CHAPTER 4

MONIQUE

SIX YEARS LATER

"Are you awake?" A little knock came from my door, and I swung my gaze towards Archer who was now leaning on the door, fully dressed and ready for work while I was still struggling with my zip.

"You should help me," I said.

He strolled into my room instantly with a teasing smile on his face.

"I was rushing over to come wake you so Logan doesn't go to school late," he said, looking at me through the mirror as he pulled up the zip.

I smiled back before turning to face him.

"Why did you think I'll wake up late?"

He let out a low chuckle. "We slept late last night."

I rolled my eyes. "I always wake up early no matter what."

He tapped my nose. "Right. You're a workaholic."

I threw him a playful scowl before picking up my bag and making my way out of the room.

"Logan," I called, my eyes searching around our living room and dining area where I'd left him earlier.

"He's waiting in the car," Archer whispered behind me, almost causing me to jump.

He knew I always reacted that way whenever someone creeps on on me, but he never stops it.

I pursed my lips and punched his chest before hurrying out of the house.

"I'll pick you up for dinner," he called while my driver opened the car door.

I lifted my brows.

"You're not bailing on me tonight. We agreed," he reminded. I gave a small nod.

"Great. I'll pick you up at work."

"Have a great day." I got into the car and met Logan chewing on some snacks.

"You had breakfast already, why are you eating again?" I grabbed the cracker pack from him. He never seemed to enjoy full meals as much as junk.

"Mommy," he groaned, kicking his feet and batting his eyelids. He knew those puppy eyes always worked on me, but not today.

"You're not eating them," I said sternly this time and my son immediately turned his back to me. He didn't utter any other word until we arrived at his school.

After dropping him off, I headed to my company. It was going to be a long day. Even though the weather was clear and good, I was certain I would be stressed all through.

A smile graced my lips as I walked into my company and realized how far I'd come. I'd only started it on a small scale three years ago during my senior year and just last night, we'd won the Biotech company of the year.

"Good morning, ma'am," my assistant greeted as I walked into my office. I placed my bag on the table while she hurried in with my coffee.

Settling on the chair, I took a sip of the coffee and let out a sigh of relief before turning to Stacy.

"After the morning brief, you have a golf meeting with the investor," she announced and my eyes went wide.

"Golf? When did I agree to that?" I asked, trying to remember when we'd mentioned anything like golf. I didn't even know how to play it, Archer had tried to teach me several times but after I didn't get it the first time, I'd given up.

Now, it seemed like that was the only way we could get the investor to invest in us. We were trying to expand our market with the probiotics and nutritional supplements, but we'd only managed to secure one investor.

"Last week."

I massaged my temples. "Fine, is everything ready?"

She bobbed her head. "Yeah. I came with your outfit and..."

I cut her short. "Let's just go to the meeting."

The morning brief didn't last long, so we made our way to the golf arena. I just hope we won't have to meet again and he'll agree this time.

"Mr Davies is already here. He mentioned a friend would be joining him," Stacy announced as she walked into the changing room.

I nodded absently. "That's fine. As long as he signs the deal."

But, it wasn't fine at all. When I reached the shaded terrace and shook hands with Mr. Davies, I froze when I came face to face with his friend.

Because the man standing beside him was the one I'd buried in the past six years ago.

Kaid.

My throat bobbed.

Alpha Kaid. My mate who had disgraced me, chose his childhood friend over me and threw me out of the pack.

For a heartbeat, the world went silent. Even my heartbeat seemed to pause. Never in my life did I think I would set eyes on him again. Just like he'd rejected me years ago, I'd done the same. For the past six months, he'd been trying to meet me or maybe Mona, the CEO of Alaris, making appointments and all. I knew how desperate they were, but I didn't think he would go through his friend this time just to meet Mona.

Kaid's eyes widened and the smile on his face dropped when he realized who I was. And just like I thought, he had no idea the Monique he threw out of the pack years ago is the same Mona he'd been trying so hard to meet.

"Monique," he breathed, his voice echoing his shock. He still looked the same as six years ago, just with fuller hair and bulky body and that golf outerwear did well to highlight his body. If I didn't know him, I would have thought he was modelling for the brand or something.

I cleared my throat and straightened up.

"I'm Mona." I offered a polite smile and held my hand to him. His brows lifted and he hesitated for a second before taking it.

It felt like I'd been electrocuted. His touch sent signals all through my body and I could feel something stirring up in me. Quickly, I retrieved my hand. I could tell he felt it too but I wasn't here to deal with him, so I turned to Mr. Davies.

"Kaid is an old friend. You two know each other?" He asked, his eyes darting from me to Kaid.

"No."

"Yes." We both replied in unison and I dashed him a scowl.

I cleared my throat. "I don't know him."

Kaid's jaw tensed. "I didn't know you were Mona," he started and I rolled my eyes. Why the hell was he trying to start a conversation with me like we were old friends or something?

"It seems to me like you guys have a lot to talk about. Let's go sit over there," Mr. Davies suggested and without waiting for me to reply, he headed to the shade.

I drew in a long breath and immediately hurried after him, Kaid's footsteps echoing behind me. Just why did he have to be the friend?

And as we sat down across from each other, the air between us thrummed with unfinished history and tension.

Breaking the ice, I collected the proposal from Stacy and turned to Mr. Davies with a small smile on my face.

"Here is the proposal. I'm sure you'll like it when you go through it," I began, dropping it in front of him. Goodness! What was I even saying? I should be trying to convince him and not saying those basic words but my brain was getting jumbled up.

Mr. Davies smiled. "I've gone through it and I quite like it."

My face lit up.

"But I have a condition."

My smile faltered that minute.

"What's it?"

He placed his hand on Kaid. "You talk to him and agree to help him. I'm sure you know the bloodcrest pack needs you. I'll leave you guys now."

Wait, what!

Mr. Davies disappeared from the table before everything could even sink in, and I jumped on my feet.

Kaid grabbed my hand before I could take a step, and immediately, I yanked him off.

"What the hell do you think you're doing? " I asked through gritted teeth, trying to suppress my anger.

"I didn't know you're Mona. I found out he was meeting Mona and asked him for help since you've refused to meet me," he said. " And now, it makes much sense why Mona didn't agree to meet me."

"Since you know the reason now, it would be best to give up."

He didn't say anything. We just stared at each other like two lost souls. I hated this situation so much. I hated being pushed to a corner. Why would Mr. Davies even give a condition like that?

"We need your help, Monique."

"Mona," I snapped, then I took my seat.

"The Bloodcrest pack is collapsing. I need your company's cure. We are not clear about the disease affecting the pack but I heard your company cured the Dark Moon pack last year and you found the cure to the rare disease humans suffered from this year. I've been trying to meet you because we need a solution," he stated and I let out a low scoff.

"You need my help now?" I asked in a tone of disbelief and shook my head.

"Yes."

My lips curved into a smirk. "Then beg."

His brows raised.

"Beg on your knees, Alpha."