Chapter 42. The ck Thing
Avalyn
Nik led me to a huge room where lots and lots of people were sitting and a many more were even
standing at the back. There was a cameraman standing in the middle and filming us too. There was a
live.
We entered from one of the side doors and he extended his hand, which I took, and he led me up the
stage. Everyone weed us with a warm round of apuse which made me blush.
After they quietened, Nik started. "Good afternoon everyone. First, I would like to thank you all for all
your handwork that has helped us be of of the top MNC''s in the the world today. And for the
outstanding profits thepany has earned for the year 2018." He smiled at everyone.
Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.
The crowd broke into another apuse, louder than the other one.
"I would like to introduce my wife, Avalyn Volkov." He pressed his hand on my lower back. "She is now
officially one of the owners of Volkov Corps. You will have to listen to her boss around just as much as I
do now." He chuckled as everyone broke intoughter and another hearty apuse which led me to
blush again as I smiled widely at everyone.
Nik had his way of charming people. People just liked him naturally. It wasn''t just the looks, it was his
aura, his style, the way he talked, the way he smiled. I knew he was closed off most of the time,
especially with strangers. But inside that mask, he was a man with a big heart. He would never wish ill
of someone. At least not until they mess up.
"Thepany''s CEO,te Mr. Christian Fallon was found dead because of an animal attack. It was a
very sad time for all of us and I know the wholepany mourned his loss. He was a great man. May
he rest in peace." Everyone murmured ''may he rest in peace'' after him.
"Mr. George Colby, the COO stepped up as the stand in CEO." He gave a pointed look to a man in the
front row who was shifting in his seat. "In that duration, twenty million dors were transferred to some
unknown ount in the Swiss bank. Did you know this?"
The man looked ufortable as he stood up and the camera focused on him. "We had no control
over it, Mr. Volkov. Someone had hacked into our system and wired it. I have our finance and IT team
still working on it."
"Why was I not informed as soon as it happened?" Nik asked, an undertone of anger in his voice.
"We thought we had it under control." He gave theme reply.?
"That does not mean that you will not inform me of the happenings in mypany. Were any other
chief officers informed?" Nik asked.
"Mr. Powley and Mrs. Heath knew." He replied, sounding ashamed.
"Very well. I would like to make major structural changes right now. Mr. Colby, you are fired."
Gasps shot out in the room.
"Mr. Powley, Mrs. Heath, you are fired too." He said, silencing the room.
A man shot out of his seat. "You can''t fire people like that, Mr.Volkov."
"I can and I will. I am the Chairperson and I own thepany. I do not tolerate this kind of behaviour,?
Mr. Heath. As a matter of fact, what steps have you taken as a CIO?" He arched his brow.
"We have registered aint but the ount isn''t traceable. There is nothing more we can do." He
replied.
"That is not the answer you give when such a big amount is at stake." He gave a sharp look to the
man. "You are fired too."
Everyone looked terrified now. Nik was firing people felt and right. This won''t be good for thepany.
There can''t be an uncertainty in apany like this. But this sort of information should not have been
hidden either.
I ced my hand on his arm. He needed to calm down.
"Anyone who knew about this but did not raise their voice or inform Niki, please stand up." I said,
silencing the room.
"Stand up and you only loose your job here. Or else I will find out my way and you might find it difficult
to find a job elsewhere too." Nik looked calm right now but I felt his anger through our bond. I grabbed
his hand and rubbed circles to calm him down.
Slowly, a few people stood up.
"The entire team of Chief officers, I see. All of you are fired and you can leave now." He said and gave
a meaningful look to the guard standing at the doors.
Some ashamed and some arrogant, the people who were standing left the room.
All the employees were holding their breath for his next move. There was pin drop silence and
everyone watched Nik with rapt attention.
"Everyone in thepany is granted a promotion. The new chief officers, please stand up."
Everyone was shell-shocked. I would haveughed at everyone''s expressions if it wasn''t such a
serious matter.
Slowly, a few people got up, looking at each other inconspicuously but I caught it. I don''t think they
believed this happened.
"If you would have been in your previous boss''s position, what would have you all done?" He looked at
every standing person in the eye.
"We would have informed you." A man in histe forties spoke.
Nik nodded. "And what would your next course of action would be to get the money back, considering
all the facts you were told some time ago?"
