The Alpha's Mate Who Cried Wolf novel Chapter 23

We arrive at the underground car park and ascend in the elevator in silence. I take my seat at my desk and start answering phone calls. John and James go into their dad’s office. James winks at me as he walks past.

"Zenith Creations. Astrid is speaking. How may I help you?" I say. 

"Tell the boss I got his special delivery here he ordered," the caller says. 

"Okay, and who is speaking?" I ask.

"Beta Glen," he replies. I place Beta Glen on hold and call Zenith. 

"Beta Glen says he has your special delivery here," I inform him.

"Tell him to bring him up right away." 

"Okay." I press the button for Glen. 

"Zenith says bring him up right away." I hang up the phone. That is weird referring to the order as him.

The elevator dings, and my jaw drops. Two men in suits drag a third into the room. The man's hands are bound behind his back with rope, and he has a calico bag over his head. New and old blood stain the man's shirt. I contain a gasp. They drag the man past me nonchalantly and into Zenith's office. I hear the odd thump and agonized moans. It's quite confronting.

The phone rings, and I answer it. It's Zenith. 

"Make lattes please," he says before hanging up. I gulp at the thought of going into the room. I don't want to see what's going on in there.

I place five lattes on a tray and carry them to his office, using my hip to push the door open. I set the five lattes on the desk. All five men stare at me. Zenith wipes his hands clean on a wet rag. The man is unconscious on the ground. I stare wide in horror and bite my tongue. I can only see his back, but it's enough to know they've beaten him. 

"Oh, don't worry about him, Astrid. He will be fine," Zenith smiles.

"Beta Glen and Gamma Dan, Astrid," he says, introducing the men to me. My voice shakes as I stare at the man on the floor. 

"It's nice to meet you both," I say nervously, avoiding eye contact. 

Closing my eyes, I imagine myself in Ryker's arms with my head against his chest, listening to his heartbeat. James taps the cubicle door, disrupting my daydream. I unlock the door, swing it open, and storm out toward the elevator.

At the last second, Zenith hops into the elevator with us. The elevator dings, and we descend. No one says anything. Outside in the car park, John waits in his car. Zenith opens his car door, gesturing for me to hop in. I stare at the open door, hesitating, and look at James.

"You can always come with me," he says. But, of course, I don't want to be near any of them. Zenith is impatient now. He grabs my arm and pulls me into the back seat. 

"Get in! I'm not waiting around," he snaps.

Falling onto the seat, I let out a cry. I sit as far away from Zenith as possible and look out the window, avoiding conversation. His phone rings on the way. 

"What kind of problem? ... I see ... do you think his mate will return? ... Good ... Vanessa, now listen to me… yes, you will! I'm your father! I don't care what you have to do. Bear his pups! Drug him if you must. Alice will put it in his food. I've waited long enough!"I'm shocked by what I'm hearing. So, Vanessa is his daughter, and Alice is the Luna of Shady Crest? Zenith never enslaved them!

"I don't care if he doesn't want you. This isn't about love. It's about power. If we want to expand and become the greatest pack, you need to bear his pups, kill him and