Chapter 7

Katherine

I stood in front of the mirror and looked at myself hours later. I was staring at a shadow of myself. Eyes red rimmed from crying, mascara stained cheek and that blank stare. They did this to me. Conrad, his mother, Clara and every last one of them, contributed to this. A wave of hate and anger coursed through me at the thought. I embraced it. Anger was good, better than the hurt I had felt.

Thinking about Conrad, I sat down heavily on the bed, staring at the wall unseeingly. Why did I not hate him as much as I wanted to? Why was there a part of me that felt sad when the look of pain crossed his face and why did I feel that twinge of happiness when I saw him? My feelings were all messed up. Exhausted physically and emotionally, I stretched on my bed and drifted off to sleep.

I woke with a start. It was pitch black outside, morning already. I felt restless . My wolf growled. She definitely needed some fresh air. Putting on my favorite joggers and a pair of sneakers, I grabbed my phone and dashed out of the house.

I walked down my little driveway. Rounding the corner, I began jogging down the pathway. Increasing my pace, I took in deep breaths. My wolf purred, happy with my speed and the feel of nature around. It was refreshing. The streets were lit but quiet. People had not started their daily activities but a few could be seen jogging or wandering about. There were a few waves and nods from familiar faces. I could also see expressions of pity on most faces. I was the divorced Alpha's wife after all. I returned their games stonily.

I decided to take a break and stopped at the town's pack. Feeling good and out of breath, I gazed around. My phone buzzed in my back pocket. Pulling it out, the caller ID showed that it was Aiden. Hitting the answer button on the screen, I put the phone to my ear, wondering what he wanted now.

"Hello?"

"Katherine! It's Aiden."

"I know." I said sharply.

"I just want to update you on some new developments" he said

"I am listening."

"Your father wants you to resume as soon as possible as the general manager of the Shadow Moon pack's business enterprise."

I was surprised at the way he sounded, causing my brows to furrow.

"Why? What's the hurry?"

Aiden continued like he hadn't heard me. "He wants you to oversee things. Every information will be related to you and you will have the right to make decisions as regards to the business. He..."

I interrupted him. "What do I gain out of this?"

He chuckled "Firstly, you have already signed a contract as you know, so it is important that you report to duties. also, I like that you are putting what I thought you into practice. Now on a serious note, you stand to gain everything. Well for one, you will be given a new car to enable you move around and a fat... extremely fat paycheck at the end of the month. Besides, running the pack business is what you were born into. It's necessary that you come and take back what belongs to you."

Aiden was not far from the truth, but I wanted to at least work my way to the top. Even as being at the top was my inheritance.

I considered the offer. After getting my apartment, I had a lot of stacked up bills to pay. The money I had was fast running out. This could be a one time opportunity for me so I decided to take it. And for some reason, I had not began to properly make use of the black card that was handed to me.

"What do I need to do?" I questioned.

"I will meet up with you today with the business contract. After having it signed, we will proceed to the company so that you can get acquainted with the staff and also get familiar with the company. Hang on. . ." He stopped talking. I could hear the rustle of paper in the background.

"Okay. You have to tell me the address of your house so I can come pick you up tomorrow." He said.

Giving him my address, we said our goodbyes. Finally I had something to look forward to, something that would take me out of myself. I jogged back home.

I had barely gotten home when a message came in from Aiden which said he was on his way so I got ready. I took a hasty shower and put on a navy blue blazer and matching pants.. Slipping on a pair of heels, I picked up my bag and went out to wait for him. He pulled up just as I was about to lock my door. He stepped out of the car and spread his hands.

"Good morning Katherine." He stepped towards me and held out his hand.

"It's good to see you too Aiden." I replied, touching his hand coldly. Even though I badly wanted- no needed- the job, I was still annoyed at the bossy way my father was going about it.

"He glanced around curiously. "You live here?"

"Yeah Obviously," I simply said.

"Let's go then". He said, opening the car door for me.

We headed to my father's company. It was the largest and most successful enterprise for miles around. The edifice of the building was a testament to that fact. Aiden walked me to his office. Without wasting time, he brought the contract, showing me where to sign. He gave me a tour of the company, introduced me to the staff and briefed me concerning my duties. Gradually I got the hang of it. True to his words, I was given a new car and my pay was much more than I had hoped for. I did the math. With my pay, I could get some new equipments for the house and still have a staggering amount of money left for me.

Done with work, Aiden insisted that we have lunch. And during lunch, we got talking about a lot of things.

"I am so happy you were able to adapt to this in a short period of time. You're a natural at this." He said with the wide smile plastered all about his lips that did not seem to leave. It intrigued me more because other people did not get to see this side of Aiden, but the part of him that always appeared to people with a stoic face.

"All thanks to you." I took a sip of wine.

"We will have to move you to a bigger house. I have already made some calls as regards that." He announced, causing me to raise my eyes that were fixed on the table to him.

What suddenly happened to living on the low that I wanted?

"But I don't think it is necessary," I said to him, with my glares fixed straight at his. "I mean, I am okay where I am right now, and I don't think I want to move to somewhere else."

"No, its necessary that you move. And we should not have any talk about it. The place that you stay currently, is not fit for you, neither is it safe."

When he finished, I began to see reason with him, and suddenly, a thought came into my mind.

Moving the food around on my plate, I contemplated if it was best I tell him about Conrad's offer.

"Speaking of houses. Conrad has been trying to persuade me to take our house, as a compensation for the divorce. I. . . I didn't want to."

"You refused?" he asked incredulous.

"Yes, I did refuse." I said smugly.

"I for one will advise you to take it."

"But he. . ."

"is giving it to you as a peace offering" he said interrupting me. "You are a business woman Katherine and a good one at that. That house is worth millions. Accepting that house will also help you heal and satisfy that hurt you feel. I guarantee you this. Give it a thought, Katherine."

Aiden was right. I deserved the house and even more considering all that Conrad had put me through for the past three days.I decided then that I would take the house. I would call Conrad first thing in the morning.

Back home, I slipped off my heels and messaged my feet. Going up to the bathroom, I ran myself a hot bath. Feeling better I put on my favorite blue bath robe and picked up my phone scrolling through a random article. A knock on my door made me look up. It was Conrad I knew as soon as I opened the door.

"Katherine."

"Hello Conrad. To what do I owe this pleasure?" I said stiffly.

"Can I come in?" he asked cautiously.

"By all means do." Stepping back, I opened the door wide. I only wanted to give him a listening ear, because I intended talking about the house.

Aiden was right, it was not time to start feeling the hurt about what Conrad caused me, but rather to be justified for all the wrongs.

"Thank you." he muttered and brushed passed me.

His cologne the same as I once remembered. I took a deep breath, inhaling it before walking behind him.

"Can I sit?"

I gestured at the couch and we sank down on it turning to look at each other and that was how we stayed silent for a while, staring at nothing in particular.

"You look good." He finally spoke, and as much as I did not give a reply, the exact thing I wanted to do was to scoff and tell him about how those compliments were not necessary. But I did not want to sound vile.

It was only with the way he continuously stared at me that called attention to the fact that I was putting on my see through night robe when Conrad came in.

"And can you go straight to the exact reason that brought you here?" My words sounding as calm as possible left the effect I wanted.

It kept Conrad in check, and immediately, he went straight to the exact reason that brought him to my house.

"Okay, I will come back to the house and get the property documents sent soon," I said to him, and immediately rose to my feet so he could leave.

Paying no attention to the fact that one certain time, I thought he was my all.