The kidn*pped Soul of Luna

Chapter 9 - Richard

Kylara and Malcolm were ushered through a private entrance at the back of a non-descript high rise in the center of Manhattan. Kylara allowed the annoying Douglas lead them, so that she didn’t have to pretend that she knew where she was going. The plane ride back had been a stone silent drag. Douglas, a middle aged, balding man with a comb over, had endured the entire trip in his suit, which must have been uncomfortably warm on the Island. He watched her and Malcolm disapprovingly, like a stuffy old uncle. Kylara wished, for the first time, that she did have a wolf (just not Paxi) so that she could link Malcolm privately and c***k jokes about the man without him hearing them.

They stepped into a posh elevator and Douglas jabbed at the button for the Penthouse floor. He didn’t say a word, which suited Kylara just fine. She had no use for idle chatter. She didn’t like the little superior smirk he gave her as they reached the top floor. Apparently, “Carmel” was in trouble. Kylara couldn’t care less what any of these yahoo’s were thinking about her and she returned the smirk. She laughed a little when Douglas averted his eyes in surprise at her boldness. 

The doors opened into a clean white space. There was no color at all, except for the lavish floral arrangement on the glass reception desk. An immaculately groomed woman was standing in front of the desk. She was also dressed almost entirely in white, a white leather skirt, white silk blouse. The only color on her was her bright red lipstick with matching fingernails, a razor thin red belt and five-inch, red stiletto heels. Douglas walked up to her, his face flushing a little in front of her stunning beauty.

“Hello, Madelyn,” he said. “I believe Richard is expecting us.”

“Yes, of course, Douglas,” she cooed. “Please have a seat.”

Madelyn winked at Kylara as she walked out from behind the desk. Kylara kept her face blank. At that, Madelyn frowned, but didn’t stop as she walked to the ornate office door behind her. Tapping on the door, she slid inside and closed it behind her. The reception area was unusually quiet. All Kylara could hear was Douglas’ heavy breathing in the chair next to hers. Even Malcolm was uncharacteristically quiet. This was bullsh*t. Were they trying to intimidate them on purpose? She wondered, frustrated, if Malcolm could hear the conversation in the next room.

The door opened wide and Madelyn stepped out making a sweeping gesture with her hand, indicating that it was time to go in and see this “Richard” person. Kylara and Malcolm walked to the door. Madelyn allowed Kylara to walk past her, but stepped in front of Malcolm, blocking his way. Kylara heard Malcolm growl at that and the two humans stiffened at the sound. Madelyn didn’t back down however. She squared her shoulders and indicated the seat by the door.

“You may wait for her here,” she told him.

“I go where she goes,” Malcolm said forcefully, injecting a little of his Beta voice into his words to get the secretary to submit. He was surprised to see the human resisting his command.

“It’s okay, Madelyn,” said a powerful voice from inside the office. Kylara peeked into the room and saw a giant mahogany desk. It was backlit by the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. “You can let him in,” said the voice in the room.

Madelyn’s shoulders sagged in relief. It obviously had been an effort to hold her position. It made Kylara uncomfortable though, because to be able to withstand Malcolm’s Beta “suggestion” implied some kind of training to battle against the powers of superhuman influence. She was suddenly more wary than she had been moments ago. She glanced at Malcolm and she could see that he had also caught on to the fact that there was more going on here than met the eye.

They crossed the room to the giant desk. The high wing-backed chair was facing away from them, so they had not yet gotten a look at the man they were here to see.

“Please sit, Carmel,” said the deep voice from behind the chair.

Kylara stayed standing, as did Malcolm. The chair slowly turned to face them. Richard was an older man, but still large and imposing. His hair was still dark, except for his sideburns which were salt and pepper gray. He had a short and groomed goatee, which also showed a little gray hair, but not much. He stood up, fingertips on the desk and said in a deceptively kind voice, “Sit!” There was no mistaking the Alpha command behind the quiet, but powerful word. Kylara and Malcolm both sat compulsively, unable to deny the command.

Richard sat back down, folding his hands on the desk in front of him.

“Carmel. I was most displeased to hear of your sudden change in plans and poor life choices. I would, at the very least, have expected you to discuss your needs with me before acting so rashly.”

Malcolm sat up straight, “She doesn’t answer to you…”

Richard cut him off with a simple gesture of holding up a finger as if to shush “the boyfriend.”

“I will deal with you next, Beta.” Richard spat out Malcolm’s title as if it was beneath him to even say it.

 Kylara’s eyes went wide. Was she, as Carmel, supposed to be aware of the supernatural world or not? She felt trapped by all of the things she didn’t know. Thankfully, Richard cleared that much up for her as he continued.

“Carmel, you should know well by now that I am supposed to do a background check on any new “friends” that you might make. I am still trying to find information on your supposed ex, Xavier, and here you are, with a new man that I know nothing about… that YOU know nothing about.” He gave Malcolm a suspicious look as he told her, “he seems a little too… wild… for you.”

Kylara was thinking fast. “I am exploring a new side of myself, Richard. I feel… trapped and controlled.” (she was guessing that this much was probably true for Carmel based on this little meeting.) “It doesn’t hurt anyone if I just want to play for a while, right? After all, it’s my money I’m spending… and I’m only young once! So, if I want to travel, I will… and I will date whomever I please. I am legally an adult! You don’t own me!”

The room was completely silent when she was done. Richard just sat there looking at her, completely ignoring Malcolm. Kylara fought the urge to squirm under his gaze.

Finally, she spoke up again, “so… if that’s everything…”

She stood up to go and Richard said again, quietly, “sit!”

Kylara’s knees practically buckled under her as she sat back down as if a hand had pushed her.

“You’re right, Carmel,” Richard said while picking an imaginary piece of lint off of his suit sleeve. “I don’t own you. But, as you know, I control all of the Jacobs Foundation Funds and properties until you are 25 years of age.”

Kylara and Malcolm glanced at each other in silent frustration. This was news to them both.

Richard continued, “I control the foundation vehicles, including the plane that you absconded with. I maintain your bank cards. Even your rent is paid at my discretion. I took you on because your parents were my dear friends. You have always lived up to their, and my, expectations... until now." He shook his head in disappointment. "You are to return to your apartment and think about your actions. Tomorrow, I will expect an apology and some kind of plan that will move you forward in a responsible way that will benefit the foundation and your parent’s memory.”

"So basically, she's grounded?" Malcolm sneered.

The cold look that Richard gave him then made both of the imposters pause. 

Kylara looked down, ignoring Malcolm's outburst and, pretending to be contrite and obedient, replied, “Yes, Richard.”

“You can go.”

Kylara and Malcolm stood up, but Richard stopped Malcolm, “Not you.”

Malcolm assumed a casual pose and gave Kylara a gentle tap on the shoulder, indicating that he would be fine. She left the room, exhaling heavily as she gently closed the door behind her.

Malcolm was still figuring out what to say next, when Richard was out of his seat and holding Malcolm by the throat against the wall. It had happened so quickly, that even Malcolm was shocked that he hadn’t seen it coming.

“What is your pack? Who is your Alpha?” Richard demanded.

“Susitna Pack, Alpha Richard. My Alpha is Alexander,” Malcolm said respectfully, even a little nervously. He had guessed that Richard was an Alpha because of his innate authority and the man did not correct him now.

“He and I will be having a word, Beta,” spat out Richard, “And if I get a whiff of you being a threat to that girl in any way, it will be that last thing you ever do.”