Defy The Alpha(s)

Chapter 438: The Sycophant

They applauded her like she had won a prize, yet it didn’t feel like a win to her. Natalie knew she was a puppet dancing on someone’s strings. And she didn’t like it one bit.

The charade was over, which meant the cameras had stopped rolling, and Natalie waited right outside the hall for Jameson.

It wasn’t long before Jameson arrived, laughing politely at whatever the two board members beside her said. Even her laughter was airy and professional. Jameson was always the picture of poise.

Natalie didn’t care that she was with guests, she pushed off the wall and stepped directly into her path.

The board members were startled at her abrupt appearance, their brows drawn in confusion. Jameson, as expected, took charge of the situation.

"Isn’t that our new Alpha? Oh—wait, that’s what the wolves say, right?" Jameson chuckled stiffly. "For humans, we say ’President,’ don’t we?"

She looked far too pleased with herself for a line that landed like a wet sock. Natalie just stared at her, deadpan. She was not flattered, nor amused. And she didn’t even pretend to be.

"I get it," she said to the board members. "She’s still in shock. We didn’t tell her about the position until the last minute. I’d be rattled too if I—"

"Is this funny to you?" Natalie cut her off, unamused.

The board members looked deeply uncomfortable now sensing the tension between them. Jameson turned to them with a sweet smile. "Why don’t you two head ahead? I’ll catch up shortly."

They left without hesitation.

As soon as they were gone, Jameson focused on her.

"What’s the problem, Natalie, dear?" she asked, her tone suddenly flattering. "You did great out there. We even tailored the script to your taste. I don’t see anything wrong."

"Do you think I’m stupid?" Natalie hissed.

Jameson said nothing.

I know for a fact that position was supposed to be Violet’s. So tone down

aback, silence dawning for a beat. Then Jameson sighed and ran a hand through

Violet Purple was the original

"Then what changed?"

shifted. We need someone neutral.

me." Natalie nodded, tone dry. "Or rather, went

Jameson didn’t deny it.

the Cardinal Alphas, you come from bloodlines that matter. When the fifth house is built, your

closer until they were

get what’s

stopped fazing her. These days, they sounded more like

glared hard enough, then turned

are you going?"

the fuck away

We

"I have classes."

"Your father’s waiting. And so is the

mid-step. Then

an invisible dust away from the girl’s

with her usual

Twenty minutes later....

the sight of Jameson standing beside it with her

ten," Jameson remarked dryly,

problem.

paid to hold the position she

if it involved playing chauffeur to a spoiled princess, she’d do it. As long as she kept her

Jameson got in behind the wheel. The ride was tense, awkward, and quiet until Natalie