LOGINCharleza’s p.o.v.
My laptop is shutting down when my phone starts buzzing, and I am already rushing toward the elevator before I have read the entire message.
I don’t trust Andreca’s father. Can you come to her house with Aldyn and Lochlin? It is only a precaution.
I might not have grown up with Riog, but I have learned one thing about him. If he expresses concern, we'd better listen.
Aldyn is already waiting beside his car w
Charleza’s p.o.v.I walk out of my office and, without missing a beat, open the door to the stairwell. My feet carry me down the stairs as fast as they can to the underground garage.My SUV is waiting with the door open and the engine running when I exit the stairwell, and the guard is waiting to open the barrier. Someone made sure I can let Azura out to run off our anger as fast as possible.By the time I reach the manor, Azura has pushed so far to the surface that I struggle to control the SUV.I tumble out of the SUV, just inside the gate, but I don’t have time to take off my clothes before Azura pushes me back. Shifting has always been fast and with minimal pain for me, but today it goes even faster.I lean back as Azura takes off into the Gauldosa Grove and think about Grandma Rozena’s decision to leave the five properties to me, not her son.As far as I know, Aler never had an interest in the properties, not in maintenance or the rental income. I have seen pictures of my great-g
Riog’s p.o.v.It has been over three months since I left the Dark Wind territory and found my connection with Andreca.My parents haven’t reached out, not even after I sent them a message to inform them I was safe, and somewhere deep down I had known they wouldn’t, but I had hoped otherwise.“Are you still thinking about Alpha Ezvin? It has been nearly a month.” Andreca asks, and I shake my head.The man had occupied my mind for a day or two after the meeting, because I had seen the pictures and the state of some buildings in the background. I couldn’t understand why an Alpha would renovate structures that didn’t need it and neglect those that did.I am proud of Charleza for telling Alpha Ezvin to take his business elsewhere and not accept his conditions.“No, I put that behind me when I understood that Charleza didn’t need his business and he didn’t deserve my time,” I answer.She doesn’t respond to my answer and keeps looking at me, waiting for me to explain where my mind had wander
Charleza’s p.o.v.It has been a month since everything came together. Shadowplains Manor was completed, and we could finally move in.Andreca’s family trust was settled with the conditions she discussed with Riog, and her father had been served a restraining order.Our private life had become quiet after that, but our professional life hadn't. We bought four more properties after selling what we called oak residence, and adding red maple residence to our rental list.The company was steadily growing, and we hired a few more people to expand our crews.Only one thing hasn’t changed since Riog walked into our lives: the silence from Aler and Calyree. Neither has reached out to Riog, and we partially know why.Riog never had a cellphone, so they have no way to reach him by phone. However, they both have his email address, but haven’t used it to reach out to him.It has made me
Charleza’s p.o.v.I get up quietly and walk out of my office to see Ealish staring at the door in shock.“Andreca just found out her father lied, and it isn’t pretty. Cancel my appointments or ask Lochlin and Aldyn to cover them.” I inform her.Mr. Wisebinder is rearranging papers when I walk back into the office, and Andreca is sobbing softly while Riog holds her tight, a miserable look on his face.“There is nothing I can do or say to make this better. I hate feeling helpless.” Riog tells me through the mind-link, and I gently squeeze his shoulder before sitting down.“Andreca, I understand this was hard to hear, but unfortunately, we aren’t done yet.” Mr. Wisebinder says, and she gives him a small nod.The accident wasn’t the truck driver’s fault; a mechanical failure caused it, and the trucking company had taken responsibility. They
Charleza’s p.o.v.Riog is looking at Mr. Wisebinder as if he were speaking a foreign language, and his eyes look down at the papers in his hands, almost as if he is hoping it will all make sense.“Let me get this straight. Grandma Rozena died when I was twenty-seven, and Aler never bothered to find out what her will stated.” Riog looks from Mr. Wisebinder to me.“That is correct.” Mr. Wisebinder replies. “You were all invited to her will reading, but none of you showed up, except for Charleza. I contacted your father a few times, but he never responded.”I have heard that explanation before, and it was another reminder that Aler and Calyree disliked Grandma Rozena a great deal, maybe even hated her.Mr. Wisebinder has Riog fill out forms to claim his share of the inheritance, then hands him a file showing what that share looks like.“You will get an allowance from
Charleza’s p.o.v.I keep the file's contents to myself. I don’t want to reveal anything until I am absolutely sure this is real and that there is something left.Mr. Wisebinder can help me find answers, and I need him to explain Grandma Rozena’s will to Riog.It looks like I’ll be busy the next few days with legal matters and Shadowplains Manor.“Ealish, call Mr. Wisebinder and ask if he can come to the office. If he asks why, tell him it is about Grandma Rozena’s will and some legal documents I found.” I tell her before I walk back to the conference table in my office.Every blueprint of Shadowplains Manor is on the table, and I will start with the ground floor. First, I will make a list of the renovations, which are mostly cosmetic, and then I will make a list of furniture.Two hours later, I have both lists for all four floors and send them to the appropriate departments to get an estimate of the costs.







