LEONA’S POV
Darren is back. He was impressed with the project proposal my manager submitted to him and asked for the list of newly hired marketing staff, preferably the brain of the project. And my name was at the top of the list. He called our supervisor by the intercom and asked about my file. I am so busted.
“Leona,” Sophie held my hand in nervousness. We both didn’t expect him to come back soon. Not until the next two weeks.
“I have to face him eventually. I guess it’s for the best?” I plastered a fake and invigorating smile.
“Okay, ah, call me. If he molested you, we’d immediately storm out of this company!”
“Molested?”
“Sorry, I don’t know what I’m talking about now, I’m terrified for you!”
“Don’t be. He wouldn’t dare to get near me here, or our cover will blow off.”
“Any plans?”
“Just continue working and avoid him at all cost. I will do what he asks me. Anyway, I don’t have any plans to stay in this company. Once Amanda declared my rights, I won’t be working here anymore.”
“Okay. Let’s do that. What do you think Darren will do now?”
“I’m clueless. He’s unpredictable. But braise yourself; who knows, he’ll give us a hard time working here or just me,” I grinned, hiding my nervousness.
Darren is actually predictable in so many ways, especially his temper. That is the first thing I had to endure being his fiancé the first day I met him. Not just that, his rudeness adds up to it. I am now counting my days in this company. Time to find another prospect for my career.
“Leona, want to grab some snacks? Or coffee? I’m starving, and with your fiancé around, he drains me down to my belly,” Sophie was clasping her stomach, whining at me.
“Yeah, sure. I’m almost done.”
I finished some reports and accompanied Sophie to the canteen. I was starving as well. Before we proceeded, I checked the area, left and right, to see if Darren was around.
“Okay, we’re good.”
“Did you check first if your fiancé is nearby?”
“Of course! I don’t want to get near him, remember? We should play safe, keep my distance and maintain my safe perimeter.”
“You look stupid. People will know one way or another. One day his parents will announce your engagement.”
“Until that time is to no avail, I will keep myself away from him,” I snob keeping my chin up. Contented to my plan.
Sophie presses the elevator going down. It took a few minutes before it opened. When I reached my pocket, I left my phone on my desk.
“Gosh, my phone. I’ll be right back,” I headed back to my desk and took my phone. When I came back, Sophie turned pale with her mouth gaping open.
“What's wrong with you?” I press the elevator going down again.
“I…saw…your fiancé,” she slowly said.
“Where?” I was about to retreat to our office, but Sophie grabbed my arm.
“He was in the elevator. Whee! He is so handsome! I’ve never seen such a lovely face!” Sophie giggles.
“Hold on a second. Darren was in the elevator?”
“Yes! He looks up and looks back again to his phone.”
“Oh, thank goodness I wasn’t here! You go to the canteen and buy me some sandwich and coffee,” I took my wallet and handed her some cash.
“You’re not coming with me?”
“I am not taking any chances of seeing him today!” I quickly walk out before Sophie can argue with me. If she saw Darren, there’s a big chance he may be in the canteen or who knows where in this building. I am not ready to face him yet, especially since he is mad at me right now.
DARREN’S POV
Where the heck is that woman? I need to talk to her. I demand an explanation. She is one of the shareholders in my company, and what on earth is she doing here as an employee? Clearly, she didn’t even bother to check my profile. That woman is a pain in the ass!
“Darren,” I heard my best friend Brent call me. His family is a shareholder in my company, just like my stupid fiancé.
“What’s up?”
“Dude, you just came back from your business trip, and I heard you close the deal, so let’s go out later and celebrate.”
“I have other plans,” in my mind, I will find that Leona and discuss her stupidity.
“Where to?”
“Ah, my fiancé? Remind me of that foolishness.”
“Ooh, so you and she are getting serious now, huh? Date night?”
“Not in a million years. I need to clear some things with her.”
“Can I come?”
“No! I can handle this.”
I am not proud of him to meet my fiancé, and I don’t have any plans of introducing her to Brent or any of my friends. Plus, he is somehow a dick, so he would probably tease me after or joke about it.
“Dude, you can’t hide her forever. Later on, we will have to meet her, so you should introduce her earlier, and let’s see if she can pass our standards.”
“You know that is what I’m worried about.”
“Nah, you’re going to get married soon, and the….”
