I didn’t have a good excuse. I said the first thing that came into my head in a lame attempt to discredit her. I just needed to get as far away from her as possible. Before I did something I’d regret.
I start the car again, and the city blurs past my windows as I drive. My wolf howls inside me.
I can’t afford to be with Sienna. Not if I want to keep her alive.
Chapter Four
Sienna
I spread the presentation files across my desk in neat rows, checking each one for the third time. I have revenue projections, territory maps, security protocols, and risk assessments.
Everything is perfect. It has to be.
My reflection stares back at me from my darkened monitor. Navy suit; hair pulled back in a smooth, low bun; makeup flawless. I look like someone who has her life completely together.
But I feel like I want to throw something. Preferably at Alpha Lucas Steele’s stupidly handsome face.
“Too young…” I mutter to the empty office. “Inexperienced?!”
My wolf snarls in agreement. She has been on edge since the welcome party, pacing restlessly, flabbergasted about our mate’s apathy.
I understand the feeling.
I grab my coffee, third cup this morning, and take a long drink. The caffeine isn’t helping with my exhaustion from onlyfour hours of sleep, but at least it’s giving me something to do with my hands besides clenching them into fists.
He doubted my competence yesterday in Darius’s office.
His own team spent the welcome party telling me how much he values competent people, how he’d be impressed with someone so young being trusted to head a division. So, hearing him say those words both stumped and infuriated me.
Of course, I can guess why he’s doing it. He’s trying to get rid of me, trying to avoid the mate bond by having me reassigned. It’s transparent and cowardly and exactly the kind of avoidance I should have expected after he literally shoved me out of his way when we first met. And has, to this moment, refused to have a conversation.
I know his words don’t take away from my skills, but they still sting.
No. They more than sting. They piss me off.
I didn’t claw my way all the way up to chief strategic advisor just to have some other pack’s alpha—fated mate or not—question whether I deserve to be here. I earned this position. I proved myself over and over again.
And now, I’m going to prove myself one more time. After Darius called me into his office and explained that I would have to demonstrate to Alpha Steele why I deserve my position, I stayed up late making sure that my work is perfect.
My phone buzzes. Reminder: Joint merger meeting, Conference Room B, 10 a.m.
I check the time. Nine forty-five.
I gather my files, my laptop, and my tablet with the backup presentations. I straighten my suit jacket and check my reflection in the monitor one more time.
I look confident and unruffled. Good.
The walk to the meeting is shorter today. As I get out of the elevator, my heels click against the marble floors, a quickrhythm matching my brisk stride. Other division heads nod as I pass. A few offer congratulations on my promotion.
I smile, thank them, and keep walking.
Conference Room B is not as big as the one we used yesterday, designed for smaller meetings and one-person presentations. Oval table, comfortable chairs, whiteboards along one wall. The Silvercrest team is already here—Marcus, Sarah, Thomas, and three others I recognize from the welcome party.
And Lucas.
He’s sitting next to where Darius’s nameplate is positioned, looking at something on his phone. His suit is dark gray and perfectly tailored. His expression is neutral, professional, and he doesn’t look up when I enter.
Fine. Two can play that game.
