Chapter 8: An Unknown Protector

“Status?” Ash questioned as he walked out the front doors of his office, a briefcase in hand with his suit jacket over top of it as he made his way to his car. A sigh came from the other end of the phone as he had tossed his stuff into the passenger side and got in, starting the car up, he opted to switch over to bluetooth connection instead.

“She’s fine. Heading into an opposing company’s building… Looks like she’s dressed up for an interview there instead. Why are you so obsessed with tracking her movements?” One of his best men, Russell, had finally asked after a beat of silence.

Without even thinking about it, his wolf had answered for him. “She is my mate, and I want to make sure that she is protected…” Ash cleared his throat, forcing the mutt to give back control as he huffed in annoyance. “Ignore that. That was my wolf speaking without permission. Minus that little fact… We are trying to keep track of her so we know exactly where she is planning to hit next. Is her friend's computer running? And have they noticed the spyware that you’ve implemented into it yet?”

“No, nothing yet. I don’t think they even realized they’re being monitored.” Russell chuckled. “So, fated mates then with that girl? Ya know… The one who’s kind of our enemy?”

A low warning growl came from Ash. “Apparently my stupid wolf thinks so. I don’t think it’s up to just him on who we keep as our mate.” Even as he said that, he felt his chest tighten at the words, he wanted someone, but in his position, it just wasn’t a good idea until things had settled down.

“It’s a shame, if the circumstances would have been different, I think the two of you could’ve made a pretty good team. Especially with how ruthless she seems with getting in contact with you.” Russell snickered before silence enveloped them.

“Still there?” Ash questioned as he pulled into the driveway of the packhouse. “Russell?” He questioned further but the line had gone dead. Glancing at his phone, he cursed when he had noted the lack of connection.

Once he was inside the house, and finally had a decent internet connection again, he called Russell. “Sorry, the connection out here gets… Weird sometimes.” He mumbled quietly.

“Thank goodness it was just that. I was about ready to send out every person that we had to go and get you.” Russell sighed in relief. “Good talk. Don’t do it again, I have other things to get to so… I’ll touch base with you sometime soon.”

“Got it. Thanks.” He clicked the end call button and set down his briefcase, the house was oddly quiet for the time of day.

“Anyone home?” He called out, his senses going on high alert as he hung up his jacket and then glanced around, nothing was disturbed, not that he could see. But that didn’t mean anything, to him he knew that most attacks were silent.

When he didn’t get a response, he made his way upstairs, glancing around before noting his office door was cracked open. A warning growl escaped him before he could stop it as he pushed the door open slowly, relief washing over him when he saw Liam sitting at his desk.

“What do you think you’re doing here Liam?” He questioned heavily, causing the beta to nearly jump out of his skin.

“I was just doing research! I swear!” The panic that filled Liam’s eyes told him otherwise, he glanced at the computer screen, seeing nothing of importance except for a few recipes on how to bake a decent birthday cake.

“I trust you.” Ash mused. “But if you’re really going to be planning a birthday party, then I suggest not using my computer to do so. And red velvet is my favorite.” He snickered as he set the rest of his stuff down, a huff coming from Liam.

“Well, I didn’t expect you to be home yet.” Liam grumbled as he then turned and made his way out the door, leaving Ash in peace with his thoughts.

Sitting at his desk, he closed out of the tabs Liam had left open before opening a program to see what Thea was up to exactly. He sighed, there were no signs of movement since the conversation with Russell. He assumed that meant that she had gotten the job and was offered to start the same day.

“I’ll keep watching out for you, even if you hate me.” He said quietly to himself. “I’m doing this to protect you, you have a target on your back now…” He hated that he felt the need to protect her, like he wasn’t satisfied unless he knew that she was okay. He had grown up believing that the mating bond only weakens a wolf, it was the downfall of his parents and their love for each other is what caused them to be reckless and get killed… But… Maybe it was different now. He ignored the thought, shutting down his computer and heading into his bedroom to read and decompress.

***

THREE WEEKS LATER

Ash had made sure that every bad thing that could’ve possibly happened in Thea’s plan to take down his number one opponent went as smoothly as possible without fail. Ultimately, in the end he was rewarded with the downfall of the enemy company. Even though she didn’t know who had been secretly helping her behind the scenes, she still had sent him a message the night that the news had been spread.

‘Still think I can’t take you down?’ Is what the message had said with the news article attached. A chuckle had come from him as he had read over the message again, and again until he had finally decided to respond to her taunt.

‘Still think I’m the bad guy huh? Well, I welcome you to give it another shot.’ He had watched as the typing had appeared and disappeared multiple times as though she was trying to figure out something to say to him, but in the end, didn’t and instead he was met with radio silence.