CHARLOTTES POV
1pared the living room restlessly, my thoughts going in circles, trying to figure out what just happened. The partnership was already confirmed, the paperworks were moving, so why was Global Auto suddenly pulling our
I dialed Alpha Kennedy’s number. He was the CRO of Global Auto. I held the phone tightly to my ear. He picked up after four rings.
“Dr. Charlotte, I sincerely apologize, but we won’t be able to partner with your company anymore” Something in his voice sounded off. It sounded more like fear.
“What suddenly changed? The process had already started and everything was going, smoothly until this evening
“Things changed,” he said quickly. “And I think it’s best we end it here“.
“End it?” I scoffed. “You don’t just end a deal like this without a valid reason, I can sue you?
“I apologize again, Dr. Charlotte, but we don’t want any trouble. The person involved is not someone we can deal with. He can crush our company with just one snap of his fingers. He’s also a major shareholder in our company, and losing his partnership is not something we can afford.”
My curiosity spiked up. “Who is this man you’re talking about with so much fear?”
There was total silence and for a moment, I thought the call had ended.
“Alpha Ace Virel,” he finally said. “I don’t know what your personal relationship is with him, but after our meeting yesterday, we received a call. We were told clearly not to partner with you.”
“You can’t be serious. You’re pulling out of our agreement because of one man?” It was ridiculous.
“I don’t think you understand who you’re calling one man,” he replied. “He is exactly as deadly as they say. Everything you hear about him on the news is true. He’s not someone you ignore. If he wants you ruined, it happens fast.”
“I don’t want war,” he added quickly. “And I hope this is the last time you’ll call about this matter. Thank you.”
The line went dead.
Even through the call, his voice had been filled with respect and fear for Ace.
My body flushed with so much anger all because of one man the whole world feared. Humans who didn’t even know he was a wolf or an Alpha still feared him as a ruthless businessman. Even at the hospital, I had heard people whisper about him, about how he showed no mercy and crushed anyone in his way.
The thought made my chest ache. I felt like I was disappointing Dad, and that was the last thing I ever wanted. I pushed the feeling aside and went back to my room. I needed to find another partner, and fast.
I buried myself in work, my eyes glued to the screen. I didn’t notice my door opening until a familiar voice broke through my thoughts.
“Someone looks busy,” Leslie said, her tone teasing.
My face broke into a smile and I pulled her into a tight hug. “I’ve missed you so much, Les. When did you get back? I thought you said you wouldn’t be back until the weekend.”
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psaf
She laughed softly. “One question at a time, girl”
We sat on my bed together. “All the emergencies had been sorted out over there, she said. “And I didn’t want to leave you
alone with all this work.”
She told me everything that happened at the hospital, how things went wrong at first and how she and the hospital management were able to fix it all.
When she was done, I told her about the partnership with Alpha Kennedy and how it was suddenly canceled.
“Well, you can’t blame Alpha Kennedy,” Leslie said calmly. “A few years ago, his pack was on the verge of falling apart and his company was bankrupt. It was Alpha Ace who stepped in and saved everything, His pack, his business, all of it. You don’t turn your back on the man who pulled you out of hell”
“But he sounded terrified,” I said, “Talking about trouble and war like Ace could start one with just a word.”
Leslie nodded slowly. “Because he can, Alpha Ace Virel isn’t someone you stand against and walk away. He’s hot headed and ruthless. If he pulls his support from Alpha Kennedy’s pack and company, everything will crash. And believe me, the Ace we all know wouldn’t stop there. He would take away everything the man cares about.”
“I’m going to give that man a piece of my mind when I see him again,” I said through clenched teeth.
“He’s not god.”
Leslie grinned. “Oh but he is. That’s where you’re wrong. To a lot of people, he is. You have no idea how many packs he’s saved that were dying, he rebuilt companies everyone had written off. If Ace is backing your pack, no one dares to attack it No one. That’s how much weight his name carries. He isn’t called the most powerful Alpha for nothing. The man is god.”
“Who’s side are you on?” I glared at her. “It sounds like he’s already got your support without lifting a finger.”
She burst out laughing, shaking her head. “You can’t be serious. Of course I’m on your side. I was only trying to help you see who Alpha Ace truly is and why people are loyal to him even when he seems unkind.”
The next morning, the driver took us to work like always after dropping Liam at school. My mind was busy with all the ways. I could murder Ace. I had already thought of three solid options, one of them being smashing his head against a wall until he passed out.
I had reached out to six different Alphas last night. Every single one of them turned me down. They didn’t want to get involved with Ace. That alone told me how deep his influence ran. I decided I would see him tonight and tell him to stop sabotaging my business with his power games.
Later that day, Leslie and I stepped out to grab a late lunch at a nearby restaurant. She picked at her fries while scrolling through her phone, barely paying attention to the food.
“Hmm,” she muttered, her eyes narrowing at the screen. “This is new.”
“What is?” I asked casually, cutting into my steak and taking a bite.
“It seems your Alpha is serving it hot with his Luna.” She handed me her phone. “It’s been a long time since we’ve seen anything about the two of them together on the news. The ladies are going haywire again. It’s funny how they still crave him and throw themselves at him even though he’s been married for years. He never gives them attention, but they don’t mind being a side piece. The comments are wild.”
I stared at the picture on the screen, not sure what I was supposed to feel.
Ace and his wife were kissing hungrily. Just one picture, yet it said too much. His hand rested on her shoulder, not pulling her close, not fully pushing her away either. But their lips were locked like they didn’t care who was watching. They looked
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4:35 pm
hapter 18
desperate for each other..
The caption underneath made my stomach twist.
“Alpha Ace served it hot with his lucky Luna, Moon. Looks like we’ll be expecting a pup in a few months.
My eyes stayed on the woman and a sharp pain suddenly hit my head. I lifted my hand and rubbed my temple, hoping it would ease.
“Are you alright?” Leslie asked, her voice filled with concern.
“I’m fine,” I said quietly. “Just got a sudden headache staring at the Luna.”
She hummed. “She’s beautiful. I’m surprised you don’t know her. She’s always all over the internet and the news.” She tossed the last fry into her mouth.
“Then why is this making headlines today?”
“That’s because of the husband. Since they got married, we hardly see any pictures or videos of them together. She attends parties uninvited and alone and goes shopping for the most expensive jewelry and bags. The Alpha also goes out alone, never with his Luna, except during Alpha gatherings when they have to show up together.”
I looked at the picture again. I still couldn’t see her face clearly. It was taken from the side, their lips locked, that was the clearest part.
Moon.
Such a beautiful name. And from the side view, she was indeed a beautiful woman. The woman he chose over his mate. Ace is carrying all that pain because of her. She must really mean something important to him.
My phone buzzed inside my bag. I checked it. It was Ace.
Why was he calling me?
One minute he was kissing his Luna, the next minute he was ruining my business.
“What the hell does he want from me?!”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
