Nights Like These.

Casey’s POV

Some might call it luck. Others might call it fate, another could call it a privilege but I knew what it was.

It was hard work and sacrifice.

I had lived all my life trying to please my parents. My father being the Alpha king always wanted a son instead, one who would take his place as the next king after he was gone but unfortunately he got a girl.

No he didn’t hate me, but he doesn’t love me either. I had sacrificed a lot and gotten a lot of work done to actually be recognized by him and by the clan at large.

I knew I had more foes than friends and that was my fault. I have being called proud, insolent and full of myself depending on the group you asked and where I should care about their opinions especially since I was the Alpha’s only child, but I do not. I stopped caring many years ago.

I was lucky to be born to the richest family in my clan, the most famous parents who were not really attentive to me but they didn’t neglect me either.

They let me do anything I wanted with the condition that I didn’t bring disgrace to the family’s name.

The Heathingways were mostly feared by anyone you come in contact with and that fear has helped me get away with so many things. That and the fact that I was the most beautiful girl in the whole clan.

That was one thing at least that my father took pride in. He always boasted about it to his friends and kinsmen, how I took after him in beauty. It wasn’t a lie.

During my fathers younger days, he was and still is the most wanted amongst his age group. My mother being the shy and timid woman she was then, didn’t even think he was going to spare her a glance but surprisingly fate kept bringing them together.

I never believed in love, in fact, I don’t think I could ever find love because men were intimidated by me and were scared to approach me but I loved hearing about the love tales of my parents.

Though I had locked my heart and threw away the key many years ago, I still craved for some kind of feeling in nights like this.

It was chilly and the wind was massive. I was sitting in my bathtub, a drink in my hand as I tried to think of the day’s activities. I had just returned from work as I was in charge of my fathers wine company. It had been a busy day but it wasn’t something I wasn’t used to.

The Heathingways Whiskey Parlor was again the most famous whiskey and wine company in my clan and beyond. I had done a lot to bring it to the fame it had today and I took pride in it. My father had so many business but he valued Heathingways whiskey parlor more and his trust in me was something I wasn’t going to take for granted.

Nights like this were when I ought to go out drinking, or partying with friends but that could only happen to people that had friends. I had pushed everyone away because they didn’t understand me and they never belonged in my class. I had every right to be proud and stuck up because I had the necessities to back me up.

I had no apology whatsoever but I wouldn’t deny the fact that I wished I had atleast one friend.

“Ms Casey?” My personal assistant Rhoda called.

Okay maybe I did have someone.

“In here.” I responded loudly.

The door swung open and there she stood, she poked her head and gave a little smile before spreading the door opened further.

“How many times do I tell you not to call me Ms Casey. Rhoda?” I asked before taking a sip of my wine.

“I’m sorry Ms- I mean Casey. I’ll not do it again.” I only hummed because she was most definitely going to do it again.

“I thought I left all work in the office? What is going on?” I asked.

She couldn’t possibly come to spend time with me, I know I wasn’t her favorite person and I knew I made her uncomfortable but I was lonely, not that she needed to know that but just having another person other than myself in this big house was comforting.

Rhoda pulled out a brown file from her bag before placing it on my sink filled with clothes.

“I just came to drop this off. The new clients that we ought to sign off today.” She said.

I nodded before facing forward again.

Rhoda was still standing there causing me to turn back to her in surprise.

“Anything else?” I asked in a bored tone.

Rhoda cleared her throat. “I just wanted to know if you are doing alright.” I furrowed my brows in surprise.

“And why wouldn’t I be?”

“I - I just mean that—”

“Spit it out Rhoda.” I snapped, my patience wearing thin.

“It’s today. Ms Casey. The third anniversary is today.” She whispered and I removed my eyes away from her immediately so she wouldn’t know what her reminding me did to me.

Not that I could ever forget.

I gulped the rest of my drink in one go before hitting the flute on the little table beside my head.

“And what about it?” I asked her, my voice impassive and my tone flat.

“I—”

“I’m fine Rhoda. If you don’t have anything else to report, you are free to go.” I growled at her. I was getting agitated and it wouldn’t be nice if my wolf came out because of something as trivial as this.

Rhoda winced slightly and ducked her head. It was another painful reminder as to why I could never have friends.

I was quick to get angry.

“I’m sorry Ms Casey. But I am also ordered to let you know that your father, Alpha Kingsley is coming in tomorrow.” My stomach fell and a chill ran down my spine.

I swallowed subtly, my hands fisting around the handle of the tub.

“Is he? Did he say what for?” I asked monotonously.

She shook her head vigorously before curtseying and scrambling away.

I sighed, my body going deeper into the now cold water and my head resting on the tub rest.

