Page 17 of Elusive Alpha
I had always been told that fated mates would know one another.
We did.
That they would fall into one another’s arms and make passionate love, mate, and mark one another.
We did.
And that they would begin a life together, a happy ever after. That shifters didn’t need extensive courting to do so like silly humans did.
We did not.
My drive home was filled with recriminations, accusations, and blame. All of which was directed at myself. My omega had every right to be angry with me for not taking care to be sure that the new owners took care of my people. Just because the lawyers said the oral agreement counted didn’t mean they would keep it.
What it did mean was that I had grounds for legal action against them. Possibly even to take the company back—but I didn’t want it. What I did want was to make things right for my omega and all the rest of them. To make the new owners do this. So after talking to myself for two hours, I used hands-free phone calling to place one to the firm who handled the sale. To speak with the attorney who specifically had told me that our agreement was binding and ask his advice on how I could handle things.
“Rook, they aren’t going to hire them all back. It’s been a year, and they put their own people in, if what you’re saying is right.”
“I understand that, but not only did they promise me in what you assured me could hold up in court, but I gave thoseemployees my personal word. And if we do not fix this, my word is worthless.”
“But, sir…” Funny how he went from first names to sir when he didn’t want to do what I asked.
“No buts. I wanted to stop and add the requirement to the written contract, but you assured me that it was not necessary. Unless you want me to hold you personally responsible, you’ll take care of this.”
“Yes, sir. I don’t know how long it will take, but I’ll get my staff right on it.”
“I want you on it. And I will expect a timely result. You are not my only lawyers.” The threat might have been excessive, but I was angry at myself for not following up and them for not agreeing to do the simple addition to the contract when I asked.
If they did not handle this, they would be named in the suit. And I didn’t have to spell it out for them to know it.”
Hanging up, I felt exhilarated. Taking action always got me going, and it had been a while. The part of me that was used to taking charge and making things happen relished the renewal. Especially since I’d had no luck at getting my omega to just hop in the car and come home with me. I hadn’t asked exactly, but he’d understood what I was saying. And he made it very clear that, despite everything, he couldn’t get past the layoffs.
Even when I made it right, he would likely still feel the same, so the logical thing to do was to step back and give him space. Be patient and hope he was reconsidering his decision. He had hinted that he might change his mind, after all.
The hours dragged, but each mile between me and my omega stung, and I wanted to turn around and go back to him. I had to keep reminding myself that Idris no longer remained at the inn either. He’d be on a flight soon back to the city where I’d built my business and sold it to the unfeeling mofos who laid off my people.
I couldn’t just let it go. They violated a serious tenet of our agreement, and beyond the fact I wanted everyone made whole, I hated to be lied to.
Highway miles looked much the same, and I had plenty of time to think. So, when I got home, I stepped out of the car exhausted and angry. A light snowfall had blurred the edges of the landscape outside my cabin, but I couldn’t even take pleasure in that. I wanted to show it to my omega. To share my life with him.
Time rolled by slowly in the coming days while I worked with my attorney on keeping the promise I’d made to my omega and the one someone else had broken. I cleaned my house and baked cookies, imagining that my omega might be coming soon and I wanted him to have a great first impression. For all the good it did. I texted to let him know I’d arrived home safely, but when he only repliedGood nightafter hours had passed, I took the hint.
Somehow I’d have to live without my fated mate.
That resolve lasted until the following morning when he called me to say he was open to getting to know one another a little better, maybe trying dating. He was still a little edgy but willing to let me prove that I was going to make good on what happened to him and his coworkers. And I vowed to never make him regret that decision.
Fate had a hand in what lay between us, and she must still have been helping because I was sure I didn’t deserve him in my life. But when he opened the door a crack, I was determined not to let it close.
Chapter Eighteen
Idris
True to my alpha’s words, he had tried to court me since coming back home. Even though he’d moved, he was still not too far from the town where I lived to make this possible. There was a new resolve in his voice. Once we let things settle, there was no stopping him, not that I wanted to. Rook on a mission was something incredible to behold.
I’d learned of Rook’s love for breakfast while we were at the inn, but it had become my favorite as well. Breakfast dates turned into making love by noon and then spending the afternoon together. Much better than a night date if you asked me.
And I was soon spending every night when I didn’t have work the next day at his aerie. His attorneys were working on a deal for all of us who had been laid off. He’d warned me they weren’t likely to take us back because they’d filled the positions, and nearly everyone had found another job by now anyway.
So we were going to be getting money, apparently. A generous settlement. He’d kept his word, and my joy knew no bounds.
