Alexander’s POV
She immediately claps in excitement and leans back into the chair. “You can’t go back on your world,” she warns.
“Have I ever done so?”
She nods. “Yes, you have.”
I immediately look at her in surprise. I know I may not be the type to show familiarity, but it is what makes my promises golden anyway. And I don’t think I have ever gone back on my word. Especially not to the queen of trouble herself.
“That’s impossible.”
“You don’t remember?” She recounts, “When I got into trouble during high school after getting drunk in a bar and you promised to keep it a promise from Grandpa. Didn’t you eventually tell on me?”
I finally remember and can’t help but laugh. “That’s not considered a betrayal. It was a necessary evil. Moreoever, i didn’t promise. You simply assumed I did when I didn’t respond.”
“Tch…” She clicks her tongue. “You’re even more deceitful than I am.”
I shake my head and clasp my palms as I regard her. She is still heavily dressed, which means she hasn’t gotten home yet and simply came to the company directly from the airport.
“Have you gone to see grandfather?” I ask, tossing her the question first.
“Nah.” She shakes her head. “You mustn’t let him know I am back, okay? Keep your promise.”
“I didn’t tell you I was going to promise. Moreover, you know you haven’t gone to see him since you left for vacation six months ago. He definitely wants to see you.”
Emilia’s expression softens slightly, but her resolve remains firm. “Well, it’s too late now. I don’t want to see our grandfather anyway,” she states adamantly. “I’d rather die than risk being sent on another one of his missions.”
Her words catch me off guard, and I gaze at her with a mix of concern and confusion. I know our grandfather’s missions are often dangerous, but I have always embraced them with a sense of duty and purpose.
However, I have a feeling her own reason is solely because she doesn’t want to be tied down by responsibilities.
“Moreoever,” she adds. “You know he wants me to repay for losing the investment last year. I have no intention to do so, so I would rather go home when he has forgotten my debt.”
I laugh. “You know how sharp the old man’s brain is. I doubt he will forget that.”
“Well, what do I do?” Emilia’s response is swift and resolute. “I guess I’ll just take things as they come.”
“Why do you like to run away so much?”
She rolls her eyes. “Because I don’t want to end up like you, trapped in this endless cycle of responsibilities,” she retorts. “I’ve come to save your ass from bondage.”
My brow furrows, and I correct her with a touch of annoyance, “Being the Alpha isn’t a bondage, Emilia. It’s something I chose, something I enjoy.”
But Emilia remains unconvinced, her eyes searching my face for signs of doubt. “Who in the world enjoys working day and night, burdened with the weight of everyone’s problems?” she questions, her voice tinged with a mix of disbelief and concern.
“I do.”
She shakes her head before saying, “I really do not enjoy it, and also, I don’t think I can have as much patience as you that was given terms in order to inherit.”
“You’re talking about the matter of an heir?”
“Yes,” she nods. “Thankfully, you managed to get someone pregnant and bring our little bundles of joy home even though you keep hiding the identity of the mother.”
She narrows her gaze at me as she says this while I nag, “Don’t talk like that.”
“You forget I am an adult now, not the little child you trained, cousin,” she retorts.
I am devoid of words against her, and instead, I focus on the main matter, the underlying meaning behind her sudden break from vacation.
“What brings you here, Emilia?” I ask, my voice laced with a hint of caution. “You hardly leave your enjoyment.”
Emilia chuckles, sauntering closer to my desk. “Oh, dear cousin,” she says, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Always so serious. Can’t a girl drop by to see her favourite Alpha without a reason?”
I raise an eyebrow, unamused by her attempts at banter. “I doubt you’re here just for a casual visit,” I reply, my voice firm. “Spit it out, Emilia. What do you want?”
She smirks, leaning against my desk with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “I’ve heard whispers, dear Alpha,” she says, her voice low and mysterious. “Whispers of a threat within our pack, of rogues wreaking havoc.”
I resist the urge to roll my eyes at her theatricality. “And what of it?” I ask, feigning disinterest.
Emilia’s smirk widens, and she leans in closer, lowering her voice. “Oh, Alpha,” she purrs. “I thought you might need my expertise. After all, who knows the rogues better than the rogue herself?”
