**The Next Morning!**
After all that happened the day before, here we are at the start of a new day! I hardly got any sleep, staying up all night to keep an eye on my father. Now it’s time to head back home for some rest.
Luna Catherine had left with the guard last night, but my mind couldn’t stop thinking about how she winked at him. What was that all about?
Before Alpha Derrick and Mona’s engagement takes place, I need to be with my father. I can’t leave him, especially now when he’s so vulnerable. If I step away, nobody will take care of him like I do. He’s been ignored enough, and I won’t let that continue.
After leaving the hospital, I quickly hailed a taxi. All the security guards had left yesterday, so there was no one to drive me home this morning.
The ride was a long thirty minutes. Finally, we reached the pack house. I paid the driver and walked inside.
As soon as I entered, I stopped, shocked. “What’s this? A party?” I muttered to myself. Everyone was bustling around with smiles on their faces, laughing like nothing was wrong.
Most of the people here are newcomers, recently turned from nearby towns.
“What’s going on?” I whispered to myself, tiptoeing toward the living room.
I peeked in and saw Alpha Derrick sitting with Mona, smiling as she talked to him. They were holding hands.
“What the heck is happening?” I marched up to Mona, unable to hide my frustration.
Alpha Derrick barely glanced at me before looking away. His eyes were puffy, and he looked like he was about to pass out.
“There’s a celebration going on! Are you blind?” Mona snapped at me when I asked.
“A celebration? Why?” I tilted my head, glancing around. Where was Luna Catherine? She should be here with her daughter. But there was no sign of her.
“Can’t you see? Alpha Derrick is alive! He came out of the trance. It’s a miracle!” Mona said, her voice rising in frustration.
“But Mona, do you even know what state your father is in? He’s in a coma! The doctors don’t even know when, or if, he’ll wake up!” I tried to stay calm, but my anger was bubbling.
“Of course, I know! I’ll visit him later today,” she shrugged, completely unbothered.
I was stunned. “If you know how bad his condition is, why are you throwing a party? How can you be so disrespectful to your father?” I couldn’t hold back my anger any longer. I didn’t care if Alpha Derrick was listening.
Mona’s response was cold. “Kimberly, stop being a downer. You’re ruining the mood! Yes, dad’s in the hospital, but life goes on. Look around-nobody here is sulking or sad, are they? They’re all enjoying themselves.”
Her words infuriated me. How could she be so heartless? Celebrating while their father was clinging to life in a hospital bed? And Alpha Derrick just sat there, not stopping the party or showing any concern for pack traditions.
I clenched my fists, holding back the urge to yell. “I can’t believe this,” I muttered, storming out of the living room and heading straight to my room. I slammed the door behind me, locking it.
I leaned against the door, trying to calm my racing heart. Part of me hoped that when I entered my room, I’d find Damien there, waiting. Memories of him flooded my mind as I looked at the window curtain. I couldn’t help but smile thinking about him.
“Focus, Kim! Don’t let your mind wander,” I scolded myself, giving my head a small knock. I walked toward the closet to change, but as I got closer, thoughts of Damien crept back in.
Everything in this room reminded me of him, and it was driving me crazy. “You can do this, Kim. Forget about him!” I whispered to my reflection in the mirror before marching into the bathroom.
After a quick shower, I dressed in comfortable clothes and left the room, determined to avoid any more confrontations.
When I got back to the living room, Mona and Alpha Derrick were still there, along with some werewolves from the Nightwalker pack. I ignored them as I passed by, too angry to say anything.
How could they celebrate when the pack leader, my father, lay unconscious in a hospital bed? It was beyond my understanding.
But then again, my father had lost his power in the pack long ago. He was just a figurehead now. For years, he’s been Alpha in name only. The older pack members wanted him gone.
They respected him but believed it was time for new leadership. And now, with him in a coma, their wishes had come true. They had all the freedom and power they’d been waiting for.
I stepped outside, feeling the cool breeze on my face as I waited for a taxi. After a few minutes, one finally pulled up, and I climbed in.
I needed to check in at the company, see how everyone was doing in the wake of all this madness.
The ride to the company was short, and when I arrived, I stepped out, watching as the taxi drove away.
As I looked up at the building, I was struck by a sudden realization-things were changing faster than I could keep up with. Everything felt out of control, and I wasn’t sure how to handle it all.
As I looked up, I saw the pack members going about their business in front of me. I blinked hard, rubbing my eyes, trying to make sense of it all. The building looked perfectly fine, not even a scratch in sight. People were coming in and out like nothing had happened.
“Is this real?” I whispered to myself, standing frozen in place. My mind raced, remembering the security guard’s words from last night-he had said the company was burned down.
My father had collapsed from the shock and was now in a coma. But here I was, staring at the very company, standing intact.
