Casper.

A sense of satisfaction washed over me as my eyes scanned the reports that Raphael had presented.

He did a good job running the pack for 10 years in my absence.

10 years that I stayed in solitude, away from the world.

I couldn't deny that I missed my people, I missed being their Alpha, and I missed the colorful ceremonies, especially the mating ceremony where unmated wolves would find their mates.

The most anticipated was when all wolves would shift and run under the full moon. Howls and screams tore from our throats. While this was going on, I would be at the front with my mate, Marina. Rapheal, my beta would follow suit.

It was a ceremony I longed for, but now, it was a ceremony I despised.

I hated everything that reminded me of my mate and my kids.

Thanks to the bastard Alec.

Instead of taking charge, I let Raphael perform the duties of an Alpha while I waste away in my hellhole.

Sometimes, I felt I was too damaged to run the pack anymore.

The hatred from the members of my pack really messed with my sanity.

I tried every means to reach out, comfort them, and let them know that they weren't the only ones who lost someone dear to them.

But it resulted in chaos.

Nobody was on my side. Not even the elders of the pack.

I should have eliminated the bad guy, but I was too blind to see that he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Maybe the elders were right.

To them, I was a poor decision maker, and a poor decision maker would never make a good Alpha.

I wasn't good enough to rule over them.

The negative energy coupled with the loss of my mate and twins made me withdraw from the world.

Maybe I would prove the elders wrong someday, but not now.

Until then, Raphael would continue to take my place as the Alpha of my pack.

I trusted him with my life, and he would never betray me.

I heaved a sigh, tilting my head. “Impressive,” I commended in a tone devoid of amusement.

Though I was thrilled by his performance, I would never show it because I didn't want it to get into his head.

“But not as impressive as it would be if you were the one ruling,” Raphael blurted, making me let out a tense breath.

“Don't start,” I warned as his words started to get to me.

I hated anything that reminded me of my past and my mistakes.

“The elders summoned a meeting with me, and they think you should rule, but on probation.”

Disbelief flashed in my eyes as I cooked my brow. “On probation?!” I exclaimed.

I clenched my hands over the paper, crumbling the edges in the process.

I should rule on probation?! The height of disrespect!

“They also stated that if you must resume your duties, you must find a mate, a Luna to rule over them, and by any chance, if you were found wanting certain attributes that the Alpha possesses, you would be removed.”

Unable to take it, I hit my fist on the table as anger flared in me.

My breath came out in short pants, and my jaws clenched.

Without warning, I grabbed Raphael by the collar of his shirt before throwing him against the wall.

“Tell them that I said I would do whatever I want, which doesn't limit me to neglecting my duties,” I yelled at his face with my finger poking his chest.

“I will resume my office when I'm mentally ready. I'm tired of trying and failing to win their trust.”

When I had composed myself, I let Raphael out of my grip before striding to the table.

Fuck.

I let it out on Rapheal. It wasn't Raphael's fault. Since my mate died, I lashed out my fury at any available person.

A part of me wanted to apologize to Raphael for rough handling him, but a part of me protested against it.

I don't apologize.

Apology was a sign of weakness, and I was not weak.

“Very well, Alpha,” he bowed briefly, trying to straighten out his rumpled cloth.

Leaning against the chair, I reached for the cup of coffee, taking a sip from it before dropping it on the table and directing my gaze to one of the papers that caught my attention.

“Any news about the kidnapper?”

“Not yet, but I've sent a bunch of investigators. They should bring their feedback by the end of tomorrow.” Raphael replied, his voice was a bit low this time.

“Alright, until then, everyone should be safe, including the women and the children since those are his targets. No one should wander outside the pack borders late at night. Shifting should be done within the pack, not outside the boundaries, and the guards should be doubled. We don't want any more missing people.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

“Meanwhile, are there any reports on the 2 missing people? Have they been found?”

Raphael's face was covered in a thick frown as he avoided my gaze. “Not yet, Alpha, but we are working on it.”

“It's been four fucking days and that is the response I keep getting.”

“We've sent the best trackers and they are yet to give us info. But the missing people will return, dead or alive.”

A wave of disgust hit me at Raphael's words. “I want them alive, not dead. They have families waiting for them. Is that understood?” I barked while watching him nod his head.

“Now get back to work.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

Relief washed over me as I saw him make his way to the door while I left the chair for my bed.

I couldn't wait to be left alone and dream of Marina.

“Alpha?” He called, making me upset.

“I thought this meeting was over and you were on your way out,” I said irritatedly.

“I am, but I just wanted to inform you that I have sent Lilith the house address. She would be here anytime soon.

Tension seized my heart as I sat up.

“Who the fuck is Lilith and why would she be here anytime soon?” My heart raced in anger and my fist began to tighten.

“The girl you almost hit the night we wanted to make an appearance to the pack. Remember?”

I shut my eyes for a breath moment, trying to juggle my memory when the realization hit me.

The girl that made me feel a strange sensation.

Her presence made me nervous and confused.

I didn't want her around me.

“What did you do?” My voice went gradually from a low tone into an aggressive tone, almost reverberating throughout the walls of my room.

