Chapter 5

My new secretary enters my office with a stack of papers. A newspaper and a magazine are part of the stack. Then she quietly leaves after giving me my coffee.

I have only worked with her for a few days. But she is honestly the best. She does her work efficiently. Arrives on time and she doesn't gossip which suits me fine.

I picked the magazine needing a distraction. I have been cooped up in the office. Trying to catch up on work. The only time I leave was when I have to go get a shower and a change of clothes.

Also when l'm visiting Mason.

The front page was about me. I don't know whether to be angry at them or thankful because they are spreading the message. I'm no longer a doormat to be stepped on.

"Lauren Smith is back and she's colder than the Antarctica' it

reads.

Below the headlines there was a picture of me slapping the guard.

It then goes on to talk about what happened that day.

Someone probably sold the story and image. The person was getting fired. Once I found out who the fuck it was.

"They have no idea just how could our hearts has become"

Blue said.

I chuckled at that because it was the damn truth. Our hearts has become so cold. It would probably freeze anyone who tries to get near it.

But isn't that what happened when you are crushed? You either want to remain broke. I didn't want to remain broke. I didn't want to continue slowly dying from the pain and heartbreaks. I didn't like the woman I had become.

So I froze my heart. Freezing the pain and hurts deep inside.

Where I no longer had to feed it.

Pain changes you and it changed me. I was a naive fool. Wore m heart on my sleeves for people who didn't deserve it. Gave all my fucking best.

In the end I was used and then discarded. The same people turned on me and broke me. I wasn't going to allow that to ever happen again. So I had to kill the old me.

"I need a run," Blue sighed. The wistfulness clear in her voice. "I know, I will find something soon."

Given I was a lone wolf and without a pack. It was hard for me to run freely. Most lands are territories. Those that are not are owned by humans. Humans who like hunting.

I was looking into getting a house. One with a really big backyard for us to run. One that was also secluded. Where I didn't have to worry about neighbors seeing a wolf in my compound.

There is knock on my door. I tell the person to come in. The moment they do wish they would drop dead.

"What do you want?" | asked annoyed.

Darren stands in my office looking unsure.

He answered calmly. "I came to see how you are doing."

I stared at him in disbelief. What was with him and Miranda thinking that we were sort of best friends?

And why the hell would you do that?"

"We may have gotten a

separation but I still care for you.

I would have loved for us to remain friends." This time, I laughed. A full belly laugh. While Blue Snickers in my head.

He looked so innocently confused. As if he can't understand why the hell I was laughing.

"Were you my friend when you called me a cunt?" I growl at him.

He goes to say something but I interrupted him. My voice going cold. "Did you care for me when you leave kicked me out of my daughter's birthday party? Or when you had your laws digging into my neck? Or when you cheated on me? He doesn't answer me. Just stares as if he can't find the right words. Like he can't figure out where the woman he knew disappeared to.

Something passed in his eyes.

Top quick for me to read it. It doesn't matter anyway.

"Just leave" I say after a moment.

I was done with him. Done with his bullshit.

"Lauren..." He goes to say but I again interrupted him.

"Get the fuck out of here Darren.

You told me to get out of yours and I did just that. Now I demanded the same damn thing.

We no longer mean anything to each other and it will remain that

way. Now leave before I call the cops on you," | yelled. My claws digging into my palms.

This is what I do. When I feel so angry. So out of control. Like in the next minutes I could murder someone. The pain grounds me.

Anchors me from seeing red.

I knew what was happening to me. It was so obvious. The anger I felt constantly and being out of control. The need for blood. How I'm always a second away from snapping.

These were some of the symptoms of going feral. This is what they had reduced me to.

Having to claw my own palm so l don't lose myself.

"What happened to your?" He asked, his voice soft and and concerned. As if he just couldn't understand.

What a fucking bastard.

I sighed. "You did, you and Miranda happened... Now leave, before I do something I won't regret."

He gives me one more look. "This isn't over" he said before leaving.

When he does I say into my seat.

Starting blankly at the wall. I don't know how long I stared, when my phone rang.

Interrupting my trance.

