The Alpha’s Temptation

CHAPTER7

JARED

"Is it true that you actually dragged someone all the way across the long driveway just to offer an apology to your son's young mate?" Rio inquisitively asked as he casually strolled into the warm and inviting kitchen space.

With a soft sigh, I replied, "She's not really his mate," as I delicately lifted the steaming cup of coffee to my lips. Slowly making my way back to the comfortable kitchen island, I made a conscious effort to avoid fixating too much on the slightly stained napkin lying nearby.

"Oh, come on, out of everything I just mentioned, all you caught was my slip-up in calling her his mate?" Rio exclaimed with a hint of amusement in his voice. "When did she even stop being his mate?”

Rio, my beta and closest friend, stands as the only individual I hold in high regard, the only one I truly consider a friend in a world where trust is a scarce commodity among humans and our fellow werewolves. Despite Rio's persistent efforts to sway my opinion, I remain steadfast in my belief, unwilling to let my guard down.

In my role as the leader of our pack, I bear the responsibility of guiding them, yet my trust in them is nonexistent. This lack of trust runs deep, ingrained in my very being, leading me to abstain from attending dinners with other Alphas. Instead, I choose to host grand banquets for the wolves within our clan, delivering speeches that often feel unnecessary. However, a stark boundary remains—I never partake in dining with them, keeping a distinct separation between myself and those I lead.

Rolling his eyes, his eyes moved to the dirty napkin and he frowned. “Didn’t the maids come to clean the house to clean it when you left for work this morning?”

I do not want to talk about them. They have such a single job, clean up this place in my absence, and make sure not to run into me in the process. “Take the napkin with you when you are leaving.”

Blinking, he leaned back and crossed his arm. “I heard you had lunch with her.” he pointed out.

I feigned ignorance to the reason for his question. “What is wrong with having lunch with your secretary?”

Rio scoffed yet again. “Kate has worked with you for seven years and you never for once shared a dinner or lunch space with her yet Amira shows up and you have lunch with her on day one.”

I sipped more coffee, my jaw clenching at my unusual behavior. “Don’t read meaning into something that is not there.”

He leaned forward, placing his elbow on the counter. “I hope so too.” He muttered. “I have always prayed to the moon goddess to give you another chance at love after Clarise, but_”

“Don’t f*****g mention her name.” I hissed at him. “You may be close to me, but do not in your life go against my order of not mentioning her name anywhere around me.”

He lifted his hand. “I apologize for mentioning her name.” he acknowledged. “however, I hope you do not have any feelings for Amira because it will be crazy for you to be in love with your son’s mate.”

“Ex-mate,” I growled. He remained silent and I lifted my head to stare at him. “what?” I hissed, “Fine! I am not in love with her.” where did he get that crazy concept from?

“Don’t look at me as if I am crazy,” he argued, “I have seen the way you look at her.”

Oh for goodness sake! “What the f**k is your problem?” I hissed, “I look at her just as I look at every other person.”

“Right.” He muttered with an eye roll. “I believe you know the best thing to do, and you will do just that.” He reached for his suitcase and pulled out a printed picture. “An identified wolf was seen here in New York and he went missing all of a sudden.”

I frowned, reaching for the picture. “You think he sent him?” I asked, the thought alone made me angry. This isn’t even a clear picture of him. it is as if he is intentionally avoiding the camera.

“We can’t be sure until we have spoken with him, but the main thing is that we can’t find him,” he revealed. “I am thinking of involving the human police to help find him. maybe they can give us access to other camera footage so we can take a look and at least know what he looks like.”

I hate involving the humans in my affairs. They usually request something unusual after helping me out with a request. “Don’t talk to them yet,” I replied, pushing the picture towards him. “he might just be a rogue passing through, but be vigilant. Place more wolves on the street and boarders and have them reach us if they find him or sense anything unusual.”

“Yes sir.” He shoved the picture back to his bag and stood up, walking over to the dirty napkin to pick it up. “My daughter is turning two next week and I am throwing a small family gathering. Are you coming?”

“No.” there is no need to think about it, I believe he already knew the answer to his question even before he asked.

“Of course you won’t.” he made his way towards the kitchen doorway. “Just so you know, she misses you.”

Ignoring his statement, I remembered something major that I was going to talk to him about. “Put someone on Amira.”

Halting abruptly, he turned around and arched a brow at me. “I should do what now?” his eyes narrowed. “and you claim you treat her how you treat others?” folding his hands, he walked back to the kitchen island. “I don’t think I ever saw you put anyone on Kate.”

“Well, Kate wasn’t getting hit,” I responded, wiping that judgemental look off his face. “Kate never showed up to work with a slightly swollen and red cheek which obviously has been smacked.”

His eyes widened with astonishment. “She is being abused?” his eyes slowly darkened with anger even though he had no relationship or connection with Amira. “who do you think did it?”

If I had an idea, I would have visited that person already and removed the organ he or she used to inflict harm on her. “that is why you are to put some men on her, I want you to find out.” I sincerely hope it isn’t Phoenix. My son or not, I am not going to forgive him if he ever lays his hand on her.

“I will look into it and get back to you ASAP,” Rio assured me. I gave him a curt nod before downing the rest of my coffee.

“See you tomorrow Rio.” I woke up to him and tapped his shoulder widely before walking towards the door. “There is no chance that you have heard of her that you have been speaking to her right?”

“No” he replied, “You made your order clear and I am going to stand by it.”

Very good. Dragging my feet up the stairs, I hoped to sleep free of that nightmare that seemed to haunt me anytime my head hits the pillow and my eyes closed against the earth.

But of course that didn’t happen. the moment I closed my eyes, it transported me back to that day…the day I lost a valuable thing every living creature should have.

Trust and Love