A Hidden Destiny

The hidden agenda

Aiden

I sat near the fireplace, strategically placed with the entrance in my sight. I’ve been here for several hours already deep into a meeting with my Beta Liam and Gamma Blake, but my thoughts were not in the meeting. I couldn't seem to concentrate on anything about budgets today. Maybe it was stupid of me to move the meeting here instead of my office in the pack house as usual, since I didn’t actually participate at all.

I found myself hoping that she would come here today. Well, both for Patty’s and my own sake. Even though I barely knew anything about her, she was like a breath of fresh air I didn’t realize I needed. A small smile grazed my lips when I thought about her struggle with the Wolf Special. A struggle a few people win, but I had seen the determination in her eyes. She was a stubborn woman, it seemed. “Why are you smiling like that?” Liam asked me with a smirk. I looked at him, leaning myself back against the back of the chair and crossing my arms over my chest in a defensive posture. “Nothing important,” I answered quickly and defensively, obviously lying to both him and myself. “Well, it must be, for you to sit there looking like a fool in the middle of our monthly budget meeting”, he pressed me further with his left eyebrow slightly raised. He’s lucky that he’s my best friend. “You know what, Liam? Sometimes you remind me too much about my mother”, I said without emotion. It was a small attempt to divert his attention, and sadly, he didn't take the bait. “I choose to take it as a compliment, Aiden,” he said, and added with a smirk, “Ready to continue, or should we start over for your sake?” I sighed and took a sip of my coffee as I told him to continue with whatever we were discussing. Jerk.

Every time the door opened, I found myself looking towards it. Was it her? Would she recognize me? Remembering her expression when she realized I was joking about the ATM was the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. The way her dark brows furrowed and the deathly stare she sent me. A shiver ran down my spine just thinking about it. I actually meant it when I offered to pay for her food. I never wanted her to pay for food again, I wanted to provide for her, make sure she was well fed. Which was a bit crazy, I should only feel that way with my mate. This stranger was not my mate. I should've known by now if she was. I don’t know, but something about her just calls for my attention. My wolf's as well.

I felt someone nudging my foot under the coffee table and realized that I had zoned out of our meeting once again. It was Blake trying to help me gather my thoughts. I looked at him appreciatively, but realized that Liam had already noticed my absent mind. I could tell from the stupid smirk on his face. “Thank Godness that we only have one more thing on the agenda. What’s up with you today, Aiden? He asked me. I loosened my tie, feeling a bit uncomfortable from his question, and leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees. The warmth from the fireplace was making it hard for me to breathe. “Just feeling tired, if you must know” I lied. He raised his stupid left eyebrow again, clearly knowing that I had just told him a lie. “Sure you are.” He answered, and continued with our agenda: Pack developments.

It was always exciting to find out what the pack had enlisted here. First thing was a climbing frame to the playground. ‘The pups would love that’, I thought to myself, before speaking my mind to the others. "Great suggestion", I nodded approvingly, as Liam continued with the list. “Next up is a job posting”, he said and I looked up, waiting for him to continue and I noticed Blake looking curiously at Liam too. “They need a new manager at The Hill Hotel.” The three of us looked at each other. “Wait, why? What about Thomas?” Blake said, rather confused. Just as we sat there wondering about this sudden job posting, the door opened and I quickly raised my gaze, looking towards the door. My heart was beating faster than ever before, crashing against my ribs and I nearly forgot how to breathe. There she was. Finally.