Damien's POV
The bold letters of "Titan Coal Mining Company" greeted me as I stepped out of my car. The sight of the logo always filled me with pride—it was a testament to my hard work rebuilding the empire my father left behind after his tragic death in a rogue attack. I shook off the dark memories as I entered the private elevator, heading straight to the top floor, a sleek mini tower that housed my office.
The elevator doors slid open, revealing Mr. James, my ever-efficient secretary, rushing to my side. He took my bag and opened the door to my office. The room exuded power and sophistication, its polished surfaces and masculine décor a reflection of my personality. Taking my seat in the leather chair, I nodded at Mr. James as he handed me a file.
"These are the documents you requested for last month's sales, sir," he said.
I flipped through the pages, comparing the figures to the data on my laptop. My focus wavered, my thoughts drifting to Zendaya. Her fiery spirit and guarded vulnerability intrigued me.
"She's like a spitfire and a butterfly all at once," Midnight, my wolf, mused.
I chuckled softly, earning a curious glance from Mr. James. "You need to mark mate," Midnight pressed.
"I will, but not yet. She's not ready," I murmured, making a mental note to get her a phone since I can't mindlink her yet.
My attention shifted as a red note on my desk caught my eye. The ominous scent it carried made my wolf growl lowly. Opening the note, my blood ran cold at the message:
"We are coming for you and everything you hold dear."
The growl ripped from my chest, sending my chair flying. My roar echoed through the building, a primal sound that made my power undeniable. My wolf surged to the surface, furious at the audacity of the threat.
Mr. James entered cautiously, trembling under the weight of my aura.
"Who has been in my office apart from you?" I demanded, my voice a dangerous rumble.
"The cleaners, sir, before I locked the office," he stammered.
I studied him intently, searching for any signs of deceit, but he was truthful. "Leave," I ordered, and he scrambled out, but not before reminding me of a shareholders' meeting at noon.
I slammed the telecom down and dialed security. "I want a list and footage of every person who entered my office from last night until this morning. Get it done now."
The walls seemed to close in as my frustration mounted. First, rogues infiltrated my pack, and now my company. Whoever was behind this was playing a dangerous game, but I would make them pay.
Through the mind-link, I reached out to Beta Enzo, knowing only he could handle what I was about to share.
"Alpha," his voice came through immediately.
"I received a threat—a red note on my desk. It said they're coming for me and everything I hold dear. Start the search discreetly, and make sure no one suspects anything," I instructed before severing the link.
The Shareholders' Meeting
The meeting came quickly, but my thoughts were elsewhere. The boardroom was filled with chatter, but I barely registered the discussion. My mind kept circling back to the threat and what it could mean for my pack, my company, and Zendaya.
One of the shareholders questioned the budget allocation, pulling me back to the present. I skimmed the proposal before nodding. "It's worth it. I'll review it further."
The meeting adjourned quickly, and I headed back to my office. On the way, a group of coal mine workers approached me. Their worn expressions spoke of hard labor, and I signaled for my security to stand down.
"What seems to be the problem?" I asked, directing my gaze at the worker in front.
"Sir, we work tirelessly, yet we have no insurance. Last week, we lost one of our own, and his family hasn't been compensated," he said, his tone a mix of anger and despair.
I masked my shock. "I wasn't informed of any death, but I assure you, every worker is insured. I'll look into this personally."
Back in my office, I mind-linked Beta Enzo.
"Were you aware of a worker's death last week?" I asked, keeping my tone calm.
"Yes, Alpha, but I didn't want to burden you further with everything going on. It was handled," he replied, his voice hesitant.
I frowned. "Handled? Make sure the family receives full compensation. And Enzo, why weren't you at the meeting today?"
"I've been following up on the mole, Alpha, as we discussed," he explained.
His answer appeased me for now, but something didn't sit right. Still, I trusted Enzo—he was like a brother to me, and I couldn't imagine him betraying me.
The Evening
As the day wound down, I finished my tasks and left the office. In the private parking lot, I handed instructions to the head of security.
"I want those office footage reports before the night ends."
The engine of my car roared to life as I drove off. Midnight stirred, his voice cutting through my thoughts.
"I miss mate," he said wistfully.
A pang of longing hit me, but I pushed it aside. Zendaya wasn't ready for the bond, and I couldn't let my emotions cloud my judgment.
Still, her image lingered in my mind—those fiery eyes, that stubborn defiance. She was a challenge, but one I was more than willing to face.
As I neared the packhouse, my thoughts turned darker. The red note burned in my mind like a scar. Someone was toying with me—probing my defenses, testing my limits. The idea of losing control, of failing to protect what was mine, gnawed at me.
I stepped into the quiet packhouse, tension thrumming in the air. My instincts flared as I ascended the stairs, following a faint movement.
I found Zendaya in the portrait gallery, her fingers brushing a picture frame. Her gaze shifted to a closed door nearby.
"What's behind it?" she asked softly, her voice carrying curiosity and unease.
I stepped closer, my presence making her visibly tense. "Nothing you need to concern yourself with," I replied, harsher than I intended.
Her frown deepened, but she stepped back, her retreat from stirring something primal within me. Midnight growled low.
"She's ours. She deserves the truth."
Not yet, I thought, watching her disappear down the hall. Behind the door held too much of my past and too much pain.