"I honestly didn't think you had it in you." A deep voice says. It was so husky it sent tingles down my spine.

"Who is this?' I already knew who it was. But I decided to play dumb. Inorder to hide my shock.

"You know who it is Red. Playing dumb doesn't suit you."

Fuck? I had been caught. How embarrassing.

"What can I do for you Mr Ashford?' I finally ask.

I had no idea why he was calling. But I would be lying if I said I wasn't curious. There was just something about him that drew me in.

Nobody knows what happened between him and Miranda. All we know is that he was the one to

file for a separation.

"Just Sebastian" he says in bossy way. Making me roll my eyes.

"What can I do for you Sebastian?"

"It's more about what we can do for each other." He stated. As if it were obvious.

This has me really intrigued. Blue even pipes at that. Dying to know what he's about. I honestly didn't see what we could do for each

other.

I was also doubtful I wanted to be entangled with such a powerhouse. The vibes he gave off that last time. Were both intriguing and terrifying.

Curiosity won the best of me though.

"I'm listening."

Just when I thought he was going to lay it down for me. He does the unexpected. Something that was so Alpha male and annoying. He says in raspy voice. "Meet me at Roosevelt tomorrow at two. I have a preposition for you." Right before he hangs up. "That's no going to work." I tell

the man in front of me authoritatively..

Smith," he replied immediately.

Almost arrogant.

I have been in this meeting for about two hours. We weren't getting anywhere. I was beginning to get important..

I stare at William, the vice-president of Majestic Ltd. It was a textile company that Claire wanted us to partner with..

"He's trying to rip us off," Blue mumbled, irritated.. It was something I had already figured out. There was just something about the way he looked at me. As if he saw me as someone beneath him..

Someone unworthy of leading a successful Company. Like I was dumb somehow and he saw no problem with it over pricing us..

My guess is that he was the type of man raised to believe woman

should worship the ground they walked on..

That woman couldn't lead.

Women couldn't become successful on their own. That was woman's sole purpose is to do men's bidding and raise kids. That they were to be seen and and not heard..

I hated that type of stereotype. I hated men who looked down on women. I have no idea why the hell Claire chose him, but I was done with his bullshit..

I stand up from my seat. "Then we are done here.'

I wasn't going to waste my time anymore. I could find some other better company. Plus I saw no problem currently dealing with..

"Wait, miss Smith. I'm sure we can negotiate a better deal," he says with a slimy smile..

He truly thought I was stupid. I could see through his fucking smile. What was hidden behind it. I didn't like it one bit..

"You have already wasted enough of my time."

I don't spare him another look when I leave. I heard him calling my name but l ignored him..

I get into the elevator. Within minutes l'm getting out. I have the building and heard towards my car..

I reached and was about to unlock it. I don't get the chance though. A handkerchief covers my nose and within minutes I'm out.. I wake up to the sound of a car engine. I'm a bit disoriented but I get what just happened | have been fucking kidnapped..

"You are awake," a deep voice says..

I freeze because I know that voice. My suspicion is confirmed when I look up to find green eyes staring at me..

There isn't a hint of emotions in them. Just a blank emotionless share. A stare I hate because o can't tell what his was thinking..

There isn't a hint of emotions in them. Just a blank emotionless stare. A stare I hate because I can't tell what he's thinking..

"I don't like being made a fool of Red. When I tell you to meet at Roosevelt I expect you to be there."

There is a hit of something dangerous in his tone.

Something I should be afraid of.

For some reason though, I was not..

That's exactly it, you told me I instead of asking." Reply definitely. "I'm not good at being told what to do."

As u have probably guessed. I didn't go to meet Sebastian. That was about two days ago. I had decided that it would have been more trouble than it would have been more trouble than it was worth. Getting involved with a powerhouse such as Sebastian doesn't spell out good things for

me.

I was skeptical about it and rightfully so. I had gotten myself involved with one Alpha. Look how disastrous that ended for me. I had no idea what his proposal would be, but I was sure I didn't want to know about it..

",And I'm not good at letting such defiantly go, you should know that about me. You push