The Lycan King novel Chapter 42

Avalyn

Nik led me to a huge room where lots and lots of people were sitting and a many more were even standing at the back. There was a cameraman standing in the middle and filming us too. There was a large screen at the far end of the room of which we could see the anxious faces of people watching us live.

We entered from one of the side doors and he extended his hand, which I took, and he led me up the stage. Everyone welcomed us with a warm round of applause which made me blush.

After they quietened, Nik started. "Good afternoon everyone. First, I would like to thank you all for all your handwork that has helped us become of of the top MNC's in the the world today. And for the outstanding profits the company has earned for the year 2018." He smiled at everyone.

The crowd broke into another applause, louder than the other one.

"I would like to introduce my wife, Avalyn Volkov." He pressed his hand on my lower back. "She is now officially one of the owners of Volkov Corps. You will have to listen to her boss around just as much as I do now." He chuckled as everyone broke into laughter and another hearty applause which led me to blush again as I smiled widely at everyone.

Nik had his way of charming people. People just liked him naturally. It wasn't just the looks, it was his aura, his style, the way he talked, the way he smiled. I knew he was closed off most of the time, especially with strangers. But inside that mask, he was a man with a big heart. He would never wish ill of someone. At least not until they mess up.

"The company's CEO, late Mr. Christian Fallon was found dead because of an animal attack. It was a very sad time for all of us and I know the whole company mourned his loss. He was a great man. May he rest in peace." Everyone murmured 'may he rest in peace' after him.

"Mr. George Colby, the COO stepped up as the stand in CEO." He gave a pointed look to a man in the front row who was shifting in his seat. "In that duration, twenty million dollars were transferred to some unknown account in the Swiss bank. Did you know this?"

The man looked uncomfortable as he stood up and the camera focused on him. "We had no control over it, Mr. Volkov. Someone had hacked into our system and wired it. I have our finance and IT team still working on it."

"Why was I not informed as soon as it happened?" Nik asked, an undertone of anger in his voice.

"We thought we had it under control." He gave the lame reply.?

"That does not mean that you will not inform me of the happenings in my company. Were any other chief officers informed?" Nik asked.

"Mr. Powley and Mrs. Heath knew." He replied, sounding ashamed.

"Very well. I would like to make major structural changes right now. Mr. Colby, you are fired."

Gasps shot out in the room.

"Mr. Powley, Mrs. Heath, you are fired too." He said, silencing the room.

A man shot out of his seat. "You can't fire people like that, Mr.Volkov."

"I can and I will. I am the Chairperson and I own the company. I do not tolerate this kind of behaviour,?Mr. Heath. As a matter of fact, what steps have you taken as a CIO?" He arched his brow.

"We have registered a complaint but the account isn't traceable. There is nothing more we can do." He replied.

"That is not the answer you give when such a big amount is at stake." He gave a sharp look to the man. "You are fired too."

Everyone looked terrified now. Nik was firing people felt and right. This won't be good for the company. There can't be an uncertainty in a company like this. But this sort of information should not have been hidden either.

I placed my hand on his arm. He needed to calm down.

"Anyone who knew about this but did not raise their voice or inform Nikolai, please stand up." I said, silencing the room.

"Stand up and you only loose your job here. Or else I will find out my way and you might find it difficult to find a job elsewhere too." Nik looked calm right now but I felt his anger through our bond. I grabbed his hand and rubbed circles to calm him down.

Slowly, a few people stood up.

"The entire team of Chief officers, I see. All of you are fired and you can leave now." He said and gave a meaningful look to the guard standing at the doors.

Some ashamed and some arrogant, the people who were standing left the room.

All the employees were holding their breath for his next move. There was pin drop silence and everyone watched Nik with rapt attention.

"Everyone in the company is granted a promotion. The new chief officers, please stand up."

Everyone was shell-shocked. I would have laughed at everyone's expressions if it wasn't such a serious matter.

Slowly, a few people got up, looking at each other inconspicuously but I caught it. I don't think they believed this happened.

"If you would have been in your previous boss's position, what would have you all done?" He looked at every standing person in the eye.

"We would have informed you." A man in his late forties spoke.

Nik nodded. "And what would your next course of action would be to get the money back, considering all the facts you were told some time ago?"

They all remained quiet. Thinking.

A hand shot up in the crowd that was sitting.

Nik nodded at him and the man stood up. A smile grew on my face when I saw it was Ethan. "If someone took my money, I would not sit quietly, Sir. If someone can wire our money to another account, I think we should do the same. Especially when the authorities can't help us."

A daring answer.

"That is not what an honourable man with morals would do." Nik studied him and then turned his gaze back to the newly appointed Chief Officers. It wasn't just immoral, it was illegal too.

"I'm a businessman too, Sir. And it won't be an immoral thing if its taking back my own money." Ethan said, bringing our attention back to him.

"What's your name?" Nik asked.

"Ethan Lesley." He replied.

"What's your job in the company, right now?" Nik asked again. I had a hitch where Nik was going with this.

"I'm a business analyst." He replied.

"Ethan, my man, come up on the stage." Nikolai beckoned him here.

