Aubrey

"I thought I'd be getting a single room," I said, tightening my grip on the suitcase in my right hand as I stared into the room of four I had just stepped into. I foresaw everything, except the fact that they'd make me live with other men in a room.

Jeremy scoffed before holding his hands akimbo. "We don't have the luxury of giving everyone a single room, and you being the alpha's secretary doesn't mean you get preferential treatment."

Well said.

"But..." I paused, not sure of any perfect excuse to give at this moment. "Where are my roommates, by the way?"

"The three of them are pack warriors, so they are mostly on the training grounds during the day," he said as he walked across the room, observing the paintings of the war. "So, you guys will hardly run into each other, except at night."

Somehow, his words brought me a bit of relief. I could use the time they are out for training to change and get dressed. And, since there's a bathroom in the room, changing in there wouldn't be a bad idea, either. Of course, until the boys started to get suspicious of why I always changed in the bathroom, and out of curiosity, stripped me naked because they wanted to see what I was hiding.

I shook my head at the dreadful thought that had just crossed my mind. I knew I had to do everything to remain normal and not draw suspicion to myself.

I cleared my throat in an attempt to get Jeremy's attention, since he seemed to be so lost in the paintings on the wall. Weird taste. "You can leave now, I want to try and settle in so I can get started on the alpha's order as soon as possible."

"Oh, right!" He said quickly. "I should let you do your thing then."

He headed straight for the door but didn't leave without giving me a salute with two fingers and a wink. He was the most friendly person I had ever met. I guessed life had always been easy for him. Not everyone had the luxury of being so friendly with others on their first meeting.

"Now, where do I begin?" I said to no one in particular.

                                                                           ******

It was seven pm already. I was so engrossed with the work I was doing on my system that I lost track of time. Of course, I reported everything that transpired between Logan and me after I arrived at the pack to the director. He instructed that I do Logan's bidding since I had to investigate him at all costs.

And that was how I found myself checking security footage of where I passed through before I got to Silvermoon pack. I was searching for who the alpha's mate could be. Such a hassle

The sound of a doorknob turning made me hurriedly close my laptop. I knew my roommates were back. Thank god I already had my bath and changed my clothes hours before they arrived. Now, I just need to act more like a man without stuttering when I speak.

"Whoah!" The first guy exclaimed as he stepped into the room. "I see you are the new roommate Jeremy informed us about."

I raised my hand slightly above my head. "Hi, my name is Aub Smith."

"Aub?" The second guy asked with his eyebrows raised.

"You look smaller than I had expected," the third guy chirped in.

I gave out a nervous laugh. I should have listened to Kate and gone on a weight gain journey with her the previous year. I was beginning to hate how everyone was pointing out how small-looking I was, a guy. It felt like it would be my first giveaway soon. I wonder what was going through the director's head when he gave me this job.

"I'm Matthew," the first guy said, stretching his hand forth for a handshake. I took it with a smile.

"Lucas," the second guy said begrudgingly. What was his deal?

"Steve," the last one said. He also extended his hand for a handshake.

Every one of them was friendly, of course, except Lucas. He seemed to be the only one who wasn't pleased about my appearance in their dormitory. But, boy, that was his problem to deal with. I wasn't planning to be there for long anyway.

"Join us at the pack dinner after we take our shower," Matthew said. He didn't ask. And that made me feel like I didn't have a choice but to go with them.

So, I nodded in agreement.

I wasn't surprised when Matthew and Steve entered the bathroom together because they wanted to save time. But, I was surprised when they both came out of the bathroom with nothing but tight, small boxer shorts.

"Aarrghh!" I screamed before covering my eyes with my hands.

"What!" Steve cried out.

I slowly removed my hands from my eyes and saw how horrified they looked. My scream was probably heartwrenching. "Sorry," I said with my head bowed. "But, you could have tied a towel around your waist."

That was why they said you don't need to be afraid of anything or getting judged if you have a clean heart. I went through military training and had seen men in such tiny boxers, but I didn't know why. I just had to fret over their own. Probably because they were werewolves.

"Have you lived alone your whole life?" Lucas asked in a cold and stern tone. He reminded me of Logan.

