Chapter 44 - The Tycoon Alpha's Temptation

ROSE’S POV

“Who else knew about the cell phone?”

I blurted to Alpha King Josh as I arrived in the dining hall.

His face knitted into a frown that indicated his confusion. “What are you talking about, Rose?” he looked away from me which made me realize that he was still hung up on the heated moment we had in my room.

“And you aren't exactly helping with that bodycon gown you are wearing, Rose.”

Cali etched but I rolled my eyes. Thanks to the cold shower, I have gotten over the heat and now I am ready to ask questions that really matter.

It was time I start investigating the case of Alpha Richard’s eyes and ears in the Royal Pack of the Northern territory.

“Are you still in this realm with me?”

Aloha King Josh’s voice called me out of my thoughts and I sighed, sitting comfortably in my usual sit beside him…. Except I didn't sit there for the last week because I was avoiding him.

But that was bygone now.

“Yes, Josh. I was asking, who else knew you were getting me a cell phone? Did you tell someone or ask someone to get them for you?”

I might actually sound crazy right now but getting an answer might help me narrow down the uncountable and untraceable eyes and ears that belonged to my chosen mate– Alpha Richard.

“If you must know, Eric, Adam, Nora, and... That's all.” Alpha King Josh answered nonchalantly. He didn't meet my gaze as he spoke either.

Eric, Adam, and Nora….

Again, Adam remained a suspect but Eric seemed too easygoing to be associated with Alpha Richard.

Cali corrected, “He is feeble-minded. That makes him the perfect prey for Alpha Richard. Adam is too oriented to be used by Alpha Richard but I still don't like him. He might be greedy though so don't rule him out.”

Noting Cali’s observation, I said to my wolf beast, “What do you think about Nora? She doesn't seem like the kind of person to get involved in this twisted shít.”

“But she was able to make me like her on the very first day we met her. What if she was actually on a mission? Perhaps she is running something other than her clothing store. That would be a shame though. I was really liking her.”

Cali expressed but as a smart wolf, she knew not to trust anyone right now. So, Nora has also entered the book of suspects.

I don't know if this is what I should be doing right now but at least I was making a move.

“Perhaps it's time to pay more attention to Eric and also visit Nora’s store.”

I informed my wolf beast just as Alpha King Josh tapped the table, grabbing my attention.

He voiced firmly like he was fighting to keep his emotions in check, “I don't know when you will feel comfortable enough to tell me what's going on, Rose but when you do, I will still be waiting for you, okay?”

He patted my hand lightly but quickly detached like my skin burned him. His car eyes also shifted around the hall as if he was trying to check if anyone has seen him touching me. What was going on with him? I wouldn't know.

At this point, I began to doubt he was flattered because of me. It appeared there was something else— something bigger than me perhaps.

“I will keep that in mind, Alpha King Josh.” I responded, staring at his guarded face.

Leaning closer to him, I whispered, “Can you tell me about how you met Eric and why you trust him with your business?”

My question caught Alpha King Josh off guard and so was my closeness to him. I leaned away from me, gaping uncomfortably.

I raised an eyebrow, expecting an answer from Alpha King Josh but he was fazed by me, and before he could reply, Eric’s voice resonated in the hall as he made his way towards the table, “If we haven't been going to work together and if u haven't heard you complaining about the workload, I would have assumed you are out to get my job and turn the Alpha King’s back to me.”

That right there was the disadvantage of staying in the same house as my core suspects… To make matters worse, two of my suspects are strong werewolves with unquestionably high senses. Eric might not look like it but he is strong.

“You know me well enough to know that was a harmless question, Eric. I am amazed by how well you shoulder the workload so I got curious about you.”

I stated, putting efforts into smoking innocently so as to not alert Eric of my intentions… That is if he was the so-called eyes and ears I was trying to smoke out.

However, Beta Adam strolled in, almost destroying my perfect mask. Adam chimed, “If you are really curious why haven't you asked Eric? I am sure you had a lot of chances during the last few days as you both journey to the company together. You could have asked him later, in fact.”

Gosh, do I hate Adam…

Beta Adam sat down and added with a frown, “If I didn't trust you, I would have thought you have ulterior motives, Rose.”

I snorted, “If I didn't know better, I would stupidly believe you trust me. Have you seen the way you look at me and monitor my moves? I can tell you have something against me, Beta Adam. Man up and say it to my face.”

Maybe I overreacted. Just maybe I was taking this investigation matter too seriously... But still. My life depended on the outcome.

I couldn't fail.

“Maybe I will just say it–” Adam gritted.

But his revelation was cut short when Alpha King Josh barked, “Shut the fùck up! Both of you!”

I shrunk into my seat. Obviously, he ass referring to his Beta and me.

Do I like the way he sounded? No. I did not.

But I would have done the same if I was in his shoes and had his authority.

But Cali called not attention to something I had missed. She etched, “He stopped Adam from speaking because he already knows what Adam wanted to say to you, Rose. For some reason, I think you should keep an eye on both of them. Adam might just be the one we have been searching for and we don't want him to get to Josh before us.”

My heart shattered as I considered the fact that Alpha King Josh might know something and he didn't tell me about it. Adam could be destroying me before Josh while all I have been doing was making a fool of myself before him.

Alpha King Josh ordered, “We will all be civil as we eat breakfast and I do not want to see you both arguing like kids anymore. I am tired of that.”

“Do I make myself clear?”

Alpha King Josh inquired sternly.

Together and while holding each other's gaze, Adam and I replied, “Yes, My King.”

“Very well.” Alpha King Josh said.

Eric basically became one of the furniture in the hall at that moment. However, one look at Eric reminded me of an important issue that I was supposed to bring to Alpha King Josh’s notice.

I cleared my throat just as the kitchen staff began to come into the ball with trays in their hands.

“What do you want to say, Rose?”

Alpha King Josh asked. Even though he was looking at me, he could sense my gaze on him and I grabbed my chance.

“The team and I were hoping you would visit the company tomorrow. We will like to present an official report–”

Beta Adam interjected, “He won't be available tomorrow. We have important business to attend to.”

I frowned, “what could be more important than the project?”

I knew how much Josh valued the human alliance project. There was no way he had something more important.

Before Josh could respond, Beta Adam revealed, “Perhaps his favorite woman is meeting him tomorrow. She is more important.”

Just to be clear, Josh’s mother was dead and he doesn't have a sister…. Who the fuck was his favorite woman and what was their relationship?

Cali raged within me when Alpha King Josh didn't try to correct Adam and his reaction simply confirmed Adam’s words.

“You are meeting a woman tomorrow?”

Letting go of my pride, I questioned without hiding my emotions. If he wasn't ready to say something, I would ask questions and get answers out of him.

But rather than give me answers, Alpha King Josh stated, “Just drop it, Rose. I won't be available tomorrow.”

The seriousness in his voice smashed my shattered heart further and just like that, I became a desperate stalker who monitors and follows the Alpha King.

Call it jealousy but I call it keeping an eye on Alpha King Josh.