Chapter 9
1176 Words
Alpha Tyson’s POV.
I stood there, facing Rose, with a mixture of frustration and admiration swirling inside me. She had a fire in her eyes, a determination I wished my mate, Elizabeth, possessed. Rose had stopped me in my tracks, her petite frame belying the strength of her attitude.
"Doesn't she have anything to say to you?" Rose's voice cut through the tension, her gaze fixed on the closed door behind which Elizabeth stood.
I knew what would come next.
She didn’t have it in her.
Elizabeth's timid response, her reluctance to speak up for herself. And true to form, when Rose pressed her friend to speak, Elizabeth mumbled something about having nothing to say.
Rose wasn't having it. She persisted, her voice growing more insistent by the second. But Elizabeth remained stubbornly silent, refusing to reveal whatever was brewing beneath the surface.
I felt a pang of frustration. Elizabeth's meekness grated on my nerves. I wished she would stand up for herself, and stop letting people walk all over her. But try as I might, I couldn't seem to ignite that spark of defiance within her.
As Rose continued to badger Elizabeth, I grew weary. Anger simmered beneath the surface, threatening to boil over.
“It seems you both want to waste my time and, as you know, I am a very busy man. I have a pack to look after.”
With a curt excuse, I turned on my heel and stormed away, leaving the two of them behind.
I could hear Rose's scolding words trailing after me as I made my exit. She called Elizabeth a fool, chastising her for not seizing the opportunity to speak her mind. But Elizabeth remained silent, offering no defense.
I pitied her but that wasn’t going to get in my way as I retreated to my office, seeking solace amidst the chaos of paperwork that awaited me. I settled into my chair, flicking on the fluorescent light to illuminate the room. There were documents to be sorted and issues to be addressed. And looming in the back of my mind was the call from my beta wolf, reminding me that time was of the essence.
Just as I began to delve into my work, she appeared.
Sandra.
My ex-fiancée strode into the room, her usual effervescent demeanor masking the turmoil within. She moved towards me, a smile playing on her lips as she reached out to kiss me. It was her second time coming today. The first time, she had forcefully tried to get me to sleep with her, but I wouldn’t, and when she didn’t get the satisfaction of getting a ‘yes’ from me. She pulled my shorts off and ran off.
I was glad no one had seen us. The thought of explaining what had happened, especially when I had someone I already called a mate, gave me a headache.
I brought myself back to reality as I recoiled, stopping her in her tracks. This wasn't the time or the place for her advances.
"Leave, Sandra," I commanded, my voice edged with frustration.
But Sandra didn't heed my words. Instead, she lashed out, sweeping her hand across the table, sending papers flying in all directions. Anger bubbled within me, but before I could react, she spat venomous words at me and fled the room.
I watched her go, a mix of emotions churning inside me. Anger, yes, at her audacity to disrupt my workspace. But also confusion, and a gnawing suspicion.
Was Sandra somehow connected to Elizabeth's silence? Did she have a hand in whatever was plaguing my mate?
I gathered the scattered papers, my mind racing with unanswered questions. But as I returned to my desk, one thing was clear: the storm brewing within the pack was far from an over---external storm, I meant. A clash between other packs and mine was what I meant.
Not one that had to do with feminine drama. I had better things to do.
Far better things.
***
I leaned back in my chair, the weight of the day's paperwork finally beginning to lift from my shoulders. My gaze fell upon the letter I had just finished, scanning it one final time for errors. But before I could complete my inspection, the sound of footsteps drew my attention.
Rose.
Elizabeth's friend stood before me, her usually confident demeanor marred by a palpable sense of distress. It was late evening, darkness enveloping the surroundings, but her worry shone through like a beacon.
"What's the matter, Rose?" I inquired, concern lacing my voice as I studied her troubled expression.
But instead of answering my question, Rose launched into an accusation, her words cutting through the air like knives. She questioned my motives, daring to suggest that I had brought her and Elizabeth into my pack only to subject them to suffering. Her boldness caught me off guard, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of indignation rising within me.
I rose from my seat, closing the distance between us as I sought to understand the source of her distress. But Rose remained stubbornly silent, her refusal to speak only fueling my frustration.
I peered into her eyes, searching for any hint of what troubled her so deeply. I could see the glisten of tears threatening to spill over, a silent testament to the turmoil within her. Yet still, she remained tight-lipped, her resolve unyielding.
With a final glare, Rose uttered a cryptic command, instructing me to "look around" for the problem before slamming the door in my face and storming out of the room. I was left standing there, bewildered by her actions and consumed by a gnawing sense of curiosity.
Before I could pursue her, however, I was intercepted.
Sandra.
My ex-fiancée materialized in the hallway, her presence like a sudden gust of wind, disruptive and unwelcome. Ignoring my attempts to evade her advances, she pressed herself against me, her lips finding mine in a forceful kiss.
I stiffened, acutely aware of Elizabeth's presence nearby. The timing couldn't have been worse, and I cursed myself for allowing Sandra to catch me off guard once again.
Elizabeth's fleeting glance as she passed by spoke volumes, a mixture of hurt and disappointment reflected in her eyes. I knew then that I had failed her, allowing my demons to intrude upon our relationship once more.
As Sandra pulled away, a smug smile playing on her lips, I couldn't help but feel a surge of anger towards her and myself. The storm brewing within the pack was growing stronger by the minute, and I was beginning to fear that I was losing control of the situation.
With a heavy heart, I retreated to my office, asking Sandra to follow me. I had to deal with her personally.
“Is that how bad you want us to f**k in your office?” I heard my ex say. I froze in my steps. That was not the message I intended to pass. I faced Elizabeth, who was already passing by.
“No.”
- Writer
