find my staff already waiting for me. They all had smiles on their faces and told me how much they missed me like I had been gone for a month instead of just a week. They even brought in coffee, hot chocolate, donuts, pastries, and croissants. They made my morning.
“Thank you, Allison. You knew exactly what I needed this morning,” I praised as I hugged her.
“I know all about human break-ups. I was told what you’re going through is a hundred times worse. Girl, I got you. Say the word and he’s toast,” Allison declared with a sinister smirk, “I know people.”
“Oh, I know you do. I know where you work,” I tried to tease her but fell short with tears welling up in my eyes. “Don’t worry though, I’ll be fine. Just give me some time.”
“Mellie, let me know what I can do to make you feel better. I’m here for you, we all are,” sniffled Allison after she released me from her hug.
Murmurs of agreement were heard throughout the group assembled. Benedict came up next to Allison and me while we were talking and waited patiently for his turn to speak to me.
“Good morning Melanie. I’m so sorry about what happened last week. Please let me know if I can help you with anything. I’ll even beat the ever living shit out of him if you want me to,” Benedict chuckled as he tried to touch my arm.
“Please don’t try to touch me. He’s been taken care of, so no need to retaliate against him,” I assured him feeling awkward talking about this to anyone, especially at work.
“I get it. Sorry, I wasn’t thinking,” Benedict stammered as he walked toward the office.
I was feeling out of sorts at the moment due to Benedict almost touching my arm. I don’t think he meant to offend me, but it threw me off kilter. I asked my Dad through our family link where he was at the moment. Thankfully, he was in the building. I asked if I could meet with him. I needed him, NOW. I think he heard the panic in my voice.
Dad sent me a quick text message asking me to meet him in the breakroom. I excused myself from my group so I could go meet him. Anderson made sure we were not interrupted.
“Mellie, what’s wrong? You sounded upset when you asked to meet?” Dad asked me point blank.
“My division greeted me with smiles, warm wishes, and food this morning. Everything was going decently until Benedict came over. I don’t think he meant anything by it. I think he meant to comfort me, but he tried to touch my arm. It freaked me out Dad. I think I yelled at him not to touch me again,” I sniffled and I sought refuge in my dad’s arms.
“Oh, Mellie. It’s okay. I know it’s going to take a little while to feel comfortable around other males, especially unmated males. Maybe I can move him to the empty office in your division. I was thinking of doing that but I wanted to get your opinion first. He would actually get a view of the city. Would that be okay?” volunteered Dad.
“Yes, that office would definitely work out for him. Why didn’t I think of that? Dad, can we make the move today, NOW? I don’t think I could work with him in my office. Having him in close proximity would be difficult for me,” I explained.
“There’s no need to explain anything, Melanie. I totally get it. You had a huge shock this past week. I’m surprised you’re even here today let alone able to hold conversations without crying like you were this weekend. I’m so proud of you,” professed Dad.
“Thanks, Dad, I needed to hear that,” I mumbled as I tried not to cry.
“Now, let’s go tell Benedict about his new office. Shall we?” I’ll say it was supposed to be a surprise this morning. Wait, let’s go make sure it’s clean and ready to go. Come on baby girl, what’ll you say?” Dad chuckled as he wiped my stray tear off my cheek.
“Yes, let’s go make sure the office is ready for him,” I chuckled right back at my dad. He always knew how to make me feel better. I needed him this morning. Thank you Dad for being close by this morning. I guess he knew I would need him today.
We went to the office we wanted to make Benedict’s. It was still empty and clean. All we had to do was add a few personal touches. I called Allison in to complete the final touches for me while my Dad and I went to talk with Benedict. I asked her how long she needed to complete the task I gave her, and she replied fifteen minutes. Done.
My Dad and I went into my office. We found Benedict working on his computer at his desk when we walked in. He looked up and then immediately stood up when he saw my father.
“Delta Troy, this is an unexpected pleasure. To what do I owe the honor of your visit today?” stammered a nervous Benedict.
“I asked Melanie to join me for a coffee this morning because I wanted to talk with her about a special project we were working on. Since you will still be working on projects from the other division and this division, we wanted to move you to another office. But I wanted to make sure it was all right with Melanie before I moved you out of her office into this particular office. She will still be your Supervisor, but you will have a better office. She doesn’t want the office with the view of the city,” my father explained to Benedict.
“I get the better office over Melanie?” he stammered once again.
“Yes, you will. I turned down the office before. I don’t want to have a view of the city. As the Delta heir and soon-to-be Delta, I have a protection detail and it is hard for them to protect me with that kind of office. Therefore, this office is best for me. Others in this building, like Brent would do almost anything for that office. I won’t allow him to have that office for obvious reasons,” I explained to him.
“I totally get it. Thank you. I don’t know what to say,” Benedict exclaimed as he looked from me to my dad.
“We talked about it last week when we were at the Lakewood Pack. We thought it would be nice since your job requires you to complete tasks from two separate divisions. It would afford you privacy to complete them and not be disturbed,” explained my dad.
“That makes sense. Thank you for thinking about me. When do I move in?” Benedict excitedly asked us with a huge grin on his face.
“How about now?” I beamed.
“Now?! Um … Okay, but where exactly is the office?” wondered Benedict.
“Oh yeah, I guess we need to show you where it is. Come with us,” My dad exclaimed as he motioned for Benedict to follow him.
I let out a soft sigh after they walked out because I needed to breathe. I was feeling out of sorts with having Benedict so close to me. My wolf didn’t like having him so close.
I followed my Dad and Benedict to his new office. Allison had everything ready for him when we got there. Benedict’s eyes lit up when he walked in. I don’t think he was expecting a big office with a table where he could hold a conference off to the side.
“Are you sure this is my office sir?” stammered Benedict to my father.
“Yes, this is your office. As I said, since you perform duties from two divisions, I want you to have a suitable office. Remember, Melanie will still be your immediate Supervisor. If you encounter any problems from anyone, you will go to her. Any questions?” my Dad asked him.
“So, I don’t answer to anyone in the other division sir,” Benedict inquired.
“No, you answer only to Melanie. If anyone has a problem with that, you have them see her or me. Is that clear?” my Dad asked him.
“Yes sir. Crystal clear,” Benedict thanked my Dad. “I guess I need to go get my personal stuff and my computer from your office Melanie so I can officially move in here. If you will excuse me.”
Benedict left to retrieve his belongings. The facilities manager appeared and asked my father whose name he was putting on the nameplate as well as the title. We then assigned Benedict a secretary/assistant-Sheila, someone from our division.
‘Thank you Dad for helping me this morning. You knew I was going to need you today didn’t you?’ I questioned him as we walked out of Benedict’s office.
‘I figured you would need me today. By the way, I’m taking you to lunch today as well. Anderson will remain close by in case you need him as well. We will act as a buffer if we need to. Just let us know what you need and we’ll make it happen,’ declared my dad.
‘Thanks, Dad. You’re a lifesaver,’ I sniffled as we entered my office.
‘No worries Mellie. I’ll do anything for you,’ announced Dad.
I sat down at my desk and took a couple of deep breaths. I started running my daily reports and began my day. I had to get a sense of normalcy back into my life.
My week was more of the same-training in the morning, working by nine, lunch with Dad, and dinner with both my parents. Both my guards, Anderson and Noah, stayed close by in the division to ensure no one got close to me. My emotional state was fragile at best but I was still able to hold it together enough to do my job.
Every day after the next, I considered it to be a victory for me. Allison didn’t ask me to go out with her because she saw how emotional I still was.