“So, Linda, make it quick, we can’t be seen together now that you no longer work there.”
“Watch how you talk to me, Howard. I know a lot. I could destroy you and your precious daughter! I could expose everything to the Alpha Council!”
“Don’t threaten me, Linda. Remember who ranks higher in the pack.”
“Then don’t abandon me, Howard! And if anyone sees us, just say I came begging for your help to get my job back and that you felt sorry for me.”
“Fine. What do you want?”
“Oh, what do I want, Howard? Money, of course. And my job back. And to know why you’ve been avoiding me. It’s been a long time since we met, I miss you!” She said in a syrupy voice, tried to be seductive. Goddess, this woman was pathetic!
“Linda, things got really complicated after you left the Alpha’s office. I don’t know what that Alpha pup is up to anymore. So you need to be patient.”
“Howard, I’m not patient. Figure something out, do something for me, or I’ll start talking. You better not forget that I was the one who planted that fake waiter at the pack gathering to serve the drugged drink to Alpha Draven, and that’s the only reason your little daughter could make him think he slept with her, but we know he didn’t, right? What I gave him knocked him out cold.” Linda had a malicious little smile on her face. “Besides, your daughter isn’t even pregnant yet, and it was only thanks to me that that idiot managed to forge the test at Draven’s trusted lab. But I had to pay good money to the nurse who helped me with that inside, and you still haven’t paid me back for it.”
“Alright, Linda.” I sighed, trying to think,this woman had become a real thorn in my side. “Do this, meet me at the apartment during lunch, I’ll give you a little treat.”
“Great! I’m heading there now.”
Linda stood up and left. What a devil of a woman. I needed to keep her quiet until my plan came together. Or made her disappear. But she could still be useful; she has many contacts in places Draven frequents. At the Pack Social Club, for instance, the receptionist always lets us know when that dimwit is there, which would make things easier for little Ella.
I finished my coffee and went to the office. The caf? owner didn’t even see me leave; she was glued to her crossword puzzle. I bet if a rogue wolf came in and cleaned out the place, she wouldn’t even notice.
I looked at all these people I didn’t even know rushing back and forth on the floor. These marketing folks made too much noise, they were too cheerful,didn’t even look like they were working. I entered my office, which was basically a cubicle, and it put me in a terrible mood. This place was becoming hell for an elder of my standing.
My phone vibrated and I checked the message,
“Do you know anything about the system that’s going to be implemented?”
It was Gilbert. Why this now? I had no idea what system he was talking about. Must be some other piece of junk on the market. I told him exactly that, and another message from him arrived immediately.
“Better be junk. I had breakfast with an accountant friend who told me about a new Puma Global system that connects the entire company and is fraud-proof. One decimal point out of place and the system flags it and blocks operations. Puma’s owner is friends with Alpha Draven; I hope he hasn’t bought this system. The Puma system costs a fortune.”
What the hell was this? I didn’t even know this was possible. But it was definitely not that one-I received the contract and payment order; it was from another company and relatively cheap. Ah, Gilbert was just being paranoid. I sent him a message telling him this and to calm down.
I was going to pressure Draven about my floor now. I picked up the phone and that secretary who came from who-knows-where answers. I said I want to speak with her Alpha, and after some delay, she transferred me.
“Alpha Draven, I need to talk to you,” I snapped impatiently, forgetting my place.
“What do you want, Elder Howard?” His voice was cold and authoritative.
“In person. Let me come up.”
“If you want to talk to me, it’ll be by mind-link or phone. I’m not in the mood to look at your face or smell your scent.” This pup would pay for every humiliation.
“Look here, Alpha, I can’t stay on the marketing floor anymore; it’s like a bunch of omega wolves living in chaos. These people have no discipline, no manners, no respect for an elder. Too much noise, too much chaos. And my floor has been under renovation for too long; this needs to end.”
“Listen here, Howard, respect for MY pack’s employees. MY floor will be ready when I want it to be, and anyway, I’m keeping you there with marketing just BECAUSE I WANT TO.” This son of a bitch was using his Alpha tone on me. I was going to kill him.
“Alpha Draven, don’t be childish. You know finance has always had its own floor, and there’s a reason for that.”
“Howard, it’s decided. Finance will permanently share the floor with marketing.” He said this and ended the call abruptly! I was going to kill this worthless excuse for an Alpha!
Right after, my phone rang and it was my insufferable mate demanding money because she was taking Ella shopping for a mating ceremony dress. And that I should go with them. Of course I wouldn’t, but I made a transfer to that annoying woman’s account and she left me alone.
I spent the rest of the morning irritated, and now it’s time to meet that idiot Linda. What a shitty day! I left my office and headed to the apartment. When I arrived, I found that annoying woman already waiting for me with a sandwich.
“What the hell is this, Linda! You couldn’t possibly have ordered something decent for my lunch?”
“Be grateful I even ordered a sandwich. I’m not your mate, Howard.”
I sighed and sat down to eat that sandwich. For the Moon Goddess’s sake, I like good food, I hate sandwiches, and this idiot knew that.
After eating, Linda starts,”I think you’re very stressed, Howard. Come here, I’ll give you some tea to calm you down.”
“That’s good. I’ll punish you until I’m nice and calm.”
I went to the bedroom and spent the rest of my lunch break with that woman. After getting dressed, I took my phone and transferred some money to her account.
“I sent you some money. Save it because things are tough at the company. Until the final move, it’s going to be complicated.”
“Fine, it’s enough for something,” she said, looking at the amount I transferred on her phone. “But what about my job?”
“That’s not possible right now, darling. Only after I take over. You know we’re together, and you’ll be my assistant.”
“And when are you going to leave your mate, Howard? You promised to perform the rejection ritual with her and take me as your new mate. I can’t stand my idiot mate anymore.”
“Darling, we’ll have to put up with it until everything is finished. I can’t stand that stupid woman of mine either. But as soon as the company and pack are mine, we’ll be together. Just have a little more patience.”
“Alright,” she sighed. “Your little daughter wants my help choosing her ceremony dress.”
“Great, choose the best one, my stupid mate has terrible taste.”
I left that woman there. I would get rid of her very soon, I couldn’t stand her anymore!
If all else failed, I had other plans.
Draven has always been a soft Alpha, too concerned with pack welfare rather than power. If necessary, I’d arrange for him to have an “accident” just like his parents did. Then with my daughter’s pup as the only heir, the Storm Valley Pack and enterprise would eventually fall to my control. After all, every Alpha can be replaced, and this one has been more trouble than he’s worth.
Draven’s POV
“Arthur, how much longer will this audit take?” I sighed into the phone. The pressure was mounting with each passing day.
“Your company’s financial statements and tax filings are an absolute mess, Draven. I wouldn’t be surprised if the IRS showed up to arrest you themselves,” Arthur White replied.
I pinched the bridge of my nose, feeling Alaric growl with irritation inside me. “Can it be resolved within three months?”
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