<b>Chapter </b><b>185 </b>


    Geoffrey, the gem, was already waiting by the door. “This way, Sir,” he said, presumably to Julian. I couldn’t see with my back to them.


    Julian grunted, but stepped away, following Geoffrey to the door. There, Geoffrey showed him out and closed the door behind him. Good butlers were hard to find, but I had the best. I made a mental note to


    increase his sry.


    Then, I finished my drink.


    When it was empty, I set it to the side and pulled out my cell phone. I had a lot of numbers saved in my phonebook, mostly acquaintances orworking contacts, people I had met in my path to the top. Supporters. Dissenters. Other Alphas.


    When I found the number I was looking for, I pushed send. The call connected after a moment.


    “This is Roman,<i>” </i>said the voice on the other line.


    “Roman, this is Rafael,” I said.


    He seemed surprised. “Rafael. I don’t think you’ve ever called me before.”


    There had never been a need to before. “We have amon interest now, and I have a proposition I think


    might interest you.”


    “What is it?” Roman asked, a hint of suspicion in his voice.


    So untrusting. “I would like to extend an offer to you, for you to visit my pack.”


    “No offense, Rafael, but why would you want me to visit? We aren’t exactly friends.”


    “There’s someone here you know. Someone you are quite fond of, I presume. And I want to help facilitate


    a reunion.”


    “Who?” Roman asked. He was very direct. I couldn’t decide if I liked that or not. In ways, it almost took the


    fun out of this.


    “Amber.<b>” </b>


    He paused for a long time. Debating perhaps? I thought to sweeten the pot.


    “Julian is here too, but there is a rift between them,” I said. “I’ll be frank with you, Roman. I do not like Julian at all. I want to bring you here strictly to make that rift even bigger. Then, ultimately, I want to support your pursuit of Amber.”


    “She might not go for it,” Roman said.


    “Isn’t it worth a try<b>?</b><b>” </b>I asked.


    He was quiet again. Then, atst, just as I was about to open my mouth once more, he said, “I’ll take the


    next ne out.”


    Amber’s POV


    At the clinic, I threw myself into my work. For me, it wasn’t just a means of distraction – although that was part <b>of </b>it – it was also my passion. I loved my job, I loved fixing things and helping people.


    The problem here was simply that the staff was under educated and over worked. With a few trainings and a flux of the schedule, I thought for sure we could resolve the issues here without much difficulty.


    As the clinic was so busy, I met a lot of people throughout the day, making a lot of connections, some acquaintances and some fast friends.


    One, an older woman, looked at me strangely as I examined her. I leaned down to hear her heartbeat.


    When I stood up straight again, I could see her lightly smelling me.


    When I gave her my own strange look, she seemed embarrassed. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I just… you seem so


    familiar, even your scent. But I can’t ce it…”


    “Maybe we’ve met before,” I said.


    She seemed brightened by that response. “Yes, that must be it. I worked at the Alpha’s Estate for all of my life. Have <b>you </b>been there in the past?”


    “Uh… no…” I said.


    <b>“</b>Oh, odd,” the woman said. “When I smelled you, I was reminded of years ago, when Rafael and his siblings were children.” Sheughed then, her cheeks blushing slightly. “Oh, forgive the ramblings of this


    old fool. I must be mistaken.”


    She had to be. I had no recollection of having been here before, though I didn’t remember much from my


    time before the orphanage.


    Did I dare to hope that maybe…


    No. No, she was right. It had to be the cloudy memories of a fading mind.


    My past could not be tied to this pack.