“I offered her a job since you need a maid. She should be here anytime soon.”

“You did what?!”

Casper

My voice was like the roar of a savage wild beast, about to launch on its next prey.

Fuck Raphael!

“I don't need a fucking maid!” I lashed out, gritting my teeth in anger.

Fuck!

I hissed in anger as my chest rose and fell heavily.

“But Alpha, your last maid resigned because of the preparations for her wedding.” Raphel tried to talk me into his stupid idea.

“But she is back now. The bastard cheated on her and she called off the fucking wedding. You should have asked before you decided to do things on your own.”

My gaze met his and I shot him a stern look. “Now what would you do about the little girl you employed without my permission?”

Raphael stared at me in shock. “Without your permission? She is not employed yet, meanwhile, she has to pass an interview.”

“I don't care. Her presence is not needed.”

“But…”

“You heard me. Anna is back.” I interrupted.

“Try to understand, Alpha, I know you like your space void of people, but the workload will be too much on Anna. She can't cook, clean, do the laundry, and take care of the house at the same time. This is where Lilith takes it from her. The burden will be shared else Anna would break down,” he tried to explain.

I heaved a sigh of defeat, knowing Raphael's words were reasonable.

One person won't be able to take care of this big house.

Fuck!

I hated where this was going.

“Fine. But after Lilith, no more maids.” I warned sternly.

“Yes, Alpha.” he smiled in agreement before tucking a file under his arm.

But instead of leaving like he intended to, he remained in the room, watching me closely.

I could sense his uneasiness when his eyes landed on his wrist.

“Is there anything else? What are you waiting for?” I asked, trying to get the truth from him.

“Yes, I was waiting for the new girl. I remembered that I would be the one to interview her. She would be here in a minute. I told her to resume the 7:00 am prompt.”

I scuffed as my eyes darted to the HD wall clock before they bounced on him.

“Great. It's 6:58 am,” My voice bled with mockery. “Such an excellent timekeeper.”

“She will soon arrive.” He tried to sound convincing.

I hissed loudly before shaking my head in irritation.

“She hasn't even been employed and she is already coming late? Didn't you make it clear to her that I hate lateness and I won't tolerate it?”

If I wasn't late, Marina wouldn't have died.

I missed my twins. I missed being called ‘daddy’.

“I did, but…”

His words were cut off by the sound of a soft knock against the mahogany door.

A frown crossed my face as I shot Raphael a deadly glare.

“The interview is in my bedroom, huh?!”

“No, Alpha, I told her to wait for me downstairs, maybe Anna showed her around or she got lost while wandering around.” He tried to convince me.

“Anna should get ready to be fired if she thinks she can let a stranger into my bedroom.” I declared, using my Alpha tone.

Before the door parted open, I threw on my shirt, buttoning only a few as I didn't want any stranger drooling over my abs.

Relief coursed through me when the door opened to reveal Anna with a tray of food in her hand.

I heard Raphael release a tense sigh before leaning on the wall.

“Good morning, Alpha,” she greeted. Her voice was cracked, devoid of happiness and liveliness.

I could barely recognize it.

Her pain wafted in my nose and heartbreak oozed throughout her body.

Dark circles were glued to her eyes and I could tell she had been crying all night.

That's what she deserves for falling in love.

Love makes you weak.

Love is capable of turning a gallant soldier into a pathetic fool.

It was a curse that brought weakness.

After Marina, I would never fall in love again.

Fuck love!

Annoyed as her hands began to tremble, I took the tray from her, placing it on the table before pulling her away from me.

“Get yourself together, Anna. You are not the first person to get heartbroken and you won't be the last. I don't care if your fiance slept with your aunt a day before your wedding, I care about how you will perform your job without letting your emotions get to you.”

“If you care about this job, you better forget that douchebag and focus on it diligently. For fuck’s sake you are paid handsomely for this job so get to work!” I half-screamed as I was already pissed off.

I hope her tears didn't drop in my coffee when she was making it.

From the corner of my eyes, I could see her tear up but she quickly wiped it with the back of her palm and stifled her cry.

Better for her.

I hated emotions. It screamed weakness. And people use your weaknesses against you.

I was bitten once, but I would never be bitten again.

I rolled my eyes at the judgy look that Raphael shot at me.

I knew my words cut deep into her but I don't give a fuck.

Silence fell between us and she was about to leave.

“Anna, did you see any lady outside the estate or downstairs?” Raphael asked.

“No, sir,” she replied before bowing briefly and disappearing out of the room.

“7:20 am? I'm afraid your Lilith is not ready for this job,” I shook my head in anger, ready to dismiss Raphael so that I could wallow in my self-pity.

But then, a knock landed on my door.

Anna bursts in, panting hard.

She looked like she raced down to my room.

Her lips were filled with news.

“There is a strange lady waiting downstairs. She said she is here for her interview.”

My eyes landed on the clock before meeting Raphael’s.

“She is an hour late."

“Alpha please…” Raphael tried to convince me, but my mind was already made up.

“If you insist on making her work here, then I would make sure this is her personal hell!”