Chapter 2

Ruan:

With each passing second, the rhythmic tapping of my fingers on the wine glass grew as I perused through the document.

"Alpha, elder Silas is here to see you now" my tapping stopped and I lowered the wine glass, staring at my house help that just walked in.

" Let him in" I said simply.

I wasn't expecting visitors from the pack today but elder Silas was not a mere visitor.

I still had memories of him watching me train in wolverine control, eyes glinting with the pride my father's eyes never held.

" Alpha, good evening".

I did not stare at him immediately. I took a long unhurried sip from my wine glass, the files still fully opened in front of me.

" You should have called if you were going to be coming. I would have had them prepare a feast for you".

He hummed.

" Well unfortunately I did not come for pleasantries. You don't have as much time as you think you have, alpha" he said.

Finally, I stared at the wily old man. If the white hair that sprung from not only the top of his head but also his chin was not a tell tale sign of just how old he was, then the hunched back and wobbly steps definitely passed the message across.

I knew where this was going, I could already feel his heavy eyes on mine as he allowed me process his words.

" Take a seat, you once told me that delicate news should not be delivered on feet" I said, grabbing a spare glass and pouring him a glass of wine.

But he did not sit.

" I also told you that time is the enemy of every alpha. Why have you not found your mate yet?"

There it was. The question of the century.

I paused mid pour, reclining into my chair, allowing my eyes to meet his old wild ones.

" You should be asking the goddess and not me. I have done everything I can to find her. If she doesn't exist that is not my fault. The moon goddess has always been faulty like that.".

" Don't say that about the moon goddess in the presence of people. That will be blasphemy. Also, There are rumors you know...that you have offended the gods and that is why you don't have a mate."

I scoffed.

" They also said that I killed my mother and buried her body in a shallow grave. They talk, let them".

" Well now, I can't. Because you of all people know the rules of the pack. You need to have a Luna for at least a year if you want to be an eligible alpha. If you don't find your mate you know what happens"

He did not need to tell me. I had gone through the rule book 64 times when I was nine.

If I did not find a bride before my 29th birthday I will never inherit the throne and it will go to some random stranger that has nothing to do with our blood line. That bit was clear.

" I will do something about it" I said, replacing the loud voices that wanted to scream profanities at the law and him.

"Your birthday is in a month alpha. You know I want the best for you and I want to see you succeed. So please, get a bride"

The warning was clear.

" The next time you will be coming be kind enough to call ahead" I said as he walked out the door, words left unsaid.

When he left, the wine lost its taste and the words of the files blurred.

The only thought that now occupied my head was simple. I needed a bride.

But I had not found my mate.

~~

The sleep lines were almost hard to ignore. I could see that she had done a pathetic job at trying to hide them with cheap concealer because now, they stood caked on her face as she clutched the files to her chest.

" These are the next set that need your endorsement" she said, voice sleepy, drawling.

Humans were so weak. But she, she was stronger than this.

Three years was how long I had spent with this woman but for the first time, she looked so.... foreign.

I was tempted to ask her why, but it was none of my business. Never had been.

" The files you are holding belong to Mr ponto for the dual project right?"

Her hands shivered as she read the name of the file before nodding her head.

I sighed.

" I endorsed that yesterday and it is supposed to be on its way to the head admin"

Her face fell.

" Oh shit...I mean sorry, I'm so sorry I will send it to them now".

" You also made a mistake with the project timing today. Mt Jacobi is twelve but you put it at six and the dinner date with Mr Louis was replaced to twelve. Would you like to explain this technicality?"

She bit the insides of her cheeks, her eyes blurring as she shook her head.

" I'm so sorry sir" she muttered.

This little human...

I shouldn't ask...but fuck it.

" Is something the matter with you?"

Her eyes seemed to glaze over with unshed tears but she was quick enough to disguise them with a fake sniffle.

"Not at all sir...I'm so sorry, I let my personal life affect my work and I can assure you that it will definitely not happen again"

Before I could speak, she grabbed the files from me, rushing out before I could utter another word.

I stared at the now closed door, wondering what the hell was up with her.

Time flew.

Amid my problem with elder Silas and the meetings I had back to back with the clients, I did not have the time to think about her odd behavior.

That was why I did not remember something was up with her until I rang her office to get me my lunch and it came back clean.

Where the hell did she go now?

I grabbed my suit, walking over to the work kitchen.

Before I grabbed the door handle, I could hear the kettle boiling ferociously inside, but the room was silent.

And when I opened the door, she stood there, staring into the vast space as the water boiled in the background, the loud and angry noise not stopping her from staring blankly at the wall like she was in a trance.

" Ayana!" I called out, startling her.

Her fingers knocked over my favourite mug and her instincts grabbed the kettle from the stove directly.

" No don't...." I tried to say but it was too late.

The kettle has been boiling for a while, and it was scorching hot.

She screamed as the pain seared through her being, dropping the kettle and cradling her burnt hands.

That was it. I was sick and done of this.

" I'm so sorry sir, I was making your coffee and I lost track of time"

" I don't know what the hell is wrong with you, but you need to fix it"

A man from the ict department walked in, his gaze catching in the peripheral vision of my eyes.

"You! Get me the head security" I said, shocking her.