AN'

Years

x Pack contract three weeks ahead of sche

or a bit before a polite app

u says. "That's the kind of mov

"Thank you, Mr. Lau.

begins to exit the boardroom, I

's funny how

ain I'd ever endure. And I was even more shocked when I

e doctor had said, and I remember starin

o, terrified, a

Alpha El

one as a cleaner and the other one doing freelance trans

tch translated into French for a certain pack. I delive

ly. "Ever thought abo

was joking

ar, I was leading teams. Now, I'm one of the youngest regional lea

s as she peeks into the room. "Alpha Elias wants

tes into my portfolio

.

always and there's a warmth

uring to the chair acros

ng one leg o

watching me closely. "Three contract wins. Expansion into B

my job, Alpha,

oing more than that. Which is why I'm

y eyes as

d someone who understands the politics and the territory

on

ps like ice

The city that holds the

?" Elias adds, reading my paus

rcle? O

inues. "Scout the location, handle licensing, and o

... I'm not sure I'm the bes

hate that he sees mor

his is strictly business. Besides, the council

buzzes in my coat pocket. I

eneral

y fingers feel numb as I

rce, was admitted earlier today. He has a serious heart attack. He's

t tightens. "I..

as. "I just got a call... my d

m. I'll have Caitlin arrange the travel plans. Yo

you,

Meg

es

ld him you weren't ready." He says with a

and head out before emo

me up with his son for a while now,

.

ith Maverick and Makayla holding my hands t

s smile, is definitely the troublemaker. Makayla, wi

andfather before. I left b

hen I refused to listen to his warning agains

o someone who doesn't value you," he

I

other and a successful woman with th

Makayla asks, looking up at the tal

eart. He's j

eve. "Can we give hi

"You can,

p in, we're met w

nd I nod. "Your father's

o to wait right here with my guard, okay? Mommy's goin

and Maverick gives a small sigh

mise, kissing bo

, and gently pus

ferent emotions pass through my

isper, step

bit before a faint, surprised smile appear

or the chair beside his bed and si

n," he says with a hoarse voice.

I thought I knew what I was doing. I d

aped to the back of his hand. "I was harsh. I

ad," I shake my head gently. "Y

rches my face. "I said some cruel

y. "You saw what I didn't. I gave so much of mysel

ntly. "But I gained somet

the closed doo

ck and Makayla. They're my heart. They g

e to mee

his hand. "They made

ayla's excited voice

meone outside who

g from the cha

appears in the doorway, tugging someo

ches to a halt as the

eyes lock on mine

innocently with curiosity

peak. I'm ins

ospital room, four years later, i

he father of my chi