"I would rather not attend the Golden Pack annual dinner this year." I implored Zeeb Elijah, my legal manager at the Due Corporation and my best friend. When my Pa, Odwolf Freki, passed away, he handed down the Due Corporation, the company I have owned and run for the past nine years.
"Come on Lucian, how can the MC and sponsor of the event ceremony not attend the dinner that he has been in support of for the past nine years? This year is a must-attend." He asserted and pulled me through the office doors and pressed the private elevator that only led through the CEO's office.
"I would rather go home and read a book, Zeeb. The golden shifter pack events are not my glass of whiskey," I snapped. The loud ding of the private elevator made me groan as Zeeb stretched his hand to usher me in.
"That move you just did with your hands is creepy," I retorted while I walked into the elevator and closed my eyes in embarrassment. The elevator came to a halt at the basement parking and as we walked out of it, I spoke to Zeeb "One hour at most. " I increased my stride as we walked to the waiting black Jeep commander and we got on and drove to the Pike waterfront lodge.
As the dinner began, the guests had already filled the large room. The gasps and stares of the golden pack members annoyed me as Zeeb made introductions. The elders, the new betas, and the alpha of the Golden shifter pack were all present.
"Lucian, I urge you to be kind and polite." Zeeb's warning rang in my ears.
I stated calmly, "If you expect me to bow to them, you are mistaken," I knew well that shifter hearing was magnified and I could bet they heard my words. Low rumbled growls reached my ears and I ignored them while walking to pick a drink from the counter.
"A whiskey on the rocks please," I placed the order to the bartender and then turned to Zeeb with a smirk and added, "And a glass of wine for the lady," pointing teasingly at him.
"Shut up Lucian,'' Zeeb raised a hand to smack me but it stopped midair and leaned to whisper, "Your punishment is on her way." I turned in the direction in which Zeeb was staring and watched as his sister Tala Elijah made her way over to the spot where we stood, holding a glass of whiskey.
"My one hour is up," I retorted with wide eyes.
Zeeb naughtily yelled and raised his hand, "Tala, over here."
My eyes flashed a warning as the bartender placed our order on the counter. "A whiskey on the rocks and a glass of wine."
I picked up my drink just as Tala arrived and stood in front of me, she smelt of perfume, making me scrunch my nose in disgust.
"CEO Lucian, it's always a pleasure to see you." She raked her eyes over my body like I was a piece of meat.
Have you no shame?" Zeeb pretended to scold her, "Did you bathe yourself in the bottle of perfume, Tala? How can you stand that smell?"
She sipped her drink and licked her lips, ignoring me. "What do you think CEO Lucian? It is a designer perfume from France."
"I have little knowledge about women's perfume, "I refuted while I gulped my drink and welcomed the icy burn in my throat.
"What is that awful smell?" Freki my wolf stirred, irritated and annoyed.
"It's disgusting, right?" I responded through our mind link.
"Move away from it," Freki commanded.
Placing the glass on the counter, and then turned to address Zeeb. "I suddenly recalled that I have a call in the next hour. I need to get to the mansion before then and prepare." The way my eyes flashed at him, I could tell he knew I was at my limit. "Goodbye Tala," I added.
I made my way from the counter with Zeeb behind me, hot on my heels, while I ignored the rest of the guests with the focus on the door to leave the dinner ballroom. The air suddenly changed, and I felt my wolf stir and then the most mystical beauty walked in. The man took my breath away as he scanned the room to find who he was there to see. His eyes landed on the pack elders and his mouth pulled into displeasure. My feet halted as I stared at him in awe.
His eyes were a shade of golden brown, and he had curly hair that dropped to his shoulders. A few strands of his hair fell on his forehead, and he raised his hand to brush it away. His broad shoulders and tall, muscular body made me tremble at night. I felt my stomach clenched tight and a tingling sensation took a swing at my crotch. I raked my eyes over his body and I felt the room become more attractive just by his presence.
I glued my eyes to him as he walked toward the Elders. They looked at him uncomfortably as he bowed in greetings. His body demeanor shouted that he did not want to be in the room by the way his fists clenched at his sides.
An old pack elder Lady Zaya walked towards him with a smile. He moved from the spot where he stood, walked towards her, and pulled her into an embrace. My heart skipped a bit, and I wished I was in her place being engulfed in those arms.
"Who the hell is that?" I whispered more to myself than Zeeb, who stood by my side after I halted in the middle of the room staring at the man.
"No," Zeeb seethed vehemently. "Don't even think about it, Lucian. That is the Rogue Alpha Conri Dolf. He was exiled from the pack and only showed himself during the annual dinner, as demanded by the pack elders. Word is that he killed his mate and went rogue. I am warning you, Lucian, that is one forbidden territory that you can not venture into"