“Please stop! That will never happen. Mark my word,” I cut him off and went back to my office. I lost my appetite for talking about my impending marriage.
“Dude!” Brent called, but I didn’t look back. He had already ruined my appetite, so I should keep my distance before I lose my temper. Everybody knows I have a short temper, and Brent knows precisely how to push my button and back away. Such a jerk.
I called my secretary in my office to grab my lunch in the canteen. I need to prepare for my meeting later with the project proposal for our new client. But before the presentation, I ask my marketing team to present it to me first. I want to know how convincing they can delivering the presentation.
“That’s it?” I ask my marketing staff.
“Uh, yes, sir? Do you have anything to say?” Meriam, the marketing manager, knows I am not pleased with the presentation.
“I am not convinced. Unbelievable! I gave this project for a month, and this is how you will present it?”
“But sir, this is what the presentation is all about. We just….”
“I know! Make some effort to make it sound normal, with full mastery of the whole presentation. Your team did not bother to study it!”
“I guess we should let the new marketing staff do the presentation. Perhaps she can bring justice to her work.”
“No! What happens if she blow this off? All our hard work will go to trash!”
“Technically, she did the presentation herself. I’m sure she won’t let it down.”
“Still, my answer is no. Work on your presentation and you,” I point my finger to my staff who will present the proposal in front, “Act normal. You’re too nervous. Work on your hand gestures and your pronunciation. I cannot hear you!”
“Yes, sir.”
I left them in the conference room and went back to my office. A big no for me to include Leona in this project even if she made the proposal. No. I am not giving her the chance to feel comfortable in my company. She has to leave.
****
“This is the most popular perfume brand ever! We are lucky enough to be their top choice to do their advertisement! How hard it is to present the proposal?!” I throw the papers on the desk. It was a flop. But still, we are lucky enough to be given a second chance.
“Sir, I think it is best if we let the newbie present it herself since she made that proposal. Or do you want another proposal from our staff?”
“I said no! Work on the presentation!” I slam the door behind me. Meriam got some points, but if I let Leona in the project, I’ll spend more time with her until the project is finished. Sometimes I hate how smart she is.
I rested on my swiveling chair and thought for a moment. If I want to save this project, Leona has to be in.
“Ah!” I retrieve my phone from my pocket and dial her number.
“Congratulations! You need to present your proposal to our client. I expect you to close this deal since you made the presentation,” before she could say anything, I already hung up and called Meriam. I guess she is now part of my team. Darn it!
LEONA’S POV
Stress gets into my nerve. This fiancé's thought is draining me. Darren called, and I will present the project proposal I prepared. Shoot! I decided to go to the rooftop to clear my mind. But it was too late for me to back out when I got there.
“Leona! I’m glad you’re here.”
Darren is there too. At least we have something in common when we are stressed. A time alone.
“Let me make it clear to you. I let you join my team because I need this client. They are putting up big money in my company. If you screw this up, I swear I’ll make your life miserable, do you understand?”
I froze. I didn’t expect to see him.
“Did you hear me?”
“Yeah, I did! Loud and clear.”
“Good,” he move closer to me and lean forward to whisper in my ear, “Zip your mouth. I don’t want anyone in my company knows you’re my fiancé. And please, take a shower. Your scent irritates me.”
And with that, Darren left me speechless.
“Ah! That boorish guy!”
