THE VISIT

(Somewhere inside a large mansion in California)

“Alpha, I…”

“Kael, I have told you that everytime we are here, you refer to me as your boss. BOSS!!! Do I have to always inscribe it on my forehead?” Ethan Woods said irritated.

“I’m sorry Al.. Boss”. Kael corrected himself immediately with his head bowed in submission. After all, he does not want his head chopped off by his Alpha.

“How are those humans handling the company?”

“There has been some traces of theft by the accounting department and all evidence is pointing to the senior account manager. Although he is pretentious about it, I have managed to lay hold on some documents and footage that will be enough as evidence”.

Ethan's face showed an evil smirk.

“If only these humans knew what they were dealing with. Alright, since I'm around now, let's pay him a friendly visit tomorrow after checking out the site”.

“Okay, Alpha”. Kael bowed but stood in Ethan's presence, refusing to leave even after he had been dismissed.

“Kael, you know if you weren't my Beta and best friend, I would have sent you to the dungeon in the pack right now. Spill it!”

“Alpha, your grandmother called”. Kael said after a short silence, watching his words.

Ethan knows what his grandmother wants. It will be one of her endless preachings about getting a mate. “No Alpha lasts long without a Luna;his chosen mate”.

Like he cares! He has been patiently waiting for his so-called mate that even his wolf Xander seldomly speaks with him again and when he comes out, all he seeks is either their mate or blood!

It is a normal thing for werewolves to meet and mark their mate at 18 but now he is 24 and still no traces of his mate. Sometimes, he keeps wondering if he was never paired with anyone or she had probably died somewhere.

He even took a whole year to visit neighboring packs with the hope of finding her. Yet, nothing. Xander isn't helping things either as he blames him for not finding their mate.

Then, there is also his grandmother who wants to see her great grand pups before she dies. Not that she will die soon anyways. So, why the pressure?

Even his Beta Kael already met his mate during one of their numerous pack visits and here he is, like someone without a destined partner.

“Alpha, I have a feeling that Luna might be here”.

Ethan looked at Kael like he had grown two heads and said the funniest joke ever. A mate among the humans? Impossible!

“Luna, here? C'mon Kael, that's just a century joke. Why would you ever think I will get a human mate? Even if I do, which I know it is impossible, I will reject her immediately ”

“But will you seriously reject our mate if she is human?” Xander speaks after a long time of silence. He only cares about discussions that involve his mate. Nothing else.

“Of course, I will. I don't need a weakling as a partner. What will a human do after all?” Ethan replies back.

Xander was hurt by this and was about to protest when Ethan shuts him out.

“Alpha, I seriously think you should reconsider the…”

“Kael, if you are still here by the time I open my eyes, I will call back Cedric and send you in his stead. That way, you won't be able to get in touch with your mate”

Kael, hearing this, scurried away. He could not bear being separated from his mate and even on a dangerous mission at that. He only pities Cedric who fell a victim of his Alpha's harsh punishment.

Ethan, noticing that Kael left already, continued checking out the plan for his new project which he was doing before Kael's interruption.

(Victoria's dorm, Downtown street, California)

“Who is it at the door?” Natalie asked,a little scared and perplexed as to who would knock that way at such an hour.

Silence. No response!

“Is anyone there?” She asks again while moving towards the door with a baton she had earlier picked behind the sofa.

“Talie, it's me Victoria.”Came Toria’s whisper behind the door.

Natalie, wondering what it is, hurriedly opens the door.

“Welcome back girl. Why are you just coming back by this time? And why do you look like you are being pursued”

“I don't only look like it. I am really being pursued. Remember Damien?”

“Who is Damien? Wait, don't tell me it's that crazy guy from highschool”

“Exactly. Damien Martins. I came across him on my way home at the bus stop and he has been stalking me since then”

“Late at night? But why do you leave your place of work at this hour?”

“Remember our unknown boss,Ethan Woods? There's a rumor that he's in town and will be visiting tomorrow. All projects and assignments had to be completed.”

Ethan Woods is a popular yet mysterious name in the industry. No one except his assistant, Mr Kael knows what exactly he looks like but his name alone sends shivers down the spine.

“Oh, I see. You must be so tired then. What's up with Damien?”

“You know how obsessive he was, no change yet. He was blabbing about some nonsense words of love and I tried all my possible best to dismiss him.”

Damien Martins was their highschool classmate who was madly obsessed with Toria despite her constant rejection of his advances. He was once suspended from school because of his posed threats. After graduation from highschool, everyone went to different colleges with only Talie and Toria attending the same school, making her free from Damien.

“I just hope you stay safe from him. We would not want another replica of the highschool drama”

“Yeah, yeah. I know. Enough of Damien,tell me about your day Talie. How was the interview?

Talie's face fell when she remembered how her day went and Toria, noticing it, guessed the outcome of the interview already.

“Oh, darling. Come here for a hug. I believe all will be fine and you will get the best job soon”.

Natalie couldn't hold it in anymore as she burst into tears.

After a few minutes of thoughts, Victoria spoke up again.

“Now that a new branch of Eth-AB Corp will be opened soon in the next street, how about preparing your Resumè to make an application? It's so certain that there will be vacancies for the new branch and you never can tell who gets picked.”

“I just hope I will be picked. It feels like I am a burden to you since you pay the bills alone.”

“C’mon girl, I don't mind at all. In fact, let's go grocery shopping tomorrow after my working hours, all bills on me.”

Natalie gave Victoria a nod and curt smile. Her best friend is all she has and she will forever love her.

******************

“Alright Talie. Don't forget our shopping date this evening. I will give you a call so we can meet up at the mall down the street.”

It is the next day already and Victoria reminds Natalie of their planned grocery shopping which will be by evening because of the nature of her job. This was not the first time the girls did an evening shopping;in fact, the shopping time helps them to enjoy the “girls’ time” alone.

“Of course. I'll be there by 6pm. Enjoy your day and stay safe bestie.”

*******************

(At the same time in Ethan's mansion)

“Boss, where do we go first?” Kael asked Ethan when they were settled in his custom white Bentley just to be sure of his Alpha's schedule.

“To the office. A friendly visit is necessary at this point”.

“Okay boss.”

The drive to the company was a solemn one as Ethan loves all his rides: no noise or disturbance except when necessary.

As the CEO, Ethan has his own private elevator which takes him directly to the 5th floor which belongs to him alone. The moment Ethan stepped his foot into his office, Xander spoke for the first time in the day:

“I smell mate here”