Chapter 0014
Until now, I had underappreciated Aria’s efforts. I would attempt to rectify this view, when Aria gave up this foolishness and returned home.
I imagined it wouldn’t be long now until she came back. She might threaten divorce, but I doubted she would ever fully go through with it. We were playing a little game. Aria Telt unappreciated and was testing my limits. She would find that while I was firmly against games, I also wasn’t going to just let her p
“It’s not just you who keeps Aria from returning home,” Max told me.
Admittedly, upon reflection, I could admit that my underappreciation of her efforts wasn’t the only reason she’d left. In fact, it was unlikely to even be the biggest reason. I had treated her more or less the same for three years, and she seemed contented.
We weren’t as close as other couples, but we had been comfortable.
Some other recent change was what truly drove her away.
That change had to be Sheila.
Aria would likely return if I sent Sheila away, but I couldn’t do that to Sheila. After what I’d done to her… I couldn’t ignore her or her plight to restore her fertility.
Yet, at the same time, I couldn’t go through with divorcing Aria.
I felt himself standing at an impasse, unsure of which direction to turn.
I was so distracted that the meeting passed by without my noticing, or giving much input. It must have gone well enough though, as no one seemed particularly upset or annoyed at my lack of contribution.
As everyone packed up and dispersed from the meeting room, I lingered, reviewing the notes of the meeting. trying to refocus. It wasn’t like me to become distracted while working. This kerfuffle with Aria was throwing me off more than I realized.
“Alpha?” said a familiar voice from the doorway.
I looked up to find Ben, my Beta, standing there, waiting for permission to approach. I waved him forward.
“Did you deliver the gift, Ben? How did Dr. A react?” After Sheila’s rudeness during their meeting, I was determined to make amends. To continue to manifest Dr. As help and goodwill, we needed to maintain a good rapport with her.
“Did you remember to treat her with the upmost respect?”
“Unfortunately, Sir, when I arrived, Dr. A had already went home for the day. However, I did leave the gift in her office, along with the card you prepared, so she should receive it the next time she returns to work.”
“Very good,” I replied.
Ben lingered, which told me there was more. Whatever it was must have been bad, for Ben to be so hesitant to report it.
“Was there something else?” I prompted. I hated wasting tiine.
“Yes, Sir. Though…..”
Report, Beta,” I said, taking a more authoritative tone.
Ben straightened slightly. “One of our contacts sent this over.”
2011
Ben held out a photo from an instant camera. The photo was slightly blurry and the flash made much of it too light in some spots and too dark in others.
Yet the central two figures were clear.
Aria, in a very short, sexy skirt, was standing next to Jasperat a bar. They were leaning toward each other, Jasper was giving the flirtatious smile he was well–known for.
Aria seemed to be blushing.
I froze in shock for one moment, my eyes wide, Then, my blood started to boil.
Inside, my wolf growled, “Another male desires our mate!
“When was this taken?” I asked.
“Very recently. Our contact rushed it over.”
I looked up, tearing my eyes away from the photo. My anger rose, twisting dangerously within me.
“Get the car. We’re going to this bar.”
Concern immediately filled Jasper’s face. “But Alpha, that bar is a place for commoners!”
“I said, we are going.”
With fury in my voice, I left no room for argument.
“Now.”