VICTORIA’S POV“Imbeciles!” I roared thunderously, “How can a pack of rogues outsmarted you?!”“Victoria, calm down. Your know how rogues think. They will do everything to get what they want. No one expected that,” Alpha Scott defended our guards. I wanted to cut off their heads and feed them to the lions. “How can I calm down when they have Leona now? Tell me!”Sooner or later Leona will recover and came back to help with the uprising. She needs to pay her debt. A life for a life. She killed my father, then I will kill her.“First, we must find their nest, retrieve Leona and pursue the execution day fast. The council will suspect now why we didn’t showed them Leona.”“Exactly. What are we going to do now?” I asked. “Attack first. Kill them all especially Leona and her boyfriend. I smell something’s fishy with him.”“Very well,” I send out my men to search the rogues hideout. Well see if Leona can escape again. When alone, I went to my father’s grave and reminded of myself my promi
DARREN’S POVWe used the shortcut that Ellen showed me. It was one of the fastest way for us to arrive in the pack. One of the spies informed us that Leona was taken out of her cave and now facing the whole pack for her execution. She was tied up on a poll and very weak due to beating. The spies would sometimes suck in the cave and gave her food and drinks to survive. Victoria ordered now to feed Leona to weaken her. “We are going to attack the pack that’s it?” I asked Ellen again for clarity. They will be a diversion while I help Leona to escape. Today, they will kill Victoria. “Are you nervous Darren? You’ve been asking the same question since yesterday, and I still answer the same thing.”“Yes, I am very nervous. I’ve been to a fight but not the whole pack. I’m afraid what would happen during the battle.”“Don’t be. Keep your head on this battle, and stay focus.”“Right.”Ellen joined Anna and the other Rogue while I will have to go to other wolves who camouflage as members of
DARREN’S POV“Drinking her blood. I am not sure about that. Our situation right now is very complicated. Leona needs my help.”“But your curse will be permanent on your birthday. Its up to you,” the healer walked away. Tomorrow is my thirtieth birthday. The day set for me to lift my curse, and Leona was still in the cave, lock in a silver cage, and fighting for her life. If I drink her blood, we will all end up dead in this place. No ones going to save us but ourselves and I’m sure Victoria deployed all their guards to tighten the security in triple. “Hey, what have you decided to do tomorrow? If you want to tell Leona about the blood, we could sneak inside the cave and tell her,” Ellen said. She took a break of polishing their weapons. “I have to save Leona. Maybe if we get lucky tomorrow, I could tell her about the blood and drink it before the day ends.”“In that case, braise yourself, and relax. You need your strength tomorrow. We need you.” Ellen went back to her chores. I was
DARREN’S POV“Did you sleep well?” Ellen checked on me in the guest room. I didn’t sleep well last night and kept staring at the moon while everybody was sleeping soundly. “Not really. First time in this place I guess.”“You have to get use to it. By the way, breakfast is ready. The Omega will come here later to serve your clothes and everything that you need.”“Wait, what? The Omegas? I don’t need their help. Just give me the clothes and I can take care of myself.”“Apparently, that is not how it works here. You are the Alpha, we all serve you.” Ellen left before I could even uttered a word. So that was what Leona told me. She was an Omega and her undying duty was to serve the Alpha and the future Luna. Without her knowing that she is the true Alpha. And as expected, the Omegas came with some clothes Anna picked for me to wear. Aside from that, they arranged my bath and asked to scrub my body which was too much. I totally declined. “I can take care of myself. Thank you,” I deman
DARREN’S POVEllen and I waited at the end of the cave. Indeed, Victoria visits Leona after sunset. She was pleased to captured her and tortured her. I wanted to intervene, but Ellen stopped me. I am no good to Leona dead. “What’s your plan? It better be a good one,” I walked out of the cave so as not to hear my beloved Leona’s scream. I cannot bear to witness her suffering.“We will save her on the day of her execution. In front of the whole pack and the council.”“Why not right now?! What if Victoria kills Leona before that day comes?” “She won’t. It is her pride to kill in font of the entire pack the true Alpha of this pack.”“Huh? What do you mean?” “Come with me.” Ellen led me to jungle. Out of the packs domain. We need to stay hidden especially her. She was an outcast now. A rogue. Victoria caught her but was saved by other rogue werewolves who oppressed the current Alpha. They had been trying to remove Alpha Riley and now Victoria on the throne. But none of the council lis
DARREN’S POVWe were waiting at the Eldrich’s property impatiently. Nothing shows up. Leona was out there somewhere in the forest.I packed my bags. I can’t stay and let the hours passed by. Leona’s life us at risk. “Bro, you can’t go out there and search for Leona. God knows what was waiting for us there. It's not safe!” Rupert stopped me. “I need to do this. Leona is out there fighting for her life and what am I doing? Nothing. What if no one come huh? Who’s going to save her?”“But Mariko said someone will come. Have faith, bro.”“You can stay here if you like,” I continued packing. No one could stop me. Not even Rupert. When suddenly, someone was at the door, knocking loudly. Rupert opened it and was taken aback. A werewolf entered the house. “Darren!” I face the werewolf and was about to shift, but it shifted back to human form and mentioned my name. I quickly told Rupert to go to Leona’s room and check some clothes for the woman. She was panting and fell in my arms. I cove