A Name That Shouldn’t Be There
Certain she had misheard Alpha Damon, Amber blinked and exclaimed loudly. “Excuse me?”
Alpha Damon’s sharp gaze didn’t waver as he repeated “Why isn’t your name on the list?”
She stiffened. “Because I’m the matchmaker, not the match.”
He leaned forward, resting his arms on the desk. “That’s not a real answer.”
“It’s the only answer.”
Damon smirked. “Is it?”
Amber exhaled sharply, shaking her head.
“I don’t think it is.” His voice was calm, but his amusement was unmistakable.
She lifted her chin. “I can’t include my name.”
His brow arched. “Why not?”
“Because I—” She hesitated, biting her lip. “It’s just not possible. I'm a matchmaker.”
Damon’s eyes glimmered with something unreadable. “But I have a limited candidates and you are also a member of this pack. Your name should be there as a candidate.”
Amber had no idea what point he was driving at but she knew she couldn't include her name. She had never done that and she wasn't ready to do that now.
So far, matchmaking the Alpha had proven to be just as difficult as she had imagined. Matchmaking was hard but this was harder.
“Have you ever dated before?” his sudden question jerked her out of her reverie.
Amber’s breath caught. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“Just answer.”
She looked away. “No.”
A slow smirk spread across his face. “Interesting.”
Amber crossed her arms. “What’s so interesting about that?”
Damon tilted his head. “A woman who has never dated is somehow the best matchmaker in the pack. That’s intriguing.”
She flushed. “I observe people. I understand relationships.”
“Yet, you’ve never been in one.”
Amber swallowed. “That’s irrelevant.”
Damon leaned back, studying her. “Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why have you never dated?”
Amber frowned, suddenly uncomfortable. “I never had time.”
His smirk deepened. “Or is it that you never found the right person?”
Her pulse quickened. “This isn’t about me.”
He chuckled. “It is now.”
Amber’s face burned as she recalled how close he had gotten to her the previous day. She straightened, pushing back the memory. “I should be the one asking the questions, not the other way around.”
Damon’s lips curled into a knowing smirk. “I’m simply curious.”
“Well, don’t be.”
He grinned. “That only makes me more curious.”
Amber exhaled, standing abruptly. “I need to go. I need to see Ciara and the others.”
Damon’s amusement faded slightly as he watched her. Just as she reached the door, his voice stopped her.
“Either you put your name on the list or don’t bother about the matchmaking anymore.”
Amber turned sharply, eyes widening. “What?”
“You heard me.” His tone was firm, his gaze unreadable. “Your name goes on the list, or this search is over.”
Her heart pounded. “You’re not serious.”
Damon simply shrugged. “I am. You are also a candidate so your name should be there. That's your job. Mine is to choose.”
Amber’s mind raced. Was this a test? A joke? Or was he truly considering her?
She hesitated before nodding slowly. “Fine. I’ll return with the list by evening.”
Damon smirked. “I’ll be waiting.”
Without another word, Amber turned and left, her thoughts in complete turmoil.