Jacob’s POV
“I shouldn’t be surprised seeing you here too soon, right?” I sighed while my eyes are on my Beta. Brent came back with papers on his hands as he stands in front of my house.
“Well, I was surprised you sensed my presence.” Brent answered. “And I hope you’ll let me in like how Cidrey managed to.”
I shook my head. There is nothing to hide with Brent anyways, maybe Harley has been tailing me from afar.
In defeat, I opened my door wide for him. Brent walked closer and I turned my back to head on my office first. He followed and closed the door after entering inside the room.
I sat on my chair before grabbing a glass of liquor, this had been my snack these days.
“You’re growing a forest in that face, Jake.” Brent noticed.
My head is too occupied to shave my beard and also I just don’t care about it.
“Does that files needed my signature?” I diverted the topic and pointing on what he have in hand.
“Oh. Yeah.” he placed it on my table and I started to scan through it then signing where I should. “I thought you’ll just sign everything without reading it. You seem to care for the pack unlike what you claims.”
I didn’t answer that and ignored him. Of course I’ll study the papers still, it will be a great trouble if I suddenly approved something that shouldn’t. And trouble means I needed to get out and personally fix anything, I don’t want that to happen.
“I didn’t include the financial report for buying the land of Trivian pack beyond the hill.” Brent informed which made my hand stop from signing. I looked up at him with frowned forehead and Brent just shrugged.
“Why?”
“Maybe you’re still out of your head to do that--”
“I proposed that long ago. Bring it here.”
“Come on, man! You only bought that land for Lucianna! She’s not here now, so what is the point of acquiring that piece of land?”
I stood up hastily and Brent jumped slightly from my sudden movement.
My mate wants that particular place and I’d like her to enjoy the Hill with proper security so I will need that piece from Trivian pack so I can station guards down there! How can this beta interrupt my decision?!
“That land will expand our territory and eventually stop rogues from entering the pack lands. Once there are guards stationed down the hill, there will be no blindspot for the pack’s security.” I explained in a growl. “I planned that with the thought of my mate’s safety, yes, but the pack will benefit from it, too.”
Brent grinned. “I’m kidding, the report is at the bottom of that files. Chill, dude.”
I hissed and sat back again. “Never intrude my decision or I’ll give your position to other wolf.”
“If the Alpha will lock himself in this house, I’ll be glad to take over my position.”
My brow raised. “You meant that?”
Brent shook his head furiously. “I’m kidding. Damn, I think you’re in a better condition, why not go back to work?”
Better? Don’t make me laugh. I feel worse to the point that I’m almost numb in emotion. Lucianna’s scent is slowly fading. It frustrates me but what I hate more is the man she lives with.
Cidrey has yet to know who that man was.
Brent laid down to the sofa after my continued ignoring of his mere presence.
“Have you heard about your brother?” that question made me shot my eyes up to Brent. He was playing with a figurine display and not making an eye contact.
“What about Roscoe?”
And why would I hear from him? It’s not like I wanted to know something about him. He can die or disappear for all I care.
“He kept on showing up at the Hall office, sitting on your chair. He was looking for you, is what his reason each time I bumped into him.”
I snorted, “I never see him here, not even his shadow. Let him enjoy my chair, he can even bring it home if he’ll want to.”
Brent laughed, seeing humor in what I said.
“Oh, damn! I’ll say that to him the next time, his face will surely be hilarious!” he burst. “You think he will challenge you for a battle soon?”
“For the Alpha title? I won’t be surprised if he will.”
“It does not bother you?”
I sighed, let go of the pen and laid back to the chair. “No. I’m waiting for that to happen, Brent. I was thinking he would ask for a fight when he came back.”
Brent hissed and sat up. “You’re that confident that he won’t win? In your state, I think he will beat you up.”
I laughed hard from what he said. Brent frowned from my reaction and his face looks as if he smelt a shit.
“That’s funny, huh?”
“Lucianna ran away, Beta, she’s not dead.”
Yes, I’m yearning for her. Completing the mating process made me dependent of her presence but she’s alive, our bond is still intact though our distance are not. If Roscoe decided to challenge me of a duel for the Alpha title, nothing changed in my strength. Though I won’t admit to Brent how distracted my mind is.
Brent’s idiotic expression turned serious in a second. My brow raised from the sudden transition.
“So you knew that and you continue living like shit for weeks.”
Shit. He’s not dolly-talking with me but trying to bait me into his manipulation game.
Brent stood up and went to the table, crossing his arms in front of me.
“Shadow pack will fall as third strongest pack in the North if you continue this, Jacob. If you knew that well that you didn’t lose her, that Lucianna is just away but alive,” he raised his brows. “…which won’t hinder your task then you’re making excuses, aren’t ya?”
This damn fucker. He thinks I’m making excuses? My mate left me, I’m terrified and heartbroken!
This mateless punk won’t understand shit. There’s no point to explain myself, I’m not begging to be understood, and I know he won’t get it.
“Think what you want.” I leaned in and smirk. “Just get out of my way.”
He slouched and shook his head. “I know you won’t let the pack be in third place, Jake. In a year, you brought us into the second strongest so--”
“If you knew that much, then let me have my time. That’s all I ask for and you’re too tense, mother.” I chuckled. “I’m waiting for some news, I’ll be back at work once I’ve settled my mind.”
“If its about Lucianna, I know where she can be found--”
“Keep it, Brent. Don’t tell me.”
“Why? Isn’t that what you asked Cidrey to do? I’m giving you the information for free, if that will help your head settled down.”
I bit my lip and looked at the papers in front of me.
I also wonder if knowing where she is might put me in peace, mind and soul. But what if I won’t be able to control myself and head straight to her? She’ll hate me.
“Listen. Brent. If I know where Lucianna is, you won’t be able to sense my presence in this pack. As long as she’s not here.”
His jaw dropped.
The way Brent looks at me seems like he found something he never thought may be possible.
“ What? You think I won’t run after her?”
“Then go to her! What the fuck are you waiting for, growing some weird beard and locking yourself like a mad man?”
I chuckled. Is that how I looked like to him? Fuck.
“I made a promise.”
“Fucker, you’re smarter than that! You can make excuses, just see her and have a fill of your own!”
“Fill?”
“I don’t know, smell her until your lungs are filled with her scent?”
I frowned and snorted. “You’ll make me look like a freak by doing that.”
Brent rolled his eyes. “Wait until she learns how you act since she left! You’re worse than a freak!”
I laughed and shook my head. The damn things that I don’t notice, huh?
“I bet this,” I pointed him from top to toe. “is my friend talking, right?”
Brent grinned and sat down again. “Heck, you won’t hear this from me if I weren’t.”
I pursed my lips. “So what have you find?”
“There’s a tournament at the East, female fighter’s contest and she’ll participate in it. We can come as guests.”
If I’ll be there and I won’t act like I’m following her, then I won’t be breaking my promise, right?
Coming as guests… I think she won’t think I’ve come for her.
“Alright. Request for an invitation so our presence won’t bring any trouble upon arrival. Also ask some of our females, maybe there’s one or two fighter aspirants. We can sign them up, as well.”
“Ohhh. I’ve missed those commands from you, Alpha Jacob.” Brent teased.
I raised my brow and tried to hide my smile. “Then you can finish the rest of my work for me for the day.”
Brent groaned and covered his face with his palm. “Damn.” he whispered.
“I’ll come work again tomorrow.”
Brent jumped and throw a fist in the air. “Yes!”