Chapter 22 ~Echoes of the past: Dakota's return~
Xander's POV
Today was a weekend, and I decided to attend a board meeting at my family's firm, partially because I was avoiding Fiona as she hadn't spoken to me since the Nova situation, and partially because I was Junior Exec and I hadn't shown up for over two months.
Also, my dad had taken to quarrelling with me about finding time from hockey to attend to the firm, and Edgar Grayson was not someone who backed down.
I pulled up in my BMW M4. The big placard read ‘Grayson and Co. Investment’ on the building.
I adjusted my tie and walked in.
Apparently, I was late because the meeting was ending. I exchanged pleasantries with a few staff members.
I told Calvin to come along, but he said he’d come much later because of an engagement.
My father was seated in the head chair. He looked up as I walked in.
He lit up a cigar. “This is not the time the meeting starts.”
“I'd rather not even be here.” I shrugged and sat down.
He grunted, taking a puff. “Well, what can I say? Better you than your brother, who hasn't been here for over three years.”
He continued, bitterly. “All he does is mischief with that ‘girl’, like money grows on a tree.”
I chuckled internally, wondering if he referred to Fiona too as ‘that girl’.
“So, what's the plan now?” I asked, since I was late for the meeting. “Can I leave?”
“Where's your Beta?”
Calvin, one of the very few people Edgar Grayson tolerated, maybe even liked.
“He had something to do at the pack.” I responded. “Is there any problem?”
“I needed you both to handle something. The company needs a merger, so I opted for a few companies. A representative is coming from one.”
“So you need me to review them?” I sat up. “When is the representative coming?”
He took a short glance at his watch. “Soon, but I'll be unavailable.”
“Really? Why?”
“It has to do with the pack, I'll tell you later.” He stood up with the aid of his walker. “I need to leave now. My office is open and the files are in the first drawer.
“Okay.” I stood up and saw him to his car.
In about an hour, I'd gone over the files. Apparently we needed to secure a deal with some stockholding company, Reign ltd., to push our funds.
Glancing at the clock, I sighed in annoyance at the thought that the agent wasn't here yet.
“Mr. Xander,” my father's secretary walked in. “She's here.”
She? And why was she late?
“Bring her in.” I said, irritated.
I smelt her first before I saw her.
No, there's no way it could be true...
Memories came flooding into my mind. Of us playing as kids, my first kiss with her, our arguments in the garage.
Dakota. The first girl and maybe the only girl I'd ever loved.
“Xander.” She gave her signature half smile.
I memorized her features, her bangs, her long legs, her face with its sharp lines.
She looked different, but yet the same. “Dakota.”
She didn't look surprised to see me.
I knew my dad—or most probably my mother—had something to do with this.
Was this their way of taking Fiona out of the equation? Because they know the way I fee- felt about Dakota.
She was childhood friends with Nova and I. It was only after she travelled to Singapore that I started dating Nova. But I wanted Dakota first.
“Are you just gonna stand and stare at me, huh, Alexander?” She brushed her bangs with manicured crimson nails. “Or can we get seated?”
I quickly recovered, guiding her to the seat. She smelled expensive. “I'm sorry. Just surprised to see you.”
“Figured.” Her eyes pierced mine.
I sat down, uncomfortably. “I didn't know you were in America.”
“Yeah, I returned last year. But I've been shuttling between Singapore and the states because of daddy's business.”
Her father, Alpha Aaron Reign. How did I miss it, Reign ltd?
“What can I offer you?” I rang for the secretary as Dakota stayed quiet, looking at me. “Get chamomile tea for Ms. Reign here.”
“Okay, sir.” The secretary walked out.
“You remember.”
I nodded. Of course I remembered. “How's the pack?”
Her pack had previously faced a big attack, but thankfully, Alpha Aaron was able to regain control.
“Thriving.” She said simply. “How's Silvereign?”
“I'm now Alpha.”
“I heard.”
So she kept tabs?
“And how's Nova?” She asked. I shrugged. “I heard her parents are going through a divorce.”
‘Yeah. I know’, I thought to myself, that was what almost cost me my relationship. Consoling Nova on her parent's divorce. “There's a lot of catching up to do.”
I couldn't believe how polished my voice was when I'm with Dakota. So she had the same effect on me after all these years.
Was I even cheating on Fiona? Were we even real mates or just contractual?
“Yeah. My father was super busy and sent me instead…actually, now that I think about it, they probably set us up.” She chuckled, revealing her gap-toothed and dimpled smile.
“You're still single.” It wasn't a question. I could see no mark from a mating bond on her neck.
She looked offended for a bit, and then shrugged. “I'm with someone. A human, a doctor.”
I couldn't believe the sinking in my heart. Was I crazy?
“Sure. Let's go straight to business.” I handed her the files. “I'll need your father's signature here and here.”
“Mine will do.” She signed with a flourish.
“Then we'll proceed with the merger…” I shook my head. “I'm sorry… How did your dad let you date a human?"
“Are you jealous?” She asked, directly. When I didn't answer, she shrugged. “I have my ways. I heard that you've gotten a mate.”
I diverted my eyes. “Fiona, you should meet her. You'll love her.”
I knew Dakota liked smart people, because she herself was smart. Matter of fact, I initially started taking my schooling seriously because of her. In her words, ‘You can be a hockey star and a straight-A student, Alexander.’
That was why my parents cherished her till this day.
She stood up abruptly. “I need to take my leave, Alexander. We'll definitely catch up.”
I stood up in sync. “Sure thing, Dakota. It was lovely doing business with you.”
She arched an eyebrow, then gave her half smile. “It was nice seeing you after such a long time, Alexander.”
And she left.
I sat down in the chair.
What the hell was that? I made a mental note to accost my father over this.
This was diabolical. Manipulative at worst. I had a mate now and nothing would change that.
I needed to keep my distance from her. Dakota was… unpredictable.
She leaves when you try to commit to her, and then returns when you've healed, worms her way back in, only to dump you. Again.
In as much as I had a crush or whatever for her in the past, I needed stability in my life.
I was going over some files when Calvin mindlinked me.
Alpha,
Calvin, I've been waiting, it seems you can't make it today.
There's been a breach at the pack, some rogues attacked.
I stood up, alarmed.