They all remained quiet. Thinking.
A hand shot up in the crowd that was sitting.
Nik nodded at him and the man stood up. A smile grew on my face when I saw it was Ethan. "If
someone took my money, I would not sit quietly, Sir. If someone can wire our money to another
ount, I think we should do the same. Especially when the authorities can''t help us."
A daring answer.
"That is not what an honourable man with morals would do." Nik studied him and then turned his gaze
back to the newly appointed Chief Officers. It wasn''t just immoral, it was illegal too.
"I''m a businessman too, Sir. And it won''t be an immoral thing if its taking back my own money." Ethan
said, bringing our attention back to him.
"What''s your name?" Nik asked.
"Ethan Lesley." He replied.
"What''s your job in thepany, right now?" Nik asked again. I had a hitch where Nik was going with
this.
"I''m a business analyst." He replied.
"Ethan, my man,e up on the stage." Niki beckoned him here.
Ethan didn''t seem as confident as before when he walked here. He climbed up on the stage and gave
me a shaky smile before he looked up at Nik.
"Employees of Volkov Corp., I present you the new CEO, Ethan Lesley. Along with that, I announce a
ten percent increment in everyone''s sry." Nik announced.
Thirty secondster, the room burst into apuse and cheers.?
Ethan looked shocked. He looked at me with his eyes wide, as if asking if its real.
"Congrattions." I grinned at him and extended my hand.
"Thanks, Avalyn." He smiled in shock.
"We will discuss the rest in my office. Congrattions on your new job Lesley." Nik shook his hand.
"Thank you so much for the opportunity, Mr. Volkov." Ethan shook his hand heartily.
Nik nodded at him.
"Thank you all for attending the meeting, you may return to your jobs now." Nik announced and
grabbed my hand, leading me out as Ethan followed behind closely.
The elevator ride was short and silent as we made our way to Nik''s office.
Nik sat in his chair and Ethan and I sat in the ones across from him.
"Mr. Lesley, you will be under probation period for six months. Since this role is new for you, you can
take all the help you need from the new Chief Officers and my personal assistant, Ross." Nik told him.
"Please call me Ethan. And I will do my best to fit in the role, Sir. I''m ecstatic to start my new job." His
smile was infectious and I smiled back at him.
"Let''s see if your attitude about the job remains the same in six months. Good luck, Ethan. You may
move your belongings to your new office." Nik nodded, dismissing him.
Ethan stood up, "thank you for the opportunity again, Mr. Volkov," and with a warm smile in my
direction, he left.
"You know him?" Nik asked beckoning me towards him with his finger.
"He helped me with the photocopy machine and then helped me to find Mason Lockwood and Sylvia." I
replied as I walked to him.
"Helped or flirted?" He tugged me down on hisp.
"Not everyone finds me attractive enough to flirt." I yed with the knot of his tie.
"That''s where you are wrong. You are the most beautiful women I''ve seen." He kissed my mark.
"I doubt so." He was my mate. He is supposed to find me attractive. And I saw Sylvia. He had been
with her...I wasn''t prettier than her. I had no misconceptions about my beauty.
"You are a natural beauty. He trailed his finger on my eyes, nose and lips, "all this is real", his finger
trailed down my neck and circled my breasts, "and this is real too", his finger rested above my heart,
"and this is more beautiful than anything I have ever seen."
I blushed. "You are too sweet."
"I''m not sweet." A growl reverberated through his chest that shook me.
I giggled. "Whatever you say."?
"And Sylvia didn''t mean anything. No girl I''ve been with means?anything."?He said seriously.
"I know." I replied. I had epted it. He was a handsome man and girls fawned over him. And he was
a hot-blooded man. A man with needs. I understood that.
He kissed my mark again. "You should go take a shower. We are going to have visitors."
"Who ising?" I asked.
"Maximilian and Natalia." He replied.
"Natalia?" I grinned and got off hisp. It had been so long since I had seen her. And she was
kidnapped. I had heard she was fine but I wanted to see for myself.
"Yes." He chuckled at my excitement. "So get your ass in the shower before theye. I don''t want
anyone else smelling you like this." He pped by ass, sending me to the bathroom.
