Chapter 64

Dominic

By the time I had answered all their questions, I found myself smiling. I hadn’t expected to enjoy it as much as I did.

Standing at the board, fielding questions, watching eager young minds wrestle with the messy nature of real-world numbers pulled something good out of me. Lara said that if I hadn't become alpha, I would have made a great teacher. This wa something I hadn’t felt in a while. Purpose, maybe. Or the strange, quiet relief of leaving my worries elsewhere, and being certain that this worked, if only in the way formulas and logic make sense when people don’t.

But more than that, I felt settled.

Like I could breathe a little deeper just being near her.

I caught her eyes a few times looking at me with relief and happiness. She didn’t shrink from my gaze. And when she nodded along to my explanations, it felt natural.

A chime buzzed softly from my pocket. Probably calendar notifications. I checked the time and hissed. I had a meeting in ten, but they were in a good place to at least start working on it.

I capped the marker and stepped back from the board. “I’ve got to head to another meeting, but I’ll email over a template to illustrate things in the system… and the manual.”

“Thank you, Alpha Brightclaw,” a few of them echoed, voices overlapping. Genuine gratitude. Neil gave me a nod. Renee offered a small, sincere smile. I returned it without thinking.

I was halfway to the elevator when I turned the corner and walked straight into Vivian.

Of course.

She was dressed like always, though I noted this was something I had seen her wear before. She was holding a folder of papers in one hand like it offended her, expression already halfway to a pout.

“I was just coming to find you,” she said, voice sweetened with fake innocence. “There’s so much being dumped on my plate right now. Way more than usual.”

I stared at her, unimpressed. “That tends to happen when people expect you to do more than show up."

Her lips parted, offended. “I just think it’s unfair—”

“Vivian.” I cut her off with a calm finality that made her blink. “You’re welcome to find a position elsewhere. But let me be very clear: any department head that gives you leeway or protects you from the standard workload will be dealt with accordingly. That’s already been communicated and reiterated across the entire pack.”

She swallowed, throat working as her eyes welled up with tears.

“No more handouts. No more special treatment. If you want to stay, earn it.”

I stepped past her without another word. I didn’t have time to play games with her. I had already wasted so much time allowing it all to get this bad, and there was no gentle way to punish her in any case.

Besides, what kind of leader would I continue to be to turn a blind eye to everything that had happened with Renee and her general behavior.

Was I just punishing her?

I grimaced at the thought, stepping into the elevator. I shook my head. This had all started long before I found out she isn't my daughter… But if I hadn't found out, would I still be his harsh? Would I have told the restaurant to call the police on her? I wanted to believe that I would, but I just couldn't be sure any more. I couldn't trust myself. And that was probably the worst part about all of this. Because Hazel had been dead for decades. I had been so sure of myself for decades. In just a few days, all of that had come crashing down and everything I thought I knew was turned upside down.

I pressed my hand to my heart over the mark, and for the first time in a long time, I started to pray to the goddess who I was almost certain never heard me.

I speak to you of my deepest sorrows and ask for grace and guidance…

Please tell me where to go from here.

Vivan

I couldn’t believe him.

Walking away from me like that, like I was nothing. Like I was some intern or assistant begging for scraps. I was his daughter! His heir! He couldn't let people overwork me! All of this work was beneath me anyway. I was already upset that the restaurant had a lien against my next paycheck and no one in HR was even listening to me to get my payrate adjusted. I was more important than all of these random people. I should be paid a higher salary just for being here.

I clenched my jaw and followed, hustling after him as he didn't even seem to slow down or care.

"Dad! Wait! I said wait."

"Get back to work, Vivian."

"You're not listening to me!"

He stopped in front of an office: Marianne Keats.

Great.

She was in her mid-forties, perfectly polished in that executive-who-still-does-Pilates kind of way, and annoyingly competent. She was also head of the Finance and Accounting internship rotations. And she’d always had a fondness for my Dad. She wasn't the stupid gold digger he'd tried to bring to Renee's Ceremony, but if she even thought she had a shot, she'd take it. Smiling too long. Laughing too easily. Adjusting her blouse whenever he entered the room.

I slipped quietly into the shadow just beside the door, just enough to hear.

“I want to make sure the interns have more access to experienced staff and an up to date handbook. They didn't even know about the café and there's an intern that's been separated from all the others,” Dad said. His voice was firm, the way it always was when he’d made up his mind. “Not just the mentorship pairings. Organic exposure. I think it’ll help their development and team cohesion.”

“Oh,” she said, a little breathless, like he’d just handed her a rose. “That’s a wonderful idea, Alpha.”

I rolled my eyes at her tone.

“I’ve added time to your calendar tomorrow morning. We can talk more, then.”

"I look forward to it, alpha."

He turned and walked off without waiting for anything more. Of course.

I waited five seconds, then strolled in like I owned the place because I basically did.

Marianne looked up and pursed her lips. “Vivian. I didn’t hear you.”

"It's Lady Brightclaw, to you. Should I be calling the police for your blatant disrespect?"

"With all due respect, Ms. Brightclaw, you may be the alpha's daughter but you have no official standing in the pack. Lady is reserved for women with official standing like the Luna."

I sneered at her. "Watch yourself."

"Is there something I can help you with?" She asked. "You're not exactly in the right department. Dropping off mail?"

"I'm not a fucking mail person." I shut the door behind me, smiling at her. "And let's not play games. I heard the way you spoke to my Dad. Obviously, you have more than a professional interest in him."

She cocked an eyebrow, remaining too cool for my tastes. She didn't even fidget as I moved closer, keeping my tone casual.

“Dad values good work. He seems to really respects you,” I said. “That was clear just now.”

She blinked. “He’s well known to been supportive of staff development—”

“Cut the crap.” I leaned one hip against her desk and dropped the smile. “You’ve had a crush on him for years. I don’t blame you. He’s powerful, brilliant, single...”

She stared up at me with the coldest, most unmoved face, but it wouldn't stay that way for long.

“I’m just here to help,” I said lightly. “Because I’m sure you know you’ll never have a chance if that little nobody Renee keeps hanging around him. Or Neil.”

Marianne’s eyes narrowed, but she didn’t speak. I could tell I was getting to her thought. It was in her eyes. Everyone knew that my Dad was wrapped around my finger. These past few weeks being one thing, but as soon as I got rid of Renee, made sure that she was somewhere far away, then things would go back to normal. They had to.

I had no intention of letting this woman date my father but she would be useful enough for now.

“I don't need you to do anything crazy,” I continued. “Just keep Neil and Renee on separate teams. You keep her where she is away from him. They do not work together. I don't even want them working the same hours. She's in my way and distracting him from where his interests should lie." I lifted my chin. "I'd rather her be kicked out of the program entirely. Just write that she's got a shit performance streak. I'm sure it's true enough."

I let that sink in before leaning down just slightly, lowering my voice.

“You want my Dad to even think about glancing your way?” I tilted my head. “Then make yourself useful.”