The Lost Queen

Chapter 2. Annoying proposal

Ace

I got out of the principal’s office in River high and I was furious. My brainless brother got into fight with a younger douchebag, and I

had to sort out all this mess. I didn’t have time for all this s**t and now I had to cancel important meeting just because Kade was stupid enough to break some guys nose.

“Why you keep doing this s**t? It’s the third time this year!” I tried to contain myself from shouting, but it wasn’t easy. Not anymore. It was his last year in school, and he had to make it. I didn’t care how, but he must get his diploma.

“C’mon Ace. He was a d**khead. He attacked omega from our pack. I couldn’t let this pass.”

“He is a human. You could kill him!” After my words Kade rolled his eyes and immediately looked through my shoulder. His eyes lit up and stupid grin appeared on his face. I turned my head and saw her. s**t. It’s the same girl from the woods only now the difference was her appearance. She didn’t look scared, only annoyed. She marched through us, her whole attention was on her phone, and I couldn’t contain myself from feeling a pang in my chest.

“Hey pretty little thing! Or is it Kayla now?” I raised my eyebrows after hearing my brother’s words. The girl turned around and for a moment an irritated look was evidentially visible on her face. Immediately I could smell faint caramel and cinnamon, but it was an odd scent. Something wasn’t right and I couldn’t understand what. Her eyes shifted towards me, and I saw how her breath hitched inside her throat. Her eyes were full of surprises, and I couldn’t miss her greenish orbs surrounded by long eyelashes. I felt my wolf stirring in me, but I was caught by astonishment and couldn’t do a thing.

“Oh, c’mon Ace! Stop stealing beautiful girls from me!” Kade whined. I blinked a few times and turned around. Something here wasn’t right. I looked to my brother and shook my head slightly.

“She smells kind of weird. Don’t you think? I asked trying to understand what was wrong with it.

“I thought that too. But maybe that’s something what humans use?” Kade smiled one more time to Kayla but when I tried to look at her, she was already dashing away.

I wasn’t so sure that she was a human but kept that thought to myself and after a moment I grabbed Kade and took him out of the school.

“If you do something similar one more time, I’m going to take your car and a credit card. I will lock you in the pack house and you won’t go anywhere till school ends. Do you understand me?” After my threat Kade rolled his eyes but nodded like a good kid and I sighed. “I’m serious though. You need to finish school. I promised to our parents, so make them proud.” For a moment Kade was silent but finally dropped tough guy act and smiled weakly.

“I will, don’t worry about it.”

“I’m going to a meeting now, so I will see you in the evening.” I said patting his shoulder and left without looking back. I sat in my black Lexus and drove away from school’s territory. I tried to think about something else, but my mind drove back to a black-haired girl. What was she doing in the woods in the middle of the night a couple of days ago? I felt when she reconciled with a thought that she will die. I remembered her gentle smile and that strange feeling inside my chest. It looked like Nor, my wolf, wanted to go to her but he was hesitant. It was strange. He didn’t like company nor in a human form nor in a wolf form but with her it was something different.

When I tried to think of something else, I saw her walking on the sidewalk. Her short school skirt uncovered her muscular and tanned legs and for a moment I forgot I was driving. I need to concentrate, for fu*k sake, she goes to the same school as Kade. She is still a teenager, and I’m not a creep.

Finally, I reached the office building, turned car engine down and climbed out of the car.

“Mr. Hammond.”

“Hello Troy, how are you today?” I asked sympathetically giving him keys of my car.

“I’m great, thank you.” Skinny boy in a suit smiled and I nodded looking into tall building which was made from glass. Every panel glistened in a daylight and for a moment I was proud for my father’s idea to build it that way. He started this business while he was my age, and it was the biggest achievement in our family history. Now, after tragic events in the past it’s my responsibility to cultivate this business.

“Hello Mr. Hammond.” Said office’s administrator while getting up from the chair.

“Everything is ready?”

“Yes, Ms. Peterson is waiting for you in conference room.”

“Where are you?” I linked with my beta. While I waited for an answer, I pushed elevator’s button and following a soft beep sound, metal doors opened.

“Trying to distract a spoiled ass girl. When are you coming?” I laughed hearing annoyed Zaven voice in my head. Today I had to have a meeting with neighbouring pack’s alpha’s daughter but then I had to go to school, and everything fell apart. She agreed to wait, and I asked my best friend to ensure that she was feeling comfortable till I take care of Kade’s problems.

“In a few minutes. I’m already in elevator.” I looked at the watch on my right wrist and cursed. Today I still needed to visit the factory and ensure that everything was going smoothly. In a few weeks we will launch a new product to the market, and I need to be sure that every employee knew how it must be produced. Scientists found a new formula to manufacture paper with less pollution than it was before, and I just want to see the result. It will be magnificent.

When I left the elevator and stood in front of conference room, I could hear hushed voices. I tried to calm myself enough so I could listen to her wants and needs without getting angry.

“Hello Ms. Peterson.” I greeted her with a small smile. “Thank you, Zaven. I will take care of everything from here.”

“My pleasure.” He spat flatly and I had to refrain myself from laughing out loud.

“Mr. Hammond. Can I call you Ace?” For a moment I wanted to tell her no, but finally nodded and waited till she tells me what she wants. “Ace I’m here with a proposal. As you know my father is an Alpha of the Onyx pack and because of complicated circumstances my mate had died a few months ago.”

“I’m so sorry to hear it.” I said gently taking small step forward.

“We weren’t mated so it was easier to live through it. So, as I said, my father had a proposal to unite our packs which means I will have to mate with you. As I know you still hadn’t found your mate and maybe you won’t find it so to make our packs stronger, we could choose one another and live quiet but complete life together.”

“No.” Nor was the first one to speak. He kind of growled negative answer and I could see how Ms. Petersons eyes darkened. She was a beautiful woman with a long brown hair and same shade eyes. Her face was delicate and her body graceful, but I didn’t feel even a small spark between us. How can she expect to live a complete life when her mate died a few months ago?

“I’m sorry Ms. Peterson- “

“Call me Alaia.”

“As I said I’m sorry for your loss Ms. Peterson, but I must decline. I can’t sacrifice my fated future for quiet and complete life. It’s just not enough and even if I still hadn’t found my mate it doesn’t mean I won’t find her.”

“So, you say to me no, only because you are chasing a dream that may never come true?”

“My answer is still no. No matter what the reason for that is.” As I stopped talking, she stood up and looked into my eyes. Her caramel’s shade glance was enraged, and I managed to smile stiffly. “Have a nice day Ms. Peterson.” She stormed out of the conference room, and I stared at a closed door. I stood there thinking about her words and my mate’s searches. It was five years already, and I still wasn’t able to find her. Maybe Moon Goddess didn’t give me one? But how can I be an alpha and don’t have a mate? I’m weak without her.

I sighed and looked around the conference room. Every day was the same routine for three years. After my parents died, I didn’t do anything else just took care of the pack and family business. When can I finally find happiness in all of this? I needed to find my mate, no matter what it costs me.