In the Years that Passed

"That concludes today’s meeting. If anyone has further concerns about what was talked about today, this is your only chance to speak now,” Forrest said, meeting with his employees of Riverdale Corp’s Advertisement Division about creating an ad for one of their business partner’s new product. Finding no one speaking up, he then said, “Very well. Then meeting adjourned.”

The crowd dispersed at his call, returning to their usual business or getting started on ideas for the advertisement. One man, however, approached Forrest. “Excuse me, Mr. Riverdale.”

“I believe I called the meeting adjourned, Mason,” Forrest interrupted.

“Yes, I understand, but-”

“I also already gave you the chance to speak earlier. In the world of business, you cannot hesitate to take whatever chance you get. Otherwise, it will slip by, and you may as well be faced with nothing but regret.”

“It’s not about the meeting.” Forrest sighed then and finally turned to Mason with his hands up, fingers intertwining each other, and elbows on the table. Not out of any curiosity as to what his employee would want to talk about, as it was more along the line of wanting to amuse the boy. “Sir, I know we have a meeting with the CEO of a new potential business partner this Friday, but I’m afraid I can’t attend.” Forrest’s eyes narrowed into a glare at the claim, in which Mason flinched at. “Y-You see, it’s my daughter. She has a recital coming up, and I promised her-”

“Do you like your job, Mason?” Forrest interrupted, to his employee’s confusion.

“I’m sorry?”

“I’m simply asking you if you like your job. Or perhaps, I should be asking if you want to keep your job.”

A chill spread throughout Mason’s spine at the question, as he hastily answered, “Sir, please! This is my daughter’s first recital!”

Forrest lowered his hands slightly, as a smirk formed on his face, with his eyes closed. He gestured Mason to come closer to him, in which the latter hesitantly did. Once close enough, Forrest grabbed him by the collar and pulled him even closer. “Who do you think I am?” he began in a whisper, frightening Mason. “I know every bit of details about my employees and my business partners, Mason. You think I don’t know about the girl sleeping under your roof. She who has no blood ties to you at all? If you want to come up with an excuse to elope with her, make it more believable. Or rather, just give the truth.” At that, he lightly shoved Mason away from him and got up. “Not that I will give you permission regardless.”

“You can’t just keep me here! I have been working day and night for the past month, and I have not gone on a date with her for a long while!” he exclaimed.

Forrest was unfazed by the shout, as he calmly stated, “They say patience is virtue, is it not? Maybe you should learn from that, instead of trying to run from your duties.” He rose from his seat and made his way out the door. Ignoring the disheartened man. A sigh escaped his lips as he took a step out the halls and made his way to his office.

‘To think I would still be dealing with such stupid humans. Then again, I suppose those people are not as stupid as that human girl I was forced to be with all those years ago. On the other hand, at least she knows her place,’ he thought, walking to his office.

It has been a few years since the divorce. As soon as that former human wife of his left, Forrest proceeded to call his secretary to end his contract with his ‘in-laws’, now that there was no need to keep up the fake marriage act. There were times when they apparently had called him and questioned why the contract had ended, but Forrest didn’t deal with that. Not when it clearly stated in their deal that so long as he was married to their daughter, their partnership would go on.

‘One would think those idiots would know political marriages would not last as long as a real one. How that human is their daughter will forever be a question for me, when she was able to catch on fast to my relationship with Kiara,’ he had to wonder, recalling how shocked Christen was when she found out. Only it was not just solely one of surprise on how close he was to Kiara, as it seemed to be more out of realization of their relationship, and the depressing way she tried to deny that fact, only to seemingly accept it in the end. ‘Well, not that it matters to me what happens to her now.’

As he arrived at his office, Forrest was met with a lovely surprise.

“Hello, Forrest~”

“Kiara.” Forrest was more than ecstatic to see his mate here. After having to deal with these foolish humans for so long, he had been growing quite tiresome of their antics. Seeing his mate truly remedies the pain.

“I know that tone anywhere. What happened this time? More stupid questions from your human employees?” Kiara guessed.

“Close. More that one of them tried to bail on an important meeting. You know. The one with your father,” he corrected, in which Kiara sighed at.

“Something as important as that? Don’t tell me they tried to lie their way out, too.”

“Oh, but that they did, Kiara. What else would you expect from some filthy humans? For them to be so foolish as to assume they can fool a werewolf.”

Forrest Riverdale. A powerful billionaire he may be, deep down, he was more than that. For under that guise was a werewolf, who had been using his sharp senses to get a read on people- on their wants, needs, lies, and secrets- and his smarts to develop his corporation to what it is today. And keep the many people under him under control. There may have been times when some heavily dissatisfied humans tried to start a feud against him, only to remain silent in the end.

And of course, he was not the only werewolf.

“And here I thought I’ve seen more than enough arrogance from several of our fellow werewolves back home,” Kiara sighed, walking Forrest to a couch in middle of the office and set him down on it. Walking behind him with her hands on his shoulders, she then said, “Well, no matter. What someone like you needs after a long day of dealing with such people is a day of relaxation. Or at least a good time for it.”

A smile formed on Forrest’s face at the offer, as he placed a hand over her’s. “Spending time with my mate, no matter how short it is, is more than enough to calm me down. Even more so, now that I finally have Alpha Keenan's blessings to be with you.”

A small giggle escaped Kiara's lips. "You do know you don't have to call my father that anymore, right? He did exile you out of our pack after we found out we were mates. All because he didn't want me- his Alpha daughter- to be with a Beta werewolf."

"Even so, he is still my Alpha. And soon enough, he will also be my father-in-law."

The pair looked into each other’s eyes lovingly at his words, before gradually leaning in for a kiss. This was everything Forrest wanted. A high position of power, being able to be with the love of his life. All that was left was a marriage and starting a family with his love. Once he has that, life would be nothing short but perfect for him.

And yet… Why?

‘Why do I still feel as if my life is incomplete?’