Ethan didn't seem as confident as before when he walked here. He climbed up on the stage and gave me a shaky smile before he looked up at Nik.

"Employees of Volkov Corp., I present you the new CEO, Ethan Lesley. Along with that, I announce a ten percent increment in everyone's salary." Nik announced.

Thirty seconds later, the room burst into applause and cheers.?

Ethan looked shocked. He looked at me with his eyes wide, as if asking if its real.

"Congratulations." I grinned at him and extended my hand.

"Thanks, Avalyn." He smiled in shock.

"We will discuss the rest in my office. Congratulations on your new job Lesley." Nik shook his hand.

"Thank you so much for the opportunity, Mr. Volkov." Ethan shook his hand heartily.

Nik nodded at him.

"Thank you all for attending the meeting, you may return to your jobs now." Nik announced and grabbed my hand, leading me out as Ethan followed behind closely.

The elevator ride was short and silent as we made our way to Nik's office.

Nik sat in his chair and Ethan and I sat in the ones across from him.

"Mr. Lesley, you will be under probation period for six months. Since this role is new for you, you can take all the help you need from the new Chief Officers and my personal assistant, Ross." Nik told him.

"Please call me Ethan. And I will do my best to fit in the role, Sir. I'm ecstatic to start my new job." His smile was infectious and I smiled back at him.

"Let's see if your attitude about the job remains the same in six months. Good luck, Ethan. You may move your belongings to your new office." Nik nodded, dismissing him.

Ethan stood up, "thank you for the opportunity again, Mr. Volkov," and with a warm smile in my direction, he left.

"You know him?" Nik asked beckoning me towards him with his finger.

"He helped me with the photocopy machine and then helped me to find Mason Lockwood and Sylvia." I replied as I walked to him.

"Helped or flirted?" He tugged me down on his lap.

"Not everyone finds me attractive enough to flirt." I played with the knot of his tie.

"That's where you are wrong. You are the most beautiful women I've seen." He kissed my mark.

"I doubt so." He was my mate. He is supposed to find me attractive. And I saw Sylvia. He had been with her...I wasn't prettier than her. I had no misconceptions about my beauty.

"You are a natural beauty. He trailed his finger on my eyes, nose and lips, "all this is real", his finger trailed down my neck and circled my breasts, "and this is real too", his finger rested above my heart, "and this is more beautiful than anything I have ever seen."

I blushed. "You are too sweet."

"I'm not sweet." A growl reverberated through his chest that shook me.

I giggled. "Whatever you say."?

"And Sylvia didn't mean anything. No girl I've been with means?anything."?He said seriously.

"I know." I replied. I had accepted it. He was a handsome man and girls fawned over him. And he was a hot-blooded man. A man with needs. I understood that.

He kissed my mark again. "You should go take a shower. We are going to have visitors."

"Who is coming?" I asked.

"Maximilian and Natalia." He replied.

"Natalia?" I grinned and got off his lap. It had been so long since I had seen her. And she was kidnapped. I had heard she was fine but I wanted to see for myself.

"Yes." He chuckled at my excitement. "So get your ass in the shower before they come. I don't want anyone else smelling you like this." He slapped by ass, sending me to the bathroom.

I rushed to the attached bathroom and closed the door behind me. I was impressed that an office bathroom had a shower place. I removed my dress and folded it neatly, placing it in one of the drawers so it wouldn't get wet. I took an extra towel and hung it on the handle of the shower cabin's door.

I hopped into the shower and diligently lathered myself with the body wash so I only smelt of the soap and me. After I was done, I patted myself dry and wore the dress again. I stepped out of the shower and walked to Nikolai.

He was typing something on the computer which seemed too important and stressful. I placed my hands on his shoulders and started massaging his stiff muscles.

He groaned, rotating his neck. "Thanks, Love." He murmured as he kept typing.

"Anytime, Nik." I smiled even though he couldn't see me.

I stopped when my fingers started aching. It was just when he finished typing.

He stood up from his chair and paced in the room a bit, looking worried for some reason.

"What happened?" I asked.

"I'm meeting Maximilian after a long time. And the way we parted last time wasn't a...proper goodbye." He stopped and looked at me. He took two long stepped and stopped in front of me, kissing me hard enough to make my head spin.

He released me when there was a knock on the door. "Thanks. You calm me down." He whispered. I stood on my toes and pecked him again. "It will all be fine." I whispered.

"Come in." He said, giving me a soft smile.

Ross opened the door and gestured a man and Nat to walked in.

"No one is to disturb us. Forward all the calls to your phone." Nikolai told Ross.

"Yes, Sir." He replied and left.

Natalia immediately rushed to me and squeezed the life out of me. "I missed you so much." She exclaimed.

"I missed you too. And I would like to ask you how you are doing but I can see you are as strong as ever." I ginned up at her.

"Momma got muscles girl!" She said and flexed her biceps, laughing. "And yes, I'm a hundred percent alright. Max, my mate saved my life." She said.

"I'm so happy you are healthy and alive." I squeezed her hand. "And that you finally found your mate, you deserve it."

"Ava." Nik called me and I immediately turned to him. "Yes?" I asked.

"Meet my brother, Maximilian. Max, this is Avalyn." Nik introduced.