Alpha and the wallflower

Chapter 8: The Leak and the Unexpected Visitor

Silas’s POV

I was restless. The faint scent of my mate, still lingering in my mind, was a reminder of how close I had come to finding her. But duty came first, and I had no choice but to push my personal desires aside for the moment.

I finished my meeting with the finance director, my sharp amber eyes narrowing as I absorbed the troubling details. Our old contractors were shifting their business to the Walton Group of Industries, a powerful family of vampires who were just as influential as the Blackwood Pack. While it wasn’t uncommon for businesses to flow between the two rival forces, this felt different. The Walton Group was winning tenders with impossibly slim margins, as if they had insider information.

My jaw tightened as I considered the implications. There was a leak within my company—someone was feeding sensitive information to the vampires. This wasn’t just a business setback; it was a direct threat to the stability of my pack. I needed to act quickly.

After the meeting, I made my way to Lucas’s office. My beta and most trusted confidant was already waiting for me, his expression grim. We dove straight into a heated discussion, strategizing how to uncover the leak and the person behind it. We reviewed employee records, financial transactions, and communication logs, but the trail was frustratingly elusive.

“We need to set a trap,” I said finally, my voice low and commanding. “Let’s feed false information to a few key departments and see where it ends up. Whoever is behind this will reveal themselves soon enough.”

Lucas nodded in agreement, his sharp mind already working through the details. “I’ll handle the logistics. We’ll have this leak plugged before they can do any more damage.”

As the meeting wrapped up, I felt a flicker of satisfaction. We had a plan, and I trusted Lucas to execute it flawlessly. But the restlessness remained, a hum deep within my chest. I had to find my mate. I had to ensure her safety. But the demands of being Alpha kept pulling me in every direction.

I returned to my office, still caught in a whirlwind of thoughts, when I sensed a presence behind me. Instincts honed by years of leadership and survival kicked in, and I reacted with lightning speed, tackling the intruder to the ground.

But as I pinned them down, I froze. The face staring up at me was one I hadn’t seen in months—a beautiful, familiar face that brought a rush of warmth and nostalgia.

“Sareena,” I murmured, my voice softening as I released her and helped her to her feet. “What are you doing here?”

Sareena laughed, brushing herself off. “Is that any way to greet a friend and your adoptive sister, Sal? I thought you’d be happy to see me.”

I couldn’t help but smile. Her presence was a welcome relief, a reminder of simpler times. “You know better than to sneak up on me. But it’s good to see you, Reena. It’s been too long.”

She grinned, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “I missed you too, you big grump. You’ve been so busy with pack business that you’ve forgotten about me.”

I chuckled, feeling some of the tension in my shoulders ease for the first time in days. “I could never forget you, Reena. You’re too hard to ignore.”

She playfully punched my arm, her smile warm and genuine. “Good. Now, how about you tell me what’s been going on? You look like you’ve got the weight of the world on your shoulders.”

I sighed, running a hand through my dark hair. “Same old chaos. Rival packs, business deals, and now a leak in the company. The Walton Group is poaching our contractors, and I’m pretty sure someone on the inside is feeding them information.”

Her expression turned serious, but her eyes remained kind. “That’s not good. The Walton Group has been making moves in other areas too. They’re expanding their influence, and it’s not just business. They’re targeting packs, Silas. Yours might be next.”

I nodded, my mind already calculating the implications. “I’ve been hearing whispers about that. Thanks for the heads-up, Reena. I’ll make sure we’re prepared.”

Her playful demeanor returned as she smiled. “That’s what family is for. Now, how about you take a break from all this Alpha business and catch up with me? I’ve missed our talks.”

I grinned, the weight of the world lightening for a moment. “I’d like that. Let’s grab a coffee, and you can tell me everything I’ve missed.”

As we left my office together, I felt a sense of calm I hadn’t experienced in weeks. Sareena had always had a way of grounding me, reminding me that there was more to life than duty and responsibility. For just a little while, I could set aside the worries of being Alpha and enjoy the company of a dear friend.