Chapter Three

Joana's POV

“You knew. From when I walked in,you knew my father had planned all this out,” I broke the awkward silence between Lucien and I.

He came to pick me up and was taking me to the Armstrong's company.

“It wasn't my place to tell you and besides I didn't want to ruin the surprise,” He replied.

“It was more of a shock than a surprise. I am to marry a man I know nothing of,”

“Wasn't that what you did when you got married to a scum? Joana, stop making it seem like it's a bad thing,” Lucien said as he pulled over in front of the Alpha’s company.

“Not a bad thing? I came here to take over what's mine, not to be handed to be someone else's,” I grunted as I stepped out of the car with a fierce look on my face.

“You will correct that annoying grin on your face and make yourself look presentable,”

“I won't be forced into doing something for a man. I can't be controlled and I won't be,” I responded angrily and proceeded into the company.

The Zion Gold company had belonged to the Armstrongs for generations. They had put in their time, efforts and resources but nothing could ever trump what we the Thorsons have.

“I am to introduce you,” Lucien whispered into my ear as we walked into the building.

“I am capable enough to speak for myself,” I walked faster because I needed space from him. One more word and I might be forced to bash his teeth in.

“Who are you?” A tall masculine man with tattoos asked.

“We…”

“...I am here to see the alpha!” I replied the man swiftly, cutting Lucien short of whatever he had to say.

“Oh, Miss Thorson. He had been expecting you, please go in,” The man opened the office door.

“He went to attend to some field workers, he will be here shortly,”

“Terrific,” I muttered as I took a seat in the office.

“Thank you,” Lucien said and took a seat beside me.

“ Do you know who that man was? That's Beta Theo, the Alpha’s right hand.”

“Well, good to see some things never change,” I said with a smile, noticing how he had undressed the Beta with his eyes.

“A guy can't help himself,” He said, smacking his lips as he gazed even harder.

I turned away to admire the office and it seemed pretty normal. Nothing disgusting or inappropriate like in Finn's.

We had been waiting for over two hours and still no Alpha. I was getting impatient and my mind was having second thoughts about the decision I made. I just wanted to escape into a reality where I got what I wanted because I deserved it.

“I am going to pee,” Lucien groaned as he got up.

“Pee or collect the hot guy's number?”

“Who says I can't do both?” He smiled and stepped out, leaving me alone in the office.

I decided to look around to calm my boredom. There were so many awards on the wall. The guy was a freaking genius.

I was staring at the photograph of a man on the wall when a deep voice asked behind me.

“Who are you?”

I turned around to meet a pair of red eyes belonging to a tall, well built man. His broad shoulders blocked my path, making it difficult for me to see anything other than his physique. He was wearing worn out clothing and was sweating profusely.

“How did you creep up on me?” I asked in confusion.

“I asked a question first,”

“I am here to see Alpha Dire. My name is Joana, I was told he is expecting me.” I responded and tried looking away from his gaze because of how intimidating it was.

He stared at me keenly before speaking,

“How long have you been waiting?”

“Over two hours. Your boss should know it's rude to keep someone waiting,”

“My boss?” He asked with a smile and a rattled expression.

“Oh my God!” Lucien exclaimed when he walked into the office.

“Alpha Dire,” He bowed customarily.

And that was when I realized, I was in the presence of Alpha Dire Armstrong.

“This is my cousin, Joana Thorson. Her father insisted…”

“...I believe Miss Thorson can speak for herself,” Alpha Dire said, cutting Lucien short.

“Or do you need your cousin to speak for you in every affair?”

“No, I am capable of speaking for myself.” I responded with a straight face.

“Good. That means we don't need your cousin here. He can go,” He said, and walked to his desk.

“Alright. See you later Joana,” Lucien muttered before walking out of the office.

The way he dismissed him was rude but I couldn't say anything because for some reason, I felt intimidated.

“I was told you were once married. Is that true?” He asked without looking at me.

“Yes, I was. I was married to Alpha Finn of the Blue Moon pack,” I replied swiftly. The whole room felt tense like I was in an interview.

“I assume your father had told you of the arrangement,”

“Yes but…”

“Here,” He handed me a file before I could finish my sentence.

“That's the marriage document. I had signed my piece, you can go over it and sign yours too,”

“Can I amend what doesn't suit me?” I asked.

“It's not a negotiation, it's a deal. Go over it and meet me out in an hour,”

“Are we going somewhere?” I inquired curiously.

“The moment you sign those papers, you are by law my wife. So yes wife, we are going home,”

His response shook me but what threw me off my feet was the smile attached to it. He was so composed and calm that it scared me.

I didn't read through before signing because I won't be allowed to change anything if I found something wrong. I signed and walked out to meet his beta already waiting for me.

“He is waiting for you in the car,” Theo said as he ushered me to his car. It was a Mercedes Benz but it was one unlike any I had ever seen.

“Hey Theo, what's the model of this car?” I asked.

“It's an S Class S700. There are only two in the world and it's driven by alphas,” He responded with a smile as he pulled the door open.

I was intrigued because my father might be right, there are some things just money can't buy.

“That was fast,” Dire remarked as I sat beside him.

“I already gave a copy to your secretary. She would deliver it to the council,” I responded.

“Let's go,” He said to the driver. The drive was quiet and awkward because both of us were mute. I had prepared a list of things to ask him but I could no longer find the words.

“We are here,” The driver announced. I looked out the window to see a huge mansion and staff buzzing in and out of it.

I had always admired the Armstrong's mansion but never have I been this close to it.

“Are you going to keep staring at it or are you coming in?” He asked as he stepped out of the car.

I followed along cluelessly and tried to ignore the stares from his workers.

We walked into a room and from the moment I stepped in, I noticed a familiar scent, my scent. I looked around and i noticed that it was already filled with my stuff. My clothes, shoes,make-up, everything I had. The room was arranged exactly how my former room was. And a sudden chill went through me,

“Who did this?” I asked in a voice almost like a whisper.

“I took the liberty to make your room feel comfortable. So that you can feel more at home,”

“My room and where is yours?” I asked with a confused expression.

“The far end of the hall. You come when I ask for you,” He gave a cold response.

“And I will need the company's data and analysis,”

“Why? That's the backbone of my company,” I asked.

“You mean our company?”

“Our? What do you mean by our?” I questioned with a fierce look.

“Didn't you read the agreement? The agreement is you and I run the company and in return you bear the status of Luna in your name. Giving you all the benefits and responsibilities of an Alpha’s mate,” He replied with a smirk.

“You do know the responsibility, right?”

“What? I don't understand?”

He moved closer to me, and with a smile, he whispered into my ear.

“ I own your company too and as payment you must submit yourself to be my devoted mate,”

His cold deep voice sent chills through me. I could hardly breathe, I couldn't feel air anymore. Just his hot breath that slapped against my face.

“The company is not ours yet. My father still runs it,”

He laughed hysterically and walked out of the room, leaving me in suspense with my thoughts and fears.