Chapter 125

Ethan

“What the hell was he thinking?” I growl, frustrated with the unethical and stupid work that Fiona’s ex-husband had done in my company. I may not have my full attention on the law firm, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t aware he’d been promoted for his work.

It didn’t bother me, since I gave the partners the authority to promote and demote who they wanted based on work ethic, but this time, they chose wrong.

Jack’s work is sloppy, lacking, and overall, not worth even a fraction of what he’s being paid.

“Here’s another case from a month ago,” Ryan announces, turning his laptop to me. “He forgot to include a key piece of evidence in his rebuttal, turning the jury against his own client. This is the third time he’s left out evidence in a larger case, not that it’s okay for any case.”

I nod, focusing back on the file I’d found.

“I found a complaint from a potential client from a little over a week ago where Jack was contacted to handle a case, but because he didn’t communicate with the client, they went elsewhere,” I tell Ryan, filing the complaint in the long line of mistakes Jack has made in the last two months.

From what Goldman said, Jack has been lacking in his work for a while, but we figured it started when he and Fiona broke up. Clearly, from the multiple cases and complaints we’ve found, it’s been going on for much longer. I’ve added Fiona’s evidence of Jack and his former secretary having an inter-office relationship to the list, which gives us more than enough reasons to get rid of him.

Honestly, I’m surprised Jack’s mistakes haven’t been brought to my attention before now. He clearly went downhill after getting promoted.

My phone buzzes at my side for what feels like the millionth time today, and I sigh. It goes to voicemail, and when I look at the screen, I find another message from one of the elders in the pack.

Picking up the device, I scroll through the messages.

Father: Answer the phone.

Father: No one will let you marry that little human.

Mother: You need to listen to your father.

Brother: Why are you trying to stir up trouble?

Mother: It’s for the good of the pack.

Elder Johnson: I left voicemails. We need to schedule a meeting.

Elder Lewis: Our meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at seven.

Father: Do not ignore me. Open the link right now!

Mother: We didn’t raise you to ignore your duties.

I scoff at the demanding messages before turning my phone over and reminding myself that I’ll deal with one thing at a time. I don’t need my hypocritical parents shoving their ideas down my throat, and until I can figure out how to convince the elders Fiona is more than an acceptable Luna, I won’t listen to their support of my parents.

“I’ll get these organized into a chronological timeline and prepare a statement for the firm. In the meantime, here’s the contact information for the client who is suing the firm,” Ryan says. He passes me the contact information and then begins gathering the papers we’ve found that detail Jack’s many, many mistakes.

I find it slightly ironic that Jack was not only lacking in his marriage, but also in his work life.

“I’ve also emailed you the necessary information to prove that Jack acted on his own, which should be more than enough proof for the client and their lawyer to focus on him instead of the firm,” Ryan says once he’s gathered all the files. I nod.

“Thanks. I’ll call and sort it out,” I tell him.

Switching tabs, I open up my email to find Ryan’s email at the top of the inbox. I quickly forward the information to the lawyer and client’s emails before picking up the phone and dialing the lawyer’s provided number.

“Smith and Johnson Law, how may I help you?” A woman asks.

“This is Ethan Montgomery of Silverclaw Company,” I introduce, letting my name sink in before adding, “I’d like to speak with Mr. James Smith.”

There’s a pause of silence before the woman stutters, “O-Of course. One moment please.”

The line goes silent for a minute before it rings twice and connects.

“This is Smith. How can I help you, Mr. Montgomery?”

“I believe you and I have a common issue to deal with, Mr. Smith. I have an employee, Mr. Jack Aldridge, at Silverclaw Law Firm that has been neglectful and lacking in his work ethic,” I tell him, sitting back in my chair. “I’ve been notified that your client had an unfortunate run in with Mr. Aldridge and is filing a lawsuit against Silverclaw. Is that right?”

“Ah, yes, sir. Mr. Aldridge broke attorney-client confidentiality.”

I hum, “I understand, and I agree that he should be punished, but Mr. Aldridge does not represent Silverclaw Law Firm, so I would like to request that the lawsuit be directed solely at Mr. Aldridge. I have emailed you a list of obstructions Mr. Aldridge has committed to having him fired from my firm, including a few that took place during your client’s case that you have not included in the lawsuit.”

Silence stretches through the phone and then I hear tapping. I assume he’s opening his email, so I wait.

After a few minutes, the man returns.

“I see, Mr. Montgomery. It’s quite a long list of grievances, isn’t it?” He questions.

I agree with him, before he continues, “I will have my client look over the information you’ve sent and contact you soon with our decision.”

My phone begins buzzing with a new call.

“Thank you.”

After hanging up, I stare at my buzzing phone for a brief moment before flipping it over. Mrs. Denton’s name pops up on the screen, and my wolf sits up at attention.

“Answer it!” He howls.

Chuckling, I do as he says and answer the call.

“Mrs. Denton, is everything okay?” I ask. She doesn’t usually call unless there’s an emergency. She said it’s out of respect for my time, which I always say can be interrupted by her. As the only human in my pack, I want her to feel comfortable, and as a woman I like and respect, I want her to feel she can come to me for help if she needs it.

“Everything is fine, dear. I told you to call me Marie,” she says softly, her tone calm and steady. My wolf settles at her voice, knowing there’s nothing wrong. “I just wanted to call and tell you how proud of you I am.”

Warmth immediately floods into my chest at her words, unknowingly longing to hear the words from someone.

“You went with your instinct and followed your heart to refuse the Midnight Pack’s marriage alliance. That took a lot of strength and courage, honey.”

“She’s my mate. I couldn’t reject her, and I don’t want to,” I tell her honestly. I’ve never asked her how she felt about being the only human, but now, I wonder about it. Will Fiona feel isolated?

Is she going to regret being with me if it takes a while for everyone to accept her as my Luna?

“What are you thinking so hard about?” Mrs. Denton- Marie- asks.

“Have you ever felt isolated in the pack? I was wondering, but I realized I never asked,” I tell her, hoping she never felt that way.

A light tinkle of laughter rings through the phone before she says, “No, honey. You’ve always been incredibly welcoming in your own way, and don’t forget about how your little wolf is so soft on me.”

“Yeah,” I chuckle. “Zev is definitely soft on you, and now on Fiona.”

“Zev?”

“It’s the name Fiona gave my wolf,” I clarify, making her laugh again.

Again, the sound sends a calm through me, allowing me to forget about my problems for a moment. Is this what it’s like to have an attentive and caring mother?

“That’s sweet. I can’t wait to meet her, Ethan. When do you think she’ll get to come to the pack?”

“Not until I’ve taken care of things here with the hospital and only when I know my parents and the elders won’t try to force her out,” I answer, running a hand through my hair. My father would definitely have an aneurism if I brought Fiona home.

I can only imagine how furious he’d be or what he would do in response.

“I understand. Well, I’ll let you get back to work because I know you’re a busy man and don’t have much time to talk,” she says softly, her tone tinted with a hint of concern. The sound pulls my wolf forward, making him growl and speak for me.

“I’ve always got time for you,” Zev says on a rumble.

“Yes, yes, I know, but you should go to your mate,” she says with a little laugh. “Good night, honey.”

“Good night, Marie.”

With that conversation over, I shut off my monitor, grab my things, and head out. She’s right. I should be with my mate and not worrying about my father so late at night.