Chapter 0129
Karl
The mahogany door clicks shut behind me as I step into the conference room.
Members of the council, influential businessmen and entrepreneurs who hold significant power in the
hanging in the air, but right now, my thoughts are preupied with something—or rather, someone—
else.
Before I can approach the table, my secretary, Gianna, is waiting by the door for me. “Good morning,
Alpha Karl,” she says, her voice low and even as usual. “Nice to see you after all this time.”
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I nod as I slip my jacket off and hang it on the hook. “I’m d to be back.”
“And you’re staying, I presume?” she asks, her eyes glinting with something unreadable.
For a moment, I feel almost like I’m being put on the spot. The others are preupied with their
preparations, but Gianna’s gaze is unwavering. I always knew that she disapproved of my… adventure
out to the city to win Abby back, but there’s something else in her gaze. Something I can’t quite put my
finger on.
“We’ll see,” I say, trying to be vague.
Gianna blinks slowly before handing me the meeting’s agenda in a leather bound folder. As she does,
our fingers brush, and she leans in.
“Sir, I know this might not be my ce, but I heard that your… ex-wife is staying with you. Is that
correct?”
Her sudden choice of words gives me pause, especially in this setting. Slowly turning to face her, I can’t
help but notice a subtle furrow of her brows, a tightening around her eyes. “And if she is, would that be
that a problem?” I ask, keeping my voice neutral.
“No, not a problem,” she says, but her hesitation tells me otherwise. “Just… be careful around her, Karl.
You know how things were.”
I look at her squarely. “Abby never cheated on me. The gardener manipted the situation. Let’s not
forget that.”
Gianna’s expression shifts, a hint of guilt shing across her eyes, but before I can question it further,
the room settles into a hushed silence, signaling the meeting''smencement. Gianna takes her seat,
and I push my concerns aside, focusing on the task at hand.
“Let’s get started,” I say, scanning the room. “First on the agenda—”
The meeting progresses smoothly enough. Various issues are discussed: business acquisitions,
investment opportunities,munity initiatives. But it’s thest item on the agenda that makes my
stomach tighten.
My brother’s condition.
“As you all may know,” the local renowned physician and member of the council, Dr. Thompson,
begins, “your brother may be waking up from hisa soon. How does that affect your position as
Alpha?”
All eyes are on me, probing, scrutinizing. I maintain myposure. “I wee it. If he wakes up,
maybe a little friendlypetition for the role of Alpha wouldn’t be a bad thing.” Of course, my words
are couched in a hint of humor. But at the same time, I can’t entirely deny the fact that there’s a bit of
truth behind my words.
I’ve been the Alpha here for years. No matter how much I love my brother, I won’t give up my position
so easily. And besides, who’s to say that he’ll even be physically able to lead our pack?
A low murmur courses through the room at my words. Then Mark, a council member who’s always
been vocal about his opinions, speaks up.
“But you’ve been working at a restaurant in the city, haven’t you, Karl?” he asks.
I shrug. “That is correct,” I say. “And what of it?”
Mark pauses, then shoots me an apprehensive look. “Perhaps being Alpha isn’t your top priority.”
The words hang heavy in the air, and I can feel the atmosphere shift, the tension climbing up a notch. I
look him straight in the eyes.
“My reasons for working there are not up for discussion,” I say, letting my words cut through the room
like a knife. “Meeting adjourned.”
There’s a collective rustling as the council members gather their papers and stand, exchanging curt
nods and stiff handshakes as they leave the room. I stay seated for a moment longer, letting the weight
of the meeting sink in.