Chapter 4: First Step In The Game Plan

The ride back to the mansion is just as quiet. Vivian doesn’t even bother asking what the detective wanted to say. I haven’t even gotten a hug from her, or a good old ‘everything will be okay’. Mother of the year.

I run to my bedroom the moment we arrive. My father’s smiling face stares back at me from my nightstand. I grab the picture frame and hug it tightly. Then I let the tears and the pain take over. I lay on my side clinging to the memory of him.

Why did he have to come to Manhattan? I cry harder at the thought.

What was so important that he had to leave me and come to the same city as Vivian. What does Elijah have to do with any of this?

I have to find a way to get close to him. But all I know is that he and Lucien are enemies. Enemies who for some reason, want to go into business together. Maybe that breakfast meeting yesterday wasn’t in vain. The man did claim that I was his mate. I can use that to my advantage before he comes to his senses and remembers I’m just human. I can’t possibly be his mate. It’s not exactly unheard of but it’s a one in a million thing.

I wipe my tears and focus my mind and emotions on wanting to uncover the truth of what happened to my father.

The next morning I wake up and shower.

My bedroom door opens just as I'm about to open it. Vivian walks in with three shopping bags. She doesn’t smile, she doesn’t even say hello. She walks to my bed and puts the bags there, then turns back to me. I’m just standing there like what in the hell?

“Did you get some sleep?” She whispers. “Your eyes look puffy.”

Is she bent? Or did she just forget my father is dead?

I don’t answer her.

“I am arranging your father’s funeral,” she sighs and steps closer.

I blink and still can’t find words. I honestly don’t know what she wants me to say.

“Come have breakfast.” She puts a hand on my shoulder and gives me an awkward pat. “Joncil is waiting to take us to the airport. I think Miles would appreciate being buried at home.”

“You should’ve asked me.” I finally say.

“I am his wife.” She mutters.

I blink again. Is she being serious?

“Aren’t you in another man’s bed?” My voice rises now. “How many beds have you been in over the years? What right do you even have to say that now?”

“Layl—” She tries to touch me again.

“No!” I step away from her. “Don’t you dare act like you care. When was the last time you actually saw him? When last did you speak to him? What was he doing here?”

“Layla, calm down.” Her voice is a whisper. She looks panicked, as though she doesn’t want anyone to hear our conversation.

I sigh. “My father will be buried here. I’ll be damned if I step a foot out of this city before finding out what happened to him. And I need his grave close.” I grab the door handle and pull it open, then I step out into the hall.

I groan as I crash into a little body. I almost fall but Asher stands solid glaring up at me. He has a bright red lollipop in his hand and he is licking at it like he wasn’t just caught doing something creepy.

What a strong but weird little thing.

“Want one?” He holds up his blood candy with a huge smile.

“I’m human.” I frown.

He shrugs, turns, and walks off without looking back. I follow behind him.

“No work for you today.” Lucien’s voice fills the kitchen as I walk in.

He is sitting at the island with Lila. The red shirt beneath his suit makes him every bit the vampire he is. She is in her high chair with a glass of red liquid I don’t assume is cranberry juice.

“I need to go to the city,” I say to Lucien.

“Why?” Vivian walks in behind me. She takes a seat. “Shouldn’t we focus on the funeral? Since I don’t have the right.”

I ignore the sarcasm.

“I have things to do.” I fold my arms to try and stop myself from playing with my hands. “I need to buy a phone.”

“You have a phone.” She pours herself a cup of coffee.

“It’s barely functional.” I clear my throat.

Of course I have a perfectly working phone. But I need an excuse to go searching for Elijah Wolfe. And using Lucien’s WIFI to find out where I can find Wolfe seems like a bad idea. For all I know he can probably track my internet activity.

“I think we should focus on your father’s funeral.” Vivian repeats, “then we can take you shopping.”

“You know what?” I exclaim, “I want to go to work. I need to take my mind off things. You do the funeral. You are the wife after all.”

I run out before either of them can say anything. I get changed into some of the clothes she put on my bed. I don’t even bother checking what else she bought. I just pull out a cream white dress with pearls on the neckline and a pair of black heels. Then I run back down the stairs to find Lucien and the twins ready to leave.

The easiest way to get to town is through work and Lucien.

I sit through the longest training session before lunch. Sarah, Lucien’s executive assistant finally lets me out of her sight. I grab my phone and rush out of the building.

I find myself outside Morris-Wolfe Enterprise fifteen minutes later. I thank the internet gods before walking inside the stone building Wolfe apparently co-owns. I hope he will see me. I need to know how he knows my father. But I need to be subtle about it. That's not one of my strengths.

I hope he likes biltong. Werewolves like meat, right?

The lobby is nothing like Hale Enterprises. There are people talking, laughing, walking around with coffee in their hands. If I didn’t know now, I would never guess one of the biggest werewolf owned companies in Manhattan is hiding in this building.

I walk up to reception. “Hi. I’m Layla Carter, here to see Elijah Wolfe.”

The receptionist smiles at me. “Of course. Top floor.”

I blink. “That’s it?”

She laughs. “That’s it.”

That was way too easy. I stand there for another second before making my way to the elevators. Either security around here is terrible or Elijah told them to let me through. Neither option makes me feel any safer because the latter means he is watching me.

The elevator doors open to a blond lady behind a large desk. She smiles when she spots me . “Miss Carter?”

“Yes.” I whisper.

“He’s waiting for you.” She points to an office door.

Does this mean he is in fact watching me?

I take a deep breath and knock.

“Come in.” His voice sounds soft from the inside.

I should’ve opted to help Vivian with planning the funeral. I don’t think she even knows which flowers my father liked.

I push the door open. Elijah is sitting behind his desk, reading something on a tablet. He looks up the moment I step inside.

“Hi.” He says with a smile I don’t want to admit is cute. He is dressed casually in a red T-shirt and a pair of jeans. Red is the season I guess. He doesn’t look like he's at work at all.

I hold up the packet of biltong. “I brought a peace offering.”

Will it offend him? The last thing I want is to make him feel like a dog. His eyes drop to it before he laughs. “Biltong?”

“I wasn’t sure what werewolves liked.” I’m sure I now look like a tomato.

“I like it.” He nods.

I smile despite myself and walk over to his desk. “Good. I was worried I was about to embarrass myself.”

“You still might.”

“I actually came because I wanted to ask you about my father.” Way to go with being subtle. I watch him for a reaction.

His smile fades. “Miles?”

“You knew him.” I don’t ask. I already know he knew him. I just want to hear what more he says and how he reacts.

“I did.” His reply surprises me. I half expected him to lie even though he said my father's name.

“Then tell me why he came to Manhattan.” I bite my lip.

He gets to his feet. “I wish it were that simple.”

He walks around the desk until he is standing in front of me. My back brushes against the edge before I realise I have nowhere else to go. I’m completely cornered by a man who hasn’t even apologized for almost attacking me.

Shit.

He comes closer until his face it buried in my neck. Why haven’t I moved? His breath sends a tingle up my legs. I close my eyes and almost moan.

He inhales and freezes. “This isn’t possible,” he mutters.

“What isn’t?” I blink.

He moves his face so that his nose brushes my hair. “Your scent isn’t human.”