CHAPTER 3 RESTLESSNESS

HUDSON I was more than relieved to be rid of the girl. It hadn't been an easy one coming, but look where I was now. Freedom. I walked from the elevator straight to the front office and right into the waiting Rover. Mr. Domingo bustled into the front seat as the chauffeur revved the engine. My gaze was fixated on the work I had on my phone screen. I hoped work would help me rest my mind and calm my stirred-up wolf. But it didn't. Something didn't feel right. There was a mistake somewhere. "Domingo," I called out, and my tone was harder than I intended. He popped his head back and ate in the backseat with his attentive gaze on my face. "Let me have the papers," I demanded. I needed to go through them again. Claire could start trouble by filing a lawsuit demanding more money. I knew she was kind. Domingo handed the file to me, and I went through each box she had her signature on. Nothing was amiss. Then why else was I feeling so restless? "Did you make certain she took the pill?" A paternity lawsuit was something I could never wiggle from, and I couldn't bear to have a child with anyone as low as Claire. Domingo nodded certainly. It was his obligation every morning after meeting with the brunette. She had looked paler than I knew her to be. She had lost a couple of pounds, and her eyes had lost all their color. Something was wrong with her. But it was the least of my worries. She had been a good lay while she lasted; now it was time to answer the call of my destiny. In no time, the car sped to a halt outside my office. I got out and headed straight ahead to the elevator and straight to my office. I missed my office since I have been away for some months now. My staff equally looked pleased to see me, or so I thought. My coffee was waiting by my desk, and it was enough to get my day started. After a rough night of sex, the black and strong coffee was all I needed to keep my mind active. I skimmed through the work on my desk, which begged for my attention. I drew out an easy breath and settled into my desk. I took the first sip of my coffee as Domingo walked in with the file, dropping it silently on my desk. It was my cue now. I took the file and retrieved the papers, and without delay, I signed on the parts that required my signatures. It felt absolutely good to be doing this at last. "Did you offer her all her benefits as I instructed?" I asked just to be certain. I knew Domingo had. He had worked for me for about ten years now since I was eighteen and overweight with the Hidden Horn Pack responsibilities. He used to work for my father. It was natural to employ him. "Do you think she will make trouble?" "She looked more than content with your benefits. I think she's more pleased to have them." I nodded. "Whenever Kiara is here, I need her in my office." Domingo nodded, and with that, he dismissed the office. I worked on a few blueprints on my desk, and in no time, Kiara, my executive assistant, walked in quietly. She looked just the way I knew her to. Her striped suit and sable blonde hair were pulled back and knotted securely into a bun—the look she rocked daily. "I hope she has exited the penthouse without any trouble." "I'm afraid not, my Alpha," she refuted. With her head bowed solemnly and her hands steady, she dropped a debit card and the check on my desk. "What's this?" I asked before my brain could process things the second my indifferent gaze regarded each of the contents of my desk. "Claire rejects it all. She would rather I have them." Kiara announced. It was then that I could recognize the debit card. I had funded the account as compensation for our first night together. My inscrutable gaze remained fixated on the debit card. "Have you confirmed the bank statement?" "Yes, Alpha." “Exactly what did you pay in?” “No, Alpha. There's additional." She glanced my way. The amount had been heavy. I had paid her heavily as compensation for her virginity. My forehead creased up as my wolf grumbled in displeasure. Claire did not want it. I sat pensively for a moment, my gaze narrowing at the card, and checked. "Where is she?" "She left; she didn't say where, but I guess the apartment." Kiara doubled over her words; my mood wasn't so sunny now. "I doubt she will return to the accommodation I provided," I said, absently calculating my next move. I heaved a sigh, pulled out of the haze before me, and stretched out to pick up the card. After careful study, I crumpled the plastic card and tossed it in the trash basket with great precision. I held my anger in as I fought with myself not to let out the wild inside of me, begging to be freed. Claire's attitude stung. Way more than I feared to admit. I wasn't the one shedding her off; she was shedding me off. I was of no importance to her. She talked about going to the West; I thought it was a pathetic joke for a girl as secure as she is. But now it was clear: she had shredded me off to have a better life. Had she not already said it? She rejected it all. I had thought of them as a great way to ease my mind, but she just waved them off. Did she have to be that foolish all the time? Now, I tried not to let her rejection sting so badly. My gaze fell back on Kiara. "I want you to put me through border security. I need to make sure Claire stays on this pack. She has acted too boldly." Kiara nodded but remained planted in the spot, waiting for more commands. "You're dismissed," I said absently. She didn't linger and headed out of the office with the door closed behind her. I took the check, crumpled it, and tossed it into the wastebasket. How could she reject such life-transforming money? How could she ever not want the money? There was a lot more money in there that could have made her never be in any financial debt for as long as she lived. But she chose to be foolish. The phone on the desk rang, and immediately I answered. It was the border commandant. "Hi, Alpha!" He said it was a matter of pleasantries. "Sir Barnard," my tone was as passive as possible. I need you to seal the borders. No one comes in or leaves the pack." "Is there a particular person or persons to watch out for?" Sir Bernard asked. "You do as I say," I muttered with grave deliberation. " I will communicate any other details to you if need be. For now, I need you to shut down the entire pack." With that, I replaced the receiver. I relaxed in my executive chair as my brain got to work, thinking of the perfect punishment to serve Claire for this firsthand insult to me.