Chapter 82

Lorenzo was more than halfway through his meeting with a few representatives from a neighboring pack, Silver Moon. From what he could determine from the discussion they’d all been heavily engaged in for the last hour, things were looking very promising as far as forming a lucrative agreement went.

He’d answered all of their possible questions with confidence and determination. But beneath his stoic exterior was worry and trepidation, however...beneath that was striking anger.

Lorenzo had reached a point with himself, some time amidst his travels for the meeting, he could no longer tolerate the feelings that were going on between him and Eleanor.

It was like the connection between them was deteriorating at the seams. He couldn’t take it anymore.

He knew that it was his choice to initially keep her in the dark when it came to the disk and what unspeakable evidence was on it. Lorenzo believed that he was truly doing the right thing by keeping quiet.

He thought he could live with the possible negative effects it was going to have on their relationship But, good God was he wrong!

Lorenzo felt deeply anxious about having to leave Eleanor home while he traveled. It wasn’t as though he thought something bad was going to happen to her in his absence. He was more unsettled by the idea of being even further away from her than normal.

Ever since Eleanor began ignoring him and refusing to give him more than a few seconds of her time, his wolf had grown horribly uneasy and edgy. And in reality, he realized he was no better when it came to starting conversations.

Lorenzo never had a hard time talking to anyone, much less Eleanor. But lately, he was also keeping his conversation short as a means to prevent any further chance of getting into another argument.

It was cowardice and uncalled for. And he only had himself to blame.

And in turn, he left his wolf to wither and suffer. He wined and snarled constantly, wanting to be close to his mate.

Lorenzo’s wolf had been the first one to tell him that they’d made a terrible mistake.

‘I can’t stand this anymore!’ his wolf shouted angrily. ‘You must tell her the truth!’

“I know,” he thought to himself.

About halfway through the Q and A session after he’d given his short presentation, Lorenzo came to the conclusive decision that he was going to tell Eleanor the truth. There was no mistaking the fact that the outcome was going to be very unpleasant.

However, it needed to happen.

For the sake of saving his potential bonding with his one true-fated mate, Lorenzo was going to find a way to sit down with Eleanor and calmly explain to her what Cruz had sent in.

Of course, there was the likely chance that she was going to want to listen to it. Lorenzo knew that hearing her father’s last words was going to tear her apart.

‘Then we will be at her side, holding her together as best as we can,’ his wolf said promisingly.

It was settled. He knew what he needed to do. With the meeting reaching its end, Lorenzo was getting ready to pull out his phone to call Eleanor.

Silver Moon’s business representatives clapped their hands and wore impressed expressions.

“Well, Sinclair, how could I have had any doubts regarding this deal?” one of the partners chuckled.

They all got up from their seats and reached out to shake each other's hands.

“I look forward to doing business with you,” Lorenzo affirmed.

“I’ll have our company draw up the necessary contracts and have them sent over to you promptly.”

One of the representatives gave Lorenzo a knowing smile. “So, I heard you and your mate are getting ready for your bonding ceremony. Congratulations.”

He nodded his head in thanks. “Yes, it’s true.”

“So, are you finally ready to tie the knot?”

“How’s the planning going?”

“Your Luna must be buzzing with excitement.”

Lorenzo could hardly give so much as a two-word response to half of their questions and remarks. All it did was make him feel all the more guilty for not having been more involved in the preparations. He needed to call her.

While everyone else headed out of the conference room, Lorenzo reached for his phone and quickly called Eleanor.

There was no response. He tried again. But still nothing.

“Come on,” he hissed.

“Hey, Sinclair! Come down to the lounge and have a drink with us!” one of the partners called out.

He slightly shook his head, not wanting to come off as rude, having just closed on a deal.

“Oh, come on. Join us for a quick drink. Surely, your Luna can spare you for just a little while longer?”

While the group of them headed down to the lounge, Lorenzo immediately went over to the bar to put in his drink order. While he stood there, he decided to try and send a few texts to Eleanor as well.

Suddenly, his senses were overcome by an achingly sweet, floral scent that was practically suffocating him. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Cate. She wore a stunning dark red dress that exposed a lot more of her cleavage than was necessary.

“Hello, Lorenzo,” she purred. “Funny seeing you here.”

“Cate.”

She feigned a look of offense. “What? No hello kiss for an old friend?”

He snapped his head to glare at her. “You and I are not friends,” he stated darkly.

“Well, a little birdy told me that you and Eleanor have been having some problems lately,” she said softly. “I always knew you two would never make it work.”

She pursed her lips and batted her eyes.

Cate inched closer. “Why don’t you and I pick up where we once left off? I can promise you a fun night—one that could surely outshine Eleanor—”

“Leave, Cate,” he snarled.

Just then, Lorenzo heard his phone going off. He was hoping that it was Eleanor; however, it happened to be one of his guards. He answered the call.

“What is it?”

“We may have a problem.”