Chapter 2: Chapter 2

hapter Two

Ryley

My boss was standing by the front desk as soon as I stepped out of the elevator, holding my much–needed latte. I wasn’t in the mood to deal with him today. I just wanted to get to my office and finish my workload. He was chatting with the receptionist, Evelyn. My strides became more purposeful as I made my way to my office, trying to go unnoticed.

“Good morning, Miss Halliwell,” Evelyn’s overly cheery voice rang out when I was almost in the safety of my office. I cringed before forcing a smile. I turned around to see my boss, Mr. Miller, and Evelyn, both watching me.

“Good morning,” I told them, trying to sound chipper, even though I was anything but. I turned on my heels and headed into my office, closing the door behind me.

The relief I felt after closing my door and I was alone was short–lived when Mr. Miller, opened the door and entered my office. I silently groaned as I placed my latte on my desk before placing my purse and bag on the floor beside my chair.

“Mr. Miller, what can I do for you?” I asked him, as I removed my coat, placing it over the back of my chair.

Mr. Isaac Miller was a few years older than me. He took over for his father a few years ago when he decided to retire and spend his golden years traveling with his wife. He wasn’t a werewolf but his sister was mated to one, which is

uncommon. It helped him build his accounting firm. He was

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Chapter Two

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trusted in the werewolf community because his sister was associated with the firm. And she was mated to a wolf. He also has some great forensic accountants working for him.

“Ryley, I need a favor,” He said, sitting in a chair in front of my desk. My body froze as I looked at him. Whenever I hear those words, my mind automatically goes to a date. If I had a dollar for the number of times I’ve been asked to make another jealous, I wouldn’t need to work anymore.

“What kind of favor?” I asked him, suspiciously, and he let out a sigh. It’s too early for this and haven’t even enjoyed my coffee, I thought as I took my seat.

“Do you remember the Orion Enterprise case, I had asked you to investigate?” I remember that case drove me crazy for twenty–four full hours until I finally figured it out. The person who was stealing was good at hiding their tracks but I was better.

“Yes, I remember. Did something happen?” I asked him.

“I need you to travel to the Orion pack.” He said. Unfortunately for me, his brother–in–law scented me when I met him and his mate at a work function.

“No,” I told him firmly. I won’t go into packs. I’m a lone wolf and I don’t need that kind of drama. If I was from a lower bloodline, I would be considered a rogue but it’s not uncommon for a strong wolf to not want to submit under an -alpha. I’m one of those wolves.

“Ryley, I wouldn’t be asking if it wasn’t important. Mr. Orion suspects more fraud is happening within his empire and has demanded I send the person who found the person the first time. You saved his enterprise almost a million dollars.” He

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explained as–l sipped my coffee.

“You know I have Channing. I can’t just uproot our lives. He has school and hockey.” I told him.

“Isn’t school almost done for the year? And it may be nice for him to be with his own kind,” he commented and I raised a brow.

“You know what I mean, Ryley,” he said, shaking his head.

“Yes, I know what you mean. But I have my reason for keeping me and my son away from that life.” He sighed as he ran his hand down his face.

“He is one of our wealthiest clients. I need my best on this.”

“Flattery will get you nowhere, Isaac. This isn’t just my life. And school may be done soon but what about next year? It will be Channing’s last year, I want him to graduate with his friends.” I told him.

“What if it’s just for the summer? And I’ll give you a bonus now and one at the end of the summer.” He pleaded.

“If I do this, Isaac, Channing, and I need our own home. I won’t stay at their pack house. I will need my own office, and weekends and all the other days I request are guaranteed off.

I This is one of the last summers I have with Channing, and I won’t be wasting it. Also, I will only answer to you. Mr. Orion doesn’t hold any authority over me. I will respect his pack rules but I won’t be forced to submit. And I won’t start until after school is done for the year.” When I was done explaining my demands, Mr. Miller had a grin on his face. He’d be handsome if he wasn’t my boss.

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“Done,” He exclaimed, standing up.

“Oh, and Isaac, I’ll need my first bonus in the form of a teal green sports car,” I called out before he could leave my office.

“Send me a picture and the specs. I’ll send over all the documents Mr. Orion has sent to me, so you can get started. Thank you, Ryley.” He said before leaving my office, closing the door behind him. I slumped back into my chair, groaning.

Channing will be getting his dream car, but is it worth going back into a world I ran from seventeen years ago?

“This could be good for him. He’ll be able to train and interact with others just like him.” Lily, my wolf said.

“I’m just trying to keep him safe. We are a Luna wolf; I won’t be forced to submit. I let someone get close to me and look at what happened to our family and pack. I can’t and won’t lose Channing.” I sighed.

“I will do everything I can to keep our pup safe.”

“I know you will. You’d kill an alpha if you had to. I just don’t want things to come to that. I don’t want to have to deal with a council that turned their backs on my family. It’s better if everyone thinks the future Luna of the Aurora Mountain pack is still dead.”