The Wife's Resolve

Chapter 3:The New Dare

It was no surprise to Valerie that a mere three months after Elena began working for Darius, he showed up at Black and Dare Associates and asked for a meeting with Valerie. Her new assistant, Penelope, paged her when he arrived and ushered him straight inside.

"I am sure you have no idea of why I wanted to meet with you." Darius began. He looked to have aged about ten years in a matter of days; it had been since the last family dinner a week ago.

"Let's save us both some time on the long story routine, Dar, I know why you are here." She looked up for the first time from the papers before her.

"Who told you?" he asked tentatively.

"Dar, no one had to tell me. Please remember who you are talking to. I have eyes and ears everywhere. It's how I know my husband moved his would-be mistress to your office. I would say three months is a long enough time to be pregnant. Am I right?" she stated. It was almost ironic, actually, how many people thought that just because she did not work at the company, she did not know what went on there. She liked her giossip just as much as the next person, unless it involved her or the Alpha.

"It's not like that," he refuted.

"I suppose to you it is not. I suppose to you it's love. However, a child out of wedlock is never a benefit to the family. Darius, what were you thinking?" I asked him flatly. It might have seemed cruel, but he did not get angry. He came to me because he needed help, but he knew I would point out the problems. He also knew I would be nicer than Damon, who probably had no clue what was going on in his brother's life. He was never one to pick up on suttletees. "In your case, you have to make a choice, Dar. Do you marry the girl? If you do it had to be soon before it is discovered. If anyone finds out, it will be too late. Do you provide her safety from the family? Or do you just accept the child, but know that the child will always be considered illegitimate in the family and overlooked for any advancement in the business? Providing money for Elena but nothing else." I concluded and waited for him to catch up.

"Those are my options, all right, but I have already made a decision. I refuse to have my son or daughter be considered illegitimate in the family, which means I have to marry her," he concluded.

"Which means you have to talk to Damon?" I answered.

"Why must I do that first?" Darius asked.

"You were not born yesterday, Dar. He is the boss, and you know no one gets married in the family without his blessing. What's even worse is that she does not even come from one of the four families. She has no advantage to the company, the pack, or the organization. You know that that is the real reason you are here. You want me there when you tell Damon, which I will be for your sake. Damon would regret killing a brother. Although before we have that meeting, which will be done here, another thing Damon won't like is that we need to have certain things in place." Valerie stated.

"Like what?" he asked.

"Three things are needed," Valerie stated, "First, we will need a paternity test after the child is born to ensure he is your child. Only Damon needs to see this. He won't approve, I can guarantee it without it. I have had to draw several of these up over the years for children suspected of being illegitimate. She will have to sign a document to have her child tested after birth to confirm her claim. As long as the child is yours, nothing will happen. However, if the child is not yours, you will still be free to raise and claim the child before the pack if you choose to, and remain married if you choose to, but the child will not be entitled to any claim in the company or organization. The child will still be a recognized member of the pack, as will his mother."

Damon interrupted, " I know the child in question is mine."

"It's cute that you defend her, Darius," Valerie remarked with a smile.

"I defend her because it is the truth," Darius started to raise his voice, "Just because she was rumored to like my brother at one time does not make her a horrible person. Many girls have liked my brother over the years; if I looked for one who never found him hot, I may never find anyone."

"That may be true, but it will not convince Damon." Valerie stood up and went to pour herself a glass of water. "Would you like one?" she asked.

Damon just shook his head. "So what else is my mighty brother going to need to allow this marriage?"

"All marriages outside of the four families require a prenuptial agreement?" I stated plainly.

"So you have one?" He asked boldly.

"My father would have insisted on it even if the Dare family did not. The Black family is larger, wealthier, and owns more property. I had just as much to lose as Damon did. We each own 40% in each other's companies for a start, and the other contingencies in our lives are none of your business." Valerie joked.

"And you will draw that up in advance?" Darius.

Valarie laughed, "Oh, that I could," she sighed, " I can draw up a preliminary prenup for Damon to look over, but if he doesn't like the conditions set, he may require more, and you need to be prepared for the fact he will make sure the company, pack, and organizations are covered."

"Well, that makes sense, I suppose," he rubbed the back of his neck. "What is the third thing?"

"Life insurance policy," Valerie replied.

"Why do I need to do that?" Darius said.

"The company and the pack have an insurance policy on you. Currently, they are set to pay to the Alpha upon death because you have no heirs. All policies are paid to the heirs, not the spouses, if outside the four families. Elena will have to be made aware in the event of your death, and the insurance payment will only be paid to the company and to your child. You will have to pick a trustee for the money if your child is under 18 when you die, and it cannot be the mother."

"Why can the trustee not be Elena?" Darius asked.

"Pack laws prohibit it; it is the way of making sure that the child is protected and not just cast aside after the mother remarries," Valerie explained.

" I suppose that makes sense," Darius concluded, "When can you start on all of this?"

"I already have it done," Valerie.

"You already have it done," Darius looked taken back and thought for a few minutes before replying, "You thought this would happen?"

"I anticipated her playing on your sympathy and good nature. I hope there are genuine feelings by the way, for your sake." Valerie responded, trying her hardest not to sound condescending.

"I hope so too, so when do we break the news to Damon?" Davius questioned.

"He should be here in about ten minutes, by my guess." Valerie gave a tight smile as she checked her phone. "Make that three, his car just pulled up.

"Valerie, wait, what?" Darius stuttered out questions.

"Dar, I told you I was prepared. I texted Damon to meet us here for lunch after you showed up this morning." She replied like it was no big deal. She finished her water and moved to stand by the window while they waited.