My mind was never quiet but it got especially louder at the mention of my father. I might have forgotten to mention that over the years our relationship had taken a turn for the worse. A lot of things happened to trample on it and both of us were too proud and stubborn to fix it. I guess I took after him after all.

I was getting tired of the lukewarm water and decided to get out. I dried myself in my towel before wrapping myself in my blue silk night gown and retiring for the night. Not that I could sleep but I suppose with my sleeping pills I should be able to.

The night had already turned dark and the moon had come out. The growls of the wolves were an indication that they had come out to play.

I couldn’t be seen having fun like that with them, my wolf was awkward around people just like myself. She was hardly seen and irrespective of the fact that I was the fastest in speed, I still couldn’t let my wolf show in front of people, except my immediate family.

I tucked myself in, took the book I was reading and I scanned it, my mind was too noisy and my body was too worked up to concentrate.

The sleeping pills had begun kicking in and I let it take me over as I succumbed to the darkness, not just of the night but of my life.

——

“What do I have lined up today?” I asked Rhoda overly chirpy as I walked to my office. I ignored the greetings from my employees because I knew it was all fake. They only did it to retain their jobs only to back bite me behind my back. I wouldn’t even blame them, as long as it wasn’t said to my face though.

Rhoda skipped behind me. “You have the meeting with the wine vendors today.”

“I thought I have done that.” I asked throwing a look at her over my shoulder before I continued walking.

“No Ms Casey. You postponed it because you had a headache that day.” Rhoda replied.

I nodded giving her the go ahead to continue.

“You also have the meeting with the clients we signed of on yesterday. They should be coming in any moment from now.”

“That’s good. They better keep to time. I don’t like tardiness.” I sneered glancing at my watch in my wrist.

I sat behind my desk as Rhoda continued reading my outline and events for the day. As usual it was always filled up, I hardly had time for myself.

“…….And lastly you have the meeting with your dad.” Rhoda trailed off. My pen hanged midway but I didn’t look up to her.

“Okay. If that’s all then let’s get to work.” I said giving her a tight lipped smile. Rhoda curtseyed and returned the smile to me before walking away.

Minutes turned to hours and after a busy day, I was done from the office.

I was exhausted and my neck muscles were firing me. I stood up, picked my bag and began to pack before a knock sounded on my door.

I didn’t look up to know who it was already knowing it was Rhoda by her scent.

“If we are done Ms Casey, I’ll like to leave first. I have to visit my son in the hospital.”

I glanced up at her before facing down again.

“You are free to go Rhoda.” I said.

I didn’t look up to see what she did until I heard my door open and close.

It was a little after eight in the night but I wasn’t in the mood to go home. About to put my light off, my office door barged open to reveal my father strolling in, a stern look in his face.

I took steps back, shaken up by the surprise of his visit. I had assumed he wasn’t going to come again seeing as he hadn’t come earlier and he didn’t call.

“D-Dad” I called in a shaky voice. I cleared my throat immediately, not wanting my father to know I was affected by his presence.

“Are you just leaving the office? I thought I told you not to stay when the clock hits six.” He growled.

I almost rolled my eyes at the ringtone. It was the same thing he kept telling me no matter how many times I told him I was a big girl.

“There was so much to do, I couldn’t possibly leave-”

“That’s why you have employees Casey. Let them do their work for heaven’s sake.” He voiced out.

I sighed already getting tired.

“Fine. What are you doing here?” I asked immediately.

My father stared me down before by passing me and going to sit on my chair.

I turned to face him before going to sit in front of him, my shoulders straight and chin high as he liked.

“I have something important to discuss with you.” He began.

My heart plummeted.

“That something couldn’t wait until I came back home for weekend dinner?” I asked.

“If it could, I wouldn’t drive all the way here to see you Cassandra.” He snapped.

I wanted to tell him he wasn’t the one that drove himself but I was too stormed by his use of my full name. I hated when he said it but i dared not complain.

“I’m sorry. What do you want to talk about?” I asked.

My father leaned forward, his eyes scanning the files on my desk and I was grateful that I removed the more important ones from the table earlier.

“I’m going to need you to meet someone.” He said firmly.

“Someone? Are they acquainted with us?” I asked.

He shook his head.“With me maybe. But not you.”

I furrowed my brows in confusion. “Okay, is it for Business?” I asked again hoping he would help alleviate my confusion.

“No!” He growled.

I leaned away slightly in surprise.

“Then what is it for?”

My father eyed me tentatively, his blue eyes similar to mine concentrating on my features in an intimidating manner but I refused to back down from the stare contest. If I did, he might as well kill me for being weak.

When I thought he wasn’t going to answer, he said the most shocking and bone chilling word I had ever heard.

“Marriage.” He stated and I guess I had every reason to be worked up and nervous about his visit earlier.