CAELLUM’S POV
My father left before the heat was over. Lucky.
It’s been one week since I sunk my fangs in her neck. One week of silence, and one week of trying and failing to keep my sanity.
I couldn’t wrap my head around why she did it. Why did she let me feel so much so quickly, only to destroy my heart and every single hope I felt with one action? One action of failing to reciprocate.
Failing to reciprocate my feelings which I recklessly threw out there. Too recklessly by marking her and dooming myself to a life of being one-sidedly bound to a woman who couldn’t live with being mine.
If her actions were anything to go by, it was clear that there was no way in hell I was going to have her as a mate. Or rather, there was no way in hell she was going to have me as a mate.
And that shit hurt much more than I let on.
Today was the eighth day, and the day I was finally going to see her. The day I was going to look into her eyes and hope that she felt as tormented as I did. That she regretted not claiming me by completing the circle.
Due to my little getaway, I had my job cut out for me as the Alpha. Going back to work without a mark on my neck brought odd looks my way. The news of Naledi’s mark was an open secret.
One that told tales of my pitiful situation. At least that’s what they termed it. Not that they were bold enough to say it to my face, but it was easy to read up the expressions of my people when they saw me without a mark.
I was scheduled to meet with Matteo and his workers in the factory. Which was the same as meeting with her. I can’t lie, she’s done a wonderful job so far and I was ready to reward her due diligence.
I hadn’t quite figured out how so it took the back seat for the time being.
Matteo was outside, waiting for my arrival at the factory building. Also known as the money building. It was where the goods were made and one of the strongholds of the Cosa Nostra.
“Alpha,” Matteo greeted me with a nod,
“It’s been a while since I visited.” I said, walking in, “How’s my business going?”
I took a swift look at the work environment and felt pride swell inside me. Everyone was busy, measuring, bagging and packaging the goods. Their concentration was top-notch as they did their jobs, I took a mental note to give them a little something.
“Everything is looking good, except for the fact we are running out of supplies.”
I nodded in answer. I had expected that. It’s been a while since we restocked and with the recent increase in demand following Luka’s demise, we ran short very quickly. One of the reasons for the meeting today.
“Where are the members?” I asked but I was sure the real question was where the hell is Naledi? “I need to speak to them.”
“I have gathered them in my office. We are all awaiting your arrival.”
“Good.”
Soon enough, I was led to Matteo’s office in the factory. As soon as I stepped inside, they all stood up. Three of them. Two males and one female. Naledi.
I sucked in a breath as our eyes connected while others bowed their head in respect. “Alpha.” They chorused. I didn’t care.
I was too damn busy looking at the beauty in front of me. And my mark on her neck. She must have caught my gaze because the next moment, she covered it up with a scarf. adjusting awkwardly.
It took everything for me not to rip that scarf away from her. She was mine. My fucking mate! Even if she didn’t know it, I had a claim on her, and it bruised my ego to think she was ashamed of my mark.
Or worse, trying to hide it for some other wolf.
A frown marred my face as I cleared my throat. “You can have your seats.”
The atmosphere was cold. And the tension between us was palpable. So thick you could cut it with a damned knife. Naledi was unruffled. Her gaze remained on the table, never meeting my eyes.
So much so that it irked the fuck out of me. I wanted her to look at me. To look at the damage she made of me. I wanted her to see me. To see me and finally figure out what she is missing by passing on me.
To finally realise what she was risking by leaving me unmarked by her. By leaving me open for other unsuspecting she-wolves who may or may not have been betrothed to me by my mother.
But she didn’t. She didn’t as much as meet my eyes until I started talking.
“I want to start by thanking every single one of you for your hard work, diligence, and unwavering loyalty towards me, the Cosa Nostra and this business.”
“Believe it or not, you are the foundation of this mafia pack and because of what you do, we can continue our reign as the wealthiest and most powerful pack.”
“To show my thanks, I have prepared some packages which will be reaching your individual accounts at the close of the month.”
Naledi tried and failed to conceal the ghost of a smile that made an appearance on her face. Money was her love language. Maybe if I pumped in a little more money… I left that trail of thought and continued my speech.
“We have a major shipment coming into the factory. As we know, every year, we bring in goods enough to run the business for the year, but following Naledi’s big achievement by closing Luka’s gang,” I made eye contact, “and converting their customers to us, we are running short of supplies to keep our happy and the money flowing.”
“I’ve reached out to the major producers and the good news is that we can lay our hands on a shipload of coke. The bad news is that we are all on our own with the mobility.”
“What?”
“I met with the fucking president and he is not willing to do a number two with bringing in the shipment,” I said, my anger contained.
“He signed a fucking deal before we made him president.” Matteo raged. “He deserves to die.”
“That can be arranged. But now, I need to get that shipment in Italy and if the president isn’t ready to do his darned job, we need a plan.”
“When do we expect the shipment?” Her voice was music to my ears. Naledi.
“Soon,” I stated, not going further.
“We’ll need a lot more than soon if we are to successfully bring in a shipload of coke, Alpha.”