I nodded.

"Well, this is a dormitory, you should get used to this and stop acting like a girl." This time, it was Steve who spoke.

Me? Acting like a girl?

I stood up and threw the pillow in my hands in the air. "How am I acting like a girl? I was just surprised to see your body, since I've lived alone my whole life and never got to see men walking around me, half naked." I commended myself mentally for speaking without stuttering.

"Whatever. Let's just hurry up so we can make it to dinner," Matthew said impatiently.

I placed my hand on my chest. It was surprising that I didn't have a panic attack from how erratically my heart was beating. I looked up to see Lucas eyeing me suspiciously. I quickly removed my hand from my chest and narrowed my eyes at him. He smirked and headed straight for the bathroom.

Did he just smirk?

Our walk to the pack house was extremely loud. I used to think the men I worked with at the NIS were loud, but their loudness was nothing compared to that of werewolves. I could tell the evening was part of their favorite time of the day. The streets were bustling with people, children's laughter echoed down the street, and everyone had a pleasant look on their faces.

I didn't understand why they all looked pleased until I saw all the meals served on the table before me. One would easily think there was a feast going on, and everyone in the state was invited.

I couldn't believe my eyes. I didn't know what to put on my plates either. There were varieties of food. From meat to seafoods-they were all foods I'd pay quite a few large bucks to get at a standard restaurant.

"From the way you are drooling, I can tell it's your first time having a pack dinner," Steve said, interrupting my thoughts.

I needed to get my act together.

I gave out a shy laugh. "Is it that obvious?"

He shook his head in disbelief and went for my plate. Before I could even react, he had filled my plate with all kinds of meat. I nudged him with my hand to add a snow crab for me.

"Eat this first," he said, placing the plate filled with meat before me. He didn't even add any carbohydrates. "You need to eat more meat, so you can at least increase in size."

I scoffed at his words. I'd still get that snow crab after I gobbled down the meats before me. I've never had meat as tender as that before in my life.

Suddenly, everywhere went still and silent. I slowly raised my head only to see everyone's heads turned towards their right. Then I saw Logan and Nathan come in through the door. How did they know he was coming when he hadn't even opened the door yet? Strange.

"Alpha!" Everyone echoed, making me drop the fork in my hand in fear. Even the soldiers, training on the military grounds, weren't that loud. I shook my head in disbelief. I didn't think I'd ever get used to that sight.

I returned my gaze to my food. I still have like four pieces left before I go for the snow crab. But, for some odd reason, I felt someone was watching me, hence I couldn't bring myself to place the fork with the piece of meat in my mouth.

It was Logan.

His forest-like green eyes bore into mine, so that they could literally create a hole in them. I bowed slightly with an awkward smile plastered on my lips. Why was he staring at me instead of sitting and eating?

The next thing I saw was Logan walking towards me with a plate in his hands. Right, there was an empty seat beside me! Don't tell me....

"Do you have a problem with me sitting close to you?" Logan asked in a firm tone.

I shook my head with the fork stuck in my mouth. How could I eat in peace now?

Two minutes after Logan had settled down in his seat, I decided to ask him why.

"So, why did you choose to sit here? You could have sat near your beta," I said, finally reaching for the snow crab. I could swear that butterflies were dancing in my tummy at that point.

Logan inhaled a deep breath. Was it such a hard question?

I carefully used my hand to detach the leg of the snow crab from its body. The excitement in my eyes was probably the same as the first time I had ice cream.

"Because you smell like my mate, hence I want to be near you since I miss her a lot."

I choked on my snow crab.

Logan didn't even bother to help me with water as I choked on my food, but instead, he looked at me like he was enjoying the dilemma I was going through. I decided to get water for myself, but Steve beat me to it. So sweet of him.

"Be careful," he said as he passed me a glass of water. "And be aware that choking is definitely among the one thousand ways to die."

I almost choked again, but not because I was shocked this time, but because I found what he said funny. "Thank you."

I turned back to see that Logan wasn't bothered by me at all. Instead, he went back to his food. I prayed silently within me that I would survive my stay in the pack. And, Logan being next to me constantly, especially while I'm eating, wasn't helping. I wondered who I came across that left her scent on me. Landing me in this big trouble.

