Elena's back
RICHARD
Liam had just narrated word-for-word what went down between him and Vince. He showed up and Vince cancelled the meeting, demanding that I show up instead or send a family representative.
“He's sick,” I hissed, intertwining my fingers. Anger was cooking inside me. And so was indignation. That bastard!
“I can't agree less,” Liam muttered. “But what are we gonna do? He gave us three days and if we don't do what he wants, he will claim the building.”
“He's an arrogant bastard.” Words couldn't do justice to how infuriated I was. They weren't enough to vent my anger.
“He is, but also an unreasonable one. I gather you both share equal rights to the building, right?”
I nodded. “Yeah. 55-45. That's almost equal.”
“Sure is, so why is he carelessly saying he's gonna claim the building? That goes against every business ethic I know. He can't claim it without your approval.”
I wish that were true. I wish Vince were ethical and followed protocols. But I know him too well to know he doesn't. He's a very ethical man when he wants to be. But very reckless and vicious when he wants to be too. There's no predicting him. And that keeps everyone around him on their toes. Even Leo can't be too comfortable around him.
“If he tries to claim the building, you can involve the elders and the justice committee. And if you don't wanna do it the traditional way, then take him to court. I'm sure you're gonna win.”
“Ah, yeah. Indeed.” I chuckled nervously, leaving the couch and pacing a bit.
“I don't understand. You don't think you're gonna win?”
“Liam, how well do you know Vince?”
“Well, we've been rivals in the past over business deals. But we've never really had a one-on-one face-off.”
“We were best friends for a long time. So I'm telling you I can't win a fight against him. A man like Vince stops at nothing to get what he wants. I only succeeded in depriving him of what he wanted once in the past…”
“Elena?”
“Yes. And he seems to be punishing me for it. He'd never let me win again, I know that much.”
“So you're gonna sit back and watch him claim the whole building? That's insane!”
“He wants a family representative. We'll give him that.”
Liam's eyes narrowed. “You…or…Elena?”
My heart skipped. But I was yet to answer that when she walked in.
“Father, is there a problem?”
“No…”
“Yes.” Liam intercepted. I gave him a sharp look but he was defiant. “She needs to know.”
“Know what?” Elena asked, staring at both of us in intervals. “Are they rogues invading our Pack soon?”
“No. Vince is demanding that your Father sell his rights to the tower building. Vince wants full ownership of it.”
“What?” She looked at me. “If you sell it, that's gonna be more of a loss, regardless of how much he's willing to buy it. I might be in the medical field now, but I started out in the business field, and I know this isn't good business.”
“I know. But what else can I do?”
“Father, you can't be serious. Vince isn't some monster. He's a man and you need to face him as one."
“Exactly. “ Liam seconded. “You shouldn't be so terrified of him, definitely not in a case like this. You're in the right. Don't fold so quickly.”
I let out hot breath, feeling stressed by all this. Sure, I can decide not to sell it. But Vince isn't gonna back down so easily. That's what terrifies me most.
“He's asking for a family representative in the next negotiation, Elena,” Liam told her.
“No, she's not going…”
“Why not, Father?” Elena chipped in. “You're clearly too terrified to face him. So maybe I should go in your place.”
“You shouldn't see Vince, dear. It's a bad idea.”
“Why? Because he's my daughter's Father?” She came closer, holding my hand. “Vince and I have nothing between us. I think I'm healed enough to confront him. I can do this, Father. Trust me.”
It wasn't a good idea. I couldn't pinpoint the reason but letting her meet Vince again didn't sound like a good idea. But she seems so determined, I wasn't sure how to stop her. So I weakly gave in.
“Alright, dear. But be careful.”
“Of course, Father.”
“Don't worry, I'll be by her side,” Liam assured. But that only made me more nervous.
I hope it works out great.
LEO
The gruesome pictures of the fallen Packs sent monstrous chills down my spine. The rogues had invaded the remaining Packs yesterday and ate them out like chickens. It was the most disgusting and disturbing thing I've ever had to look at.
