Series: Werewolves of Wall Street Series by Renee Rose
Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 66669 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 267(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66669 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 267(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
“It’s bad.” Eagle sounds exhausted. “They released footage of your wolf in the boardroom.”
“What? When?”
“Last night. One of Aidan’s cronies must’ve taken it when you two sparred. An email went out to everyone in our pack. It doesn’t show you shifting from human form to wolf. But everyone in our pack knows what your wolf looks like. They know it’s you. They know you were out of control.”
My mind is already spinning, evaluating.
This is bad. Really bad. Things are shifting toward Aiden’s favor. I will not allow the Adalwulfs to win again.
Not on my life.
“All right. Let’s issue a statement, do some damage control–”
“It’s too late for that. The pack’s in chaos.”
Fuck.
I close my eyes. The worst thing I could imagine is happening.
Eagle continues, “The top families in the pack have already called for a town hall meeting. Your top wolves all stand by you, you know that. Nickel and Ruby have also met with the most volatile agitators, told them you’re still our alpha. You still lead the pack.”
“Of course I do. Why wouldn’t I?”
Eagle hesitates. “They think you’re moon mad over some human.” He doesn’t add, Because you were.
“No. I’m not.” Not any more. That problem has been solved. I head to my closet to get dressed. “When is the meeting? I’ll be there.” A show of strength, that’s what I need. I’m almost recovered from the moon madness. I could fight if I had to.
“Is that wise? Some of the younger ones want to challenge you. No one wants to defect, but they have to know you’ll lead us.”
A growl erupts from my throat. “I am alpha. I lead the pack. I will destroy any challengers.”
“All right.” Eagle sounds relieved. He probably was worried my top wolves would have to fight all challengers for me.
“Meet me at the office,” I tell him. “You and Nickel. We’ll send out a broadcast. Round up some of the heads of families, see if we can meet with them before the meeting or one by one to prove I’m still their alpha. We’ll want all the support we can get before the pack-wide meeting.” I can fix it. I held the pack together by the skin of my teeth when my father died. I can do it again.
“And what about the human? You going to tell everyone about her?”
My brain races as I consider my options. I can’t reveal anything about Madi to the pack. Not if they already think I’m weak. She’ll have to remain my secret.
“As far as anyone’s concerned, she doesn’t exist. I fired my human secretary, like all the others. It’s no big deal.” Eagle hears the lie in my voice but doesn’t say anything. He’ll help me sell it to our pack. “I’m still in fighting form. We’ve uncovered the spy and the Adalwulfs plot and removed the threat. We’re stronger than ever.”
“So we cover up everything that happened? The fact that the human’s your…” he hesitates. He doesn’t want to say it. “Your mate?”
“What mate?” There’s a pang of guilt in my gut at rejecting Madi like this, but it’s for the greater good.
I was born an alpha, born to lead. I can’t allow anyone to distract me from that.
Not even her.
“Tell Sully to send two of the enforcers downstairs up to guard the door to my penthouse. I need Madi safe.”
“Done.” Eagle ends the call.
“Brick?” She appears, wrapped in a towel. “Weren’t you going to join me?” She sees me buttoning up my work shirt, and her playful grin drops away. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Pack stuff.”
“Pack stuff? What–”
“It’s handled.” I cut her off. My wolf hates that I’m being rude, but I don’t have time to explain the intricacies of pack hierarchy right now. Not when my pack is about to implode. “I’m heading into the office.”
“Okay. How can I help?”
“You can’t.” I grab a suit jacket and shrug it on. I don’t bother with a tie. If things go south at the pack meeting, I might have to fight a few upstarts for dominance.
“Okay. I’ll get ready… Do you have anything I can wear to work?” She’s trying to sound teasing, maybe make a joke about keeping a stash of peek-a-boob dresses here in my closet but can’t quite manage it.
“You’re not going.”
Her head jerks back. “What?”
“I’m sorry, Madi, but you’re not going back to the office–not today, not ever.”
Her face goes white like I’ve slapped her. “You said you didn’t replace me.” Her voice is dangerously quiet.
“It’s not safe for you out there. We’re under active attack by the Adalwulfs. And no, there’s nothing you can do to help. You’re not a part of it. You can’t be–you’re human. ”
Her expression hardens, her walls slamming into place. I see the moment when all the trust, all the beautiful intimacy between us goes up in flames. She presses her lips together, her eyes narrowing.