I rushed to the attached bathroom and closed the door behind me. I was impressed that an office
bathroom had a shower ce. I removed my dress and folded it neatly, cing it in one of the drawers
so it wouldn''t get wet. I took an extra towel and hung it on the handle of the shower cabin''s door.
I hopped into the shower and diligentlythered myself with the body wash so I only smelt of the soap
and me. After I was done, I patted myself dry and wore the dress again. I stepped out of the shower
and walked to Niki.
He was typing something on theputer which seemed too important and stressful. I ced my
hands on his shoulders and started massaging his stiff muscles.
He groaned, rotating his neck. "Thanks, Love." He murmured as he kept typing.
"Anytime, Nik." I smiled even though he couldn''t see me.
I stopped when my fingers started aching. It was just when he finished typing.
He stood up from his chair and paced in the room a bit, looking worried for some reason.
"What happened?" I asked.
"I''m meeting Maximilian after a long time. And the way we partedst time wasn''t a...proper goodbye."
He stopped and looked at me. He took two long stepped and stopped in front of me, kissing me hard
enough to make my head spin.
He released me when there was a knock on the door. "Thanks. You calm me down." He whispered. I
stood on my toes and pecked him again. "It will all be fine." I whispered.
"Come in." He said, giving me a soft smile.
Ross opened the door and gestured a man and Nat to walked in.
"No one is to disturb us. Forward all the calls to your phone." Niki told Ross.
"Yes, Sir." He replied and left.
Natalia immediately rushed to me and squeezed the life out of me. "I missed you so much." She
eximed.
"I missed you too. And I would like to ask you how you are doing but I can see you are as strong as
ever." I ginned up at her.
"Momma got muscles girl!" She said and flexed her biceps,ughing. "And yes, I''m a hundred percent
alright. Max, my mate saved my life." She said.
"I''m so happy you are healthy and alive." I squeezed her hand. "And that you finally found your mate,
you deserve it."
"Ava." Nik called me and I immediately turned to him. "Yes?" I asked.
"Meet my brother, Maximilian. Max, this is Avalyn." Nik introduced.
Nik was nervous to meet this man. Why? He looked the same size a Nik. Maybe a bit more bigger. But
he didn''t scare me. I was just nervous because of Nik''s reaction.
Max extended his hand. "It''s a pleasure to meet you." He said and gave me a smile.
Suddenly a mini ck human-ish shape appeared on his shoulder. "A smile?" Heughed on his
shoulder. "Maximilian can''t be good. But you can be grateful to the woman because of whom your mate
agreed to be your ve. She would have never even let you touch her otherwise." He scoffed.
I shook his hand. What was that thing?
Slowly, I stepped closed to him, hoping he wouldn''t move and grabbed the little ck thing.
"You can see him?" Max whispered.
"Yes." I whispered and looked down at the thing in my hand. I squeezed him a little, feeling an aura of
darkness pour out of him. Goosebumps erupted on my skin. I had never seen or heard about anything
like this!
"Leave me or I''ll be the face of your nightmares."?He snarled at me.
"Can you kill him?" Max asked, his tone angry.
"I can try." I replied but in the next second, the ck thing puffed and disappeared.
"What the actual fuck was that?" Natalia? asked.
"I''d like to know too." Niki said, clearly wanting to know what happened.
"Do you remember when I once told you that I heard whispers? That I wasn''t just talking to myself?"
Max asked Nik.
"Yes. We were children back then." Nik replied.
"She caught the devil that whispered evil things in my ear. And I think it''s dead." Max sounded amazed.
Max looked at me intently. "You aren''t just a werewolf are you?" He asked me.
I looked wearily at Niki. I''m not sure if I was supposed to tell it to anyone. He hadn''t told me but I had
an itch that it wasn''t something I should unt.
"No." Nik replied, saving me from my dilemma. "We aren''t sure what she is yet. She has these magical
powers. She doesn''t use spells so a witch is out of question."
"Avalyn Alvarez." He wondered, thinking something. "Alpha Alvarez. Your father was a vampire. Mother
an Alpha werewolf who inherited the pack." Max said suddenly. "Unless she wasn''t just a werewolf.
What''s your mother''s maiden name?" He asked.
I looked at him with wide eyes. How the hell did he know all of this?
"I think thats enough, Max." Nik stopped him.
"Avalyn?" He persisted.