“What’s going on?” I muttered, shaking my head in disbelief. I quickly hurried toward the building, my heart pounding in my chest.
As soon as I stepped inside, everyone bowed their heads to me in respect, just as they always did. I forced a small smile, nodding back, though my thoughts were in turmoil. How could everything look so normal?
I was headed toward my father’s office, eager to see who was inside, when I suddenly spotted Alpha Jethro coming my way.
“Kimberly!” Alpha Jethro greeted me with a wide smile, waving as he approached. His warm demeanor eased a bit of my tension.
“Good morning, sir!” I smiled back, stopping to greet him properly. “How are you today?”
“I’m well, thank you,” he replied, his eyes softening. “And how’s Alpha Darwin? Any news?”
I sighed deeply, shaking my head. “He’s still the same. The doctor said we just have to stay hopeful.”
Alpha Jethro nodded, his expression growing serious. “Alpha Darwin is strong. He’ll pull through, I’m sure of it. Just hang in there, alright? And if you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Thank you, sir.” I smiled gratefully, but my thoughts quickly shifted back to what had happened the night before.
“Actually, sir, there’s something important I need to tell you. Last night, a security guard told us that the company was burned down. My father… he collapsed when he heard it.”
Alpha Jethro’s eyes widened in shock. “What? Burned down? Who would do such a thing? And which company are you talking about exactly?”
“Our company, sir,” I clarified, glancing toward the office. “I recognized the guard who gave us the news-he’s been around for a while now.”
Alpha Jethro frowned, clearly disturbed by what I had just told him. “This is unbelievable! And Alpha Darwin-how did he react?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “But it’s strange. The building looks fine now. Nothing’s wrong with it.”
“This is serious,” he muttered, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “I’ll look into it immediately. Don’t worry, I’ll get to the bottom of this.”
“Thank you, sir,” I replied, feeling a small sense of relief. But there was still something bothering me. “Sir, do you know who’s in my dad’s office right now? I saw someone coming out earlier.”
He followed my gaze toward the office and then turned back to me. “It’s Luna Catherine.”
I blinked, stunned by his words. “Luna Catherine? What’s she doing here?”
“She returned early this morning,” Alpha Jethro explained. “She said she’s taking over the company while Alpha Darwin recovers.”
I frowned, the news not sitting well with me. “But sir, she has no right to take over just like that. My father is still alive, even if he’s in a coma. There are rules in place.”
Alpha Jethro nodded slowly. “I understand, but try to stay calm. Let’s not make any hasty decisions. Luna Catherine is the highest-ranking member of the family right now, and she’s acting within her rights-at least for the time being.”
I clenched my fists, anger bubbling inside me. “That may be true, but there are procedures to follow. She can’t just walk in and claim the company. A board meeting needs to be called. The directors should decide who takes over.”
“You’re right,” Alpha Jethro said, his voice calm. “But for now, let’s focus on keeping the peace. If you want, I can help you arrange a meeting with the board in the next few days.”
“Thank you,” I said, my anger simmering beneath the surface. “I can’t let her take what my father worked so hard for. It’s not right.”
“You’re a strong young woman, Kimberly,” Alpha Jethro said kindly. “I’m sure you’ll handle this situation with grace. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some matters to attend to.”
“Of course, sir. Thank you again,” I replied, watching as he walked away.
Once he was gone, I turned back toward the office, my jaw tight with determination. Luna Catherine was sitting there, in my father’s chair, acting like she owned the place. I couldn’t stand it any longer.
I marched down the hall, my steps quick and purposeful. When I reached the office, I saw Luna Catherine sitting calmly behind the desk, talking on the phone. She looked up as I entered, her expression turning to one of surprise.
“What are you doing here?” she demanded, rising from the chair.
I crossed my arms, glaring at her. “I could ask you the same thing.”
She narrowed her eyes at me. “I’m handling business, Kimberly. Someone has to, considering the state your father is in.”
“My father is still the Alpha, and this company is still his,” I shot back. “You have no right to be sitting in that chair.”
She scoffed, stepping closer to me. “Are you serious? Do you really think you can just waltz in here and start making demands?”
“I have every right to demand that you step down,” I said, my voice steady despite the fury building inside me. “You’re not in charge, and you never will be.”
Luna Catherine’s eyes flashed with anger. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Kimberly. Watch your mouth, or you’ll regret it.”
I didn’t flinch. “The only one who’s going to regret anything is you. When the board meets, they’ll see the truth. You won’t get away with this.”
“Get out,” she hissed, pointing to the door. “Now.”
I smirked, turning on my heel. “Enjoy your time in that chair while you can, Luna. It won’t last long.”
Without another word, I left the office, my heart pounding in my chest. This wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.