Chapter 432

Nathan

I woke up with a start, my neck stiff from spending yet another night sleeping at my desk.

As my eyes came into focus, I cursed under my breath; the clock on the wall read just past seven in the morning, which only meant one thing.

I was going to be late for my meeting.

Olivia’s words from last night still echoed in my mind, a reminder of the guilt that had been gnawing at me. I knew I had been neglecting my duties as a father and a husband, but the weight of my responsibilities as Alpha was a constant pressure.

That was why, after Olivia had come to bed, I had slipped out of the bedroom to work in my office until the first light of dawn had begun spreading its blue tendrils across the horizon.

I had only intended on working for an hour or so just to get ahead on some things, but one hour had turned into four. And then, before I knew it, I had been slumping over at my desk and nodding off. I fell asleep there for a meager three hours before the discomfort woke me, which was a good thing considering the fact that I had an important meeting this morning.

As I stood, allowing myself a mere moment to stretch the soreness from my limbs, the thought of being there for Olivia, of lightening her load and whisking her away on a honeymoon, played like a distant dream.

But that dream had to wait for now.

The Alpha association was so close I could almost taste it. Our pack’s future, the funding we desperately needed for new infrastructure, hinged on this. I couldn’t stop now. Just a few more weeks, and I was sure that we would finally get the recognition we deserved; I could see it on the horizon.

Rushing to my bedroom, I quickly dressed, my movements mechanical. As I put on my suit in the mirror, a tired man stared back at me, his dark-rimmed eyes betraying the exhaustion he felt. Downstairs, I could hear the twins babbling, the sound usually a source of joy, now a reminder of my failings.

Of course I felt awful for not helping Olivia more. I supposed that ‘helping’ wasn’t even the right word; it was better suited for me to say that I should have been more responsible as a parent. But soon, I would make up for it. Soon, Olivia could finally get the break she deserved, the honeymoon that she needed. And I needed it, too.

Soon.

In the kitchen, Olivia was already flipping pancakes on the stove, our usual Saturday morning ritual. The scent was tantalizing, and made my mouth water. I hadn’t eaten dinner the night before, and I was starving.

“Morning,” I managed, reaching for the coffee pot.

“Morning,” Olivia replied, her voice terse. I knew that she was upset with me, not only after I had carelessly almost let our son burn himself in the fireplace, but after I had then gone on to continue working through the night. But it was also clear that she was trying not to show her anger.

“I made breakfast,” she said stiffly. “Sit down and eat something before you go.”

I glanced at the pancakes, the aroma as inviting as ever, but my schedule screamed against the delay. “No time, Liv. I’ve gotta get to that meeting now. Thanks, though.”

Her frown deepened. “Nathan, you need to eat. You can’t keep running on fumes.”

“Honey, I’ll be fine,” I assured her, pouring the hot coffee into a travel mug. “I’ll be home for dinner, I promise.”

Olivia’s eyes, those hazel orbs that usually made me soften at their beauty, were filled with nothing but worry now. “You’re going to get yourself hurt, working like this,” she murmured. “You’re not even eating now.”

Her words made my heart wrench, but I couldn’t afford to waste any more time right now. Instead, I kissed her forehead, trying to offer some reassurance. “I’ll be fine, Liv. Really, I will,” I said gently. I turned to the twins, giving each of them a gentle kiss on their heads. “Daddy’s got to go. Be good for mommy, okay?”

Without another word, I rushed out of the house, feeling Olivia’s eyes on me all the while.

…

Later that day, I was buried under a mountain of paperwork when my secretary’s voice came through the intercom, shocking me out of my deep train of thought. “Alpha, there’s someone here to see you,” she said.

“Who is it?” I asked, rubbing my eyes with one hand while I pressed the button on the intercom with the other. “I’m busy right now.”

The secretary paused, and when her voice came back through, it was almost a whisper. “He’s from the Alpha association.”

My heart skipped a beat. “Send them in,” I said, quickly straightening the papers on my desk and adjusting my tie. I wasn’t expecting this; could it really be? Had our efforts been recognized?

It wasn’t long before a man in a crisp suit entered, his presence commanding as soon as he walked into the room. “Mr. Ford, I’m Marcus Reynolds from the Alpha association,” he said without preamble. “We’ve heard quite a bit about your recent initiatives. I hope you don’t mind the unexpected visit.”

I stood, extending my hand. “Not at all, Mr. Reynolds; it’s an honor. Please, have a seat.”

“Thank you,” he said, shaking my hand and sitting down in the plush chair opposite my desk. I sat in my own chair, feeling the knot in my stomach double in size.

“I’ll get straight to the point, Mr. Ford,” the man said in a matter-of-fact tone. “Your wedding and the recent festival have garnered a lot of attention. We’re impressed with the community engagement and the economic boost you’ve brought to your area in recent months.”

I felt a surge of pride at his words. “Thank you, Mr. Reynolds,” I said. “We’ve been working hard to improve our community. There’s still a long way to go, but—”

“We’ve noticed,” he interrupted, already checking his watch in a way that made my breath hitch in my throat. “In fact, the association wants to meet with you for an interview in a few weeks. We believe you might be a valuable addition to our organization.”

My heart raced at his words. “Really?” I found myself stammering, unable to contain my surprise. “I mean… Thank you, Mr. Reynolds. I’d be honored.”

He nodded. “However,” he continued, “we would like to see a bit more of your leadership in action. The interview will be comprehensive, covering your plans for the future, your leadership style, and how you handle the challenges of being an Alpha. It’s a very rigorous process.”

“I… I understand,” I said, swallowing the lump that was forming in my throat. “I’m prepared for the challenge, of course. And again, thank you for this opportunity.”

Mr. Reynolds smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. He stood, fastening the button on his pristine suit jacket once more; it was obvious that he was a man of business, through and through.

“That’s what we like to hear,” he said, already turning to leave. “I’ll be forwarding you the details in the next day. Prepare well, Mr. Ford. This could be a turning point for your pack.”