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It was a good thing they were my associates and friends.
Starting the business was my idea, and since I had the vision, I was CEO. The other three were co-founders, and each of them still had a heavy hand in the day-to-day affairs. Jacob and Ethan weren't interested in the responsibility of being co-owners, so they kept to themselves and met with us whenever they could.
Thanks to the tech firm, I've been able to buy up property in town and support my pack while they start their own businesses and work for one another.
As glad as I was to be back in the office and switching gears, it almost felt like my mind was back home with Jane.
I wondered how she was doing and what she was up to. She didn't exactly have much going on yet, given that she was new to town and the pack. Still, I could only hope she was comfortable.
Having that much concern for someone I hardly knew felt strange, but I knew it was our bond talking.
With a sigh, I gave in to their curiosities. "I'm afraid I don't have the scandalous details you want."
Beau shrugged. "Go on."
"We didn't consummate the bond. We went home and went to bed. That was it."
Their surprised faces looked back at me, but it was all I had.
"You didn't take full advantage of the night?" Ezra asked, finally speaking up. He tended to be more reserved, and coincidentally, he was the one we knew the least about. He let go of a scoff. "Most new mates can't keep their hands off each other long enough to sleep through the night."
"Trust me, I felt it, but I had to repress my urges, no matter how strong they were, for her sake," I admitted, feeling somewhat sheepish to admit to them. "I didn't want to force her to do anything, not when we had just met. It didn't feel right."
"That's understandable," Beau murmured. "Better to wait than force it."
"You seem tense about this," Sebastian added, studying me closely.
"That's because I am. I don't know how to approach the situation, and I don't want anyone from the pack questioning my ability to lead," I explained, reminding myself that it was better to talk about it than to keep it in. "I can feel the bond with her, and I don't doubt its validity, but we're both resisting it."
"You two hardly know each other," Sebastian said, offering his perspective. "Of course, that emotional connection and trust won't be there. If you learn more about one another, it'll get easier. You just need to...bond. That connection can't grow from nothing."
Nodding slowly, I knew he was right. We couldn't just let our wolves do what they wanted and force the bond, not while the two of us have our issues to sort out. I couldn't expect her to accept me without trying, and if I planned on making things work, I had to make it happen.
The only problem was that I didn't know how to go about it. We were both tense for our own reasons, and I wasn't aware of any common interests we shared. I'd have to think about it and come up with something soon.
I wasn't sure how much longer my wolf could deal with her resistance.
"In other news, now that you have your mate, what do you plan on doing about Sam and the old pack?" Beau prompted me as he leaned back in his leather chair.
"I haven't forgotten about them. Sam thinks he has won, and that's how I want it for now. Surely, he's feeling good right now, and so long as his guard is down, I'll have a better chance at convincing the pack he isn't fit to lead them. But before that can happen, I need to rebuild their trust in me."
"Sam's refusal to fight and weak attempt at redirecting the conflict might work in your favor, too. The others might be questioning his choices," Sebastian murmured as he absently tapped a thumb against his lower lip. If they accept you willingly, there will be fewer casualties."
"Exactly. I'm going to keep a lookout to make sure Sam isn't planning anything in the meantime, and I'll keep tabs on the pack."
"Good. Sam should be put in his place for everything. A cowardly leader won't survive long anyway. You'll be doing him a favor," Ezra chimed in.
"As soon as I figure out the best way to do that, I will," I said, aware of how delicately I had to go about the situation. As much as I wanted to charge in swinging, I had to keep the pack members in mind. Any wrong step, and they'd continue to believe Sam's lies.
"Well, regardless of what you decide to do, we'll be there. I'm sure we all want to watch Sam get his ass handed to him after everything," Sebastian said with a sly smile.
The other two chuckled and nodded their agreement.
"I appreciate that. Having you all there last time scared him shitless."
"It's a shame he is such a coward. That fight would've been good quality entertainment," Ezra chided.
"I'm inclined to agree," I said, reaching for the stack of papers in front of me. "Now, how about we get to it?"
