“Kimberly, wake up! You have a call!” Damien’s voice gently broke through my sleep, pulling me back to consciousness.
I blinked, slowly registering that I was in Damien’s room, still lying on his bed. A sigh of relief escaped me as I realized the bizarre old man and the ominous words I’d heard were just part of a dream.
Sitting up, I leaned my back against the bed’s headboard. Damien sat next to me, handing me my phone. “Are you sure you’re okay? You look shocked and tired,” he asked, looking at me with concern.
I gave him a small smile. “I’m fine, really.” I took the phone from his hand and glanced at the screen. Sir Jethro’s name flashed on it, showing he’d been the one calling. Without wasting any time, I called him back.
After two rings, Sir Jethro answered, his voice slightly anxious. “Kimberly, I hope you’re well. I’ve been trying to reach you. Why haven’t you answered? Is everything alright?”
Clearing my throat, I responded calmly, “I’m sorry, Sir Jethro. I was asleep and didn’t hear my phone. My apologies.”
“Oh, I see,” he said, his tone softening. “Well, I’m calling to let you know that the emergency board meeting we talked about has been scheduled for tomorrow at 8 a. m.”
“Tomorrow? Thank you so much for letting me know!” I replied, feeling a mix of excitement and relief. Even with everything else going on, I couldn’t let Luna Catherine take over the company.
“Yes, Kimberly. The meeting is set, and I need you to be there on time. Please remember, your father’s absence has put a lot of responsibility on your shoulders. I’m counting on you to present yourself well to the board tomorrow. Understand?”
“I understand, Sir Jethro. I won’t let you down!” I said with determination. Then, I hesitated before asking, “Have there been any updates on my father’s whereabouts? Any clues?”
There was a long pause before Sir Jethro answered, his voice carrying a hint of resignation. “We’re still searching for Alpha Darwin. Just try to stay calm. We’ll find him soon.”
“I hope so,” I whispered, my voice faltering as I lowered my head. The worry in my chest felt heavier than ever.
Damien placed a comforting hand on my back, but he stayed silent, not wanting to interrupt.
“We’ll keep praying that he’s safe, wherever he may be. We’ll find him, Kimberly. Have faith.” Sir Jethro’s words were meant to reassure, but they did little to ease the dread tightening around me.
“Okay. Thank you, Sir Jethro,” I managed to say before the call ended. I placed my phone beside me on the bed, turning to Damien with a heavy heart. “Do you think I’ll see my father before… before I’m forced to become a slave to the Nightwalker pack?”
Damien frowned at me, his expression firm but gentle. “Kimberly, stop. You’re not going to be anyone’s slave, ever again. And yes, you’ll see your father soon.”
I smiled weakly, but inside, I knew Damien didn’t fully understand the severity of the situation. In the Moonstone pack, tradition was absolute. If an Alpha wolf rejected you, no matter your family status, you became a slave to the rejecting Alpha. And I had a feeling that my fate would be no different.
Damien’s voice cut through my thoughts. “Kimberly, why is there a board meeting tomorrow? Did you call for it?”
“Yes, Damien. I arranged the meeting,” I answered plainly.
His eyes widened in disbelief. “Are you serious? Why would you call for a meeting right now, especially with your father missing? What’s going on?”
“I have to stop Luna Catherine from becoming the next CEO! She can’t take over the company. She just can’t.” My anxiety leaked into my words as I spoke.
“Kimberly, this is dangerous. You know how Luna Catherine is. Do you really want to provoke her? She could destroy you.” His face was etched with concern.
“I don’t care what she does to me, Damien. All I care about is making sure she doesn’t gain control of my father’s company. I can’t let her ruin everything.” My voice shook with emotion, but I stood firm in my decision.
He sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. “I understand, but I don’t think this is the right way to go about it. You need to focus on finding your father, not battling with your stepmother. These next two weeks should be spent trying to secure your freedom, not fighting a war you might not win.”
“I’ll be fine, Damien,” I reassured him, standing up and grabbing my clothes from the nearby chair. “I know what I’m doing.”
Without saying more, I headed to the bathroom to change. The warm water from the shower gave me a brief moment of peace, but my thoughts kept returning to the company, my father, and the looming fate that awaited me.
When I emerged, fully dressed, Damien was still sitting on the bed, waiting patiently. “I have to leave now,” I told him as I grabbed my phone.
“It’s after six in the evening. Why don’t you just stay here for the night and leave in the morning?” Damien suggested, his voice calm.
“I can’t. I need to go home and prepare for the meeting. I can’t afford to be late tomorrow,” I explained, already heading toward the door.
“You could stay here and I’ll go pick up whatever clothes you need for tomorrow. You don’t have to leave,” he offered again, his tone full of concern.
“I appreciate it, but no, Damien. I need to go home. Please don’t try to convince me otherwise,” I replied firmly.
He sighed but nodded. “Alright. If you’re set on leaving, at least let me drive you home.”
I paused, considering his offer before nodding. “Okay. That would be nice.”
Damien grabbed his keys, and together we left the room. We made our way to his car in silence, the tension hanging between us thick as we both braced ourselves for whatever challenges tomorrow would bring.