REBORN INTACT

CHAPTER TWELVE

CALHOUN

"Send a message to Valerie to let her know to prepare for an evening out with me in two hours. She should wear a black dress," I tell my assistant.

The drive to the airport isn't long, so I do what I know best as I check my messages and respond to each one. One, however, catches my attention.

From Mr. Hayden.

A frown instantly forms on my face.

Receiving a message from him isn't surprising, but I thought I had already made myself clear, we won't be working with them, nor will we be entering into any form of alliance.

Ever since word got out that I am searching for a bride, he has been trying to force an arrangement between me and his second daughter.

Yeah.

You'd think I'd be among those eagerly searching for a mate, but in my world, I don't have that kind of freedom, I have to produce an heir to keep the bloodline intact and I need a pureblood.

"Dear Alpha,

We would love to hear your response regarding our request for a supply of Crag, and we hope for a positive reply..."

I don't bother reading the rest, I'm already irritated.

"Arrange a meeting with the Haydens," I tell Jude. "Or will they be attending the gala tonight?"

"I don't think there's room in your schedule for a meeting, sir," he replies. "But they should be at the gala tonight as all the elite families were invited."

"Good."

I return to my work.

A few moments later, Jude clears his throat.

"I'm sorry, sir, but Miss Valerie says she won't be able to make it tonight because she wasn't informed earlier."

I don't even look up.

"Tell her I said she can do whatever she likes while I do whatever I like."

"Yes, sir."

The flight home is short, I take a quick break nap time while we were on air and it is refreshing because I know this might be the only break I would get in coming days as the wedding in next week and I have a gala to attend

This Art Gala is the second thing that has a place in my heart asides creating drugs for reasons I am unwilling to share with the general public

“Sir we are home” My assistant says and I open my eyes instantly and then the rest of the journey home is short

Stepping out of the car later, I inhale deeply, it's good to be home.

The mansion smells of pine and familiarity and everything Vegas could never offer and my wolf stretches in satisfaction, enjoying being back on our territory.

"I'll head inside and change now," I tell Jude. "Don't worry about driving me to the gala, I'll go myself. You're dismissed."

"Understood, sir."

The moment I walk into the mansion, everything goes quiet, staff members immediately bow their heads in greeting, I acknowledge none of them, I simply continue walking.

Tonight is going to test my patience.

Every elite supernatural family will be present, and that means endless conversations, endless politics, and endless attempts to gain my favor so I need to be prepared.

If Valerie decides not to show up after all, she's going to regret it, she knows exactly how much I dislike being ignored.

By the time I reach my room, I've already decided I'll need some form of distraction after enduring the gala, pulling out my phone, I send a message.

Meet me at the hotel later. Midnight.

The response comes almost instantly.

Okay, Master.

A quick shower helps clear my head.

Afterward, I step into my closet and get dressed in all black, the goal is simple, sharp and powerful whivh is exactly how I like it.

Once I'm satisfied with my appearance, I grab my keys and phone and before leaving, I send another message.

Be downstairs now before I come down.

Hopefully Valerie is smart enough to listen, I open my bedroom door and step into the hallway.

"I can understand why people flock to you," a familiar voice says. "If I didn't already have a mate, I probably would too."

I barely suppress a sigh.

Cyrus.

Of course, my brother wouldn't be here this late without a reason.

"To what do I owe this honor, Alpha?" I ask dryly.

"You'd think you'd miss your brother after spending a week out of town."

A grin spreads across his face.

"And this," I say as I start walking toward the stairs, "is exactly why everyone takes you for granted."

He laughs.

"At least rooms don't go silent whenever I walk into them."

The only person alive who can get away with talking to me this way is Cyrus.

My brother and unfortunately, he knows it.

"When were you planning on telling us you were back?" another voice asks.

Laine his mate.

I glance at her.

"You would have seen me at the gala."

She rolls her eyes and Cyrus laughs again, I swear the man finds amusement in everything.

We continue downstairs together, the moment we reach the front entrance, my attention shifts, Valerie is standing beside the car and her head is lowered.

Good.

At least she listened.

"I'm sorry, young couple, but I have to leave now."

I give them a short nod before looking directly at Valerie and one glance is enough, she immediately opens the passenger door and climbs in.

Good.

The drive to the gala passes in complete silence. Valerie doesn't say a word and neither do I as I have no interest in forcing conversation.

The truth is, she wouldn't be my first choice for a mate, she's too compliant one moment and too stubborn the next, spoiled, protected and far too attached to her mother but she fits the requirements.

I love my women all tall and slim and being able to lift them up with their long legs wrapped around my waist as I my d**k is inside their soft goodness as I f**k deep and hard as I want but she comes from a respected pureblood family, which is exactly what I need.

This marriage has never been about affection, it's a business arrangement, necessary one and Valerie understands that.

At least, I think she does.

I glance at her briefly before returning my attention to the road, she's attractive enough, not exactly my usual type, but attractive, her glasses give her a quiet, she can be called cute though, with those big ass and boobs that would fill my hands and overflow as I f**k her from behind

The dining table would do the job and her plus size isn't such a bad thing so as much as this is business, I'm sure I'm gonna enjoy procreating but she insists on no s*x till marriage which is fine by me. I can get my d**k wet everyday of the week so I don't mind

Still, appearances mean very little in the grand scheme of things as bloodlines, power matters and legacy matters, everything else is secondary.

The thought is enough to keep my focus where it belongs, work, politics, the future, anything but the growing headache tonight is guaranteed to bring and the fact that I'm already that hard few minutes away from the venue, work always helps curb my dick

Thankfully, we arrive at the gala before I can dwell on it further and at almost the exact same moment, another vehicle pulls up beside us.

Cyrus and Laine.

Wonderful, just what I need, I climb out of the car and straighten my jacket, the entrance is already crowded with guests all powerful Alphas and ancient bloodlines, political allies and potential enemies.

Everyone pretending to be friends while secretly calculating advantages, juhe usual.

Valerie steps out beside me, remaining quiet and we make our way inside, the grand hall glitters beneath crystal chandeliers, music drifts through the air, conversations fill every corner and laughter echoes around the room.

Yet despite the noise, my attention shifts instantly, a familiar scent reaches me and my wolf reacts immediately so I stop walking.

Someone powerful has entered so I lift my gaze and there he is even from across the room, people move out of his way ans the crowd parts around him without hesitation.

Fear.

I can smell it, thick and sharp and qlmost overwhelming, if I weren't an Alpha, I'd probably understand why but I am an Alpha.

Which means I don't step aside for anyone.

Still, watching him command a room without saying a single word is impressive, my lips slowly curve into a smile.

Because unlike everyone else present, I can pervieve the fear oozing from his skin even though on his face the struggle to mask it is real

No.

I welcome the challenge as he continues moving through the crowd, I keep my eyes fixed on him.

What is it they say about bigger devils?