Chapter 21: Hypocrisy becomes you.
*Aaron*
I gripped the armrests, fighting the urge to leap across the desk and grab Xander by his collar. I unclenched my muscles and leaned back into my chair.
“Are you fucking my Luna?”
My wolf roared inside me at the question. The nerve of this guy, to ask such a question. I took a deep breath. No way was I letting him see me lose it. Not now.
I relaxed my body and sat deeper in the chair. When I finally spoke, my voice was very calm.
“You know,” I said, tapping my fingers against the desk, “Most Moonshadow Academy graduates don’t ask dumb questions.”
A flash of surprise crossed his face.
“Yes, I know about your alma mater. First in your Business Administration class, master’s in International Economics. That‘ s serious academic pedigree.”
I paused and looked out the window. “Tell me, Blackwood,” I
Chapter 21: Hypocrisy becomes you.
drawled. “Which advanced course at your fancy academy
taught you how to interrogate an Alpha, your business partner in this manner?” The sarcasm dripped from my words. “Was it Presumption 101 or Advanced Disrespect?”
Xander didn’t flinch. He tilted his head and smirked at me. “Funny you should mention education” he paused for dramatic effect. “Silverfang Institute, wasn’t it? Strategic Management degree, accolades from top financial institutions, and other
honorary medallions.”
He paused, making the tension bulid. “You’re not the only one
who does homework, Aaron. Though I’m curious which class
taught you it was acceptable to fuck another Alpha’s Luna.”
Bloody fool. He was asking for it. “That’s rich,” I met his gaze
with a harsh laugh. “Especially coming from someone who
fucked his own Beta.”
He chuckled, and reached for a cigar. He relaxed into his chair
with maddening calm as he lit it. He took a long puff before he
spoke again. “That’s different. I’m an Alpha. The rules don’t
apply the same way to me.”
“So your rules conveniently exempt you.” The arrogance and
hypocrisy from him was suffocating. “Interesting how that
works.”
Chapter 21: Hypocrisy becomes you.
Xander clearly didn’t like that I’d said that. A muscle twitched in
his jaw, so I pressed on. “Jane’s your head of Marketing. Senior
executive. Your Luna. By your own logic, shouldn’t she enjoy
the same… privileges?” my voice remained level, even though
my wolf wanted to rip him apart.
I couldn’t believe Jane was married to this guy, couldn’t even
believe that she wanted him back. It didn’t look like he was
much of anything from where I sat.
“You think you’re clever?” His voice dropped an octave, a clear indication that his control was slipping. His pupils dilated slightly, hinting a bright shade of red. His wolf was furious.
I shrugged. “I’m just pointing out facts. Speaking of facts…” I trailed off. “My company invested three billion to pull your back from bankruptcy. By your own reasoning, that makes me a boss here too, doesn’t it? With all the same… privileges.”
The color drained from Xander’s face. For a moment, I thought I saw his fingers elongate. I could sense his wolf prowling
beneath, so close to breaking.
“Stay away from my wife,” he growled.
I took my time adjusting my cufflinks, acutely aware of his rage. I was determined to not acknowledge it. “I’m afraid,” I began, finally meeting his gaze directly. “I can’t accommodate that
Chapter 21: Hypocrisy becomes you.
request.”
Xander’s eyes narrowed, but he suddenly flashed a smile.
“Speaking of wives…” I watched as he quietly extinguished the cigar in the glass ashtray. “How is Yve these days? Oh wait…” He looked up at me with a cruel smile. “She ran away with
someone”
J
My chest tightened. The wound was still fresh, and even after three years, I still hadn’t healed. I forced air into my lungs, making sure to keep my expression neutral even though my wolf howled in pain.
“Hey” he raised his hands up. “Just pointing out facts,” he echoed my earlier words. “Unlike your situation, Jane and I are true mates. We’ll remain married and bonded until death parts us.” He tapped his wedding band meaningfully. Some bonds can’t be broken.”
I studied the family photos on his desk. Pictures of him and Jane from what I assumed to be early on in their marriage. I knew that was a strategic move on his part to get me to back off. Not good enough.
I smiled. “Well, I wish you a long and prosperous life, Mr. Blackwood.”
‘Are you threatening me?”
Chapter 21: Hypocrisy becomes you
I smiled, my tone brief and indifferent. “Does it sound like a threat? That’s my bad. I’m sure my communication skills are not good enough. Because if I wanted to threaten you, Xander, it should sound like this.” I leanded closer, whispering. “If you ever
approach me about something as stupid as this again, I will terminate our contract.” I paused, letting the words sink in.
“And when I leave, I’ll take Jane with me.”
Xander’s entire demeanor suddenly changed. His face went red,
his knuckles whitened as he gripped the edge of the desk. I
caught the faint sound of wood splintering under his grip.
He sputtered. “Do you think I can’t live without this deal? Ok.
Throw it right up your ass.”
“Would you? This is a family enterprise, isn’t it?” I picked up the
framed photo of his father. “How would your father feel about
that? Retired Alpha, watching his son abandon five generations
of legacy because he couldn’t control his temper?”
His eyes darted to the photo, then back to me. He went
completely silent. The mention of his father had hit home… I could smell the sudden anxiety reeking off him.
I decided to take advantage of the effect my words had on him. “As long as your company continues to operate, Jane deserves the freedom to do whatever makes her happy. That’s all she
Chapter 21: Hypocrisy becomes you
deserves, after everything.”
There was no need to speak to him anymore. I’d delivered the
final blow and there was nothing else he could say to me.
Xander clearly recognized what was at stake. He wouldn’t dare
cross the line.
I pushed back from the desk and rose to my full height. Xander
remained seated, staring down at his desk with the utmost
concentration.
“Goodbye, Blackwood,” I said, buttoning my suit jacket. But I
wasn’t satisfied. I wanted to poke at him some more. I paused,
tilting my head as though a thought had just occurred to me.
“Quick question… how many friends does Jane have?”
Xander’s eyes flashed with irritation. “What does that have to…”
“None,” I cut him off. “She has one, because her only friend
Xander Blackwood is too busy having an affair with his
secretary.” I waited for understanding to dawn on his face, but
there was nothing. Fool. “She’s alone. Completely alone.”
“Aaron..” he started, half–rising from his chair.
I held a hand up to stop him. “It’s Mr. Lorenz to you now.”
I turned on my heel and strode toward the door, slamming the
