His Mate, His Girlfriend

Bonus Chapter 24

" So, Mr. CEO. How's work going?" I asked. Ever since his father called, he had seemed a bit worried, even though he wasn't showing it.

" Pesky, but it's alright," he was dismissive of the topic,

" How was your day? Did you-"

" I want to listen to your work," I interrupted him. He sighed and glanced at me warningly, but I pouted and batted my lashes to encourage him.

" We are working on a new project. It's essential and went well until a few investors pulled out at the last minute. A traitor in the company, but we have it under control," he said confidently. He told me more about his business. Chuck Arrow was a confident businessman. I see why he accumulated so much wealth at such a young age of 32. He was brilliant and had charm. I watched as he discussed his projects and not only that, but he was also a philanthropist.

" Hmm. One of my brothers is looking to invest in the next big thing. I can have you two meet if you want," I offered. He seemed to consider that for a while, and before he could respond, the servers brought the food.

It all looks so delicious. This would go so well with blood.

We talk, laugh, and discuss other things as we eat. I was glad I accepted his invitation to dinner.

" So, baby girl, who are you running from?" he asked, making me choke on my food. He looked at me with concern, his hand gently rubbing over mine.

" Have some water, please."

I did that and asked, " Why do you think I'm running?"

" I don't know if you remember, but you mentioned you were nursing a heartbreak. I think you had too many shots."

I frowned. I remember having too many drinks once when I visited the city with him. I was in my feelings, but he was drunk, too, so I didn't think he'd remember.

" My boyfriend and I didn't end things on a good note, so it's tough to move on," I confessed.

" I do hope you can move on soon or find closure," he said.

" I hope so," I turned my gaze away.

Chuck changed the topic, and we discussed other matters, lighter things about my day and what I did. Before I knew it, the sadness I had started feeling was gone as I told him about my pet chicken. It's so dense.

" Why can't we just eat it again?" he chuckled, and I slightly touched his hand. Ever since I found the rooster in the forest, he's wanted to eat it.

" He's like my child!"

" Who names their child Dumber?" he scowled. The name reminded me of what Aerys called Athena.

" You've seen that chicken. He's so dumb," I answered.

" Remember when he almost drowned in the river? I have a feeling it wanted to commit suicide."

" He just wanted to drink water, but the current was strong," I defended, rolling my eyes.

" He went back there five times in ten minutes, Elizabeth."

I was smiling as we went back home. The dinner was delightful, and the company was great. Chuck took me back home after midnight. He refused to come in.

" Thank you. I had such a lovely night," I told him.

" You're welcome. Thank you, too, for coming out with me. You are good company."

He leaned down and politely kissed my cheek. Then he pulled away and looked into my eyes. His stare was intense. He stroked my cheek before opening the door to my house.

" Have a good rest... Baby girl,"

" You, too, baby boy,"

He beamed, and I ran inside, locking the door. I laughed when I heard him scream,

" Yes! I did it!"

Aerys

I woke up to a beautiful morning. The sun was hitting my skin through the open curtain. I was excited today. Odd. I looked in the mirror and realized Alec was right. The beard was too long. I decided to shave and go to the bathroom. After my shower, I packed for my three-day trip to Oregon.

My lycan, Aire, was suddenly thrilled in my mind. He spent a year snarling and resenting me for kicking our mate away, but today, he talks to me without growls.

After getting ready, I went downstairs. Tonga and Coswell were eagerly waiting, bags packed. They wanted to come because they were bored. Once settled in, we went to the plane hangar and took off. I got my laptop and started reviewing our business with Arrow Corp. Their company was doing well, too. The pictures were of the new project we presented a year ago. After discussing it more with Alec, I shut my laptop.

I looked out the window. " Are you alright, alpha?" Alec asked, concerned about me. He was always concerned; I'm sure he knew how much I missed Elizabeth.

'' Where do you think she is?" I didn't need to mention her name to know who I was talking about.

" Probably traveling the world to forget her pain," he shrugged. I felt my eyes water. I caused Elizabeth so much pain. I shouldn't have. However, the evidence was overwhelming, and if I hadn't kicked her out, the council would have made things difficult for her with the evidence. I want to take back my actions and stand my ground.

" I was quick to condemn her," I sensed Tonga's glare at me after I said that. I couldn't look at her. She told me countless times we blamed her too harshly.

" If you saw her today, what would you do?" Coswell asked, joining our conversation.

" I- I want her," I told him truthfully.

I closed my eyes, and images of Elizabeth flashed through my head. Her delicate smile, her voice, kisses, and those eyes that drive me crazy when I look into them. Aerys, she would call my name in a smooth tone.

We arrived in Oregon in four hours and went straight to our hotel. After refreshing, we all met in the hotel lobby.

" Our meeting with Alpha Arrow is tomorrow morning. Later, there will be a party for their company, and some Alphas in the country will be in attendance," Alec told us.

" I hear Alpha Arrow has the biggest and wealthiest pack in this country," Tonga said.

" So, tonight, we party!" Coswell says, keen. Everyone was thrilled to come here.

Coswell

I was in a club with my friends, partying. As usual, Aerys looked lost and sad, ignoring the women hovering over him. Since Elizabeth left, it's been customary for him to disassociate. He misses her deeply. He doesn't believe all that evidence presented, but it was there, and sending her away was the only way to protect her from the council. They could have killed her. They look at the evidence and judge.

My eyes glanced at the dance floor. My brother, Alec, and Tonga were dancing closely. The two of them have been inseparable since they mated at sixteen. I always wanted what they had, but I was twenty-five and mateless, so I gave up on finding a mate. Maybe she died or is living oceans away from me.

I focused on the woman I was entertaining. She suggested we go to dance. As I danced, suddenly, my lycan stirred in my head. He was excited.

' What is it?' I asked him.

' Get away from the woman you are dancing with,' he said.

' Why,'

' Just do it,' he growled.

I reluctantly pulled away, making the woman I was dancing with a frown. She tried to pull me closer to her by the collar, but my lycan lunged forward and growled at her, making her run away because of my aura.

Just then, the atmosphere changed, and I smelled the most intoxicating scent in the world. My head turned towards the entrance, and my heart stopped momentarily when my eyes landed on the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen.