Selling Myself To The Alpha
Chapter 123

Adele

POV

It is silent in my office as I read through my diary and look at all the appointments Nicky made for me. I am going to be a busy person for the next couple of weeks. At least! have Neal to cover training and security. "Hello, pretty lady," Luther walks in and kisses me on the cheek before he walks over to the cabinet to pour himself a drink. "Did you replace your Beta?"

"I did," I lean back in my chair and tell him about Neal.

"I'm glad it worked out," he sits down on the couch. "I, too, had an eventful day."

"I want details," I smile. I made myself a promise that I will never turn into one of those people who think their problems and duties are more important than their spouse's.

"I may have found my sister,' he announces and tells me everything.

"Your sister could be here," I say in awe. "Right under our noses.

"Tomorrow, I am going to dig through the archives and search for every Chester," he announces. "And Liana will do the same at Clear Moon."

"I'll help," I say eagerly.

"You can't," he grins. "You and Axel have meetings with Austin and Jack's old partners."

"Oh, yeah," I pull a face. Damn, I would much rather replace his sister than sit through boring meetings. I used to do plenty of research and digging for Axel, and I loved that part of my work. "This sucks."

A knock on the door interrupts us, and Nicky walks in. To my irritation, she glances at Luther before she looks at me.

I still like the girl, but I am seriously considering moving her to a different position to get her away from Luther. It will drive me insane to witness her looking at my mate every time he is around. "Alpha, you have a visitor," she announces. "Alpha Philip is here."

Briefly, I close my eyes and inhale deeply to centre myself.

Of all the people I have met, he would be the one visiting.

"Let him in," I sigh.

"So, what do you want me to be?" Luther smiles mischievously. "A jealous mate that kicks him out or the silent, but deadly mate brooding in the corner while you talk about whatever he's here to discuss."

"I love you, so I shall set you free," I say theatrically as I stand up and walk towards him. "There's no need for both of us to suffer through this. Go, and enjoy freedom."

"I don't mind staying," Luther pulls me into his embrace.

"I know," I kiss him longingly. "But I chose this, and you didn't."

"Call me if you need me," he kisses me quickly.

"I will," I smile as I watch him leave.

Nervously, I straighten my clothes and sit behind my desk. I know I can stand my ground, but if Philip wants to talk business, I might get the short end of the stick. I know I am green when it comes to business and so does Philip. "Alpha Adele," Philip strides into the office and I must blink to ensure myself I am not dreaming.

This Philip is vastly different from the Philip I met at the party. He looks comfortable and relaxed and not nearly as stuck up as he did in a suit. For the first time, I notice the fine lines at the corners of his eyes, indicating that he laughs easily and often. "This is unexpected," I smile politely. "Can I offer you anything to drink?"

"I'll have what you're having," he grins as he takes a seat.

I walk over to the cabinet and pour each of us a whiskey.

He smiles charmingly when I hand him his glass, and I take a seat opposite him.

"I know you're wondering why I'm here," he says before I can talk. "I'm here to apologize. I'm afraid the situation got away from me, and well, you know what was said."

"I appreciate it," I nod.

"I'm not the bad guy, Adele," he leans forward and rests his elbows on his knees. "I know I acted like a jerk, but try to see it from my point of view. I was introducing myself one moment, the next I was surrounded by hostile males."

"I understand," I say cautiously. "But Axel is my mentor and former alpha. I trust him. And Luther is my mate. They weren't hostile, they were protective."

"And Axel and I don't like each other," he says sourly as he leans back. "Have you asked him why he doesn't like me?"

"No," I admit. "It's none of my business."

"I blame him for my sister's death," he looks me dead in the eyes. All his friendliness has evaporated, and he is once again the man I met at the party.

"Greta was your sister?" I gape. "Angela killed her, not Axel.

Why are you blaming him?

"Because he couldn't resist anything in a skirt," he grunts."

If he didn't screw up Angela, she would've killed my sister.

Angela wouldn't have touched Greta if it weren't for Axel." "You suck at apologies," I snort.

"Which brings me to the second reason for my visit," he replies. "A warning."

"You better stop talking," I warn him sternly. "I will not tolerate you badmouthing or threatening Axel or my mate.

And unless you're a virgin or haven't had s*xual relations with anyone other than your mate, you should shut up. It could've easily happened to you. The people you should blame for Greta's death are already six feet under. And you have Axel to thank for it." "Thank him," he snorts. "I'm furious for what he did. I wanted to kill them, but first I wanted to destroy them. I wanted them to see their empire crumble before I killed them, but Axel ruined that for me as well."

"I think you should leave," I put my glass down and stand up. "Or kill me because I give you my word that I will repeat this conversation word for word to Axel. Not that it should be a surprise to you, you know where my loyalty lies."

"Tell him," he shrugs. "I don't care. I merely told you why I cannot stand him. I didn't threaten him or his pack. But you, young alpha, you should reconsider everything you believe.

Your mentor isn't as great and flawless as you would like to believe."

"Everybody has flaws, Philip" roll my eyes. "I'm not blind or stupid. Axel was young when this happened, but he grew up and turned into a great man and alpha. All you managed with this visit, is to confirm that I will never do business with you."

"I'm not interested in your business," he smiles and stands up.

"I'm interested in you," his eyes smoulder into mine as he glides a finger down my cheek

"Don't touch me," I hiss and slap his hand away

He throws his head back and laughs loudly

"Pretty Adele," he chuckles. "Innocent, but fierce. You and I will work well together."

"Are you deaf or stupid?" I sneer. "I'm never working with you. I'm closing my borders for you. You're officially no longer welcome."

"Keep telling yourself that," he smiles devilishly. "I liked Axel when he dated my sister. Right up to the part where I was standing next to Greta's grave. I was a teenage boy when I learned that people aren't what they seem. But your eyes will open soon enough and then you'll see Axel the way I see him."

"Get out," I point towards the door. "This meeting has no purpose."

"Tell Axel to look deeper into my contract with Jack," Philip grins as he walks towards the door. "Then he'll see that I'm the reason Jack was going bankrupt. He's next, and there's nothing he can do about it."

I am trembling with anger as I sit down when the door closes behind Philip. None of this makes sense to me. Why the f*vck would Philip come to me and spill his guts? Why would he warn Axel that he is coming for him? There must be a reason. People keep their secrets and evil agendas to themselves.

They do not reveal their plans to the opponent.

Philip's parting words rumble through my mind, and the realization strikes me like lightning. I am just the messenger. A means to an end. He wants me to tell Axel.

He wants Axel to know. His biggest thrill would be Axel knowing he is coming for him, but he does not know when or how.

I reach for my car keys but stop. I want to see Axel and tell him everything but then I will do exactly what Philip wants me to. But what kind of friend would I be if I did not warn Axel? Worse, what if something happened to Axel and I did nothing to prevent it? What the f*vck am I supposed to do?