The Genius Delta novel Chapter 5

I’d just managed to get into my lab before I got a text from Shikoba telling me the interns were being sent to the mentors. I was getting a workstation prepped for Persephone to use when my lab door slammed open. I turned in surprise at the aggressive way the door was opened, ready to tell off whomever it was. I didn’t get that chance because hot coffee was thrown at me, and I was called something in Italian, and I bet it wasn’t pleasant.

I’m a werewolf, so I’ll heal from the minor burn from the hot liquid, but it hurt, and I shouted at the offending individual. I was so damn flustered with my annoyance and the pain that I ignored the person that threw coffee at me. Hell, I didn’t even think about taking my shirt off in front of this belligerent stranger.

I paid closer attention as I tried to dry the coffee off my chest. Jaci had been inching closer, trying to get me to focus on the person in the room with me. And when I smelled that new car scent from near my bunker, it hit me. My mate, my mate just cussed me out and threw coffee at me. I looked up and was stunned. She’s gorgeous with long blonde hair in a french braid, making me look like a damn bum in tweed dress pants, a blue and white floral print blouse, and a white blazer.

While I was busy gawking, Jaci had pushed forward to claim her as our mate. I came to my senses as he started to move toward her. My eyes connected with those green eyes, and it clicked. She’s Persephone Fayte. She’s supposed to be off-limits.

‘She’s our mate. Nothing is off limits.’ Jaci snorted.

I ignored him as I managed to sound like an idiot before wandering off like some prepubescent boy embarrassed by a cute girl seeing him half-dressed. She at least apologized for throwing coffee at me and explained why she did it. I made a mental note to run a diagnostic on my onboard computer to see how an email meant for Shikoba ended up in Persephone’s inbox.

After I found a new shirt and pulled it on, I realized why it was in the lab. It was covered in stains from a project I’d worked on the last time I was in the office. Logan is our Alpha and is more likely to be seen in jeans and flannel, but they are always clean with no rips. I am striking out at every turn to show myself to be a competent man, to show I’m a guy who can look like a scientist and pack Delta.

“I just wanted to make you feel welcomed. It’s your first day here, and I’m supposed to be your liaison and wanted to make something of a good first impression.” I shrugged.

“Well, you’ve certainly made an impression. Do you usually remove clothes at work? Or am I just special?” Persephone teased. Her eyes changed colors for a brief moment which told me that it was more from her wolf.

“No, undressing is not something I do at work unless something dangerous is spilled on me,” I explained. I didn’t need Persephone thinking that was a regular thing for me to do. I don’t offer strip shows to people.

“Though I’m glad the email didn’t actually get to whom it was meant for,” I admitted remembering my talk with Shikoba about not wanting to make Persephone stand out with any favoritism.

“And why are you glad the right person didn’t get the email? It would have saved me from throwing coffee on you.” Persephone arched her brow.

“While that part is true. If you had gotten a special-order coffee and the other interns found out….” I gestured with my hand for her to connect the dots.

“They’d think I’m here because of some favoritism and grill me about who I know in the company.” Persephone sighed. At least she wasn’t angry about it and understood where I was coming from.

“Not that I know you. I know of you from Kurt, Isis, and Darren. And I doubt a random employee would have the kind of pull to get me an internship. Heck, I was rejected for the internship program the last two summers. So I know I earned being here.” She pointed out.

“Yeah…” I played along. “I don’t get a say in who gets an internship invitation.”

I hand-picked everyone intern and employee in this building. I didn’t ever interview anyone in person, but I watched their interviews, and it was always my final say on who got approved. With the interns, I do a blind selection, meaning I didn’t see the name of who submitted. All I looked at was their project to determine if they had what I was looking for. So she’s right. She earned her spot.

“I’m glad you made the cut this year.” I smiled, letting myself walk closer, drawn in by her scent.

“That makes two of us.” She said, licking her lips as the space between us was mere inches.

I was about to give into her tongue’s taunting, leaning closer to kiss her, when a knock at my lab door made us both jolt backward. The door opened, and a girl I didn’t recognize poked her head in with a sheepish look in her gray eyes and a blush staining her cheeks.

“Oh… sorry. I’m a little lost. I’m Mila Turner, one of the interns.” She apologized in a soft voice.

“No worries, Mila. I’m Jonny, and this is Persephone.” I assured her as I pointed to myself and then to Persephone. “Who are you looking for?”

I was trying to be polite and friendly, which I generally am. Persephone, however, didn’t look thrilled. I guess I can get it. Mila’s interruption did stop us from kissing. But that might not be that bad of a thing. We are at work. I don’t want any issues for her here, and getting caught making out with me, especially on her first day, would create many problems.

“Hi. I remember Persephone from orientation. We’re the youngest interns.” Mila smiled, stepping further into my lab, becoming more comfortable. “I didn’t catch your last name, Jonny.” She flashed a flirty smile my way as she offered her hand.