A Broken Contract (Alpha's Secret Regret)

The sound all around me became muffled. Jeremy's speech echoed around me, but the words were slurred. Nick rose from his seat as his eyes settled on me as his mouth parted slowly. "It's a pleasure, Mr. Colt," he said, extending his hand to my boss.

He seemed to quickly recover from his shock. With a slight nod, he shook hands with Jeremy, averting his gaze from me like he didn't know me.

"This is my adviser, Jake Carlisle and Jude Duncan, his associate," he offered.

Only then did I notice the other men. The Jude had just joined us. It looked like he came into the restaurant at the same time as we did.

My boss took his beta's hand in a firm handshake before moving to the other man who's a human.

"I know him," Jeremy said with a smile. "I see you both on TV occasionally. When the mayor said the park will be financed by a major corporation from L.A., I knew it had to be the Reigns." "What can I say, we love the environment and wild life," Nick smirks. His manner is so easy and in control. My unexpected presence doesn't affect him at all.

"These two are my associates," My boss went on with introductions, gesturing towards my colleague and I. "They'll be in contact with your guys throughout the project. Mia Francis and Sara James." Nick nodded again, taking my colleague's hands first. Her smile was nervous and filled with adoration as she said, "Nice to meet you, Mr. Reign. And Mr. Carlisle. Mr. Duncan."

Then he stretched his hand towards me. "Pleasure to meet you, Miss James. Or should I say Mrs?" he asked, tilting his head to check my ring finger.

My boss saved me the trouble of responding. "Oh she's a Miss."

Nick's eyes widen slightly as he mouths okay. I forced my brain back online. His hand was still hanging in front of me. Steadying my nerves, I reached out to take it in a brief handshake.

As we took our seats, my eyes moved to Jake because I could feel him watching me. He seems more flustered than his alpha. His mouth hangs slightly open.

"Hope we aren't late," my boss said again, taking the seat opposite Nick.

"We're early, like you've noted. It's an interesting town," Nick replied in a confident, easy tone.

I lowered my head to avoid meeting his eyes by mistake. How can someone not change at all. Not even one bit. Those bright grey eyes remain fierce and captivating as ever. I'd looked into the carbon copy of those very orbs only a few hours ago. I'd ran my fingers through the exact same thick, reddish brown mane this morning while combing Alex's hair.

The chiselled jaw is set exactly as I remember. And that voice. The same deep bass that moaned my name countless times in the privacy of that secret apartment. And in my dreams at night. That same voice is speaking now, addressing my employer in front of me, like I'm not sitting one foot away. Like I don't exist.

His gaze shifted to me as he continued to speak. Then, he looked away nonchalantly. All I can think in this moment is the same thought that crosses my mind each time I look at my son. My baby is a spitting image of his father.

"We also have three rangers in the team. The police are volunteering them to us. You'll meet them soon," Jeremy was saying. "These two will be working closely with your team throughout to see that all goes smoothly."

The introductions and the brief preface continue for another few minutes with Jake and the human male asking some questions about people of the town.

Soon, Nick signals for the waiter. "We're here to eat brunch, aren't we?" He said with a half smile.

"That we are, Mr. Reign," my boss replied with a short laugh.

The waiter arrived briskly and started to take everyone's orders. When I steal another glance Nick's way, our eyes met and held.

"Excuse me, I need to powder my nose," I said, rising from my chair. What I need is a moment to catch my breath. My head felt full with different conflicting thoughts.

How could I not have known that the Reigns were the owner of the project. If only my dad didn't ban us from watching the news. Maybe I would've known. Well, my boss didn't know until the last minute either. "Why don't you order before you leave," Jeremy protested.

"Oh I'm not particularly hun-"

My boss' disapproving gaze shut me up mid sentence. I guess brunch actually meant brunch. It's rude to watch others eat in a business meeting. I have so much to learn.

I lower myself back to the seat and pick up the menu. "I'll have the ah..." I ran my fingers through the page, pretending to check intently for something suitable to eat. The thought of food is so unappealing. "Potato salad and ah... wine," I said finally.

The waiter wrote it down as I rose again and left the table straight to the bathroom. What would happen if I snuck out of here and returned to the office.

Jeremy Colt would be furious. Human resources would have something to say, no doubt. This was a massive project. An important one for the town. My half-blood boss is especially interested in it because it would provide a comfortable haven for "people like us," according to him. The way he looked at Nick and Jake. The reverence and subservience in his manner is a dead give-away that he knows exactly what they are. He's thoroughly excited for a park owned by a powerful werewolf.

But how can I bear to continue to run into Nick Reign? He's bound to recognize his son the moment he sees him. That can't be good. The fact that he wanted nothing to do with us four years ago doesn't ease my mind at all. My father was right. We needed to move. Wait a minute! He knew! That's why he looked so worried earlier today. I reach for my phone in my purse quickly to call the only man in my life.

He picked at the second ring. "What's up?"

"Dad..." I whispered.

Maybe it was the sound of my voice. That single word was enough to make him know why I'd called. He breathed a heavy, knowing sigh and said gently,

"You've seen him, haven't you?"

"Yes..." I murmured.

"Come to the shop for your lunch break, Sara," he said.

"I..." I swallowed, unable to form any coherent phrase.

"I should've told you that he's in town. With your type of work, you were bound to run into each other soon..." he trailed off with another deep sigh. "If he sees little Alex..."

He didn't finish the sentence. Because in truth, none of us knows what Nick would do if he learns about his son.

"I'll come to the shop during my break time," I murmured finally.

We hung up, and I breathed deeply, bracing myself to return to the table. I looked at my reflection in the mirror and tried to put on a casual face before leaving the ladies' room. Walking out, I turned the corner facing the hall to the restaurant. Nick stood perched by the wall with one hand in his pocket and his eyes on me.