CHAPTER 7: OFF TO WORK

“Just a useless thing placed in a useless position.” – Alpha Emmett.

=== JANET’S POV ===

“I don’t like being bound to anyone else,” I replied, my fingers brushing lightly over the red roses.

“If there’s no one else, then why are you so afraid of being bound?”

“Why are people afraid of the dark? Why are they afraid of falling? Why fear death when we all have to die in the end? I simply hate being tied down.”

I closed my eyes, tilting my face toward the sky to breathe in the scent of the roses surrounding us.

“I like being the charming single woman everyone craves.”

“Fine, but that was when you believed you didn't have a fated mate. Now you’ve met them,” Leo cleared his throat.

“Yes, and I’ve rejected that fate.”

As I turned to look at him, Adam was approaching us.

"But you must understand that I need an heir." Leo pressed his lips together. He knew that statement would infuriate me.

“Adam is looking for you.”

“It’s not me; Alpha Emmett is looking for you,” Adam said with a gentle smile.

Leo’s expression hardened. He smoothed the edges of his vest and headed inside. I followed him; after all, I was being held captive.

Alpha Emmett wasn't surprised by my presence in Leo’s office. He narrowed his eyes and spoke as if giving an order. "This is a private family matter."

"She is going to be my family," Leo decided, sitting down at his desk. "Speak, Uncle."

Emmett’s jaw tightened. He shot me a glare before saying, “Eli didn't do anything severe enough to warrant such a demotion.”

"He signed a contract with humans without reading the fine print. It caused us significant losses," Leo said sternly.

“Are you sure it was because of that mistake—one that wasn't even Eli’s responsibility—and not some other reason?”

"If you are referring to the fact that Eli tried to mark my mate... that is the penalty for suspension." Leo calmly opened a file.

"And to me, that action wasn't wrong enough to deserve suspension." Emmett glanced at me again.

"Leo?" I asked.

"Go ahead," Leo sighed.

“Alpha Emmett, if you are upset by Eli’s punishment, from the bottom of my heart, I just want to say... I am absolutely delighted!” I crossed my arms, tilted my chin up, and laughed in his face. "You reap what you sow."

Leo covered his mouth, and I was certain he was secretly laughing.

Emmett turned beet red with rage, exactly as I had expected. He took a deep breath and spoke sarcastically.

"I must say, I am quite pleased to know you are Alpha Leo’s mate. I look forward to the new successor of the Petroff family. That is the position where you should stop."

"I acknowledge your diligence in visiting the Alpha Leader, even if those visits change nothing."

Alpha Emmett ignored me. "Alpha Leo, I shall take my leave."

After Alpha Emmett left, I gave Leo a reproachful look.

"What is it?" he questioned.

“Do you see the consequences of locking me up here and taking away my job? Alpha Emmett views me as nothing more than a walking womb for the Petroff family.”

"He didn't mean it that way."

"Right, only when someone says it bluntly like Eli did will you actually admit it."

Leo’s brow furrowed. I could see our leader clearly processing the facts and coming to a decision.

The next morning, I went to the company to work with Alpha Leo.

The “company” I’m talking about is the Petroff Group, housed in a massive 65-story skyscraper.

The Petroff Group is involved in almost every sector to provide necessary supplies to the rest of the pack members.

While Leo stopped to give instructions to a Beta, I grabbed the hand of one of Rachel and Ava’s colleagues. “Tell Ava and Rachel to meet me on the rooftop at 10:00!”

The colleague, named Poppy, frowned. "They’ve already moved to the town of Motina in the east. Didn't you know, Janet? Anyway... I’m glad you’ve recovered from your illness."

Dammit. So Leo had sent them away without me?

“Beta Janet, my office!” Leo called.

I thanked Poppy and turned to head toward Leo. He was still acting goddamn irritable.

Forget his irritation; I was the one who was furious.

"You still haven't given me my phone back."

"We'll settle that in the office."

My desk as the Assistant to the Chairman outside Leo’s office had vanished.

Case solved: my desk had been placed right next to Leo’s in his spacious and luxurious office.

"This is insane. People will think I’ve slept with you."

Leo took off his coat and sat in his chair. "It was going to happen sooner or later anyway."

"People will think I’ve used my body to get ahead."

"That’s their problem. You will be bound to me—manually—until you and I are truly bound."

Returning to my seat, I ignored Leo completely as I organized his schedule, spoke with partners, and contacted subordinates.

He constantly watched me with suspicion, as if wanting to crack my head open to see what I was plotting. This lasted until Frank and Ray walked in.

Frank offered a relieved smile. Ray ran over and hugged me as if he had missed me terribly.

"I’ve missed you so much, Janet," Ray exclaimed, burying his face in the crook of my neck. "Good lord, I thought our psychotic Alpha was going to lock you up for life."

"Thank you for hugging my mate while badmouthing me," Leo snorted. "Now, let go."

"I’m here to discuss the decision to go to Motina. I agree; my duties here will be transferred to Ray. Bill is assisting me with that." Frank returned to his professional demeanor, avoiding my eyes.

"Only one day off work, right?" I asked.

"Yes." Ray squeezed my shoulder, looking me up and down.

"We haven't bound yet," Leo cleared his throat.

"Good." Ray let go of me. I returned to my position and asked seriously, "Can no one do anything about this?"

"Leo says our pack needs an heir," Ray said, swinging his legs on the guest chair.

"It doesn't necessarily have to come from a fated mate."

"Oops, true." He shrugged.

It was infuriating how indifferent my mates were being.

"You are cutting me off from my social life," I said firmly.

None of the three Alphas in the room answered.

"As long as you refuse to tell us why you want to reject us, then yes, I will do exactly that."

"Bill told me about the seizure. I need to know the real reason. Are you sick?" Ray rubbed his wrist.

"Can you not handle being rejected by someone like me? I don't like you guys, that's all."

"Then Frank will go to Motina, and you will stay here." Leo looked back at his documents.

"Are you going to see us out, Assistant?" Frank asked, raising an eyebrow.

I stood up, waiting for Leo to speak. He said nothing. He consented.

I walked Frank and Ray to the door. When Ray stepped into the elevator, Frank pulled my arm into a blind spot of the security cameras.

"Speak," I said.

“You want to come with me?”

“No strings attached?”

"No."

"And the condition is?"

"Be my mistress."

I slapped him across the face.