LEILA MILLER.Today, I decided to take my assistant, Kiara, and two others to the meeting. Initially, why I went to De Luca Corp is because we were yet to secure the deal; I needed to finalize it first before anything. And besides, with Sebastian, I could not be sure of anything. Now that we are beyond that, though, and are in the planning phase, of course I would need to bring my team over to discuss the details before we execute the work out.We arrived at the company just in time for the meeting, and Leon fetched us at the entrance—his smile welcoming as ever."Miss Reed, good morning." He greeted.I offered him a small smile. "Morning, Leon." I was not sure if this is the way they welcome their guests, really, with him coming down to welcome us personally and all when we are the ones working for them, not the other way around, but I did not complain."This way, please." He then led us to the elevators, and for a second, I got a flashback of what happened the last time I was stuck
LEILA MILLER"Are you doubting my options now, Miss Rivers?" Everyone recognized his voice almost immediately, their heads turning around in his direction. My gaze lingered on Kristen Rivers for a second longer as her slightly wide and taken-aback eyes fell on him. Her lips parted slightly, and then she went on to ramble. "M...Mr. Salvatore..." She got on her feet, just as everyone else did.I heard him round the table, coming in the direction of the seat at the helm where he is supposed to be seated. My gaze met his just as I got on my feet; my head turned in his direction as he came to settle down at the seat at the helm, right beside me. His gaze held mine for a second longer before he gestured for everyone else to settle down.We did just that, his pointed gaze falling on the woman from earlier, his expression cold when he then asked. "You did not answer me." He pressed, arching a brow, his tone arctic cold.She smiled uncomfortably before she quickly went on to try and save hers
LEILA MILLER.A giggle escaped my lips as Sebastian pulled away from the kiss, one of his arms still wrapped around me and the other resting on the side of my face. And then, he murmured against my lips. "I missed you so much, Malyshka." He said, his voice deep and husky.I grinned, unable to help myself. My arms were wrapped around his neck, but one rested on the side of his face, caressing his growing stubble before I found myself muttering. "We saw each other just yesterday," I said, as a matter of fact. "And how are you back so early? I thought you said it would take a few days?" I had already put it at the back of my mind that I would not see him until in the next few days, and as much as the thought had me disappointed, I still accepted it.Now though, having him here with me, I love it more than I would like to admit. It took everything in me not to scream and jump into his arms when I saw him walk in earlier. But, of course, work is work, and I did not want to cross that limit.
SEBASTIAN SALVATORE."What is going on between you and Dylan Miller?" I found myself asking, vocalizing a thought that has been lingering in my head for a while now. She has not mentioned him in a while, but she is still always around him.She still has not agreed to be with me officially, but she was not giving me the cold shoulder or anything for now. I knew it would not take long for her to agree. However, there is a hindrance in our way and that hindrance is none other than Dylan Miller, her boss, that she for some reason is close to. Leila ran a hand down her shirt, smoothening the small wrinkle due to our earlier act, though she looked a bit of a mess, I loved her that way. However, I knew she cared about her image, and I would not want her to feel somehow so I reached out and fixed the collar of her shirt, something she missed.She muttered a quick thank you, pushing her hair over her shoulder before she met my gaze with her cool ones, answering my question. "He is my boss." S
LEILA MILLER."I feel like it has been forever since we last hung out." Dylan said, from where he stood by the refrigerator, rummaging through it as if he had kept something there—and maybe he has, because this apartment is as much his as it is mine.He stocks up my refrigerator whenever he comes around and there is nothing to eat, which he complains about, just as I know he is about to do, any minute now."And why don't you ever have anything to eat?" Yup, there it is. I told you. He closed the fridge, coming to a conclusion: there truly is nothing to eat there. "We are going grocery shopping tomorrow after work. Remind me. For now—""For now, we are having takeout, as always." I completed for him from where I emerged from my room, making my way towards the living room. I looked up from my room, our eyes meeting as I offered him a tight-lipped smile, raising my phone to gesture to the order I had already placed. "It will be here in fifteen minutes at most."Dylan gave me a pointed lo
LEILA MILLERI was torn in between two great shocks at one.One, Sebastian had been attacked by rogues and if what my brother was saying is true, he might have been seriously injured. The second, my brother and Gracie are mates.Both are situations I did not expect to go through really, and it had my brain on pause for a moment, trying to grasp either of each and make sense of it.“What do you mean Alpha Sebastian was attacked?” I found myself inquiring first, the curiosity of that overweighing the other thought. But it does not seem my brother was paying any heed to me, or the person on the other end of his phone call because he had his gaze fixated on Gracie, a look I could not quite decipher flicking through his gaze.I blinked, shaking my head as I tried to focus on the current situation in front of us. “Wait, I mean…you two are mates?” It never once crossed my mind, the possibility of it that is.But I do not hate it. On the contrary, for that moment, I felt as though this is th
