Chapter 162
[Amelia's POV]
My mouth was still hanging open as Joseph's words echoed in the conference room. Alex Pike. The male lead. My Alex.
"Wait, what?" I managed to croak out, my voice barely above a whisper. "You want Alex to... to act? In a movie? With me?"
Joseph's eyes twinkled with what I was beginning to recognize as barely suppressed amusement. Harper leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, watching my reaction with obvious interest.
"That's exactly what we're proposing," Joseph confirmed, his tone matter-of-fact. "Alex has expressed interest in expanding his professional portfolio, and this project presents the perfect opportunity."
I felt my eyebrows shoot up so high they probably disappeared into my hairline. "But..." I started, my mind racing. This was insane. Completely insane. "The photos from the festival already caused enough drama. If we're in a movie together, playing romantic leads, the media will go absolutely crazy."
The words tumbled out faster as my panic grew. "Everyone will assume we're actually together. The rumors will start all over again, probably worse than before. The Pack's reputation, the movie's credibility..." I gestured helplessly. "It'll be a circus!"
"But—" Joseph began, but he was cut off by the sudden sound of the conference room door being thrown open.
Alex strode in like he owned the place – which, technically, he did. His Alpha presence immediately filled the room, making the air feel charged and electric. Those amber eyes were blazing with determination, and his jaw was set in that stubborn line I was starting to recognize.
"But I think this film is perfect for me," Alex announced without preamble, his gaze sweeping over Joseph and Harper before landing on me. "And I want to expand my professional horizons."
I stared at him, my heart doing that annoying flutter thing it always did when he was around. Focus, Amelia. Focus.
"You can't just decide things based on what you want," I said, my voice sharper than I intended. Heat rose in my cheeks as I met his intense stare. "You have to consider the impact on public opinion too."
Alex's mouth quirked into that infuriating half-smile that made my knees weak. "I'm actually counting on the public reaction."
Joseph and Harper exchanged a look that screamed 'we don't get paid enough for this Pack drama.' As experienced Beta werewolves who'd probably witnessed more than their fair share of Alpha-Omega tensions, they had the good sense to start gathering their papers.
"We'll... give you two some privacy to discuss this," Harper said diplomatically, already standing. "Take all the time you need."
Joseph nodded agreement, practically speed-walking toward the door. "Just let us know when you've reached a decision."
And then they were gone.
Alex moved around the table with that predatory grace of his, settling into the chair next to mine. Too close. Way too close. His scent hit me immediately.
"You want to explain what you meant by 'counting on the public reaction'?" I asked, proud that my voice sounded relatively steady.
Alex leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "If we star in a movie together and create something amazing, we could become America's sweethearts. The perfect on-screen couple."
I blinked at him. "And then?"
"Then, when we eventually go public with our relationship, it won't be a scandal. It'll be a fairy tale." His amber eyes were practically glowing now. "The Alpha and his Omega, bringing their incredible chemistry from the big screen into real life. The media will eat it up."
I sat back, processing this. It was... actually brilliant. Manipulative as hell, but brilliant.
"That's..." I started, then stopped. "That could actually work."
Alex's smile widened, and I felt my resolve crumbling like a sandcastle at high tide. Damn him and his strategic mind.
"But," I continued, holding up a finger, "there's one tiny problem with your master plan."
"Which is?"
"Do you actually have any acting experience?" I crossed my arms and gave him my most skeptical look. "Because last time I checked, running a Pack and being devastatingly handsome doesn't automatically qualify you for Hollywood."
Alex had the audacity to chuckle. "Does performing in the elementary school Christmas play count?"
The serious expression I'd been trying to maintain cracked immediately. A laugh bubbled up from my chest before I could stop it.
"Oh my God," I gasped between giggles. "You're serious, aren't you? The mighty Alpha of Silver Moon Pack, whose most recent acting credit is playing a wise man in fourth grade."
"Hey, I was a very convincing wise man," Alex protested, but his eyes were dancing with amusement. "I brought frankincense and everything."
I was full-on laughing now, the kind of helpless laughter that made my whole body shake. All the tension from the past week – the press conference, the rumors, the careful distance we'd been maintaining – seemed to melt away.
Alex was staring at me with an expression I couldn't quite read. His amber eyes had gone soft and warm, with just a hint of that golden glow that meant Liam was close to the surface. There was something almost reverent in the way he was looking at me, like I was something precious and perfect.
"What?" I asked, my laughter finally subsiding into breathless giggles.
Instead of answering, Alex reached over and cupped my face in his hands. Before I could react, he was kissing me – deep and possessive and completely inappropriate for a conference room in the middle of the work day.
My brain short-circuited. One second I was laughing about Christmas plays, and the next I was melting into Alex's kiss like I'd been starving for it. Which, honestly, I had been. A week of professional distance had been torture.
But as Alex's hand tangled in my hair, reality came crashing back. I pressed my hands against his chest and pulled away, gasping.
"Alex!" I whispered urgently, glancing toward the door. "We can't – not here! What if someone comes in?"
Alex's eyes were still that molten gold color, and his breathing was slightly uneven. "Then they'll learn to knock first."
"I'm serious," I insisted, even though my treacherous body was already leaning back toward him. "We agreed to keep things professional at work."
Alex stood up abruptly, his hand finding mine and tugging me to my feet. "You're right," he said, his voice rough with barely controlled want. "This isn't the place."
He was already moving toward the door, pulling me along with him. "Time to go home."