KESTER
The thought of not talking to Kasmine for two days plagued me. I could barely live a normal life. But I had to stay away from her before I’d do something we both would regret.
1 didn’t want to hurt her. So, this was for the best.
I made an Inquiry from the hospital and found out that she was truly there my curiosity had got the better part of me, but that was as far as I let my curiosity take me. I refused to ask what she went there for. I’d want her to tell me herself.
A part of me felt I wouldn’t like what her reason would be. But I still wanted to know.
“Babe?” I heard a voice whisper to me while soft fingers grized my thigh, pulling me back to the reality displayed
in front of me.
It was June.
I had zoned out again. Fuck
I was there with them, but my attention was with someone else. Mine.
I lifted my gaze, and the dimly lit dining hall of the Mellors estate came back into focus, the heavy scent of roasted meat and aged wine pressing against me.
Across the long table, Alpha Mellors and Luna Shannon stared at me, their expressions painted with polite concern, while June eyed me to answer whatever question her father had just asked, which I missed because I was mentally absent from the meeting.
But I had missed it. Completely.
“You seem rather distracted, Alpha Kester,” Mellors observed, his voice dry and raspy, no thanks to sickness and time. His thin lips twisted slightly while his pale eyes narrowed as he studied me.
I straightened, forcing myself to focus. I felt embarrassed.
“My apologies, Alpha Mellors,” I said, clearing my throat. I have a lot on my mind.”
It wasn’t a lie.
But it wasn’t the kind of excuse an Alpha should be giving
I hated this being caught off guard, being seen as anything less than controlled, composed, and capable. And right now, I was radiating the exact opposite.
Alpha Mellors‘ pale eyes studied me. He leaned slightly forward, the candlelight emphasizing the deep lines on his face. “Does this distraction of yours have anything to do with Karina’s return?”
A flicker of irritation passed through me. He was prying, but it wasn’t unexpected. The Mellors were always watching and knowing.
Texhaled quietly, keeping my expression composed. “Somehow, it does.”
Alpha Mellors nodded slowly as if piecing things together. Then he leaned back in his chair, his frail frame sinking into the high–backed seat. “I know the people behind Karina. And they are the same ones behind the difficulties your business has been facing.”
It wasn’t news. Mellors knew for certain.
“I heard that some of your investors are already considering pulling out,” Luna Shannon end, “Customer Interest has declined. You’re losing inst. And once trust is gone, Keter, it’s nearly impossible to get it back”
I said nothing
Because fuck, she wasn’t wrong.
And hearing it laid out like this made my anger hun hoffer
And beneath that anger was shame.
I was an Alpha. A leader. And yet, my business my empire was slipping through my fingers while I sat pretending to give a damn about a lunch meeting 1 didn’t even want to be at
it
It was supposed to be a dinner meeting, but I had 11 moved to lunch Instead. The last thing I wanted was to give June an excuse to insist I stay the night in their pack.
Mellors took a slow sip of his wine before speaking again, But don’t worry too much about it,” he said with pride in his tone. “June loves you, and I know she’ll make a fine Lima, while you will make a perfect Alpha King after me.” His gaze met mine, “Once you’re at least engaged, I’ll see what I can do to stabilize things for you.!!
Mellors was reminding me exactly how vulnerable I was.
My jaw tightened, but I refused to let the frustration show. Anger wouldn’t serve me here, and neither would pride. I had walked into this meeting knowing what it meant, knowing what I had to do. That didn’t make it any easier to swallow.
I picked up my glass, rolling the stem between my fingers before taking a slow sip.
June’s grip on my thigh tightened slightly. I felt her inhale beside me like she was holding her breath for my reaction.
I kept my face as unreadable as ever as I nodded, keeping my voice steady. “I appreciate that, Alpha Mellors.”
I think it was time I took Norlan’s advice.
June exhaled softly, her fingers relaxing against my leg. From the corner of my eye, I saw the faintest smile touch her lips as if my answer reassured her.
If only she knew.
Alpha Mellors set his glass down with a quiet clink, his fingers resting lightly against the rim. He watched me with a patience that felt disturbing
“Now that we’ve come to an understanding,” he broke the silence, “I believe it’s time to set a date for the engagement party.”
I stilled, though I kept my expression neutral.
“Right now?” I asked, keeping my voice as even and as careful as I could.
Mellors lifted a brow. “Of course. This is as good a time as any.”
My grip on my glass tightened. He wasn’t just securing our agreement he was putting a collar around my neck and fastening the leash for good measure.
June felt the tension in my body because I saw the way she moved uncomfortably from the corner of my eye. She was sitting beside me. She must have felt my body tense.
And, as if thinking she was protecting me, she made to speak.
Claufe: 156
“Father”
Mellors held up a hand, silencing her before she could conue, “Allow the young man to speak, honey,” he said.
A part of me couldn’t help but feel that Alpha Mellor didn’t like me and that he was only doing this for his daughter.
Everyone knew how much he adored his daughter and how u he’d go just to make her happy.
Marrying me was all June’s idea. Left for Alpha Mellors, he pick someone else for her.
I breathed in slowly, controlling the burn of anger beneath my skin.
“He’s testing you. He’s waiting to see if you’ll push back.” My wolf said, and I nodded.
I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.
But I also wouldn’t let him think he had completely caged me.
I set my glass down, tapping a finger lightly against the stem as if considering. Then, after a pause, I said, August 23rd.”
Chapter 107
