Alpha Luciano’s POV
I was on the warpath and no one could calm my temper.
“Explain yourself.”
Natasha had exactly one minute to explain how in hell’s name she had lost over a million dollars worth of drugs to the goddamned police.
“Alpha. We were ratted out. It was our usual route, the border patrol was paid off as usual. We were clear but someone–”
“Shut up Natasha. I have had enough of your excuses. First that stunt with Song and now this. Consider yourself fired. For the years of loyalty you have given me, I will spare your life.”
Natasha looked at me, her face slack with shock. “Alpha. Please, this wasn’t my fault. I promise. The operation was sabotaged, I–”
“Get out of my office. It is pathetic how you are trying to make excuses to cover up for your inadequacies. Before I rescind my decision and have Mikah kill you here, scram.”
After a lot of hesitation, Natasha walked towards the door. As she was about to open it, I spoke.
“Oh, and Bishop will be taking over for you. Do tell him to come over to the pack house as soon as he can.”
I watched Natasha’s facial expression morph from pain into that of anger. Then she slammed the door shut and I could hear her footsteps as she walked away.
“Are you sure that is wise, Alpha? If Bishop was the one undercutting her then–”
“He deserves the position more than she does. Besides, more rivalry will only make her stronger so she won’t be susceptible to little tricks like these any more. Besides, a little hurt never killed anyone.”
I slicked back my hair which seemed determined to go back to the same position it had been before.
“Have you sent the men with Arabella? ”
“Yes, Alpha. I followed your instructions to the letter.”
“Good. I know she is planning something that is the only explanation for her actions that day. Why would she side with me over her father except it was a confidence scheme?”
Mikah remained impassive although I could feel that he still had something to say.
Oh well, he could keep it to himself. The day was just beginning and I had a lot to do.
“Tell me about Vitalio Bianchi’s recent movements.”
“He is still trying to consolidate his losses. He doesn’t seem to be successful with doing that. Hence the scheme with Arabella and Tina to steal the file.”
I laughed. Let the man scurry about like a headless chicken. I would make sure he suffered well before I would bring his doom upon him.
As for Arabella, once I deciphered what exactly she was planning I would know how to deal with her.
I had directed the men to leave her ‘unsupervised’ while supervising her from afar to see what she would do with a little bit of freedom.
If father and daughter thought they could play a fast one on me they would soon realize their folly.
Arabella’s POV
I was deeply suspicious about this entire peace-making endeavour. Mikah, Alpha Luciano’s general, had come to meet me on his behalf to ‘apologise’ for his hasty reaction in attempting to end my life.
Surely I realized how implicating the circumstances were so Alpha Luciano didn’t have a choice. Or so Mikah explained while giving me ‘free rein’ to go into the city for the day and enjoy myself unsupervised.
Did he think I was stupid? I knew Alpha Luciano very well, I had shared his bed for months now. Apology, my foot. The man didn’t have a single apologetic bone in his body. I went along with it because what else was I supposed to do? Sit in the pack house and lament my poor decisions and Goddess-given mate?
No, that was too pathetic.
So as we drove past the countryside into the city proper I let my hair out of the messy bun it was in and let it tangle in the wind.
At the city, I demanded my escorts’ wallets before they ‘left’. Then I went shopping. Not for food or clothes but for street food and snacks that I would never see at Alpha Luciano’s house.
I found myself consuming more spicy and peppery food than I usually did. I wanted to try out everything. There was a fair going on so I ate until my stomach hurt then I went on all the rides and tourist attractions.
I met strangers and laughed so hard at jibes. For a moment I could almost forget my life. Almost forget that after today ended I would end up being trapped in that house with that man.
I was about to start my second ride on the rollercoaster when someone settled in next to me. The person wore a good but had the definite shape of a woman.
“The ride is better with your hoodie off.” I told her but she ignored me.
Oh well. Her loss.
The ride started. My pulse thundered and my heart raced. I inhaled deeply basking in the simplicity of the moment.
“Arabella Bianchi.”
I froze. I began to turn to look at the person next to me in that obscuring hoodie when I felt her hand on my thigh.
“Don’t move. You are being watched.”
“Who are you? What do you want?”
Of course, it was too much to ask that I would enjoy one day, just one day of peace and quiet.
Someone had to ruin it for me.
“You may consider me a friend.”
I threw back my head and laughed as the ride reached its zenith.
“A friend? I’m fresh out of those, I’m afraid. I know you want something from me so get to the point already.” My voice hardened.
Was this Alpha Luciano’s plan? Lull me with a facade of freedom then send this person to what? Try and discern if I would stay loyal to him or something?
Yeah, fat chance this was going to work.
“You are right to be wary of me but I am on your side. Or more rightly I am on my side. You will be a valuable ally to me and vice versa.” Her voice was low and unfamiliar.
“Then why do you hide behind that hoodie?” I fought the urge to look to the side at her. I knew theoretically I was being watched, I had sort of expected that with the entire peace-making gesture but she was right there. I could just flip over the hood of the hoodie and see who exactly was talking to me.
Before I would discover later that I was speaking to Emery all the while.
“Because his men will recognize me and this arrangement will be over before it even begins. Look, Arabella, the ride is almost over, you can ask me twenty-one questions at a more opportune time. All you need to know for now is I know a way for you to royally fuck over Alpha Luciano while making a fortune.”
“Are you with my father?” Suspicion reared its ugly head and I almost turned and yanked off that damned good. “Because if you are–”
“Must a woman be associated with a man to be taken seriously? Maybe you are not who I thought you were.”
The ride ended.
She moved to step out.
If she was lying then there was no loss, I could take care of myself however if there was any truth to what she was saying then…
“Wait, if I change my mind and want to meet you again, where will I see you?
“The engagement.”
Then she was gone blending in with the crowd.
What engagement?
*******
Alpha Luciano’s POV.
I learnt to be wary whenever my uncle was enthusiastic.
“What is it, Uncle Tommaso? Why did you ask me here?
I couldn’t remember the last time I had come to his residence. Not since I was a child. But he had played on the fact that we hadn’t spoken as we used to in a while so here I was.
“There is someone I want you to meet.”