<b>Chapter </b>183
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Dominic’s POV
Morning brought with it a sense of impending confrontation, I stood at the window of my office at Sterling Group headquarters, watching <b>the </b>citye alive below as the first rays of sunlight glinted off ss and steel. In a few hours, the Collins family would arrive for <b>a </b>meeting they believed was about potentially restiming business rtions. They would leave with a very different understanding,
I checked my <b>watch </b>– 7:30 AM. I’d been here since 5, reviewing every detall of our strategy. Ronald Collins was no fool. He’d <b>built </b>his empire through calcted risks and ruthless execution. But today he would learn that I operated on an entirely different level. I felt my wolf stir within me, eager for the confrontation. This wasn’t just business – this was about establishing dominance and protecting what was mine.
The thought of Reba and our unborn child strengthened my resolve. The Collins family had been circling too long, expecting an alliance through Elizabeth that was never going to happen. Today I would end their delusions permanently.
“The PR statement is ready for your approval, Marcus said from behind me, cing a tablet on my desk. “And security is in position throughout the building.”
I turned from <b>the </b>window, picking up the tablet to scan the carefully worded announcement that would <b>be </b>released immediately following the meeting:
[Sterling <b>Group </b>announces that CEO Dominic Sterling has found his destined mate and will formally <b>bond </b>with Reba Brown in a ceremony two months bence. This union supersedes all previous arrangements, including the informal understanding <b>with </b>Elizabeth Collins.
“It’s direct,” I noted with approval. “No room for misinterpretation.” I mentally reviewed the potential fallout. Stock prices might fluctuate briefly, but our position was secure. The Collins Group would be the ones scrambling to maintain investor confidence after this announcement.
“That’s what you wanted.” Marcus hesitated, then <b>added</b>, “Reba won’t be attending?”
“No.” My tone brooked no argument. This conflict is mine <b>to </b>handle. Her safety–<b>and </b>our child’s–is paramount.” I remembered how Elizabeth <b>had </b>looked at Reba during theirst encounter – with pure hatred. I wouldn’t expose my mate to that again, especially in her condition
Marcus nodded<b>, </b>epting my decision though I could sense his reservation. The Collinses will see her absence as <b>a </b>weakness.”
“Let them.” I set the tablet down with more force than necessary. “Anyone who mistakes my protection of my mate as weakness will quickly learn otherwise.”
The hours before the meeting passed in methodical preparation. I reviewed financial reports showing exactly how much leverage we held over Collins Group. Theirst quarter had been weak, with three <b>failed </b>productunches <b>and </b>a 12% drop in market share. Knowledge that might prove useful in ensuring their cooperation. <b>I </b>also studied the personal files on Ronald <b>and </b>Elizabeth – their weaknesses, their aspirations, their pressure points. In business as in <b>war</b><b>, </b>information was power.
I instructed my assistant to arrange the meeting room <b>precisely </b><b>as </b>I wanted. My <b>chair </b>slightly <b>elevated</b>, would hit their eyes. Small psychological advantages that umted into dominance.
theirs
s positioned so the san
At precisely noon, my assistant announced the arrival of the Collins family. I remained seated behind my desk as they were shown in..
watched him enter, noting how his eyes <b>quickly </b>assessed the room, the exits, my position. Wolf Instincts, even in human form<b>. </b>
“Dominic,” Ronald greeted me with a forced smile that didn’t reach his eyes. His heartbeat was slightly elevated – he was nervous but controlling it well. Thank you for agreeing to meet. I believe we have much to discuss about resuming our partnership
I gestured to the chairs arranged before my desk. “Please<b>, </b>sit,” I kept my volce neutral hut authoritative. The dynamic was clear- this was my territory, my meeting, my terms.
Ronald took the center seat, with Elizabeth to his right and two Collins <b>Group </b>executives to his left. Elizabeth was dressed impably <b>as </b>always, in a tailored blue dress that matched her eyes, her <b>blonde </b>hair arranged in a sleek chignon. She offered me a smile that was probably meant to be seductive but struck me as calcting. I could smell her expensive perfume from across the desk too strong, top desperate to impress.
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