03

There were so many rumours about her - rumours people could only say in whispers. 

"She killed her mum." 

"She caused her father's death."

"Her sisters died, while she survived."

"No. One of her sisters is still alive."

The rumours had gotten surplus, they began to host lies. Some said she had lost her sisters one night when she was a child. They said, she and her sisters had been attacked by an anonymous person who ended up killing Sadie. Jerika had survived but was too traumatic to explain what happened. Ruby - the eldest daughter - had survived as well, but lost her sanity and had to be sent abroad for medical care. The hurt was too much for their father, he died few months after due to poor health. 

This was all the rumours said, but Jerika herself had never made an attempt to clear the air. She's never made an attempt to say anything. 

After the death of her father, she had been taken in by a relative who barely had enough time for her. Her uncle Kruger had taken over the pack for the meantime, but the whole time, Jerika hated it. 

How she had challenged his position and became the Alpha Female was a story for another day, but that was one act that had created the fear and respect people had for her. 

She grew up to be completely torn, broken. Her nights were filled with torments, and her days filled with taunts. Before claiming the pack, she had been a complete shadow of herself. But when she desired power, she turned her weaknesses into strengths. 

So, she made herself a lethal Alpha goddess, as well as a respectable CEO. She was considered the richest female CEO in the country with records of having the fastest growing brands. Foreigners craved to do business with her, they craved to have someone like her in a partnership. So, as much as they feared her, they still wanted her. 

One thing Jerika Krester hated so much was being touched by people. Her P.A did the handshaking for her with business partners. It was only at working hours she could be seen around people. At the close of day, she was always confined to the walls of her luxury duplex. She didn't know what it felt like to visit a bar, didn't know what it felt like to eat out alone or take a stroll. She didn't even know what it felt like to go shopping or live a normal life like every human did. She was wealthy enough to live the luxury life she wanted, but Jerika didn't have such experience, not even vacations. The only life Jerika was acquainted with was handling her brands and taking care of the Pack. Seven brands was enough to keep her entire day busy. 

Most importantly, she didn't know what it felt like to love, or be loved. She was much aware of the numerous people crushing on her - powerful men with real mint that could give her the world if she wanted. But neither of them had been lucky enough to get as little as her attention. Jerika had no intentions of settling down, she didn't even want kids. All she envisaged was to live to the fullest and keep a powerful legacy that would always be remembered even when she's gone. That was the life she wanted. 

Leaving the hotel, she ordered to be driven to the old club-hut. She was so rigid, people around her wondered if she ever felt pain. But that day, as her P.A and manager sat in the moving car with her, they could tell she was hurt. She was never going to show it, but they knew she was. Hearing those words from Mrs Ramona would definitely break her.

The ride to the club-hut was a long one, it took them half an hour to get there. The old club-hut was actually not a fun place like the name implied. It used to be a drinking spot for Jerika's Pack members, but when they moved to their new Pack house, they deserted the place. Gradually, it became a spot for secret meetings, and sometimes, torture. 

Jerika's car drove into the messy compound and parked in the middle of the yard. Swiftly, her P.A rushed down to get the door for her. She stepped out with a straight face, the air around her thick with rage. 

She walked ahead of them towards the small house that already had it's paint peeling off with missing shingles. Getting in, the air was stale and musty, and dust covered almost every surface. She found them on their knees - all three of them with their hands tied at their backs - while four of her Pack members hovered around them. Seeing Jerika, the Pack members expressed their surprise and inclined their heads at once. 

"Welcome, Alpha," they chorused. 

Jerika didn't look at them but had her eyes on the three men on their knees. Their faces were a gruesome sight, marred by bruises and swollen eyes. Blood seeped from their mouth, staining their torn shirts with crimson. They looked at her with fearful eyes, and taking in their broken bodies, Jerika felt a cold rage wash over her. 

She took slow steps towards them, covering up the long distance between them. 

"Have you been able to get anything from them?" She asked her boys, but her eyes were still fixed on the perpetrators. 

"No, Alpha. We've tortured them greatly, but they still won't speak up," one of the boys replied. 

Jerika confirmed her boys had really done an awful job on them. Obviously, they've been trained to endure greater pains. 

"Tell me who sent you, and I might let you go" she said to the men her voice cold and commanding. 

The men lowered their frightened gaze to the floor. And instantly, Jerika's boys punched each of them. The air cracked with their painful grunts. Jerika could see the extreme pains in their eyes, and it baffled her how they could endure so much pain to protect one person.

