NALEDI’S POV
The journey back to the house was dark and silent.
Dark in the sense that I was once again blindfolded and silent because we were riddled with tension.
After what felt like a decade in darkness, I felt the blind loosen from my eyes, and immediately, the gates creaked open.
We were back from the darned meeting and I couldn’t wait to put some fucking space between myself and the monster in front of me.
I stepped out of the car, determined to get to my chambers when I felt his hard hand wrap around mine. I stopped in my step.
“I will excuse you today because it is your first day out. You will do well to remember what you saw today. Who I am.”
“Not to worry. I couldn’t forget even if I tried, Alpha.” I retorted with clenched teeth.
“You have thirty minutes. Freshen up and join me for dinner.”
I looked at him like he had grown a second head. Did he really think I could sit down and have breakfast with him after what he had done? He was sick in the head.
“Apologies. But I think I’ve had enough of-”
“I never said it was an option, My lady.” Caellum turned to Matteo. “Make sure she is ready. And not a single minute late.”
Rage built in my heart as I watched him walk into the pack house, having the last word. “Shall I escort you to your chambers?” That was Matteo.
“I think I can help myself, thank you very much, Matteo.” My words were hard and I left him standing in the middle of the compound, while I prepared my mind for another meeting with the devil.
That was what I decided to call him now.
It didn’t take long before I was escorted by Korah to the Alpha’s dinning room. I had made it clear to Matteo that I would not be coming except I had my maid escort me to the darned place.
Matteo must have seen the firmness of my decision because he immediately left and Korah knocked on my door in five minutes. We got to the door and I cleared my throat.
“Thank you. I believe I can find my way moving forward.”
“I’m sorry, but I cannot leave until I see you enter the dining room,” Korah explained.
“And why is that?”
“Because I have been commanded to do so.”
I made to push it forward but I realised this was not her fault. Dragging things with her would do nothing. The main problem was at the back of this door, and the earlier I got to tackling it, the better.
I nodded and placed my hand on the door’s handle. Taking a deep breath, I twisted it open and walked into the room without a care in the world.
As soon as my foot stepped into the dining hall, I felt eyes on me. I raised my head and met the faces of Matteo and Caellum, seated at the already served table, and waiting for me.
“I’d thought this was a dinner for two,” I said as I found my seat between them.
“You’re late,” Caellum said, looking anything but pleased.
“After the day I’ve had, you should be glad I can meet with you again.” I picked my fork, and dug into the meal in front of me, knowing they were all watching.
They must have decided I wasn’t worth the hassle or just didn’t have the strength to continue with the exchange of words. Whatever the case may be, I was glad they didn’t push the matter forward.
“I have a deal for you, Naledi.” Caellum started while I was midchew.
I swallowed hard, and coughed twice as hard, picking up a napkin by my side.
“Are you trying to get me killed?” It was my turn to ask.
Caellum instinctively handed me a glass of water. “I didn’t know proposing a deal is the same as trying to kill you, Naledi.”
I rolled my eyes. “What are you trying to do?” I asked, unable to understand his sudden switch of character.
“From our outing today, I realised making you the maid might not be as profitable for me.” He said and my eyes raised. “And seeing you are so much against the said job, I decided to test your ability in a certain area, and your results would prove if I have made a mistake or I was right to do it.”
“You don’t want me to be the maid anymore?” I asked, waiting for his verbal affirmation.
“Yes and no.”
I scoffed. “What? You’ve done your background check on me and suddenly have someone in your hit list you think I should help take down? Someone innocent like that man’s wife and child?”
“What are you talking about?” Caellum said with narrowed eyes.
I made to bite my lips but I figured it was already out.
“You know exactly what I’m talking about. Don’t pretend you don’t and get straight to the point, Caellum.” I gritted.
“Anger does not look good on you,” He said with a smirk. “I presume you went through my stuff when you entered my office?”
“You’re not even denying it.”
“I might be everything, but not a liar.” His head whipped to Matteo. “See why she can’t be my maid? I’ll fucking kill her before she gets her first pay.”
“Don’t talk about me like I’m not right here.” I gritted. “I will not sit here and take that shit.”
“I have a job for you. Give and take, I think you will like it.” He continued like he didn’t just threaten to kill me. “Believe it or not, I see you more than a killing machine. You surprised me with some valuable input at our little meeting today and I plan to explore that side of you.”
I blinked in confusion. “What side of me?”
“The side that knows her onions in the business. The side that is smart with taking managerial decisions.” He listed. “Don’t be afraid. You won’t be too out of your water in this mission, and I will be with you every step of the way.”
I was torn between love and hate for the look on his face. He was so darn beautiful when he had that smirk on.
“And when am I going to hear of the darned mission?”
“When you wipe that look off your face, and realise you are talking to your Alpha.” That was Matteo.
I didn’t realise that my fangs were bared in threat. I was an emotional wreck.
“Oh leave it.” Caellum hummed, “I love this side of her. It might be my best side yet.”
He had an endearing psychotic look in his eyes that unnerved me. My fangs retracted and I tried to breathe through the dinner.
“I want you to infiltrate a pack, and get back to me on their plans.” He finally said.
I couldn’t help the ridiculous laugh that left my lips. “You want me to be a spy?”
“That’s one way to put it.” Caellum shrugged. “I’d say I want you to be a generous donor and partner of a rival business.”
“Why?”
“That’s for me to know.” He sat up. “Deal or no deal?”