"Valerie Aine James." I replied, biting my lip. Did he maybe, by any chance know them? He was a
vampire so he could be really old and maybe be friends with my parents?
His eyes widened a fraction and my hopes rose.
"Niki, do you know who Faelern is?" Max asked, jumping to a different topic.
"The king of all the Faes." Nik replied. Faes had a king?
"Did you know he had a daughter?"? Max asked him again.
"No. He doesn''t even have a mate." Nik shook his head in denial.
"He does. I mean he did. She died giving birth to her daughter. It''s been said that his mate was cursed.
That she will die giving birth to her daughter. Her entire lineage was cursed. Faelern learned about this
and wanted to kill the baby in the womb but his mate ran away." Max said.
How does he even know all of this? Faes don''t live in our dimension anymore. After the attacks, they
came together and escaped to a dimension that none of us are allowed to enter. Very few fae''s are still
here, and those who are, stay in hiding.
"Why are you telling us this?" Nik asked, his tone a bit angry.
"Because the baby''s name was Vrie Aine." I told him.?My mother?
"Adopted daughter of Alpha Jerome James and Luna Mary James. Her name after the adoption was
Vrie Aine James." Max spoke. This means I''m a Fae. And my mother knew she was going to die
having me but she still brought me into this world.
Max''s gaze locked with mine. "Your mother was the long lost daughter of King Faelern. Which makes
you the heir to the Fey Kingdom." Tears burned at the back of my eyes and I blinked, clearing them.
Papa hardly ever talked about my mom. And I had stopped asking after some time because I knew it
hurt him too much to talk about her. This was the first piece of substantial information I got about her.
"Princess Avalyn. You''re practically royalty.?Shit." Natalia whispered.
More tears had gathered in my eyes when I looked at Niki. This will also mean that having Nik''s
child will kill me since my entire lineage is cursed.
"How are you so sure?" Nik asked Max, his voice quiet.
"Because Luna Mary James is the same Mary that helped my mother escape my father. The same
Mary that out of the fear of my father, left me at your doorstep when I was ten. The Montana pack gave
protection to refugees. Which is why Fiona when came to our dimension, she directly went to them for
help. I have heard many stories about Valerie growing up." Max replied.
"No." Nik growled. "You''re lying. This isn''t fucking true. She is no princess. She is my mate. That is all
she is."
"Nik—" Max said but Nik cut him off.
"No. Stop talking!" He snarled at Max. "She isn''t going to die carrying my child. She isn''t cursed." I
know he was overwhelmed. I know, even though we hadn''t talked about it but he wanted to have
children. And I know he would never agree to having kids if it meant that I''ll die.
Nik turned to look at me. "I don''t give you the permission to die, Ava." He whispered in her ear, his
hand on her lower belly.?
"Is she already pregnant?" Nat whispered.
"No!" Nik snapped. "And she never will be." He said thest part looking at me. I knew it. But I hoped. I
want to have children with him. I want to have a mini Niki.
"But—" A child was the greatest thing I could give to him. I wouldn''t care if it cost me my life. I would
happily sacrifice myself for our baby.
"No buts. My word is final, Avalyn." Master said, his tone said end of discussion.
I wiped my cheeks and nodded, looking down.
"Okay, Niki." I? whispered, remembering to use my words.
"So what did you call me for?" Max asked him.
"I wanted you to train Natalia exactly how Emilio likes his ves. If he favours her, she can get closer
to him,ing directly under his protection. Having a sort of authority at the club, at least when he
wasn''t around. It will be much easier for her to snoop around that way." Nik exined. My head shot
up, looking at both the men.
Nat was still going to carry on with their n? I looked at her with wide eyes. She has a mate! she can''t
do this now! She won''t, would she?
"There is change of ns." Max said.
Thank god!
"I''m not going to let anyone touch my mate." Max said, his tone final. "But I will take her to the club as
my ve. Two people working for information is better than one." He offered. It seemed like a much
better and sensible n but it worried more. And now, I had one more person to worry about along with
Natalia— Max.
"As long as you get the job done, I don''t care." Nik replied, pulling me closer to him by snaking his arm
around my waist, trying to calm me down.
"But the question is, how will you get in? It''s an exclusive club." Nik asked him.
"I own a club as well. I''ll invite him. Pretend to be his friend. He will invite me himself." Max shrugged.
