Page 29 of Forsaken Desire
“Have our journalist write a piece on the dangers of believing photoshopped videos. Then call our pack IT guy.” I paused, snapping my fingers, trying to remember his name.
“Juan?”
“Yes, have him bury all those videos.”
“Yes, Sir,” he murmured.
“What is on the itinerary for the pack meeting?”
“Ah, two different situations?—”
My phone rang, and Bruno stopped speaking. I growled and snatched it up.
Cierraagain.
Each time I saw her name flash across my screen aggravated me. My mate shouldn’t have anything to do with her. I would remove Cierra from the pack immediately if the land I would receive from her wasn’t in her name still. The piece of land right beside Gideon Drake’s property. That bastard wanted it, which meant I took it.
“There is one more sensitive issue I need you to handle.” I met Bruno’s gaze, and he lowered his head, waiting. “Get Juanto begin to remove all electronic access from Cierra without her knowledge. Passcodes, key cards, change it all.” His eyebrows raised so high that they almost merged with his mop of hair.
“Our Luna’s access?”
“She is not your Luna,” I snapped, and he clamped his lips tightly shut. She would never be.
He bared his neck and avoided my eyes.
“Sorry, Alpha.”
Standing, I jerked on the lapels of my suit as I strode to the door. He shuffled away from me. Exiting my office, I walked down the hall of my home to my bedroom to change. I selected a simple shirt and sweats. These gatherings always ended up with blood spatter. This time, it may well be Cierra’s.
Tonight, she’d crossed the line in calling a gathering.
The issue was of my doing and now I had to unravel it.
I folded my clothes and placed them in the laundry basket.
Josephine needed a new wardrobe. I’d had a few items ordered, but I also wanted her to select pieces for herself. Once I learned a bit more of her tastes, I could tailor things to them.
A smile stretched my lips. My precious mate wouldn’t want for anything.
She enjoyed my touch, craved it almost as much as I craved her. Having her was a blessing and I’d almost lost out on it forever.
I’d thought I’d lost her. Emotion clogged my throat.
Keeping myself in control remained a precarious balance. Bend her over. Claim her. That was all that pulsed through my veins. The madness caused from losing her, but she seemed hungry for touch and comfort. I would do whatever she needed of me.
If she ever discovered my rejection . . . I gripped the doorknob hard. She reserved the right to hit me, punish me—fuck, she could run me over if she wanted. She could do with me as she wished but only as long as she didn’t leave.
11
Itwitched, fiddling with the seat belt, and trying not to feel awkward in the simple tan dress. At the same time, I was struggling not to freak out. What if the Alpha didn’t like me?
“Thank you for picking me up from Karol’s,” I said, awkwardly. Mid-drive, the babysitter had called, and she’d had to go back to her house. It had been just when I’d been about to ask her more about the Alpha. Then the call came and she was on the phone, talking to her little one until we got back to her house and I hadn’t been able to ask anything.
“You can relax, you know.” Alex grinned, peeking at me from the side. “I’m not going to bite . . . unless you want me to.”
His shot at levity relaxed my shoulders. I appreciated him trying to make me chill out, I’d felt like I was going to snap in half during the entire drive.
“Thanks, Alex.” I cleared my throat and peeked at him again, debating whether to ask him if he knew Lucian. But honestly, I was scared and the pit in my stomach wasn’t helping.
