Chapter 14 – She is not our Mate
Percy’s POV
With that sweet voice of hers, Rue thanked me, and for a short while there, I was confused, unsure of what to do.
I waved it off, casually shrugging it ” its no trouble” though in me, my wolf was getting restless. Her scent still lingered in a way I was unused to, but it made me want it more.
I drew in a long sigh, trying to redirect my focus on the stack of sheets in front of me instead of on her. Most she- wolves avoided me. Some were because of my distant reputation, or fear that made them hesitant to approach me.
Rue was different. She didn’t seem afraid of me. She wasn’t nervous, her hands didn’t fumble around, and her smile was outright steady and genuine.
In a way, her traits made her dangerous. Special.
My wolf surged forward, his growl vibrating in my chest. Mine.
“No,” I muttered back in my head. She’s not yours. She can’t be.
The wolf snarled, impatient with my disapproval. He wanted to claim her, to pull her closer, hold her until nothing else mattered.
“You’re wrong,” I fought him. “The girl I could love hasn’t even been born yet. And even if she had, it wouldn’t be her.”
My wolf didn’t buy it. He prowled and grumbled at the edges of my control, lashing in irritation, making my hands twitch against the desk. Rue didn’t notice-she was already walking out, back straight and confident, leaving behind that maddening trail of scent.
When the door shut, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.
A few moments later, a knock came and the door opened even before I could answer. My mother stepped inside, a smirk on her face.
“I saw her,” she said with a knowing tone in her voice
I didn’t have to ask who she meant.
“She seems nice,” she continued, lips quivering faintly. “Different from the others. I can see why she caught your attention.”
I leaned back in my chair, “I’m not interested in a relationship.”
“You’re never interested,” she replied, crossing the room to sit in the chair opposite me. “But you should be. Relationships are not a weakness, Percy. It’s part of leading.’
“I told you before. Dating isn’t for me.”
“Then what is for you?” she asked, arching an eyebrow.
“Making money, getting richer” I said without hesitation. That at least was true. Numbers never lied. I’ve never heard of a story that gold broke a man’s heart. Investments were always true.
She rolled her eyes, muttering something about me always being a stubborn piece of skin. “Then perhaps you should marry money, since you seem so eager to live with it for the rest of your life.”
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I smirked at that, standing to bring her the fruit I’d sliced earlier. She pushed the plate away with a scoff
“Five dollars each,” I said, picking up one of the pieces and holding it up. “If you want it, come get it but don’t take it from the money.”
She swatted at my arm, half- amused and half-irritated. “You’re impossible. Wolves need emotion, Percy. A pack cannot thrive without its Alpha understanding the value of relationships. And a pack cannot stand without an heir. Do you intend to leave them leaderless one day?”
“I intend to leave them wealthy,” I countered. “Do you know how many families envy richer ones? And how many happy homes collapse because they don’t have enough fortune to survive? Happiness without money is fake.”
Her eyes softened, but her voice was stern. “And yet it’s always sad and unfortunate when the wealthiest die having experienced no love.”
We went back and forth for a while, neither of us willing to concede. Finally, she sighed “One day, you’ll meet someone you love but cannot have. And when that day comes, Percy, you’ll finally understand what I’ve been telling you.”
I laughed, a gesture more deflection than humor. “That’s just you talking nonsense, Mother.”
“Perhaps.” But the way she said it lingered, like a judgment sealed.
Later that evening, Beta Wells entered, adding a folder on top of the stack of sheets in front of me.
“Alpha Percy,” he began, “Rue’s progress is really promising. The initiative she suggested, it has just started but the early signs are promising. She’s… capable.”
I nodded. “Good. It’s a start.”
He hesitated, then added, “Her identity is also remarkable to say the least.”
My head tilted. “Have you heard more information about her?”
“Yeah,” he admitted, “Apparently, Rue was Alpha Aiden’s Luna. They’ve already filed for divorce.” 1
That drew my attention fully. I leaned forward, “Is that so?”
“Yes.” Wells frowned thoughtfully. “It’s curious, though. Aiden has been recognized for his brilliant strategies. His proposal pulled the Half Moon Pack out of ruin. Many credited him for that. Yet if Rue was his mate all along
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I narrowed my eyes. “If Aiden were truly brilliant, he wouldn’t have spent years wallowing in mediocrity. Men don’t suddenly become geniuses overnight. No. I think someone else was behind those ideas.”
The Beta looked doubtful. “Who would willingly hide their talent? Who would let another take all the credit?”
I tapped my desk, “That’s what I want you to find out. There’s a ghost in this story, Wells. Someone who’s been making decisions from the veil. And I don’t believe in ghosts. Investigate. I want to know who that mysterious figure behind Aiden really is.”
Wells bowed his head. “Yes, Alpha.”
When he left, I leaned back again, Rue’s scent was still there despite her absence. My wolf stirred, restless.
I shut him out, focusing instead on the cold comfort of numbers and plans.
But my wolf wasn’t always wrong.
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Chapter 14- She is not our Mate
Rue was different, somewhat special.
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