"He is a sick bastard who things he is better than everyone else. He doesn''t make friends easily." I
spoke, my voice quiet.
"Then what do you suggest?" Max asked me.
"ves and sex is his weakness. Niki is right. Train Nat like me. I was his only constant ve. His
favourite. If he is attracted to Nat, he wille talk to you. But you will have to dance around fire for
that." I replied after I thought about it.
Max looked at Nat and held her gaze.
"We will do it." He said after a minute.
"Let''s have a seat first." Nik said, and sat on his seat, making me sit on hisp.
Max and Nat sat on the chairs facing us on the other side of the desk.
"Tell them about him and how he likes his ves, Ava." Niki whispered in my ear.
I nodded, biting my lip. "He doesn''t like his ves to talk. Not a even ''yes, Master.'' Talk only when
asked questions. But he does like to hear them scream. And see them suffer in pain." I whispered.
I was so terrified to even open my mouth, that Nik had to coax me to speak in the starting.
"He doesn''t listen to safe words. You will have to train her without a safe word, Max." I looked at Max.
"You will have to know her limit so you know when she has had enough and you should stop." I felt a
good aura deep inside him. He had issues but he was a good man. I hope he will take good care of
Nat.
"I''ll do it." Max said, his voice a promised and squeezed Natalia''s hand who looked a little nervous.
"She can''t walk. You will have to cor her and put a leash on her. Eat and drink from the dog bowl." I
closed my eyes, heaving in a deep breath. I remembered how he had asked me to ''present'' myself in
front of all his friends and told me to eat while they took turns beating my ass and back raw.
"I think this much is enough." Niki spoke softly.
I shook my head. "They are doing this for me. For us. I need to help them, Nik." I whispered. "You will
have to humiliate her. Call her names. But show her off proudly in front of your friends." My bottom lip
quivered. Nik rubbed my back to calm me.
No. I won''t cry. Nik has taught me to be strong. He tore my cor and he fed me with his own hands.
I''m safe now. I''m?loved?now.
"Favourite method of punishment is whip, paddle and cane." Anger filled me. How could I have left that
happen to myself? Why did I never fight back? "Especially when she is eating. And more punishment
when she drops food on the ground."
"After everything he does to you, you have to thank him three times, kissing his feet in between. You
will have to be used has a piece of furniture. A table for him to keep his tes on or a stool to ce his
legs on." Natalia had an option. She shouldn''t have to go through all of this. "I''m so sorry you have to
do this." A tear spilled down my eye.
"I don''t?have?to do it. I?want?to do it, Avalyn." Nat squeezed my hands.
"Thank you." I whispered gratefully.
"What is his type?" Max asked me.
"Curvy. Dark-brown hair. Exactly like me." I replied quietly.
He nodded.
"Is there anything else?" He asked Nik.
"I would like to talk to Mary." Nik replied.
"I''ll message you a number. Call her and ask if you can meet her. Be polite, she isn''t very fond of you
for some reason." Max said.
"I really don''t care. I just want answers." Nik muttered.
"When are you nning to talk to her?" Max asked him.
"Today. Whenever she is avable." He replied.
"I''ll talk to her myself." Max told him and called Mary.
"Hello, grandma." Max greeted. "A friend of mine wanted to meet you. Are you free today?"
"Oh honey, you should have called me earlier. I''vee out with the some friends. You cane
tomorrow. I''m free all day." I heard the voice of an olddy reply through the phone.
Max looked at Niki is question who nodded in reply.
"Alright thanks. He will drop by tomorrow." Max informed her.
"And who is this friend of yours?" She asked.
"Niki and his mate. You should enjoy with your friends. I''ll talk to youter. Bye!" Max hung up
immediately.
He nodded at Nik. Its done.
"Thanks, man." Nik said.
"Anytime. Do you want to stay at my ce? I live fifteen minutes away." Max kindly offered. It seemed
like a good idea since we lived three hours away, especially if we didn''t want to travel for a total nine
hours in the next twelve hours.
"That would be great, thanks." He smiled.
We stood up from out seats and walked to the door.
"I want all the legalities sorted out by tomorrow. Tell Ethan to mail me any discrepancies." Nik instructed
Ross on our way to the elevator.
We got into the car and Nik followed Max''s car to his house.