I narrow my eyes, studying her face for any signs of deception. Emilia has always been a wildcard, unpredictable and cunning. She dances to the beat of her own drum, making it difficult to gauge her true intentions.
“Are you suggesting that you have information about these rogues?” I inquire, my tone guarded.
She shrugs, her nonchalance infuriating. “Perhaps,” she replies coyly. “But you know how it goes, dear cousin. Information comes at a price.”
I lean back in my chair, contemplating her proposition. Emilia’s knowledge of the rogue world could indeed be valuable in our efforts to protect the pack. However, dealing with her always carries a certain level of risk.
“State your terms, Emilia,” I say, my voice steady. “But remember, I won’t tolerate any games or betrayal.”
Her smile widens, a glint of excitement dancing in her eyes. “Oh, don’t worry, dear cousin,” she says, her voice filled with a mixture of amusement and challenge. “I play by my own rules, but I have no desire to see our pack crumble. I’ll help you… for a favour.”
I narrow my eyes, suspicious of her intentions. “What kind of favour?” I ask cautiously.
Emilia leans even closer, her voice barely a whisper. “I want access to our pack’s ancient archives,” she reveals, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. “There are secrets hidden within those dusty tomes that I’m dying to explore. All I need is your permission.”
I hesitate, weighing the risks and rewards. Our ancient archives contain centuries of knowledge and history, some of which could be dangerous in the wrong hands. Giving Emilia unrestricted access to such information is a risk I can’t take lightly.
“Emilia,” I say, my voice firm but measured. “The archives hold powerful secrets, some of which should remain sealed. I can not grant you unrestricted access. However, I am willing to allow you supervised access under the condition that you share any relevant information about the rogues with me.”
She pouts, clearly disappointed by my response. “Supervised access?” she scoffs. “You do know how to ruin all the fun, don’t you?”
I remain resolute, refusing to let her sway me with her charm. “Those are my terms, Emilia,” I state firmly. “Take it or leave it.”
She ponders for a moment, her playful demeanour fading into a thoughtful expression.
Finally, she nods, a glimmer of acceptance in her eyes. “Fine,” she concedes. “Supervised access it is. But don’t think you can keep me on a leash forever, cousin.”
I give her a curt nod, acknowledging our agreement. “Very well, Emilia,” I say. “We have a deal. Now, share what you know about these rogues.”
Emilia smirks, a flicker of excitement returning to her features. “You won’t believe it.”
“Is there anything that surprises me?”
She grins. “Okay. When you get home, I’ll show you the video I got my hands on while on vacation. You should really be grateful, cousin, with how I keep saving your ass despite being on my own.”
I nearly roll my eyes. “You just have some bit of luck.”
She shrugs. “And doesn’t it make things running for me? I mean, I even got a good bargain for it and a new yacht to my ownership.”
I don’t even know how to respond to that, and it is then that I realize the hidden meaning in her words earlier.
She said home…
I look at her. “What do you mean home?”
She clicks her tongue. “Of course, your mansion. Don’t you have enough rooms to house your own cousin?”
I feign a laugh. “I’m afraid I don’t. Get yourself a hotel suite to stay in. You don’t stay for long anyway.”
“Well, I don’t mind a change this time,” she replies. “Moreoever, you surely don’t want me to waste so much money when I have family here.”
I sigh. “Go to the one of the other apartments.”
“How can you be so cruel?” She pouts. “You know I scare myself when I am alone. Also, how can you part me away from my beloved nephews? I specifically came home because they missed me.”
I retort. “I ought to keep you away from my kids with the way you keep being a bad example.”
She laughs, shaking her head. “Don’t talk as if I’m the only one who’s being disobedient. You did worse in your younger years.”
“At least, I didn’t owe my own grandfather millions.” I eye her. “Were you the one who taught Daisy how to play flying cards?”
She nods, flipping her sassily. “Of course, it’s me. Who else can be so cool? In no time, she will be the boss in her class.”
“And be a troublemaker like you?” I say. “I beg to differ.”
“Well, it’s a done deal.” She shrugs. “I had better get going. See you at home later.”
I simply watch unable to dissuade her as she leaves my office, knowing I’ll definitely find her at home.