LEILA MILLER.Dylan was quick in having some of the guards arrive at my place to patrol in disguise, but I know them all well enough to be able to spot them from a mile away. But I know my place better than they did. It would be better for me to heed to Dylan's words and stay home, especially since he sent security over it had to be important, but I would run out of my mind simply staying at home and not knowing what situation Sebastian is in exactly. My wolf was on edge as well, so simply staying at home just would not cut it. I called Sebastian, though I was not expecting him to answer. He did not, which only solidifies my thoughts that there is indeed something wrong. He always picks up my call, and if he is in a situation where he could not, his messages follow soon after.This time around, there was no picking up, and no follow up messages, which only adds to my growing pile of worries.After a few minutes of simply standing there and weighing my decisions, I decided to screw i
LEILA MILLER.I fiddled with my fingers but nodded regardless. At least by waiting here, I knew he would come back, so I took that option. The butler left and later returned with some refreshments, but my mind was not on it in the slightest. I could not even sit and simply resorted to pacing back and forth in the living room, glancing at the clock every once in a while to take note of how much time had passed by so far. About an hour passed by like that, with my anxiety levels growing off the chart and higher than ever. I even resorted to nibbling at my nails, my heart thumping behind my ribcage. I know Sebastian is a strong man but what the hell is going on? Not knowing is making me lose my mind. Is he alright? Was he hurt? How badly is he hurt? Why is he still not back yet? My train of thoughts were halted when the sound of my phone ringing came, piercing through the silence. I was startled for a second by the unexpected sound, but I recovered and pulled out my phone, the sight of
SEBASTIAN SALVATORE DE LUCA."DAMN IT! WHY CAN'T ANY OF YOU FIND HER?!" I yelled, pushing away the content on top of my work desk, sending them flying across the room as I heaved out heavily, my hands tightening around the edge of the table, my knuckles turning white. From behind me, I could feel them exchanging looks amongst themselves. They were quiet for a while, and then Eric's cautious voice came as he took a step forward. "Alpha, she could be well for all we know...""Then why can't you find her?" I snapped, turning around to look at him as I gritted my teeth, my nose flared. "Huh? Why can't any of you find her anywhere if you are so sure she is alright?!" It has been hours since I woke up, and there has not been a single second where my mind was not flooded with the thought of Leila. I went to her house earlier, and I have waited there for a while, but there was no answer on the other end. I had to check in with the receptionist, but she said Leila has not been around in days
SEBASTIAN SALVATORE DE LUCA.Fuck, I think I might have underestimated those rogues' poison quite a lot, because when it knocked me down, it did so badly.A slight groan escaped my lips as I peeled my eyes open, welcomed by the rays of light coming in through the slightly opened curtains of my room. From what I could tell, it must be morning or afternoon. I tried to move, my whole body feeling weak, as if something was weighing me down. My body was sore, and I cannot remember the last time I felt that way really.I pushed myself to a sitting position, my gaze falling on the digital clock by the side of my bed, only to see the time read 11:00AM. I blinked, trying to push past the grogginess and then get out of the bed, making a direct beeline to the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth. I stayed back and took a shower as well, to get rid of the sore muscles as I tried to recall my last memory and recollect all that had happened.By the time I was done and made my way back into t
LEILA MILLER.True to Dylan's words, the next few days have been a blur of preparing for the big day. He was not kidding when he said our parents were going all out for this because they were truly. I think even I underestimated just how big they were willing to go. But, they were going big or going home, apparently,Thankfully, they did not drag me into the preparations, save for them occasionally asking for my input. At one point, I told him that I trust whatever choices they would make, just so I would save myself some of the stress. That was all they needed though, and they went on to handle everything simply leaving the outfits, amkeup, and hair to me.But that truly is the only part I am looking forward to as well. And Gracie and I made the best of it over the next few days, taking as a vacation of ours where all we had to do was go around the pack, sight seeing and enjoying our moment. My family still insisted on me staying strictly on bed rest, but I think they too realized at
