The New Owners

CHAPTER EIGHT

POV: Raina

I held my four-year-old twins, Ruth and Raymond, by their hands as we walked into the lobby of the main league headquarters in the neighboring city, and I stood tall with my shoulders back, feeling completely confident in the new life I had built for myself over the last five years. My business partner Reign was already waiting for us near the main glass doors, holding a thick folder of signed documents in his hand, and he smiled brightly the moment he saw us walking toward him.

"Look who finally made it to the big meeting," Reign said, stepping forward to greet us while he reached down to pat Raymond on the head in a warm, protective way, though neither of us knew that we were actually full biological brother and sister.

"Traffic was heavy near the city center, Reign, but we made it on time," I said, offering him a firm smile as I adjusted my purse on my shoulder. "Did the league board sign off on every single page of the purchase agreement?"

"Everything is completely finalized, Raina, and the rival hockey franchise is officially yours as of ten minutes ago," Reign said, leaning closer so he could keep his voice low while he spoke to me. "We now hold total leverage to compete directly against the Frost family, and Alpha Marcus won't be able to use his political power to push us out of the league anymore."

"That is exactly what I wanted to hear," I said, holding Ruth's hand a little tighter while a cold feeling of determination settled deep in my chest. "Alpha Marcus thought he could get rid of me five years ago, but now we own the team that is going to dismantle his entire empire on the ice."

"Mommy, can we go look at the big ice rink after your meeting?" Ruth asked, looking up at me with her wide, curious eyes while she pulled gently on my fingers.

"Yes, sweetie, as soon as Reign and I finish signing the final ownership papers in the private office, I will take you and Raymond down to see the main arena," I promised her, leaning down to give her a small smile before looking back at Reign.

"Let's head upstairs to the executive hallway so we can meet the league directors and get everything locked into the system," Reign said, turning around and leading the way toward the main elevators while Raymond skipped ahead of us on the floor.

We rode the elevator up to the top floor, and as the doors slid open into the quiet executive hallway, Reign stepped out first while talking to me about our new management plans for the team players. Raymond was full of energy and started running down the long hallway, giggling to himself while he chased a small blue ball he had pulled out of his pocket.

"Raymond, slow down and stay close to us," I called out, taking a few fast steps forward to keep my eyes on him, but before I could grab his hand, a man walked straight out of the league director's private office near the corner.

Raymond ran right into the man's legs, losing his balance and falling backward onto his bottom on the floor with a tiny gasp.

"Oh, careful there, buddy," a deep, extremely familiar voice said, and the man immediately reached down with his large hands to help Raymond stand back up onto his feet.

My whole body went completely still, and my heart stopped beating for a second as I recognized that voice instantly, watching in total shock as Damon Frost straightened up in the middle of the hallway. Damon looked down at the four-year-old boy standing right in front of him, and his golden eyes went completely wide as he stared directly into Raymond's face, which carried his exact eyes, his nose, and the faint golden glow of his wolf energy radiating beneath his skin.

Damon froze like a statue, dropping his hands to his sides while his chest heaved up and down in absolute disbelief, staring from Raymond over to Ruth, who was standing right beside my leg.

"Raina?" Damon whispered, his voice trembling so hard it sounded like he was about to break down right there in the hallway, and his eyes slowly drifted up to lock onto mine. "You... you're alive?"

I didn't answer him at first, stepping forward immediately and pulling Raymond behind my back so Damon couldn't touch him or come anywhere near him.

"Stay away from my son, Damon," I said, keeping my voice completely cold and level while I locked eyes with the fated mate who had publicly rejected me and left me for dead five years ago.

"Raina, I don't understand what is happening right now," Damon said, taking a frantic step toward me with his hands raised in front of his chest, looking like he had seen a ghost. "My father told me you were gone five years ago, there was blood all over the cabin floor, and I thought... I thought he had killed you."

"Your father tried his best to have me killed, but I survived despite everything your family did to me," I said, refusing to show a single trace of fear as Reign stepped up right beside my shoulder, glaring at Damon with a sharp, protective look.

"Is this guy bothering you, Raina?" Reign asked, stepping between Damon and my children while he crossed his arms over his chest.

"Who are you?" Damon asked, snapping his eyes onto Reign while his inner wolf started growling softly deep in his chest from pure jealousy and confusion. "Raina, who is this man, and why are these children carrying my eyes?"

"My personal life and my business are none of your concern anymore, Damon," I said, stepping past him toward the director's office door without giving him a second glance. "You made your choice five years ago when you chose your father's title over me, so do not stand in my hallway and act like you care about my children."

"Raina, please just listen to me for one minute," Damon begged, turning around to follow us while tears gathered at the corners of his eyes, "I never knew you were alive, and I swear to you on my wolf that I never wanted my father's guards to go to that cabin."

"Save your lies for your father, because we have a franchise to run, and your hockey team is about to lose everything it has built," I said, pushing the office door open and walking inside with Reign and my twins, leaving Damon standing completely frozen and broken in the middle of the hallway as the door shut tight between us.