“So no survivals?” Vince asked his men who were part of the round table meeting.
“None, boss,” Miguel replied. “They destroyed everyone. Hung their Alpha on a tree. Dug out his heart…”
“Okay, that's enough, please.” I signaled to him to stop. We didn't need the details. The pictures were enough to show us what happened.
“It's just three of us left,” Vince glanced at me. The panic in his voice was raw.
Three of us…he included Richard?
“Yeah,” I nodded, feeling way more agitated now that realization just dawned on me. It was three of us left. The rogues are attacking from least to greatest.
And among the three of us, I was the least. That part had my heart beating heavily against my chest.
“If only we can…maybe…who knows…invite some sorcerers and they help us figure out a way…” one of the men chipped in nervously.
Vince watched him quietly. Other times, he would have gone off on the man. Today, he was rather calm.
“It sucks to just keep protecting and hiding instead of fighting. If we fight back, those rogues will be gone. But we can't fight them without some traditional help, Alpha.” The man continued.
Vince was still silent. I wasn't sure if he was angry or considering inviting sorcerers.
“Or if we caught the one leading those rogues. If we even had an idea…it'd help us a great deal.” Another man added.
Vince glanced at me. This time, his gaze held guilt and turmoil. What's going on in his head?
“Please leave. All of you.” He said calmly.
They all stood, bowed, and left.
"I feel so guilty about this situation," he began in an agitated voice. "If I hadn't fathered that bastard, then the people wouldn't be facing such tragedies."
"What? You still suspect Trent as the mastermind of these massacres?"
“You don't agree with me?"
“I believe you, I do. But again, you can't be so sure if you don't have any evidence. You've been suspecting him for three years but there's been no clue that led to him being the leader of these rogues.”
He grunted, fisting his hands. “I just know that when I get my hands on that little piece of shit, I'm gonna tear him apart.”
“Sure, but what if it isn't him, man? How about you consider other possibilities? Maybe it's someone else. Maybe it's someone from the rogue camp where you were held hostage years ago.”
“It's Trent.” He repeated, matter-of-factly. He seemed so sure. Does he know something? He wasn't the type to work on just some gut feeling. He always had proof.
“Why do you think it's him? What do you know, Vince? Tell me.”
His facial expression convinced me even more that he knows something. But he was struggling to open up to me.
He finally sighed and shook his head. “I'll have one of the quarters prepared. Bring Cheryl and your son over here. If my guess is right, your Pack is the next they're gonna come for. I'm not saying we'll let them take it, I'm just taking precautions. You understand, right?”
“Yeah, of course, man. But…” I couldn't let it slide. I had to know. “...is there something you're not telling me, Vince?”
“I don't know, man. You'd be shocked out of your mind.” He chuckled sadly.
Now I was more curious than ever. “Why? What is it?”
He didn't get to say it because this little Jezebel just walked in.
Now that I think of it, she does this a lot. Always intruding whenever I'm having conversations with Vince.
Elena never did that to me. She always respected our space!
“Hey, Hun. Dinner's ready.” She went to his arms, tiptoeing to give him a kiss on his lips.
I looked away immediately refusing to taint my eyes. “I'll get going.”
“Later, man,” Vince said before she stole his lips again.
I left the room, walking down the hallway when my phone beeped. It was my mate, Cheryl.
My heart skipped a beat as I took the call.
“Please tell me you're alright,” I said nervously.
“I am. Is Vince alright?”
“Vince? Why?”
“You haven't heard?”
“Heard…what?”
“Elena's back.”
“What?!”
“She's in Richard's Pack right now.”
Holy shit. I did know she was marrying Liam but I never knew it was happening so fast.
Elena's back. That put me instantly in a good mood for two reasons. Firstly, I've missed her and it'd be great to see her again.
Secondly, I need her to fix Vince. The man's a walking dead and so far as I know, she's the only one who knows how to handle him.