Andre’s POV
Fentris stood in the front of the hall and continued to blabber about the human influx in our pack. I couldn’t help but suspect that he had an unhealthy obsession with them.
“… I think that this is an opportunity to raise the prices of certain human goods to increase profit and income. This will greatly develop the pack economically.”
Fentris gazed at me, and I sighed in anger and stood up.
“I understand that the human population is rising, but nothing unfair will be done to them. If there is to be an increase in prices for goods, it will be a general increase. I will not allow economic segregation. You seem to forget that we use human goods as well. A price increase will also affect us.”
Fentris was adamant and tried to sway the council.
“Well, I think that it is about time that prices went up a little bit…”
“No. Everything stays as it is unless there is a change in demand and supply. It ends there.”
The hall fell silent, and I adjourned the meeting before anyone else could bring up any other unfair argument.
I asked to talk with Fentris alone, and everyone stood up to leave. Fentris was left behind, and he had a disgusting, smug look on his face.
“Good afternoon, Alpha.”
I set eyes on Fentris, and my brows scrunched in disgust.
“Why are you acting so cheery?”
He smirked, and I got angrier.
“Nothing, I assure you. I just wanted to give my thanks for your little speech today before we proceed. It made me realise that you really care for humans.”
I scoffed. I wasn’t buying anything, he said.
“I saw the way you were acting, walking and talking as if you run things in this pack. Don’t even think, for a fleeting second, that you can come in here and change things. Don’t bite off more than you can chew, Fentris. The moment you exceed your boundaries, I will not hesitate to remind you where those boundaries lie.”
I expected him to be scared and fearful, but instead, he had a mocking smile on his face, seeming unbothered by what I just said.
“Well, I respect your ideas and opinions but don’t think that you are so good at drawing boundary lines. I know that you actually take ‘pleasure’ in overstepping the set ones.”
I glared at him as he talked in his calm, infuriating tone. What was he talking about? Was he talking about Olivia?
I felt a jolt of worry and concern. If he were talking about Olivia, I’d definitely hang him for it.
“What are you talking about, Fentris.”
The smile that curled his lips was disgusting, and I wanted to swipe it off his face with one wave of my claws.
“Nothing, really. I’m just saying that your boundaries may not be as defined as you think. If anything, they are very blurry lines, and I think I know well enough where they start and stop.”
I felt the rage building in my heart, but I wasn’t going to act on it. Now wasn’t the time.
“I have no idea of what you’re getting at, but my initial words still stand. Know your place, Fentris. Next time, it won’t be as mild as a warning.”
I waved him off, and I sat back down in my seat. In a flash, Olivia dominated my thoughts.
I had known my mate well enough. She wasn’t that difficult to read. I remembered her very odd behaviour and how she had been pushing me away the past few days, and it was all after she got that text on her phone.
I slammed my fist lightly on the table. I still couldn’t figure out who had sent it to her.
My mind began to shift gears and create links to scenarios. The way Fentris talked gave me every right to suspect that he had something to do with it.
If Fentris knew about us, it was possible he had also told some other people. If that was the case, there was no reason to hide anymore. The truth was already out there, and there was really nothing to be ashamed of. I wasn’t engaged to Nicole. Olivia wasn’t my stepdaughter but my fated mate. We were destined to be together. There was no more reason for me to hide her away.
My mind was made up. I was going to make Olivia mine in public.
I grabbed my cell phone and called a few subordinates to prepare a vacation itinerary for two.
My plan was crystal clear: I was going to get Olivia away from school for a few days and officially make her my mate.
After I had set everything in place, I decided to ring the college.
The phone rang, and soon, I heard a pleasant female voice on the other side. I guessed it to be Regina, the college secretary.
“Alpha Andre, good morning.”
“I need to talk to the Dean of Academics.”
She immediately forwarded my call, and the Dean was on the line in no time.
“Good morning, Alpha Andre. I hope you’re doing ok.”
“I need to get permission for Olivia to be absent for a few days. Her medical results are out, and she needs to go for urgent treatment. I’ll send someone to pick her up now.”
“It sounds very serious. I will grant her a week’s permit. Let me also get her on the line. Please hold.”
I waited for a while. I was anxious to hear her voice, which sent shivers down my spine. I couldn’t wait for her to get back, and I’ll have her all to myself for a few days.
“Alpha Andre, we are so sorry that we wasted so much time, but it seems that Olivia isn’t in school today.”
I was slightly stunned, but I kept my composure. This was strange.
“She isn’t in school?”
I thanked the Dean and ended the call promptly. I was sure that there wasn’t anything to worry about.
I called Pierre, and he came inside the hall almost instantly.
“Good morning, Alpha. Are you ready to leave?”
“Not yet. I need to know if you dropped Olivia at school today?”
“Yes, Alpha. I did. Is something wrong?”
I was a little bit more stunned at the certainty in Pierre’s voice. There was no reason to doubt him. I had seen when she had left and got into the car in the morning. She did say she was leaving for school.
“Alpha, is everything alright?”
Pierre’s voice jerked me back to reality. He still stood looking at me with concern.
“Yes. I’m alright. It’s alright. I’ll find her.”
My mind was wild with worry, but my countenance didn’t reflect it. I could afford to panic. No one thought straight in worry.
I tried my best to narrow down my search options, but Olivia had no reason to be in any of those places. I took a deep breath and reclined in my chair.
Where on earth could Olivia be?