Jasper!

The decision is made; five days of Miami beach and then the weekend at the Kingdom, where I meet Ralph's family. And after that, I have to make the decision of a lifetime.
With mixed feelings, I am looking forward to my visit to the Kingdom, after the traumatic experience with Jasper's family, I am not really waiting for a repeat. They were warm and inviting at first when Jasper brought me to the packhouse, but over the years, they showed their true nature. They were downright mean and never missed an opportunity to remind me that I didn't add any value to the Alpha clan and pack.
So I am always suspicious of people who are very friendly at first.
Sometimes those nice faces are just fake, so I always remain wary and aloof.
It was conspicuous to my colleagues that I took leave exactly when Ralph announced he would end his visit to the company. That was oil on the gossip fire, to many, this was the proof of our secret love affair. But no one dares ask us upfront, everyone knows how I value my privacy and Ralph is not really someone you can approach with personal questions.
There are five more days before we leave.
Ralph wants to catch up on all the overdue work and finish pending appointments. He hates that others have to complete work he leaves behind. On today's agenda is a meeting with a rich new client, a billionaire, to be exact. It's a company that, strangely enough, without any other investment partners, has bought a piece of land where they want to build a cruise terminal. It is an ambitious project costing millions of dollars and Conselho Construction Enterprises won the bidding. We were not the lowest bid, but the quality we can guarantee and our portfolio of successfully completed works speak volumes.
The top management will come to our company today to go through the project in full, we will have the chance to hear their special wishes and grievances firsthand. And I, as the financial manager, will be the focal point of the negotiations, as is often the case. I step into Ralph's office, where three more vice presidents are present. We do a final check on the project, list questions from our side for the client, and then a marketing talk by one of my colleagues follows. For some unknown reason, I am very enthusiastic about this new client. Unlike the other assignment, I have been working on the numbers with more enjoyment and dedication. I also tried to advise the technical department on the design. There I had some backlash, soon accused of coveting the job of a colleague, especially now that I was dating the CEO.
"Mr. del Conselho, the client has arrived. They came with three men," Ralph's secretary informs us at one point. Expectantly, I jump out of my chair, so ready to embark on this new challenge. We step into the conference room, Ralph in front, the vice presidents and finally me. Ralph warmly approaches the guests with a stretched hand. And then it hit me, that remarkable scent I recognize from thousands. Although I don't have my wolf yet, I can tell the scents of werewolves apart, one of the few abilities proving I'm part of this species.
It is a unique cologne, personally fabricated for my mate by a pack member who is a master at this. Jasper!
He's here! In this conference room. My heart beats loudly with joy, glistening eyes search the room until I meet his eyes. A smile breaks across my face, he too seems relieved to see me. "Jasper," I whisper and walk, no, run to him.
"Rain!" he also whispers and spreads his arms wide. I throw myself against his chest, his hands holding me against his warm chest. "How I've missed you. Finally I see you again," he says softly in my ear. I inhale his scent deeply and I feel whole again. This is what I needed all along.
Someone clears his throat next to us and I let go of Jasper, still staring into his eyes.
"Maybe you guys are able to postpone the reunion. We have some business to take care of here", someone teases. When I turn around, I see Jace standing there, Jasper's Beta and my best friend. He greets me with a kiss on the cheek before I take my seat next to a sour looking Ralph. As the meeting begins and the atmosphere becomes businesslike, I mend my posture. I avoid looking at Jasper, knowing he will break down my professional attitude right away. With difficulty, I can stay far from him; I long to be close to my mate, have missed him so much.
When it's my turn to explain the numbers, I feel the stares of Jasper burning on my body. Still I avoid looking straight at him. In Jace's eyes, I read admiration; Jasper's adoration is almost palpable in the room. The third man they have come up with is unknown to me, but he is introduced as their company's technical expert.

As the three take questions, I suggest some changes to the original design, which had previously been rejected by our technical department. The three men listen attentively to my recommendations while the vice presidents frown with irritation. When I finish, Jasper looks at his expert. "Are her proposals technically feasible, Ian?" he asks the man previously introduced as Mr. Dougerty. "Absolutely. But whether it is commercially and strategically practicable, we have yet to discuss," the man replies.
Resolutely, Jasper turns to Ralph.
"Rain's proposals have to go into the design. And anything she thinks should be changed," he declares matter- of- factly. A warm feeling of pride rises to my head as I look at him. And then the meeting comes to an end. We all stand up, Jasper walking straight toward me. "That was an excellent presentation, Rain. I knew there was much more to you," he compliments me without keeping the affection out of his eyes. He holds me by the hand and leads me out of the conference room. In a trance, I let him carry me along until we reach the elevator. When the doors close, he seizes my head and captures my lips. We forget everything around us, kiss the shit out of each other.
How I have yearned for this. Dreaming for years of being in Jasper's arms again.
When we let go of each other breathlessly, all I could do was stare at him. "Jace will explain to your chief why we had to leave. We're going to my apartment. Is that what you want too, my love?" he asks, looking tenderly into my eyes. Still speechless, I nod. My mate takes me to his car and helps me get in. With my hand in his and on his lips, we drive away at high speed to wherever fate leads us. ...