Page 27 of Knot in Their Wildest Dreams: Part 1

I really, really couldn’t afford for it to be anything more.

Chapter 19

Celeste

My itinerary was completely full today, and I was glad that for once I was able to leave the pack’s house to attend my in-person meetings at Harringday’s headquarters. I spent hours negotiating a deal with one of our main clients, working out an extension on a contract that would benefit both parties. Then, I had to get updates from Human Resources on the necessary hires for various departments, along with R&D on the rollout of next season’s products.

I’d been rushing around from meeting to meeting so quickly that I barely had time to get ready for tonight’s party. I’d been purposely putting it off my mind - I was dreading it. Pack Lockwood was just using it as an excuse to gloat and show off our faux ‘relationship’ so that they could get back into society’s good graces. I was sure it would be full of people I knew who were nice to my face but had so much to gossip about behind people’s backs. I knew this because I’d heard enough of them gossip to me once someone else walked away.

But I had to do it, per the contract. If I could just get through the next two months, our arrangement would be over. It was nearly killing me being around their scent, even though I was cordoned off in my own wing most days.

“Did you find out anything more on where the leak was coming from? Or future plans from Manticore Tech? Anything at all?” My uncle asked, checking in on me as I took a brief reprieve from my work to stop by the family compound. I wanted to get ready here, far away from my scent-matches.

“I’m working on it. So far I know their work schedules, but it’s been difficult to look around when one of them is always home.” I replied, putting on my earrings while he hovered nearby.

“And how has it been living there?” He asked, watching me as I prepared for the party.

How had it been living with them? It was like spending all day in a hot desert, dehydrated and overheating, and staring at a delicious pitcher of ice water within arm's reach. And willing myself to never reach for it. It was like that, all day, every day.

I pretended I smelled something bad so my face would register disgust. “It’s awful. They are dreadful, pompous, rude alphas. I can’t wait to find the evidence I need to take them down.” My words were true, but I had to fight my body’s reaction when I thought about them. I saw my uncle look at me closely in the mirror, his expression flickering slightly before he nodded.

“And they aren’t doing anything inappropriate? No alpha barks, unwanted behaviors?” He asked, prodding me. I had to control my body from an involuntary shiver, imagining Liam, Dante, or Vigo’s hands touching me. I had to stop my mind from wandering into the idea of how risky and fun it would be to have them alpha bark me directions during a heat. I swallowed, closing my eyes.

“Uncle, you know I’d have called you, and my security, and the damn press if they so much as touched a hair on my head. No, they don’t do anything like that, although they certainly relish in my misery.” I said, and he looked satisfied. “And if you wouldn’t mind, I’d like you to hire an additional outside investigator to look at all our staff. If I can’t find evidence of who leaked the documents to them, then we have to start looking internally.” I said while putting the finishing touches on my makeup.

“Of course. But all signs so far do point to Arnault.” My uncle replied. I turned to look at him.

“I mean it, get someone trustworthy to look into this. Hire an outside investigator if we need to.” I had asked around for information on Arnault’s current whereabouts, but had come up empty. If he’d leaked the information to Pack Lockwood, then they likely paid him a hefty sum, enough that he could disappear for a while. “In any event, we need to look out for future leaks as well. I’m working on a new strategy to lock down communications for more security.” I said.

“I can assure you I’ve already made everything airtight.” My uncle replied. But I had my worries. He trusted his staff, and particularly Sterling, so much. But it was putting trust in his past assistant that got us into this mess in the first place.

“Keep me updated. I have to go back to meet Pack Lockwood at the party soon.” I stood and gathered my things, bracing myself. I was already running late. With my anxiety making my chest tight, I hurried into the corridor, my heels clicking against the floor. I was so focused on making up for lost time that when I rounded the corner, I nearly collided with someone.

It was Sterling. He stopped himself just in time, averting disaster. His face quickly registered surprise, but then shuttered into this usual unreadable stare as he looked at me. He was in a suit as usual, all business.

“Celeste.” He said, and I wasn’t sure if it was a greeting or an acknowledgement that I was there.

“Sterling.” I said curtly, before stepping around him. But he moved one pace over, blocking me. I hadn’t realized just how tall he was, now that I was looking up at him. And I was starting to lose my patience with men altogether. “Excuse me.” I said, an annoyed smile plastered on my face.

“Before you go, I just wanted to make sure everything was going okay at Pack Lockwood’s house.” He said quickly. I frowned. His words, though appearing to be well-meaning, were out of line. He didn’t report to me, nor was he someone I had hired. He was supposed to work exclusively on my uncle’s projects. And he certainly wasn’t privy to what was going on in my personal life. But, I couldn't fault him for showing concern either.

“Everything is fine, Sterling.” I replied, and tried to move past him again.

“Before you go, I’d like to speak to you about something. Is there a time this week that works for you?” He asked, and I frowned.

“If it’s business related, you can email it to me. Or just take it up with my uncle.” I said, dodging him even though he turned to follow.

“It’s an idea I have, I want to get your opinion before I run them by your uncle. I think it might be better to meet in person. Is there a time I can stop by where you are, or perhaps set up something here?” He inquired. Whatever he wanted, it seemed he wanted to meet alone. And that was odd.

“Reach out to my admin or send me your list of ideas via email. I don’t have time for additional meetings right now.”

I hurried past him to the waiting driver.

“Remember, if you need to leave, for any reason, you can reach out, no questions asked!” He called out after me, his silvery eyes looking at me intensely. The whole interaction was odd, and made a mental note look into it later. But I had something more important to deal with right now.

I practically jogged toward the driver, as much as I could in my heels. He quickly got out and opened the door for me, and as I slid into the backseat, I grabbed my phone to let the pack know I’d be running late. I knew they would probably give me grief over it, but I’d had such a hectic day that I didn’t care.

Luckily, my driver was on top of it, racing through the streets as I tried to steady my nerves. The party was going to be a huge event, with plenty of people I knew who were invited. There would be industry rivals, friends of Pack Lockwood, and others from our social circle attending. I’d have to grin and bear it the whole time, acting like we were a happy pack, a loving courtship. All for the sole purpose of helping Pack Lockwood be accepted back into high society. I clenched my teeth.

---