Chapter 29 The Uninvited Alpha
Leslie’s POV (RoguePack – Western Border Headquarters)
Finished
The Western Border headquarters office was spacious and full of natural light. Beyond the floor–to–ceiling windows, the vibrant skyline of Central City stretched outward. I was buried in paperwork and reports. Preliminary data on “Apex Industries” was already on hand–that project… had massive potential. I had to secure it.
Asphodel dozed in the back of my mind. Since returning to RoguePack, even she had rxed a great deal, no longer constantly on edge.
Liam knocked and entered. This newly promoted Beta assistant worked with impressive efficiency, and I was very pleased with him.
“Governor,” he said respectfully, handing over a folder, “here’s a more detailed intelligence report on Apex Industries. Also…” He hesitated, his face showing a hint of difort. “Alpha Kirby of Crimson Moon Pack… is here. No appointment. He asked to see you by name.”
Kirby? What’s he doing here?
I frowned, <i>a </i>trace of irritation flickering to life. Asphodel immediately perked up, growling with disapproval. <i>That </i><i>bastard </i><i>still </i><i>dares </i><i>show </i><i>his </i><i>face</i>? <i>Leslie</i><i>, </i><i>throw </i><i>him </i><i>out</i><i>! </i>
No <i>need</i><i>, </i>I replied inwardly. <i>Let’s </i><i>see </i><i>what </i><i>game </i><i>he’s </i><i>trying </i><i>to </i><i>y</i>. The current me was no longer someone Kirby could rattle so easily.
“Let him in, Liam,” I said tly. “But I don’t have much time. Five minutes.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Liam stepped out.
Soon, Kirby walked in. Still tall and handsome, but there was something different in his expression–a weariness, aplexity I hadn’t seen before. He nced around the office, around the space that represented my authority and power. There was a flicker of something in his icy blue eyes, something hard to read.
He seemed stunned when he saw me. But this was my territory now. My presence. My world. In this room, he was nothing but an intruder.
“Leslie…” he began, his voice lower and raspier than usual. “I came… to apologize. For the things my mother and our Pack said about you.”
Apologize? I lifted my gaze briefly and gave him a cold nce, not even stopping my work. “No need to apologize. If it’s about Pack matters, please go through formal channels with my brother Thorbane or my father’s representatives. I only handle Western Bordermercial operations.”
Chapter 29 The Uninvited Alpha
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Finished
My indifference and bureaucratic tone clearly caught him off guard. He seemed like he wanted to say more, but I didn’t give him the chance.
“If that’s all, Alpha Kirby, I have another meeting starting soon.” I checked my watch, effectively dismissing him.
Kirby’s POV (RoguePack – Western Border Headquarters)
The moment I stepped into Leslie’s office, I regretted it.
Everything in this ce radiated her strength and status–the vast space, the cutting–edge tech, the skyline outside filled with symbols of wealth and power… And she–seated calmly behind that massive deskposed, confident, cold. The Alpha energy around her was undeniable. She looked every bit the natural queen.
All the apologies and exnations I’d rehearsed on the way here now felt hollow and pathetic under her icy gaze.
She didn’t even look at me. Kept working. Spoke to me like I was a nameless Pack delegate.
Pack affairs? She told me to go to Thorbane? What did she think I was? Just another low–level envoy needing to file a report?
Lance howled inside me, furious. The sting of humiliation burned in my chest. <i>She </i><i>dares </i>ignore us like this? <i>Kirby</i><i>! </i><i>Show </i><i>her </i><i>who </i><i>she’s </i><i>dealing </i><i>with</i><i>! </i>
But I couldn’t. This was Rogue territory. More importantly, I no longer had… any right tomand her. The severed bond still throbbed faintly—a cruel reminder.
I tried to bring up thend deal we’d previously negotiated, hoping it might give me some kind of foothold. Even a professional one.
“About that property in Central City…”
“Liam will coordinate with your team,” she interrupted, not even ncing up. “Details of the partnership and revenue split will follow standard business protocols. There’s nothing between us that requires a personal conversation.”
There it was again–cold, mechanical, like she was addressing a stranger.
“Leslie!” I finally snapped, stepping forward, voice tight with barely contained frustration. “Is this really all we have left between us?”
She finally looked up.
Those eyes that once brimmed with affection and tenderness… now reflected nothing but my own pathetic state–and a trace of naked irritation.
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“What else could there be?” she asked softly, with a thread of mockery. “Alpha Kirby, what exactly were you hoping for? Friendship? Or… something more?”
I had no words.
Just then, Liam knocked on the door. “Governor, your video meeting with Tempest Pack is
about to start.”
“Understood.” Leslie gave a small nod, then looked at me–or rather, toward the door behind me. “Alpha Kirby, I’m busy. Liam, see him out.”
She didn’t even walk me to the door herself. She left it to her assistant.
I stood there, stiff, watching her bow her head once more to her work, as though I had never been there. A crushing sense of defeat and unspeakable loss settled over me.
I turned and left without another word. Each step heavier than thest.
Lance let out a pained, furious growl inside me.
We… had really lost her.
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