Fated To Three Betrayed By All Until She Rose (Leilani) by Ahvahh novel Chapter 32

Chapter 32: Coward.

Leilani.

Only a few people know this but four years ago, after I was discarded by my parents for being the pack’s wolfless runt and taken in by Jarek and his pack, I shifted for the first time.

But because it had been too painful.. Almost life threatening, I swore never to shift again.

Jarek, not knowing the entire details of what happened, had tried to convince me otherwise. He still believes that my wolf may or may have not been intentionally weakened just to ensure that I never got to shift, but because I never believed that any member of my family would do that to me, I quickly ruled it out. It was simply impossible.

Now, pushing away that thought, I smiled brightly as I cat-walked into the cold reception of Frostclaw. Inc. Bright fluorescent lights lit the halls, and my new office, situated on the first floor, was just like everything Jarek’s ever given me.

Bright. Beautiful. Full of life.

I smiled as I settled into my chair, but just as my ass hit the soft cushion, a soft knock sounded on my door. I glanced up.

"Come in!"

Just then, Jarek’s pretty assistant, Yvette, stepped into my office, looking all sharp in her blue blazers, white blouse and flannel pants. Her red hair was styled into a slick back ponytail, and her blue eyes shone so bright, for a moment, it felt as though she could see into my soul.

"Ms Sinclair," she greeted softly, tipping her head in a gesture of submission. "There’s a guest downstairs."

I frowned. That was supposed to not be my business. But she continued nevertheless.

"Alpha Jarek had an urgent call this morning so he had to go on a quick trip to Georgia. On the other hand, he had a meeting scheduled for now; one that we forgot to cancel, and now, he’s asked me to come see you and find out if you can handle it in his absence."

I blanched. What???

But deciding that I couldn’t disappoint him, knowing that he had such high hopes for me, I simply nodded at Yvette and asked; "What is the meeting supposed to be about?"

"Pitching." She answered simply, causing me to frown.

Then as if understanding that I was confused, she continued; "The CEO of De’Storm enterprises wants to pitch an idea to us. They want to collaborate with us on our ongoing project. So they’re here to—"

"Sell themselves." I murmured, nodding. "Send them in then."

After Yvette left, I contemplated calling Jarek to ask him what in my resumè gave him the impression that I could be closing off deals this early, but stopped when I heard sounds coming from outside.

I quickly downed my cup of coffee, hoping to get into a caffeine-high. But when the door slammed open, and two familiar figures strutted in like they owned the place, my blood ran cold. A shiver—an unwanted one— immediately ran down my spine.

Oh, De’Storm meant ’Stormborn’?

Or something along those lines...

How was I so stupid as to not realize this so early?

With my spine feeling like steel, I slowly rose to my feet and plastered on the fakest smile I could muster. "Ahh Alpha Caelum, Alpha Zevran, it’s good to have you here." I lied through gritted teeth, noticing the way their eyes narrowed when they saw it was me.

Zevran instantly looked like someone suffering from constipation.

While Caelum, oh, ever stupid Caelum, could not manage to hide his frown from his face.

"Where’s Alpha Frostclaw?" He asked darkly. No greetings. No preambles. No nothing.

I straightened my back, meeting his gaze without wavering and seethed. "He’s away on an urgent business trip. So for today, I’ll have to attend to you."

"I’d advise you to mind your tongue around me, Mr Stormborn. In case you’re forgetting, you’re here to pitch your ideas to me. And if you cannot do as much as mind your words, then I wonder why we should be doing business in the first place."

That made him still. I noticed the moment the fight slipped out of him. Noticed it when his face flushed in embarrassment. He gulped and turned to his brother who in turn stared back at him blankly.

I knew they were talking through their mind-link.

Chuckling to brush off their attitude, I pointed to the chair in front of me and said; "You may both sit, Sir," and when they still wouldn’t move an inch, I added; "I know you’re not gentlemen. I, Leilani, have witnessed first hand how barbaric you two can be... but this is business. This is my office. So you either sit down now that I’ve politely asked you to or get the fuck out of my office."

Silence. A beat of silence passed between us.

No one spoke or moved, until Caelum snorted; "I think we’ll leave then. It’s better than doing business with a whore who has slept her way to the top and has nothing to offer me but the organ between her legs."

His words hurt me so badly. I balled my hands into fists, fighting to reign back my anger as I glared straight at him.

And for a moment it felt like we were back to four years ago.

Back to the day I’d been called a slut. A whore. And names worse than that because of him. Because he had put his filthy hands on me... kissed me... and lied to everyone that I’d thrown myself at him.

Memories from that day hit me like a freight train and I gritted my teeth, blinking back the tears threatening to slip out of my eyes.

Then, like a maniac, I smiled. Slow. Bright. Just as cold as his eyes.

"Between us both, we know who the real whore is..." I drawled slowly, making sure that each word hit its intended mark. "At least, I didn’t throw myself at you four years ago. You did. And you made me take the fall. So you’re not just a whore, you’re a coward as well."

"Leilani..."

"Now, before I’m forced to call security on you, LEAVE."