The rest of the dinner went 'not so quiet'. But it was better than when I first came in. Logan didn't say anything else to me, and I could tell he seemed quite bothered from the look on his face and how little he ate.

I knew werewolves cherished their mate bond, and often some of them claimed they can't do without their mate bond. But I've heard about other wolves neglecting their mate bond and going after someone else. But, I guess Logan wasn't strong enough to do that, seeing how clung he was to this mate saga.

"Thank you for the meal," I said quietly, wiping my mouth with a napkin. I was done eating, but I didn't know if it would be awkward if I stood up and walked out while others were still eating.

You know what? Screw it.

I dropped the napkin, pushed my chair backward while still in my seat.

Then I felt a hand on my shoulder. "Where do you think you are going?"

I turned to look at Logan. What did he want? "My room."

"I know it's your first day, but I'm afraid we'd have to pull an all nighter together," he said, his eyes staring intently at mine.

I dropped my gaze in frustration. I thought I'd be from pulling all nighter here in the pack. But, turned out, it's everywhere. Bosses using their employees however they like.

"What are we working on?"

"You'll see when you get to my office," he implied, shifting his gaze away from me to Nathan.

I hoped it was something that I could finish in a few hours. I hated being unable to sleep because of work.

I couldn't believe the papers before me were meant for me to go over. I doubted I would even finish before daybreak. Was he trying to punish me or what?

"Alpha." He raised his head to look at me, taking his eyes away from his computer.

I gave him a tight smile, "I'm sure about what exactly I'm supposed to do with all these."

He cocked his head towards one side and raised his eyebrows.

He looked so hot that I wouldn't mind a one-night stand if he asked me in that state. Oh my God! What was that thought?

"Aub," my name rolled off his tongue like it tasted bitter. "Is this not what you've been doing for almost half of your life?"

"Huh?" It was my turn to raise my eyebrows.

He released a light sigh, as if I was being frustrating. "That's what your record says. Or was it forged?"

Oh my god!!

I let out a sarcastic and nervous laugh. "Of course not! Why would I forge my records? I know perfectly what to do." God knew, I didn't know what to do.

I turned my back to him, reached for my phone, and sent an SOS message to Kate. She worked as a secretary in a big firm before she became an agent. She would know one or two and be able to share with me.

I started sorting out the papers in alphabetical order as Kate instructed. Then I created a document on my computer and began the documentation. Apparently, the files before me contained the names of adopted pups the pack had from twenty years ago to date. It was a surprise for me, because I didn't know werewolves adopt children too. Even though it's just children of their kind.

But it was still a nice thing to do.

I was halfway through the papers before I checked my time. It was three thirty in the morning. I didn't even realize that time went by so fast. And to think I still had half of the papers to go. Kate said it was one of the simplest tasks for secretaries. I'd rather die on the field working as an agent than do any other strenuous job than what I was already doing.

"Do you care for coffee?" Logan's word brought me out of my inner misery.

I raised my eyes up to see his tired face. Was that his first time pulling an all nighter, or was what he was working on draining for him, like me? It wasn't my first time staying awake all night working, but I'd be on a stakeout, watching out for when the drug lord would make a move rather than documenting papers.

"I'm not sure coffee is the right thing for you to take at this moment," I said, trying my luck at getting away for the night.

He placed his hand on his chin, gently rubbing the stubble on it. He had probably realized that he needed a shave. "Then what is?"

"A good sleep." I beamed buoyantly, hoping he'd at least use being tired as an excuse to call it a night.

He stood up from his seat and walked across his desk towards me in a steady manner. "Are you trying to get away from work?"

If looks could kill, I'd be six feet under already. Why was he shooting daggers at me with his eyes?

I swallowed a deep lump in my throat, "No, I was just looking out for you."

"You can only look out for me by doing your job perfectly, which involves finding out who my mate is."

There we went again.

"Noted," I quickly said, burying my face back in work. He was so scary at that moment. Maybe I'd be doing myself a lot of favor by finding out who his mate really was. At least he'd let me be, and focus on his mate. Then, I could focus on what brought me.

