CHAPTER 4

Kaelen's POV

"Three days ago?" I repeated, still in shock.

"Yes, and she is going to be in the board meeting today." Rowan answered.

"Oh, wow." I said as I picked up my pen again, but the numbers in front of me no longer made sense.

Five years. She had really stayed away for five years.

A knock sounded on my office door.

"Come in." I answered.

Selene walked in carrying two cups of coffee.

"Ehm, I will take my leave now." Rowan said and left the office without waiting for my reply.

"I heard you've been working since morning." She said and placed one cup on my desk smiling.

I already knew what she came to the office to do but I wasn't in the mood to answer her.

"You should take a break." She added when she saw I was still focused on my work, even though my mind was not there, but I was not going to let her know that.

"Thank you." I finally replied, giving her a brief smile before going back to my work.

"I also heard something interesting." She started, sitting across from me. "Lyra is back."

"Yes." I nodded once without looking up from the documents I was working on.

"Does that bother you?" She asked watching my face carefully.

"No." The answer came too quickly.

She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes.

"I suppose she'll finally ask for the divorce again." She said but I said nothing.

"Kaelen, it's been five years." She added when she saw that I didn't reply.

"I know." I answered stiffly.

"We've waited long enough." She reached for my hand. "Let's get married after everything is settled."

"We'll talk about it later." I replied quickly pulling my hand away and her smile disappeared immediately.

"You always say that." She complained.

At this point, I was already tired of the conversation. I closed my eyes and clenched the pen tightly in an attempt at self control, because I was sorely tempted to throw her out.

Since Lyra left, Selene suddenly changed. Always nagging and being obsessive with us getting married and honestly, it made me miss the peace Lyra always gave me.

The saying was really true that you don't value what you have till you've lost it and that was exactly my case.

"I'm busy Selene." I managed to say in a calm voice.

"No." She shook her head. "You're avoiding the conversation."

Before I could answer, there was another knock and Rowan stepped inside. I couldn't thank him enough for the timely interruption.

"The board members have arrived." He announced.

"The meeting is starting." I said to Selene as I stood up.

"You escaped again." She sighed.

I looked at her. "I have work to do." And without waiting for another response, I walked out of the office.

...

Half an hour later, I entered the conference room.

The Inter-Pack Alliance had invited the biggest companies to present their investment proposals and my company was being used as the meeting place.

Several Alphas and business leaders were already seated. I greeted them before taking my seat.

"The final company is here," one of the organizers announced.

The conference room door opened. I looked up and everything around me seemed to disappear as Lyra walked inside.

She wore a white business suit with simple silver jewelry. Her long hair rested neatly over one shoulder.

She looked calm and confident. Nothing like the woman who had cried in our bedroom five years ago.

"That's Lyra Sterling." A man beside me whispered quietly, "I heard she built Silver Crescent Holdings from nothing."

"They say she's one of the smartest investors in the eastern territories and that she's even advising three Alpha Packs now." He continued but I wasn't paying any attention to whatever he was saying.

I just kept staring at her but she never looked my way. Not even once.

She greeted the organizers politely before taking her seat with her team.

It was as if I didn't exist and for some reason, it hurt.

The presentations lasted almost three hours. One company after another explained their plans.

Finally, it was Lyra's turn. She walked confidently to the front of the room. The large screen behind her displayed the Silver Crescent Holdings logo.

"Good afternoon, everyone." Her voice was calm and steady. "Thank you for giving us this opportunity."

She spoke about investments, technology, housing and economic growth and when she was done, she answered every question without hesitation.

Every board member around listened carefully. Even the Alphas who rarely praised anyone nodded with approval and when she finished, everyone was clapping.

"Impressive." One of the senior investor said smiling.

"President Sterling, your proposal is the strongest we've seen today." Another added.

She thanked them politely before returning to her seat but throughout the entire presentation, she never looked at me.

The meeting ended shortly before sunset. People slowly left the conference room while discussing the different proposals.

I was about to leave when I heard a familiar voice.

"Alpha Ashthorn."

I turned around and saw Lyra standing a few steps away. This was the first time we had spoken in five years and my heart started beating faster.

"You wanted to see me?" I asked.

"I only need a few minutes." Her voice was polite and professional.

She walked toward one of the smaller meeting rooms nearby and I followed her without saying anything.

I closed the door and for a few seconds, none of us spoke.

"You've changed." I commented, looking at her carefully.

"So have you." She replied and there was no warmth in her voice, it was just calm and I didn't even know why that bothered me.

"How have you been?" I asked and she looked at me with quiet surprise.

"You've had five years to ask that question." She simply replied but I could not answer.

What could I really say that would make sense?

She opened her handbag and for one foolish second, I thought she was taking out a gift, Instead she placed a thick brown envelope on the table between us.

"I had my lawyer prepare new copies." She started.

I looked down and even before opening it, I already knew what it contained. Divorce papers. She pushed them closer to me.

"Our marriage ended a long time ago." Her eyes met mine. "It's time to make it official."