Chapter 134

Fiona

Glancing over my shoulder, I try to shake the feeling of being watched, but ever since I saw those pictures, I can’t get rid of the feeling. My fingers tighten around my phone, ready to call Ethan if anything happens.

Isla guides us through the restaurant, a much calmer and nicer setting than the club we went to last time. However, it doesn’t offer much help to ease my nerves.

My stalker could be anywhere. They could be watching me right now, and I would never know it.

Once we make it to our table, I shoot off a quick update to Ethan, letting him know we’ve arrived. I also tell him nothing has happened since I saw him. It was one of the conditions of letting me go out tonight. The first was that we were to be in contact throughout the night in case anything happened, and the second was to have a tracking app on my phone so he could know where I was if I didn’t answer the phone or message him.

He assured me he could use his senses, but the tracking app was my idea. It helped me feel a bit better about leaving. Though, I know he’ll be here if I need him. Somehow and some way, he’ll find me.

“Are you listening, Fiona?” Isla asks, making me look up. Our waiter stands beside the table, waiting for me.

“Oh, um…”

“Your drink?” The waiter asks, and I nod. Of course.

“Water, please.”

“I’ll be back soon to take your orders.”

With that, he leaves, and I look up to find Isla watching me. Her confused and worried expression makes guilt gnaw at my stomach. We were supposed to come out to have fun, and I’ve practically ignored her the entire time.

“Are you okay, girl?” She asks, grabbing my hand and my attention.

I open my mouth to tell her I’m fine, but everything comes pouring out.

“No, I have a stalker who keeps sending me gifts and creepy pictures. I don’t know who it is or how they keep getting these gifts into my workplace, but they keep showing up,” I tell her, squeezing her hand for comfort. “I feel like someone is going to jump out at any minute and grab me, so my heart is pounding, and it’s getting hard to breathe.”

“Woah, woah, hold on,” she gasps. “What? Why didn’t you say anything before? We could’ve stayed home—”

“It wouldn’t have made a difference, Isla. They took pictures of me in your guest room,” I croak, my eyes burning with unshed tears.

“Have you contacted the police?”

“No. Ethan said he was going to take care of it,” I answer. “Ryan is looking for anything he can find at the company, and as soon as they get something, I’m sure they’ll take it to the police.”

She nods and reaches across the table, pulling me into a hug.

“Anything you need, just tell me. Okay?”

Nodding, I lean into her warm embrace and try to ignore the tingling at the back of my neck.

“Look who it is,” a haughty voice sneers. “The little bitch who thinks she’s more important than a lifelong bond of friendship.”

Sighing, I turn and glare at Angela. The last thing I want to do today is listen to her whining.

Does she not have anything better to do than bother me? We’ve only made it to lunchtime, so she has to have work to do. Though, it wouldn’t surprise me if she’s slacking off. She has that holier-than-thou entitled nature because her parents are apparently important.

She crosses her arms over her chest, her hip jutting out to the side as she looks me up and down with disgust.

“What? Cat got your tongue?” Angela asks with a smirk. “You had plenty to say the last time we talked. What happened now? Are you realizing that Ethan won’t be with you much longer and you’ll lose all your backing?”

“No, Angela, I was just thinking… something you don’t seem to be good at if memory serves,” I snip. She gasps, and I briefly have the thought that maybe she is my stalker. She could be sending the gifts and pictures to scare me away, hoping it’ll make me run so that she can have Ethan all to herself.

That could also be how the sender avoids being seen. If they work here, they know where the cameras are and have badges to get into the building. They would know their way around and could easily leave the packages at the front desk, mail room, or on Patrice’s cart.

However, Angela seems to have a much more direct approach when dealing with things or people she doesn’t like.

“You should take my warning, little human, and stay away from Ethan,” she growls, shoving lightly at my shoulder. “Our world will never accept you as a Luna.”

Turning, I walk toward the elevator that goes to Ethan’s office, trying to ignore the annoying buzz of Angela’s voice.

“Someone of my status and nature would be a much better match for an Alpha and a King. Sooner or later, Ethan will realize that you aren’t a good fit, and he’ll leave. He won’t let you drag him down and keep him from glory,” she nags as I push the elevator button.

The numbers count down slowly, taking forever to get to us, and as soon as they do, I step into he elevator.

“As lovely as this conversation is, Angela, some of us have work to do. So, do me a favor and bother someone else,” I tell her. She gapes at me, her mouth dropping open in shock. Either I didn’t react in the frightened way she wanted, or she expected me to stay and listen to her nonsense.

When I reach the office, Ethan is back from his lunch with the department heads and is sitting at my desk.

“Hi,” I greet, confused as to why he’s here and not in his office.

“Hi.”

“Is something wrong?” I ask. My mind immediately flies to my stalker, thinking he could have some information.

“Nothing wrong, exactly, but I do have to leave and go back home,” he answers, turning to me fully. I let him pull me closer by my waist and wait for him to explain. “The Lycan King selection process starts soon, so I need to go home to receive the invitation. I can’t let my elders accept it on my behalf as that would be considered rude to the King.”

I nod, but a sliver of fear worms its way into my heart.

“How long will you be gone?”

“Two days at least. Maybe more if there are any complications,” he says.

My heart drops into my stomach, fear and sadness warring with each other for control. I know this is a huge part of his life. It’s something he’s been preparing for his entire life, so I couldn’t ask him to stay even if I want to.

Taking a breath, I pull my big girl panties up and focus. I can be away from him for two days.

Forty-eight hours isn’t that long, and he’ll be back before I know it. Plus, Ryan will be here. I won’t be totally alone. I can work, hang out with Isla, and relax at night while he’s gone. Everything will be fine.

“I want you to work with Ryan while I’m away,” Ethan says, making me look down at him. “I’ve given him all the details, but I’m putting you and him in charge of connecting with two of our major partners in the hospital project. You two will take my place in meetings and anything important that pops up while I’m gone. Can you do that for me?”

“You trust me enough to help Ryan with everything?” I didn’t expect him to put me half in charge while he’s away.

“Technically, my instructions to Ryan were to give you a change to be in charge with him as your help.”

My stomach lurches. He put me fully in charge?! I can’t imagine that’s a great idea. I’ve never un a company before. What is he thinking? What if I can’t do something or I break some kind of taboo which offends someone?

“Hey,” Ethan murmurs, taking my face in his hands. “Don’t freak out. I know you can do this, Fiona. Your determination and work ethic have already proved you’ll do well, so think of this as a trial run for when you become my Luna. It’ll be good experience.”

His words warm the cold anxiety inside me like they always do. Ethan always knows exactly what to say to make me feel better.

“Which companies will I meet with?” I ask, hoping I can fill the shoes he’s leaving behind. Ethan smiles, squeezes my hips, and launches into an explanation.

“There’s a Children’s group called Heaven’s Blessings, that takes in sick and orphaned children. Two of their children have been through our program before but I keep my eye on them and get them the help they need when they need it. You will check in with the administrator to see if they have any children who need help,” he tells me, making me wonder if he has letters from an of these kids.

“The other is company is our main correspondence at the moment who helps us raise funds to build the children’s hospital. We should be meeting with them to plan our next fund raiser, which I want you to be part of,” he adds, smiling. “And don’t worry. Ryan will be with you, and when I come back, we will work on things together.”

“O-okay. I think I can do this.”

“I know you can. Have confidence in your skills, Fiona.”

Nodding, I lean in and hug him. Maybe if I hold on tightly, he won’t disappear for good.