Page 6 of Alpha-Ex Wedding Ruse
“That’s always been the plan, has it not?”
He shrugged. “Just reminding you. So, what are you offering? It better be something worth my baby girl's hand in marriage.”
I leaned back in my chair.
“Full infrastructure backing. Vaughn Industries fronts the entire cost for all integration phases, further research and development, testing, regulatory clearance, and scaled deployment.”
His brows twitched. I didn’t stop.
“We’ll also take on the liability risk for phase one trials. In return, we want a ten-year exclusive distribution deal. North America only, with first right of refusal for all future upgrades.”
“And the Smart Hub District?” he asked.
“We’ll build the neural grid backbone. The Manhattan pack territory becomes the flagship district. You get prestige. I get the Alpha Regent’s attention.”
I paused.
“And Elena gets to play princess.”
Alpha Sterling grinned, just for a second. Clearly impressed.
Then his mouth thinned, the smile vanishing like it had never been there. He stifled a nod my way.
“I can have my company lawyers begin drafting the contracts, while—”
Something stirred in me. It was a low growl in my chest, coiling up my spine.
I shifted in my chair, adjusting my tie. “Vaughn Industries will also handle all PR programs, irrespective of what—”
There it was again. The growl. Stronger this time. Like something was waking inside of me.
It was my wolf.
For five years, it had been quiet. Dormant. As if punishing me. For her. For the decision I made five years ago, to reject our Fated Mate, to sever the one bond that could’ve ever made us whole.
Since then, he hadn’t moved. Hadn’t howled. Hadn’t whispered.
Until now.
“Vaughn?” Alpha Sterling’s voice cut through the haze. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I clenched my jaw, forcing the words out, fighting the tension building in my gut.
But the feeling kept intensifying inside of me. I grabbed the armrest of my chair to try to ground myself, my nails threatening to tear into the leather.
It wasn’t like anything I’d ever felt before. My wolf was awake. Fully. Pacing beneath my skin, restless, wild, demanding something. Someone.
Then it hit me. The scent. Sweet like jasmine and honey, yet wild as an untamed ocean. Just like her. Fierce and irresistibly soft.
I froze. The sharpness in my chest eased. My wolf growled again. But this time it was different. Calmer. More certain.
I didn’t understand it, but I knew it. No, I felt it. She was here.
I pushed back from the chair, standing abruptly. “Excuse me,” I said, already moving.
Alpha Sterling’s voice followed me out. “Problem, Vaughn?”
“No,” I muttered without turning. “Just ghosts.”