She put her hands across her bossom. 

"Who sent you to kill me?" She asked again. "Are you wolf hunters? Did your leader ask you to kill me?" 

The men only grunted in pain and said nothing. Jerika was infuriated. Something in her guts told her they were hunters, and something in her guts also told her they didn't just want to kill her 'cause she was a wolf. The attack had been too intentional and focused. She felt there was a different reason - a reason they weren't ready to disclose. 

She watched her boys torture them again, but at that point, she already knew it was pointless. Those men have been trained to endure any sort of pain. They were never going to spill the beans; never. 

She signaled one of her boys to follow her, while she vacated the room. Her manager and P.A followed her out as well. 

"Torture them some more, and if they chose not to speak, get rid of them," Jerika instructed, drawing a blank stare. 

"Yes, Alpha," the boy nodded ecstatically.

With that, Jerika walked away, returning to her car. 

She headed for her office this time around with her P.A and manager, and the whole time she sat in the moving car, she kept thinking of the men at the club-hut. Why wouldn't they give up the identity of their boss? She craved to know who wanted her dead. Who really was it?

***

After a while, she got to her company and exited the car with her Manager and P.A. The securities and staff at the ground floor kept lowering their heads at her as she walked by. Badly, they wanted to stare longer at her so they could have enough of her beauty, but equally, they wanted her to move as quickly as possible so she wouldn't find a fault with them. 

Jerika's company was built as a skyscraper - luxurious and filled with too many staff and potential clients. Her face was as stern as ever as she got into an elevator and went up to the sixth floor. 

"I'll be in my office, Alpha" Her manager said as soon as they stepped out of the elevator.

She said nothing to him, didn't spare him a glance but simply proceeded to her office which was in the opposite direction. 

She passed an open office of a few of her ranking staff. They'd all been sitting and typing vigorously on their keyboards, but the moment they noticed her arrival, they all sprang to their feet. 

"Welcome, Alpha."

"Welcome, ma'am."

The wolves amongst them were permitted to address her as an 'Alpha', while the non-wolves were to address her as 'ma'am'. It didn't really matter, both names contained respect. 

Just like every other day, Jerika walked pass without batting a lid at them. She got into her office that was wide enough to make three rooms and dropped her bag on her annealed glass table before taking a seat. Everything was just like she had left it that morning - the littered files on the desk and the coffee mug as well. She was glad no one had tampered with her space.

Her P.A had followed her in and stood humbly before her desk. He watched her turn on her computer, the light from the screen flashed on her face, making it so pretty. 

"Um...Alpha, do you need anything?" He asked, making sure his tone was soft enough. He didn't know what could possibly upset Jerika. 

Staring at her screen and working her hand around the mouse, she answered: "I need you to print out new cards and resend to our VIPs. Let them know the launch date has been changed."

Her P.A expressed shock. 

"Um... ma'am, you still want to move on with that?" He quirked a brow. 

Jerika darted her eyes from the computer to look up at him. There was a glint in them - one that got her P.A unsettled. 

"I am no comedian, Reagan. So, I do not say things I do not mean," she brusqued. 

"Uh...yes, Alpha; of course" Reagan chuckled nervously. 

When Jerika looked back at her screen, he heaved a sigh of relief. Reagan was a twenty-six year old gentleman - always polite and full of life. Becoming Jerika's P.A was a dream come true for him as he literally adored the lady. Tho, his parents were well-to-do and had the connections to get him a higher job, he declined and insisted on becoming Jerika's assistant. A lot of men would give up anything to have his position. He's been working with her for close to a year and had gotten to know her likes and dislikes. 

"So, what date would you like it to be, Alpha?" He further inquired. He knew nothing was going to change her mind; nothing at all. 

"Make it this weekend," She answered casually, taking one of her files and flipping through it. 

Saturday? That was such a little time - Reagan thought. 

"Okay, Alpha. I'll go let the publishing team know right away," he bowed and turned to leave.

"One more thing," Jerika called back his attention. 

He had to take in a deep breath each time those sparkling pair of eyes stared at him. 

"I need you to call for a Pack meeting. I want the meeting held on wednesday, seven p.m; and let Sullivan know I need him in particular in attendance," she instructed. 

It was always amusing to Reagan how serious minded she could be most of the times. Such nature was majorly known with men, not ladies. Indeed, Jerika was a different breed. 

"Okay, Alpha" he acknowledged with a smile and left the office.