Chapter 50
Alpha Cole continued to stare at the file on his desk. He ran his index finger down the image of the stripper, time and time again. The fiery flame of red hair, scattered all over her head like a lion’s mane, the immaculate emerald color of her eyes, pointed nose, and perked lips, everything reminded him of her. The girl was a spitting image of someone he once knew.
Once the knock on his door came, Alpha Cole pushed the file away, allowing it to roll to the distant end of the table. He sat up, and adjusted his posture, before calling out to the visitor. He picked up a stick of cigarette from the packet, stuck it between his lips, and burnt the bottom with the lighter that had sat on his table. The door creaked open and his son’s assistant stepped in.
“Good day Alpha Cole.” He saw the man bow as he spoke. Alpha Cole took one long drag and puffed the smoke into the air. His nostrils widened to sip the flavor of the tobacco. He closed his eyes to savor the smell and the burnt taste it left at the tip of his tongue.
“Neil, I have an assignment for you.” He started. He thought it best to head straight to the reason the man was here, he had no time to waste.
“I am forever at your service, Alpha.”
Alpha Cole shrugged. Of course, he was, he didn’t have a choice.
The old man cleared his throat, stifling a cough. He leaned into his seat and stared up at Neil.
“I would need you to take me to the hospital of this woman…” He snapped his fingers, as though he had forgotten her name.
“Jojo Wyatt?” Neil suggested. Alpha Cole wore a thin smile on his face, the young man had fallen right into his trap.
“Yes, Jojo or whatever. You did say her mother was in the hospital, did you not?”
He noticed Neil’s eyes narrow on hearing the question. He wished the man would seize being so nosy.
“Yes, Alpha. I did say so.” Neil replied, and Alpha Cole nodded.
“Good! Excellent. You would take me to the hospital, the ward she’s being kept. There are some things I need to…” He paused, hanging his statement midair. He did not owe Neil any explanation. He had given an instruction the man had to obey. But, from his right corked brow, Cole could tell the young man’s ears were itching for the end part of his sentence.
“I would want to be in the hospital tomorrow, schedule something.”
Neil’s face fell, worry and fear etched in his gaze.
“Alpha Cole, if your son finds out…”
“He’s my son, is he not?” Cole fired back, with a fully raised right brow that caused Neil to swallow his saliva. The man lowered his young eyes to the ground.
“Yes Alpha.”
Cole’s facial features relaxed once more. He took another drag and let out another puff of smoke.
“Good. Then you’ll do as I say. Tomorrow, 6 pm sharp. Do what you must.” He ordered.
The young man did not bother raising his head.
“Yes, Alpha.”
Cole twirled his seat around and smiled to himself. He needed to see her for himself. He had heard from Neil that she had been fighting for her life in the miserable walls of a hospital for eight years, but it was not enough to hear. He wanted to see and feed his eyes on her misery.
It was only then he would be enveloped with delight.
It would feel good knowing that her life had been miserable since she left him, just like he had been.
It would gladden his heart to see her suffering.
LAKE:
I drove Kenji’s car into my garage and hurried into my suite. I was told by my doorman that my grandmother had left an hour ago. I gave him a curt nod as a reply and headed straight to my room.
Seeing Jade again must have unnerved me more than I thought it would, perhaps, she had more power over my moods than I gave her credit for. Throughout the drive, I found my fingers fidgeting against the steering wheel. Cold sweat broke out from my forehead, despite the air-conditioner in the car.
It was the same thing now. Three showers and fifty pushups later, I still felt as though the walls of my room would close up on me. I opened all the windows, and slid my glass door wide open, yet, invisible forces sucked out the air from my room.RêAd lat𝙚St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only
I could not understand why I was feeling this way like something was missing from me, or I was doing something wrong. I took off my sweaty vest and tossed it into my laundry bag at the bottom of my closet. I settled into my bed with my bare chest, massaging the creases on my forehead with my fingers.
The last time I felt like this was the night I rejected my first mate. No matter how I tried to clear my head, my actions continued to poke my conscience with the sharp end of a needle. It was hard to black out the voices in my head.
Salome and I were together for a long while. She had not particularly interested me, but I liked the idea of ruling the pack with her. She was a strong and resilient woman, which was the trait that separated us. She wanted children, she was desperate for them. But, I knew that I could not give them to her no matter how we tried. She blamed herself for it and cried herself to sleep on most nights. I was laden with the burden of watching her spend tons of money on doctors, just to hear the plain truth; nothing was wrong with her.
I was willing to be quiet and endure it all until she suggested we go for a test as a couple. She wanted to know if there was something wrong with me, so we could begin the necessary “treatments.” Something was wrong with me, but it was a family secret that did not need the ears of a stranger. So, I subtly rejected her and freed her from the shackles of our mate bond. She deserved better than me.
The ringing and vibration of my cell phone beside my bed stole my thoughts away. I turned to find the device, Kenji’s name boldly inscribed on the caller ID. I picked up the call and pressed the phone to my right ear.
“Bro. You took the car!”
That was the first statement he made; a cry of anguish. I scoffed and shook my head.
“And you promised you’ll keep Jade away from me. We’re even now.” I bit back. I heard him grow quiet at the other end.
“Man, my apologies for that. It was my bad. But, she’s been out of her mind ever since you told her you won’t be attending the party with her. My mum is in her room now trying to stop her from crying her eyes out. Come on man, you and I know you do not have a date for that thing.” He chipped in.
I did not mean to, but a slight frown formed on my face.
“And you think so because?”
“You weren’t even going to come for the bloody thing! The invite has been sitting on your bedside drawer for days and you’re yet to even know it’s there.”
His words caused me to tilt my head to the drawer. He was right, a white sealed envelope rested on the surface.
“I’m going now and I have a date. Jade can… do whatever she likes. I need to go now, man. Your car is in the garage when you need it.”
The line went dead before he could speak again. I fought back the urge to crash my phone against the wall.
Bloody Jade and her guilt-tripping tantrums had returned. I was sick of the girl.
There was a pressing issue on my neck now. I needed a date for the party, it was in a few days. I phoned Neil immediately. I would have some time to think before he came.
Jessica? No.
Jade? I would rather die.
Jojo.
The name rang a bell in my head.
Jojo. Yes. It’ll be her.
At least, I was guaranteed to have peace of mind. She was a far cry from my first two options, the only woman who could keep her head in place, around me.
Neil was in my room ten minutes later, and I handed the invitation card to him.
“Deliver this to Jojo Wyatt’s room.”
He took the paper from me and nodded. When he turned to leave, I stopped him abruptly.
“And Zita? How did you handle the situation?” I tried to mask my brewing anger as I spoke. Fortunately, he didn’t turn fully to examine my posture or my expression.
“Just as you asked. I’m sure she understood the message.”
I nodded in satisfaction.
“Very well then, you can go.”