Chapter3
1375 Words
**Allaistar's POV**
I stared at my reflection in the mirror, adjusting my tie for what felt like the hundredth time. Frustration bubbled inside me, twisting my stomach. How did I get to this point?
Everything was spiraling out of control—my father's health, the family business crumbling beneath us, and now there was Violet. She was getting under my skin in ways I didn't know were possible.
The door creaked open, and she stepped in. I missed her entrance, too consumed by my thoughts. My heart thumped harder when I noticed her. She stood there, looking so annoyingly determined.
What are you doing?I snapped, my irritation flaring again. Her presence felt like a distraction I couldn't afford.
Get your f*****g hands away from me, b***h!I scowled, pushing off her hand as she came closer. Did she really think this was a good idea?
What does it look like? I want to help you put your tie in place,she said, arms crossed defiantly. I rolled my eyes, wanting to toss her out of my space, but there was a small flicker of something I couldn't quite place. Was i drawn to her defiance.....or curiosity?
I don't need your assistance,I warned, trying to keep my voice steady as I stepped away from her. She was stepping into territory that made my skin crawl, and I didn't like that one bit.
You don't mean that, do you?she asked, following me.
I suddenly stopped and turned around to face her, anger simmering. We were too close, our faces almost touching. I meant what I said. Stop acting like you care and get out of my personal space!I was losing my patience.
What about last night?she pressed, reaching for my hand again, but I pulled away. It meant nothing to you?
People hop into bed all the time,I shot back, my voice cold. Its no big deal, darling.I didn't want to show her how much that night had actually messed with my head. I turned to leave, furious with myself for even letting this go as far as it had.
I watched her flinch, a flicker of hurt clouding her eyes. Good, she needed to know I wasn't joking. I was not the kind of guy you could mess with. Last night was a drunken mistake.
As I exited the room, I felt like a storm was brewing inside me. I couldn't shake off the way she looked at me, like she wanted to reach out and remind me of the connection we shared.
But I wasn't that guy anymore—not since my father fell, not since the Reeds had messed up everything. I had my goals, and emotions were just a hindrance.
*******
Once in my office, I took a seat and grabbed my phone. What do you mean you still haven't figured it out?I barked into the receiver, irritation rising within me as I stared at my computer screen, the endless emails piling up one after another.
No response came, just the sound of shuffling at the other end. I groaned. You said you'd have everything sorted out. Why is it taking so long?
Incompetence is not tolerated in my business,I threatened, my voice drumming with authority. Get this sorted or I'll find someone who can.I hung up, frustration bubbling inside me like a boiling pot, simmering but ready to overflow.
Then, my phone buzzed again. What is it this time, Jake?I called out, not in the mood for distractions.
"Huh? Who's Jake? Violet's voice piped up from the other end, cutting through my thoughts.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair.
I nearly slammed my head against the desk. What did she want now? Couldn't she know I was busy? What do you want?I snapped, not bothering to hide the impatience in my voice.
I just wanted to check on you, she said softly, and I could hear the lingering concern in her words.
She was trying so hard to be caring, but I needed her to understand that her family was tied to my father's suffering. How could I ever trust her?
My father's health had been declining, and the thought twisted in me like a knife. If anything happened to him, there would be no mercy for the Reeds. And if Violet was caught in the middle of it, well, I would do what I had to.
Why? I shot back, not wanting to deal with this right now. I'm working.
There was a moment of silence at her end, and then she hesitantly said, I am just worried about you.
The nerve of her. Why would she care? I shut her out of my mind, focusing on my task at hand. I needed to concentrate on the investigation that was consuming every corner of my life. The Reeds were responsible for my father's business struggles, and I needed answers.
With a quick brush of frustration, I ended the call, so I wouldn't have to listen to her voice anymore. I threw myself back into work.
Hours later, the monotony of the office felt suffocating. Darkness crept across the halls, the sun already dipping below the horizon. I was too caught up in my labyrinth of emails and data to pay much attention until my phone buzzed again.
This time, it was Jake. I picked up, but I almost ended the call when I heard what he had to say. Are you certain of this? I asked, the urgency clear in my tone.
A Hundred percent certain, sir!he assured.
"Fine. I'll send over the balance in a few minutes. Keep digging on the reeds,"I said, my mind racing. If Jake was right, it would mean I had more pieces of this puzzle to fit together.
When I finally stood up, the stiffness in my legs reminded me of how long I had spent glued to the screen. I checked my watch, realizing it was way past closing time. I felt the weight of responsibility pressing down on me.
Driving home, the air felt tense; my thoughts swirling around what I needed to do next. The scent of damp earth filled the air; a storm was approaching. I switched on the radio and tried to reclaim some of my focus as I pulled into the driveway. But the thought of Jake's words kept coming.
According to Jake, Violet was not part of those who wrecked my father's company; she doesn't even work with the Reeds.
When I stepped inside, the house greeted me with an unsettling silence. A chill swept through me, and I noticed a single drop of blood on the floor. My heart raced as I moved quickly, instinctively following it toward the living room.
What the hell had happened? The air grew thicker as I traced more drops. Each one seemed to scream danger, and something primal inside me stirred. I picked up the scent of Violet, mixed with the metallic smell of blood.
Is it my rival? A rogue? I'd rejected the idea of using security in my house. My hands curled into fists as I concluded there was danger.
Then, I nudged open Violet's door and froze. The sight hit me like a punch to the gut. Her room was a disaster—clothes scattered everywhere, furniture overturned. It looked like a fight had taken place.
Violet?I called, dread creeping into my voice. Panic clawed at my throat; I needed to find her. What if someone had taken her? My wolf snarled within me, urging me to act quickly, protect what was mine.
I stepped further into her room and sniffed the air again, trying to pick up anything that might tell me what had happened. I could smell her faint perfume, but over it was another scent—an intruder. My gut twisted at the thought.
Just then, I heard water running—a flush from the bathroom. Fear surged through me. My instincts told me to move, but I hesitated as I glanced back into her messy room. She could be in danger.
But when the ringing from my phone broke through the silence, I cursed and turned back toward the sound. The bathroom door creaked open, and in that mom
ent, my heart stopped.
.............
- Writer
