Chapter 10

"Huh?, what'd you...". "Don't make me repeat myself Ryan" I cut him off getting out of the car. "Don't worry, we're just gonna talk.", I say, "I"ll give you a clear and honest answer, plus there's something I haven't told you about me," I say as I open my apartment door. "Tea? or whiskey?", I ask. "Tea for me," he answers. "I'll still bring two glasses just in case you decide to change your mind mid convo". Cocking a brow as I turn on the electric kettle and bring over a mug. "Is it that bad?". "It's more on the shocking side." I say, Is lemon ginger okay?" "Yea" he nods.

"So" I say breaking the silence, "What have you noticed about this place?", "What? it's a nice condo" he responds glancing around. Sigh, "Scent. What does it smell like to you?" I ask watching him carefully. He sniffs the air a little and then stops. "You said you live alone right?", "Yea. Just me. Why?" "Nothing. Maybe I'm just imagining it" he states taking a confused sip of his tea. "What if you're not imagining what you're smelling?" I ask again. "I'm confused, how...?" squeezing the bridge of his nose, "Have you always been a wolf?" "Yes" I sigh.

"Then, why did you hide it?" he asks now with a slight sense of hurt "After the first year, you could've told me."

Realization starting to set in, "Is that why you avoid all the other wolves that pass through?" now nodding to himself, "That explains your healing ability and your speed and reflexes". Sigh, "why'd you hide it?...from me? Sigh, what pack were you from?" he finally asks

Closing my eyes, "Red Pheonix", I say waiting for a response. " And I should also mention that my father's the current alpha and I was going to take over his spot before I left."

"Wait... YOU'RE SAPPHIRE BLACK?!" he asks with pure shock. "The strongest she-wolf anyone has known in the past 50 years? Daughter of the second most feared alpha in the wolf community and former next in line to take over the second largest, strongest, and most feared pack in North America?! That Saphire Black?!" he continues. While shaking his head and leaning back in his chair, "I can't believe it, I've been making passes and confessed my new found feelings to THE Sapphire Black". Geez Ryan, you're so forward with it. Aren't you embarassed to like such a masculine she-wolf?" I ask.

"Why would I be?" he asks, "Your strength doesn't make you masculine. I'm proud of the fact that the woman I admire garners so much respect, who wouldn't be?". With a sigh, "well to answer your question, it was my mate." I say as I pour myself the last of the Jack Daniels. "Did he..." he starts but stops himself, "did he reject you?". I tell him about everything that happened that led me to leave my pack and even about my alias Ms. Redd. After I finish he says, “You know that still doesn’t make me like you any less. To be honest, I like you a little more now.” He says as he slowly puts his hand on top of mine and squeezes gently.

Giving him a reserved smile and looking him in the eyes, “Enya says we have a second chance mate”

“Sigh, she insists on finding out if this Alpha is really our mate, so no matter how much I wanna give you a chance, I can't.”

Sighing, "I understand, I don't want to lose you as a friend though, so please don't avoiding me" he says sincerely. With a nod I answer, "Okay"

Day before charity event

“Bryant please have Sitco International scheduled next week for the meeting,” I say to my assistant.

“11:30 am as usual?”

“Hmm, make it 12 pm and choose a place for lunch, please. Some place new. Surprise me, pleasantly please.”

“Hehe, yes ma’am. Also, that new company has reached out again to collaborate with us.”

“Which new company?” I ask without looking up from my computer.

“Everbloom”

Pausing to look at him, “why? Do they know?”

“That we are Wares? No, I doubt it. We have never met them and we don’t go to many events, so many people still don’t know our faces well. Furthermore, the companies we’ve collaborated with in these past 3 1/2 years are all humans, other supernaturals or half bloods.” He answers.

“Hmm, Everbloom is also run by Wares. They don’t need our collaboration so why do they keep seeking us out? Did they say why?”

“When I said the same thing, they said that only our company could meet their standards for their upcoming project. They said that our strategists and designers are better than all the others they’ve worked with. They insist that we would be the best to bring their vision to life.” Leaning back in my chair, “Of course, our people are the best, have we really made that much of a name for ourselves in these few years?” Pausing and smirking a bit, “yes Ms. Redd, we have definitely made that much of a name for ourselves.” Closing my eyes, “inform them again that regrettably, we won’t be able to assist them at this moment.”. “Yes ma’am” he answers. “Okay, if that’s all then let’s get going, we have a lunch meeting with GERMS incorporated, right?”

20 mins later we arrive at the restaurant.

“Good afternoon, welcome to Wardar’s Cuisine how may I help you today?” She said warmly. “Good afternoon,” Bryant and I respond with smiles. “We are here for a 1:30 pm meeting in one of your private rooms, the reservation is under Bryant Richards” He continues, “Oh yes, I see it here, you reserved one of our business suites. They are still getting it ready for your meeting at the moment. Would you like to reserve a different room until it is ready?” she asked. I can definitely get you seated by the river window,” she said excitedly, “It has the best view, while still being somewhat private. Only those with a special membership can enter that area and since you are Mr. Falcone’s guests you can enter while you wait for your meeting to begin.”

“Oh, thank you! That sounds perfect” He says.

About 10 mins before the meeting is supposed to start Bryant’s phone rings, looking at the caller ID, “It’s the client”

After placing it on speaker phone, “Good afternoon Mr. Falcone”

“Ah, good-good afternoon Mr. Richards, um-“

Is the meeting still on?”

“Yes! Yes, the meeting is still on, there's just an issue with the room, would you mind us pushing it back an hr?”

“Mr. Falcone?” I say taking over, Are you intentionally trying to delay this meeting Mr. Falcone?”