I just needed to find that incriminating evidence. Then the buttering up I was doing would come to an end. Wait!

If his mate's scent on me was so strong that it still lingered after I had my bath, could it be someone I spent a lot of time with? The last person I saw before I left home for the pack? The person who hugged me and refused to let go because she thought I was walking into the lion's den?

Kate, my best friend!?

I discarded the thought that Kate might be Logan's mate the moment it crossed my mind. I had never heard of an alpha with a human mate. And, knowing Kate, the last thing she'd want was being mated to a werewolf, not to mention an alpha. 

I was sure the dark circles under my eyes were almost touching my cheeks by the time I left Logan's office. It was six a.m., but the sky was still dark. I hoped I'd get enough sleep before I'd be requested to work again. 

I was wrong. 

It was Logan's call that woke me up at seven thirty. 

"Alpha, may I ask where we are heading this early?" I asked, using my middle finger to keep the thick glasses on my face in place. It was the last and perfect touch to my disguise. It helped me hide my ocean blue eyes-the ones most of the guys around me fell for. 

Logan stopped in his tracks. "Did I not mention it when I called earlier?"

"You did?" I asked, scrutinizing my eyes under my glasses in a rude manner, even though I knew he couldn't see my eyes. 

He shook his head in a disapproving manner. "If you want to work with them for long, you need to keep your memory intact." 

"We are going to the Bloodmoon pack. It's that time of the year when I sit with their alpha, discuss business, and act like I know what I'm doing," he said before I could speak, with a look of distaste across his face. 

I was going to say why he was wasting time going there if he was there to act like he knew what he was doing, but I figured I needed to keep my mouth shut if I wanted to stay alive until my secret mission was completed. 

Our ride to the Bloodmoon pack was quiet. Because I slept all through. 

"Was it a nice dream?" Logan asked the moment I stepped out of the car. 

"I don't dream," I said nonchalantly, dusting my pants like I had just come out of a dusty van. "But the nap was nice. At least my memory will be active now, since I have allowed myself a little sleep."

"You should wipe your cheek then," he proceeded to touch his left cheek. "You drooled."

What!? 

I brought my hand to my cheek in a hurry. "I didn't drool," I called after him. 

How could he play me like that!? Not that I wasn't expecting to be played. Kate told me my disguise would subject me to all kinds of belittlement, so I guess Logan making fun of me was one of them. 

In terms of exquisite, Bloodmoon's pack house was nothing compared to Silvermoon's. But its interior was still better than regular. 

"Logaannnn!!" I was brought out of my thoughts by a shrieking, loud voice. 

I looked ahead to see a lady, the owner of the voice. It was a lady with short blonde hair. She looked rather innocent, than what her voice sounded like. I could tell from the way her eyes were beaming that she was happy to see Logan. Logan, however....

Seemed rather displeased to see her. 

"Hi, Jane," he said, not even sparing her a glance. "Where's your father?" 

Jane, oblivious to the displeasing look on Logan's face, stretched forth her hand for a handshake. "It's good to have you again-as always."

Okay, she had a crush on him. 

Logan gave her a tight smile while still contemplating if he should take her open hand or not. He took it eventually. 

"Alpha Logan," a male voice boomed throughout the reception. Oh, I read about him. Alpha Bridge. He wasn't the alpha you ruled out as fearful and strong. But he had his own good perks as an alpha, too. Not that I could remember any of those perks. 

Logan bowed slightly as Alpha Bridge approached him. Alpha Bridge did the same, too, and I could tell from that gesture that they both equally respected themselves. 

Logan introduced me as his new secretary. "He'd be in charge of taking our minutes today." 

"Oh," Alpha Bridge stretched out his hand towards me. "I hope we have a good time working together." 

I took his hand diligently, afraid I might shake him in the wrong way. He pointed towards his office the moment my hand left his, and gestured that we would go in. 

Not that I loved to jump to conclusions, but I felt one of the reasons why Logan wasn't very pleased about going down to the Bloodmoon pack was because of Jane. She was so clingy. She wouldn't even leave his side. 