LEILA MILLER.Believe me, after everything that has happened, the last thing I need is a grand birthday party. I did not need one before, and I certainly do not want one in this moment of all times as well. Were they not the ones that wanted to keep me cooped up in this house on strict bed rest? Tell me why we are suddenly having a party and inviting quite possibly the whole pack and beyond.I have enjoyed living without being known to outsiders. It was my little secret and triumph card that might come to be useful later on. But, certainly not now of all times. "Tell me you're kidding." I released a dramatic groan, flopping back on the bed. I saw Gracie smile at me from the corner of my eyes, no doubt finding me amusing. I am glad I could lift her mood, but not the time really.I happen to have an equally brooding brother that held my gaze, his expression difficult to read when he then asked. "Does it seem like I am kidding?" He does not.Damn it. This is bad.Gracie's voice suddenl
LEILA MILLER."Let us go shopping." I suddenly declared, after my little moment with Gracie opening up about her relationship with my brother.Gracie blinked, before her eyes widened and she quickly shook her head. "No, no. Before I cam here, your brother warned me that you are not supposed to leave your bed." She stated, and I was a bit surprised she was heeding to his words. The Gracie I know would be too stubborn to listen to what he would say, especially not in the current stage they are in. "Your brother would have my head if I let you go out really.""Who said anything about going out?" I arched a brow, my lips forming a mischievious smile. "We can always shop online. Going outside is the last thing I want in this moment either." I could go out within the pack, but going beyond it? Not yet. Not until I feel safe out there again. "Or we can go to the boutique in the pack, they bring the most stunning dresses. Or we can have them brought here. That would be perfect..." I was alrea
DYLAN MILLER.Gracie seemed like she had something to say about the whole thing, but she did not. Instead, she caved in wordlessly, shutting herself as she did before. I asked her if there was anything she wanted to do before we leave, but she shook her head otherwise. So, we both bid Sarah farewell, before we made our way out together, getting back in my car. This time around, before I could open the door for Gracie and strap her in, she did so herself. She did not spare me a glance, and seemed as though she wanted to make a point clear.That she does not want me.Too bad. I may not be cruel, but I can be selfish. And when it comes to my mate, I will be as selfish as I need to be in order to keep her with me. The drive to the pack house took a while, as it was a bit farther from the city. The pack closest to the city and occupying most of the territory is Salvatore's, ours is a bit farther.I appreciated the drive really, because it gave me more time with my mate before we head to t
DYLAN MILLER.Sarah finished the soup, and then handed it over to Gracie who thanked her with a soft smile on her features, and in that moment I realized the two have become close somehow. Then again, Sarah is easy going, and my mate seemed so as well. The way she smiled, she seemed much more beautiful really, and i could only hope one day she would be able to smile with me the same way. Sarah after preparing my breakfast as well, quietly left the kitchen for the two of us, not before giving me a look I knew as her encouraging me to make some effort into stirring something upw ith Gracie, but how could I do so without making her hate me more than she already does?I quietly ate my food as she did as well, but she was quick, as if wanting to finish it up as soon as she can and leave. She finished in record time, and then made a move to get off the stool, but I was having none of it."Sit." I said, my tone firm, while finishing up my food as well.She folded her lips in, glancing at me
DYLAN MILLER."Where is Gracie?"Things have been a whirlwind really, a rollercoaster of emotions that it felt as though there was too much ongoing, and too very little time to process it really. Somewhere in between leaving my mate back at my house, returning to the pack borders to fend off the rogues, whom retreated at the very last minute that is, giving us the victory this time around, and in between getting a call from my Beta about Leila's disappearance, there was too much ongoing really.But, everything that happened afterwards, from trying to reach out to her to no avail, to tracking her phone to Sebastian Salvatore's house, and what went down between us passed by pretty quickly. I did not even have time to process and wonder why she would go to his house of all people. Could it be because of Matt? Does she still have any feelings for him? Is he why she went to his Uncle's place or otherwise?Now thinking back, after everything has blown down, Matt was nowhere in sight at the
DYLAN MILLER.I am not a saint, nor the holiest out there. I am not a man without any history with women, I do have, quite a lot.But, that was in the past, when I was much younger and in my teenage years. I am not using that to defend myself, not that there is anything to defend really. I am just saying, I have my own history and moment with women, quite a number of it, and it is now in the past. It has been something over thre eyears since I have entertained any women, or thought of being in any fling or casual relationship with anyone. Since I took up the role of the Alpha, I have devoted myself to it wholly, giving it my all. I kept aside my habit I had prior, knowing I now have a lot of people counting on me.My parents, my sister, and my pack--they were all depending on me and there is no way I would let them down. That is not something I could afford, so, I dropped it aside and focused on becoming a good Alpha. Of course, I see those around me finding their mates, and building