Chapter Six: Big Shots
{ Vale }

"Hey monkey man, watch the road." Jessa laughed as I tried to mess up her email.

I knew she was using a teasing nickname based on my earlier actions from the monkey bars. "I told you no working this trip."

"It's important...plus it's George, I can't just ignore the pack Beta." She sounded.

I feigned hurt, "But you're choosing to ignore your Alpha by working, Pinky."

She smiled and finished up her email. "Pinky?"

I shrugged, "You gave me a nickname so I'm giving you a nickname."

"Monkey isn't a nickname more so me teasing you for acting like a child."

"Same...Pinky is in reference to your rather short stature...you're practically as small as my pinky finger." I filled her in.

"Smooth." She said with a smile and a shake of her head.

The GPS sounded shortly after to indicate we had reached the hotel.

"Pretty swanky." I said as I pulled up and a bellhop came forward, I opened the trunk and he began removing the luggage from the trunk, at the same time a valet walked up to the car and helped Jessa out of the car.

I handed him the keys but looked at the bellhop, "You can leave the suit in the backseat there, won't be needing it this weekend."

It was the suit I had packed for tonight's formal dinner but with the sudden arrival of my brothers allies I'd need a tuxedo instead.

"Yes sir."

The Valet handed me a ticket for the car and drove off, Jessa and I walked into the hotel alone.

"Welcome to the Hotel Rester Dans, how may I help you today?"

"We are trying to see if you have any availabilities?" I offered as we walked up to the counter.

"One room, King size bed?" She asked cheerfully.

I could see Jessa frantically shaking her head from the corner of my eye and I offered the lady a small smile and shake of my own head, "No ma'am, Seperate rooms please."

"My apologies sir...at the moment we currently only have single room availabilities or if you'd like we do have our luxury suites available, they are apartment style."

"What's the layout like?" I asked.

"As soon as you walk in there is a small kitchenette and a little further in is a living room...on either side of the living room is a beroom with a single bed, the only quirk is that the bedrooms do not have doors."

"No doors whatsoever?" I wondered.

She smiled, "there are doors for the restrooms of course but as the apartments are usually for families the parents like to have the visbility of their children."

"Well if that's all you have." I said as I handed her my credit card.

The elevator ride was sufficently awkward as neither of us knew what to say to one another knowing we'd soon be staying the night with each other.

I couldn't lie, Flora and Ash's suggesting there was something going on between Jessa and I wasn't the first time I've heard wonderings about us. And I wasn't blind, of course I could see she was a very pretty woman and seemed to have her shit together...and over the time working alongside her I've found her more than reliable, going above and beyond even.

The bellhop let us into room and moved to seperate the luggage, Jessa telling him which were hers and moving to enter the room to the left.

I got settled into the room on the right and after the bellhop had finished up I tipped him and he saw himself out.

I kicked my shoes off, I pulled my shirt off and stepped out of my jeans before I pulled the thick comforter back and got into the bed. I really was exhausted from working late into the night and then driving all morning only to come and play with the kids.

I let out a sigh and threw my arm over my face to try and shield my eyes from the sun seeping through the curtains.

A couple minutes went by and I was beginning to get comfortable enough to doze off when a knock sounded.

I moved my arm and opened my eyes only to find Jessa leaning against the door frame.

I sat up to give her my full attention and she seemed to tense a little.

"Oh...I hadn't realized...um, of course I'm disturbing you, that is...you said you were going to nap...-"

She was rambling, she's funny when she's nervous...no doubt this had to do with me currently being shirtless.

"Jessa..." I said giving her a reassuring smile to try and let her know she wasn't disturbing me, "How can I help you?"

She let out a deep breath and gave me an embarrassed sort of smile, "I was going out, to pick up an evening gown and I figured I could pick up a tux for you as well, save you having to go out."

I nodded, "Uh...do you mind?" I asked a little embarrassed now as I need my pants and motioned to them laying on the floor.

She shook her head, walked into the room, and picked up the pants from the floor and handed them to me. I reached into my back pocket to pull out my wallet, "You know my measurements and everything?" I wondered, The last thing I needed was to look sloppy in front of a room full of Alphas.

"I know your sizes having picked up your dry cleaning, but I was figuring, you have a suit in the car, I could use that for exact measurements if need be, and this way you can rest up some before dinner with the Alphas tonight."

"Well here you go then." I said handing her my credit card, "And please don't be stubborn...just use it to get your dress too."

I could see she was ready to protest.

"Don't make me order you Jessa." I teased to ease the serious mood and also handed her the valet ticket.

She smiled and I felt better. "thank you."

I shrugged, "It's nothing..."

She stood there for a moment longer, neither of us said anything.

"Something else you want to share with me?" I asked.

She blushed, "Oh...nope, uh, have a good nap."

I nodded, "Thanks, you too."

She laughed.

I closed my eyes and realized what I had said before I laughed alongside her, "I meant, with the shopping...whatever."

She turned to leave and I let my body fall back against the bed. I closed my eyes and let out a little chuckle as I replayed our conversation before I went to sleep.

_____

"Vale, Jessa...Welcome back." My brother greeted us as we walked into their home once again.

"You two look great." Flora sounded.

And in fact Jessa looked really pretty in a dark green dress, her red hair pulled back smoothly away from her face with a fancy barrette.

"Jessa if you'd like, Myself and some of the Lunas will be in the sitting room." Flora offered kindly.

I shook my head, "I'd like for Jessa to remain by my side this evening, as my personal assistant she will need to network as well as know exactly what is going on with our pack so as not to be surprised down the road."

I had initially thought to keep my brother's finances to myself...but seeing as our pack funds were now involved it was Jessa's right to know as she and George work alongside me on our own finances.

"Oh...if you think that's best." She said with a little uncertainty in her words.

Flora and other Lunas weren't usually seen sitting in on Alpha meetings, theres no rule against it but none of them have ever taken the initiative to sit in I suppose?

"Why wouldn't I, it is why I brought her after all."

Flora simply smiled and excused herelf to join the Lunas as she had mentioned previously.

"Well then you two...if you're ready, we've got business to attend to." Ash sighed, I knew he'd be worrying about his mates feelings. But now wasn't the time for any of that.

"Finances before feelings bro." I said as I gave him a reassuring pat on the back and we entered the office, Jessa trialing closely behind us.

They all looked at the three of us as we entered.

Ash had taken his seat behind his desk and I noticed he had placed a chair next to himself presumably for me, but I held my hand out to Jessa and offered her the seat instead, when Ash suggested I grab a chair I declined and stood behind Jessa's chair.

"Let's get this over with, I'm starving and I want to get out of this monkey suit." I grumbled.