~ISSA
The bastard had planned this all along.
Deucalion.
Always the business man. He knew that the object in his possession was very valuable to me because it was connected to Yulia. When Marianna and I had rescued Yulia from the jaws of death, a mysterious box came into my possession.
The content of the box had something to do with our moon goddess. The supernatural matron of the werewolves. I had no idea what was inside the box but I knew that it had something to do with Yulia’s parents and how they died.
While the box was with me, the key to opening it was with Deucalion and that was the only reason I was working as the top back and front-end developer for his company. I created software and wrote codes to make his company number one in fintech and software development.
He paid me very well but I was not interested in his money, I was only interested in getting the moon key. Deucalion knew that I was not interested in his company and was only keeping me hostage with the key in his possession.
“Think about it,” he urged. “Your status as the ultimate Lycan and my eldest daughter as your Luna, it will be good for business and your bloodline,” he pitched.
I gazed at Iris. “Are you okay with this?”
“Of course, I am, we were together once, Issa,” She replied with a smile. “This is good for us and your niece, we can be one happy family.”
“What changed your mind about me?” I asked her.
She shrugged. “I never wanted to leave you, Issa, but the responsibility of running a company like ours is very great and I would not have been able to focus on us.”
I clenched my teeth at her words, how casually she let them out because they knew that they had me cornered.
“But now you can,” I said with sarcasm and scoffed at the whole thing. This was the most ridiculous thing I had ever been faced with.
“I did not think you would be against this proposal,” Iris said.
“Your proposal is an insult,” I said. “You want me to be with you for a key,” I added in disbelief.
“A key that is very precious to you,” Deucalion added.
I stood up and turned to Deucalion. “You changed the deal,” I told him. “You said you would give the key to me if I agreed to create cutting edge software for your company and now here you are, changing it to marriage…”
I was already pissed and I hated everything about this.
“Look,” Deucalion said and stood up from his chair, raising his hand in a placating manner. “I know that I changed the deal a little bit”
“A little bit?” I cut him off in an irritated manner.
“Okay, I changed it a lot but what I want has changed while what you want remains the same, if I give you the key for a couple of software”
“Then you would have no leverage over me and nothing more to offer so I can keep working for you,” I finished for him, getting disgusted by the minute,
“Well, when you put it that way”
“I am done with this conversation,” I said and headed for the door.
“You are making a mistake, Issa,” Deucalion said and I could hear the undertone of a threat in his voice.
I felt Iran rage up to the surface of my mind. I did not take kindly to threats. I turned slowly to face him and he realized his mistake the moment our eyes met.
Deucalion was an Alpha but he was no Lycan. He was no match for me and he was aware of that fact.
“I think we should all take a breath, and talk about this like gentlemen,” Iris said and got up as she sensed the intense change in the air.
Deucalion sighed and shook his head. A small chuckle escaped his lips. “Look, I apologise for that, Issa, I meant no ill intention behind those words,” he said.
“And what did you mean?” I asked.
“I meant that you are letting go of a great opportunity for a great partnership, Issa, joining forces with me will do so much good for your legacy,” he said.
“Your opportunity came with an ultimatum, Duke,” I told him. “You used what I wanted the most against me, that was very low,” I replied firmly to him.
“Because I have been trying to get you to accept one of my daughters as your bride but you pretend not to notice, you do not even have a Mate,” Deucalion said with exasperation.
“I did not know my love life was of great concern to you, I am touched,” I replied with venom in my tone.
“Why are you so hesitant about this, Issa?” Iris asked, looking me deep in the eyes.
Deucalion was behaving like a desperate man and it got me suspicious. I was certain more than ever that I was a pawn in his elaborate game of chess. It all had to end now.
“I may not be Mated to anyone, Iris but I will not be forced to be with anyone, not even you,” I coldly replied.
“Nobody is being forced to be with anyone, Issa” Iris replied. “But I know that you want that key badly and I want a child from you,” She added.
I was disgusted by what she said. Even Iran recoiled.
“Keep the key, Duke, and I will send in my two weeks’ notice when I get to the office tomorrow,” I said and turned away from father and daughter.
“You want to quit Callion Holdings?” Deucalion asked in disbelief. I could hear how worried he sounded.
“Think about what you are about to do very well, Issa,” Iris said walking after me.
“There is nothing to think about, Iris, goodbye,” I said and pushed open the door.
Rage kept simmering to the top of my brain and I found it hard to calm myself. One wrong move and Iran was going to seize control from me.
I hurried down the stairs until I reached the dining room and found Yulia laughing with Albus.
She frowned when she saw the foul expression on my face. “Issa? What is wrong?”
I balled my hands into fists. “Let’s get hell out of here,” I replied. “Coming here was a fucking mistake.”