Immediately after arriving home that night, he quickly rushed to the upper floor, looking for his brother. He knew he had to verify the news he had received.
He was unaware his brother was about to go on a trip. His secretary only informed him when he was already on his way out of the office.
"You never told me about this plan earlier in the meeting," Aldric stated, standing by the door with his hands in his pockets, watching his brother pack for the trip.
Gradually, he moved closer to the room and checked the first-class ticket carelessly displayed on the table. He wondered why he was flying commercial when he could easily take the jet with him.
However, he could never explain how his brother formed his decisions. His brother had always been different from the rest of them.
Maybe it was because he became an alpha at a young age or because he had a mate who was not their kind. But he believed that made him extraordinary and the best among their pack.
"It was a last-minute decision." Matteo had no time to discuss this new plan with his younger brother or the board. "There was an opening, and I grabbed it."
The board would have to wait for the result of the meeting. Although Aldric was his brother and part of the board, he was not giving him special treatment by telling him first about his plans. He just had to wait, just like the rest of them.
"How long will you be away?" Aldric asked, concerned that his brother was leaving the pack again. He could not tell if Matteo was going on this trip for the company or himself.
It was customary for them to travel for a certain amount of time. For decades, they had lived apart. Then, after a considerable time, they would reunite as a family back in their home.
However, he remembered the only time his brother left the pack in this condition was when their parents died. Now, Aldric wondered if Matteo was using this excuse to escape the pain like the last time.
His brother had always been a level-headed businessman. He did not make impulsive and risky decisions. Therefore, he could not help but be wary.
"Don't worry. I am only going for a week because of a business meeting." Matteo finally answered his brother, hoping that would appease him. But he had no plan of giving him more details.
He knew what was going through his younger brother's mind. He could see it in his expression. But he already accepted the pain of losing someone he loved. It was part of life.
"I promise, this is business." That was all he could tell him. This trip was not about his loss but what he and the company could gain. Nothing more.
It was not about her.
He admitted losing her was difficult. Although he accepted it, it did not mean that it did not hurt as much. But somehow, it was easier than losing his parents.
But talking about it now was not the time. Matteo already mourned. Now, it was time to get back to work. He could not let one incident stop him from his responsibility to his family and the pack.
"Then, why don't you bring someone with you like me? I can help with the negotiation." Aldric insisted, hoping his presence could help with whatever he had to do.
He would feel at ease if someone was there to be his buddy. Losing him for almost a year when their parents died was like losing him forever. The pack almost did not make it without their alpha.
Luckily, everyone understood what he had gone through. Thankfully, Knox had stepped up, taking over his position while he was gone. And the entire pack survived despite the many problems they encountered.
Where he had gone, nobody knew. But no one dared ask, not even him. He believed the time would come when his older brother would reveal what happened and trust him with his secrets.
"It is a simple transaction. I can manage it on my own. Besides, I need you to oversee our business from this site." Matteo told his brother, who still looked at him unconvinced.
Since their parents died, Aldric temporarily took over their business. Just until Matteo returned from his soul-searching journey, he managed it just fine. Their business continued to grow at a steady pace.
But Matteo could see that there was room for expansion if he would grab the chance. So, he planned to meet with some new investors, but it would require him to travel to check the possibility.
"Fine. But call me if you will need assistance." Aldric reluctantly said, knowing that there was nothing else he could do. His brother was the alpha. He called the shots in their pack, in this case, their business.
But from how he saw his brother, he seemed not as broken as he initially thought compared to the death of their parents. Maybe he was coping with his loss much better now than before.
"Of course, you will be the first person I will call," Matteo promised his younger brother. He knew in times of trouble. He could always count on him.
He walked to Aldric and grabbed him by the shoulders. It had been a while since he had stared at him, and he had just realized that he had grown to be a fine man. He could not ask for a better brother than him.
"You should," Aldric said in a slightly threatening voice. However, he knew that it would hardly scare him at all. Instead, he gave his brother a bear hug.
"I need you to be my eyes and ears here while I am gone." Matteo reminded his brother. He still needed someone to take over while he was gone.
"I guess." Aldric agreed, seeing the logic of his brother.
He reminded himself if not for this man. The world as he knew it would probably never be the same. Thankfully, things returned to normal. His brother restored peace after the death of their parents as soon as he returned. No one dared to break it since he took over as their alpha.
The fear that something dreadful would happen. Or war would break loose. Or the end of the pack. Fortunately, all of this did not occur.
"Now, go. We still have work to do." Matteo told his brother, patting him on the shoulder before dismissing him.
He believed he could not take it easy. He still could not stop searching for answers. He needed to find the explanation behind the mysterious death of their parents.