The Assistant (sequel to The Beta's Mate)

Elizabeth placed the last of the folders in the filing cabinet. It had taken her three days of working ten hours a day to complete the arduous task of straightening up the Alpha’s office. It had been an absolute mess. When Dylan had shown her where she would be working, she shuddered at the depths of clutter that had surrounded her. Now, however, the Alpha’s office was once again neat and organized. Elizabeth, with Dylan’s help, had answered long forgotten correspondence and updated many of the treaties they had on file. Not to mention that the back log of phone messages that needed to be answered and appointments set. Those that would not wait, she scheduled with Dylan. Those that would, she scheduled with Royce. Pending his return.

Duncan had shown himself to be a wonderful friend. He had a gentle humor that was a balm for her soul. She had thought that she would never enjoy a man’s company again. He had proved her wrong. They had gone to dinner at the local diner and he had dinner with her and Dylan. As the pack’s head of security, it was his job to ensure the safety of everyone in the compound, as well as the town. He was thorough, she gave him that. He had dug up information that she had forgotten about. Such as the time she was six and fell out of the tree she was climbing and broke her arm.

She was closing the filing cabinet when Stephanie and her mate walked in. “Oh, hello. I’m sorry. We didn’t realized that someone was in here.” Colton stepped in front of Stephanie as she was extending her hand to shake Elizabeth’s and introduce her mate and herself. “Colton Strong, that’s enough! I’m pretty sure she has been vetted by Duncan. After all, this IS the assistant that Dylan hired for dad. Now, behave yourself!”

Elizabeth looked with wide apprehension filled eyes as the large Beta studied her. She felt a little like an insect under a microscope. Just then she was saved by Duncan, who entered the room to get her for dinner. “Ah, there you are Lizzie. I knew I would find you in here. You are always working, lass. Time to call it a day and have some dinner.” Duncan seemed to finally notice the Beta and his mate. “Oh, there you are. Dylan was looking for you two. He said something about helping to fill in for you father’s duty, Stephanie. At least, until he returns. I see you’ve met Lizzie, your dad’s new assistant. Your brother hired her. It seems they have know each other a few years. Seems he knew Lizzie’s husband, Daniel. Anyway, Dinner’s on the the table and Dylan wants to talk, so we might as well go and enjoy the great meal prepared for us.” Duncan reached and took Elizabeth’s hand and escorted to the dining room table, where he pulled out her chair to the left of Dylan and then set next to her.

Sure enough, right after they had finished eating Dylan began asking Stephanie to help him with their father’s duties while he was away. “I’m sorry, Colton, But I really need her help. No more than three hours a day. That way, we don’t have to hear how she is neglecting the twins. How are my niece and nephew, by the way?”

Colton looked at Stephanie as she smiled at him, then he turned to face Dylan, “The twins are fine, thank you. Getting bigger every day. It seems that as they are learning to crawl, they are also learning to find things to get into.” Colton gave a small smile thinking of the antics of his adorable children. “Fine, Dylan. You can have her for three hours a day. Just to help get Elizabeth acclimated to the work she will be doing. No offense, ma’am. I’m not saying you’re dumb, just that every office and leader has different ways of doing things.”

Dylan breathed an audible sigh of relief. “Thank you, Old Man. I appreciate it. I’ll owe you for this one.”

Colton smirked, “Yes, you do will. A big favor. And I won’t let you forget. I will collect on it, don’t you worry.” Elizabeth watched the byplay with interest. Dylan looked decidedly uncomfortable and Colton was sitting with his arm around his mate/wife smirking. Looking for a the world like he knew a secret that Dylan didn’t.