Rhys' PoV
I could sense the rage pouring off her every second, but I'm having way too much fun.
I bet she didn't even know that her eyes glowed brighter anytime she's angry. Almost as if it wanted a contest with the sun.
There's not a single shifter with eyes this golden. Most times, it's either the color of the moon, the sky, the forest, or, at best, green like an emerald.
Hers was simply out of this world, and I had this weird feeling that I wouldn't get bored with staring at her.
Especially since she smelled like the best thing in the world.
Hopefully, my mate would smell this good.
I twirled a pen in my hand slowly before finally replying to her.
"Condition one is that you go to a ball with me this evening as my date."
Damn those golden eyes. They are still glowing with rage.
"Go to a ball with you? How does that affect research in any way?" She's looking at me like she just heard the most ridiculous thing in the world.
"Oh, princess, it affects everything. How do I know you are not a spy sent by Jackson to destroy my laboratory?"
"Jason," she corrected.
I sure knew it was Jason, and I felt uncomfortable about her correcting me.
Jamie was probably right. Maybe she was in love with him. It made no sense why this goddess of a woman would find that sloppy man attractive, but love had never been easy to explain.
"All the Packs in this country are invited. The easiest way to know someone is to take them out."
She was silent for a minute, then she took a deep breath that made my eyes trace to her body.
Unlike the last time, this green dress left little to the imagination, and I wasn't wrong. Her curves were simply perfect, and there's just a way this green matched her hair and eyes.
It's been a while since I got any action. Maybe that's why I keep imagining Rena Mirel, who is a spy from the Sullivans, in my bed.
I should drop by Cate's house sometime this week.
"What's the second condition?" Rena asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.
"Oh, that's simple, you have to join my pack."
Before she could reply, I continued. "I'm sure you already know that the Carter Group only employs Rogues? It's because we have a strict rule where you have to join the Pack to work with us."
Rena shook her head strongly.
"I can go to the ball with you, but I can't join your Pack."
"Why?" I shot back, hoping she would slip up.
She closed her eyes briefly and took a deep breath. Did she take deep breaths this often?
"Due to some personal reasons, I don't think I can join your pack right now. However, I can sign legal contracts that protect both parties, and I can also agree to living here until the research is successful."
"Living here?"
"Would that be okay with Alpha Jackson? I have heard that both of you share a personal relationship."
I'm probing. I most certainly know, but I can't help it.
There's a sharp drop in the temperature, and when I met her gaze, I noticed that her eye color had dimmed.
"Alpha Rhys, is this how your recruitment process is? Needing to know everything about the person and even bringing baseless rumors to the table?"
She doesn't stop. "Just yesterday, Alpha Jason got married and crowned his Luna. Do you know what impact your careless words can have on my life?"
Rena was an amazing actress. If I didn't know any better. If I didn't have the pictures from my investigators, I would have really believed her.
Maybe she should consider a career in sales instead. I have this gut feeling that she could sell anything with this level of acting.
I didn't expose her lie and instead raised my arms up in mock surrender.
"You are right. I crossed the line."
She looked up at me with surprise, and I offered a small smile.
"The ball is by 8 pm."
"I'll send someone to assist you with preparing for the ball, and after the ball, I'll let you know my decision about your suggestion."
She seemed like she had a million words to say, but decided against it.
Instead, she just mumbled an okay, gave me a curt nod, then hurried out of my office.
For as much as first-person meetings go, this could be considered a success.
I had managed to rattle her, and I hoped that she would start making mistakes soon enough.
Jamie's citrusy scent wafted in even before he opened the door. He rushed in and sat beside me.
"What's wrong? Why did she look like you killed her family while leaving your office?"
I chuckled at his analogy.
"She said she's here to accept the offer to work with us."
Jamie's expression turned stern.
"That must mean their plans have changed."
I nodded since I had the same thought.
"So you turned her down? Was that why she was so mad?"
"She's mad because I rattled some of her feathers."
"As for her request, I gave her two conditions."
Jamie looked even more confused, and I quickly gave him a quick rundown of what had happened.
When I was done, he was howling in laughter.
"You really went for the kill. I'm surprised she didn't back off."
"She probably wouldn't want to work here after the ball anyway."
Firstly, she had no idea that Jason and the Sullivans would be at that party.
Although Rena was good at acting, I knew Jason wasn't, and I was going to make sure that he put a dent in their plans.
At this rate, I might never even have to invest a dollar before I send them running for the hills.
"Anything you need me to do?" Jamie asked as he adjusted his tie. I might end up giving him some tutorials.
"Get her into one of the staff rooms and send Lillian to help her get ready."
Rena was going to give me a good show tonight.
She needed to look her best while she was at it.