And during the meeting? She kept staring at him boldly, without feeling embarrassed. I took the embarrassment upon myself on her behalf. Did she know he had a mate already? A mate I hadn't found yet. 

Minutes taking was a hard task for me; I did it all the time back at the NIS quarters. But one thing struck a chord in me as I went through the notes taken back in the SUV we came in with. Logan wasn't back. He had declined to eat because he had other businesses to tend to at his pack. I hoped that wasn't true, though, because I was too tired to be assigned to another task already. 

I picked up my phone and emailed Kate. We decided to use emails to chat instead of the regular iMessage. I didn't want to risk the chance of my phone being checked, and my identity would be exposed. 

Two minutes later, Kate replied. 

My message: Kate, I know one of the victims of our Usub is Daniel. Do you know his surname?

Kate: Dumbass, I told you need to do better at remembering names. Yes, his name is Daniel Martins. 

I placed my hand over my mouth in shock as I read Kate's email again. Daniel Martins. I read the meeting minutes in my hand again to confirm my suspicions. 

"What of Daniel Martins?" Logan asked Bridge. "Have you heard anything from him since the last time I met him here?" 

"No, I haven't."

"As it should be," Logan said without batting an eye. 

What did Logan mean by "as it should be"? Did he say that because he knew that Daniel was dead? Or was it pure coincidence? And what business deal did Daniel have with them that they had to cross paths?

I took notes in my journal. I knew I'd have to report my new findings to the director once I got to the pack. Maybe Logan didn't go after his victims because they were too weak to prey on or anything. Maybe he did because they needed to be out of his business. 

The sudden sound of the door to the SUV made me jump on my skin, with my journal on the floor close to the door. I looked up to see Logan eyeing me with disgust. Then I looked to see that my journal was open, and the page facing me at that moment was where I drew connecting lines and dots between the victims of the serial murder case and Logan. 

I let out a low gasp and used my leg to close the journal before Logan could reach for it. "Alpha!!"

Did he see it? Oh my god!

"You are keeping a diary, Aub," Logan said, a look of surprise spread across his face. "What other feminine stuff do you do? Are you really not gay?"

I scoffed, pushing my glasses further into my face. "Since when has keeping diaries become a gay thing?"

He didn't seem to be convinced by what I had just said. He raised his eyebrows and his eyes narrowed at me as he stepped into the car. 

"I swear," I placed my hand on my chest. "It's not a diary, but a journal. How else would I keep note of all your schedules if I don't have a journal?" I said in my defense. 

"Whatever helps you sleep at night," he responded with an evil grin. That bastard!!

It was evening by the time we got to pack. And luckily for me, Logan dismissed me. 

I planned to get to my dorm, take my bath, and have a wonderful sleep before dinner. But luck wasn't on my side, so all my roommates were present in the room. 

"Why are you guys here?" I asked, bewildered at the sight before me. They were supposed to be on the training ground.

"We are happy to see you too, Aub," Steve said, not taking his eyes away from the glutes he was lifting. 

How was I supposed to take my bath? 

"You must be tired," Mathew said, dropping the book in his hand to look at me. "Why don't you take your bath? It will soon be dinner time. Then we can go together."

There was no way I'd take my bath with three grown men in the room. I needed an alternative. 

It had been almost thirty minutes since I wandered into the woods, searching for the spring. I had heard the pack had. I used the excuse of having another appointment with the alpha to leave the room. 

Now, I just need a place with flowing water to dip myself in. Found one! 

It was so refreshing. I used to like pools, but I've never had my bath in an actual spring before. It was fascinating and refreshing at the same time. Maybe I'd keep visiting that spot since I saw no one in sight. I thought to myself. 

I put on my clothes and started to head back to the pack. I needed to make it back before the pack dinner began; if not, my roommates would figure I had lied. 

"It's such a beautiful evening," I said to myself. 

"I know, right?"

I jumped back as a figure appeared from behind a tree. It was Jeremy. I knew from the look in his eyes that I had been caught. 

"Did you see?" I asked with a shaking voice, even though the answer was loud and clear already. 

He smiled, which was strange. "I wonder what you are trying to hide by dressing as a male when you are a female, Aub." Shit!

"Aub, is that even your real name?"