Free Web NovelChapter 22: Chapter 22
Nathan’s POV
I was in my office at Hemsworth Group, listening to Collins my beta speak. He said something that caused my wolf to stir.
"So, a janitor stole my grandmother’s ring?" My voice came out low and calm.
My grandmother came back few days ago after spending several years abroad. She left after my mother and her daughter passed away. She was too heartbroken to stay here.
When I got married to Aria five years ago, she sent her goodwill to me and has since been disturbing me for grandchildren.
Now she is finally back to taunt me as much as she can.
Collins straightened, nerves shining in his voice. "Alpha Nathan, be rest assured. Since it involves Luna Jennifer, the police have assigned an officer to handle it specially. According to Luna Jennifer’s maid, Lucy, the ring has been recovered."
Recovered? My instincts pricked.
"But," Collins continued, rubbing at his nose, "it wasn’t the police who found it. Another janitor did."
Collins’s rushed through the rest. "That janitor set a trap to catch the thief and got Luna Jennifer’s ring back. Luna Jennifer took a liking to her because of it. And... well, funny enough, sir, you know her. She’s the one you sponsored after your car splashed her with dirty water, the janitor who brings her baby to work." freёwebnovel.com
Recognition slammed into me.
"Oh, it was her," I murmured.
I turned to the floor-to-ceiling window, the city sprawling beneath me like prey under a hunter’s watch. My tall and lean reflection looked back at me. But behind my own eyes, my wolf paced, it was restless.
I remembered that day, outside the prison when I had caught a glimpse of her in that bus. She had been holding a baby and whispering something soft against its tiny ear.
When my car had splashed her later, she hadn’t flinched for herself. She’d twisted, fast and in a protective manner, every movement screaming instinct. She was a picture of a mother guarding her cub.
I’d seen hundreds of women. But her? There was something raw about her. Something untamed. It unsettled me then, and it unsettled me now.
Why though? There are thousands of sad stories in this city. People groveling, breaking and surviving. I’d built an empire by learning to tune them out. Yet I couldn’t tune her out.
I’d told myself my donation had been an act of fairness. A small correction. But I knew the truth, it had been instinct. For some reason, I wanted her safe.
And now, hearing about her again, that same feeling burned in my chest.
"What’s her name?" I asked, then I shook my head. "Never mind. She’s just a single-mother janitor. Since she helped my grandmother, call her supervisor. Make sure she and her pub aren’t bullied. That’s the least she deserves."
"Yes, Alpha," Collins replied. He hesitated before adding, "About the donation you made last time — the Community Board supervisor said the janitor recorded a thank-you video. It’s in your email. The PR team asked if we should feature it publicly."
I clenched my jaw.
"No need," I said curtly. I didn’t need her face paraded for clicks and gossip.
My finger hovered over the mouse, the cursor gliding over the email marked "Thank You." Then I clicked delete. The message vanished into the trash.
I stood, straightening my jacket and walked out of my office. Collins closed the office door behind me and together, we headee towards the meeting room.
*****
The meeting soon ended.
From the corner of my eye, I watched Collins step aside to make a call, his voice was low but efficient as he relayed my orders to someone. A woman named Frances. He instructed her that the janitor and her daughter were to be treated with respect. No bullying and no exploitation.
Collins made yet another call to someone named Kevin.
For some reason I couldn’t quite name, I listened in on his call with my sharp ears. I could hear the man’s tone on the other end of the call, It sounded too eager, too oily. It was the kind of voice that smiled before you even saw the face. I’d known men like him all my life. They are weak, and opportunistic, loyal only to the scent of power.
"Mr. Collins! Something up? Does Alpha Nathan have special orders?"
I leaned back in my chair, my fingers wrapped loosely around my coffee cup. Steam curled up, faintly carrying the aroma of roasted beans and porcelain. My wolf didn’t care for caffeine, but the ritual of it kept the beast still.
Collins’s voice took on a firm professional tone unique among my staff. "Kevin, Alpha Nathan does have instructions. That janitor and her kid are under your management. Alpha Nathan wants you to look out for them.
"Don’t let anyone bully that single mom or her child. Help them when you can. Do it well, and if Alpha Nathan is pleased, a good word from him might mean another promotion before you retire. Understood?"
There was a pause. The sound of stunned silence on the other end. Then Kevin stammered something about family and loyalty, his tone practically dripping submission.
Collins ended the call, satisfaction rolling off him like heat.
When he glanced at me, I was already watching him.
He froze for a moment, unsure of my mood.
I took a slow sip of coffee, the warmth steadying me, masking the faint growl rising in my throat.
He’d done as I’d asked. Perfectly, even.
But part of me still bristled. There was something about that man Kevin that rubbed me the wrong way. My instincts didn’t like him.
Collins rubbed the bridge of his nose, shifting nervously. I’ve done everything right, I could almost hear him thinking.
I looked away. "Relax, Collins," I thought silently. "If I wanted your head, you’d already know."
Instead of saying those words, I gave him a nod and he instantly relaxed.
"What about the person I asked you to find?" I asked sternly, setting the cup down.
Collins straightened.
He knew I was talking about my Luna, Aria and was about to say something when suddenly, his phone rang.
