Chapter 52 Mrs. Ulrich

(Alexander POV)

Hope placed a protection charm at the helipad of the High Elder's building. I knew it was a test, but I couldn't tell Hope that.

It was very windy. I was scared Hope might lose her balance by the strong winds, however she smiled at us and snapped her fingers and the wind stopped. The High Elder couldn't hide his surprise. She then preceeded with her usual incantation and we saw the green light of protection. The High Elder was very happy. He whispered we were excused from the meeting later tonight and to enjoy our honeymoon. He gave Hope a hug and told her it was time to introduce her to the world.

When the elevator opened to the ground floor, the media was waiting. I sensed her panic. She wasn't used to all of this attention. I took her hand and wrapped it around the crook of my arm. "Just smile my love. You look beautiful." She was wearing a fitted short sleeved pink tie neck sheath dress paired with neutral pointed toe three inch pumps. He hair was parted at the side with a few curls framing her face.

When the spokesperson announced Hope Ulrich, CEO of Stella Foundation, I brought her to the center and she gave everyone her dazzling smile. Everyone went quiet for a moment, then I heard the one question everyone wanted answered. Cameras continued to click away to get a photo of the woman holding my arm.

"Mr. Alexander Ulrich, is she your wife?"

"Yes." I replied and that was it. I wrapped my arm around Hope and guided her away from the media, towards the back of the building to the car. Oliver was already waiting with the door open, a big smile on his face. "Proud of you, Luna Hope," he said.

I asked her to accompany me to my board meeting so she can meet the people behind the company. She nodded. I saw all my people follow her with their eyes. The CEO of the sought after Stella Foundation has graced us with her presence. Everyone wanted to see her up close.

When she walked into the boardroom everyone stood at attention, even the women. They bowed at her and welcomed her to Ulrich Group of Companies.

"I would like to introduce all of you to my wife, Hope, CEO of Stella Foundation. She has agreed to invest more into our company. Thank you, my love." Hope blushed, smiled and nodded her head.

"Congratulations, Alexander. We didn't know you got married and to the CEO of Stella Foundation no less," Richard, my vice president of operations, said.

I offer Hope a chair at the table and she sits down, her posture straight, smiling at everyone with her beautiful gold eyes.

I watched her thoughout the meeting. She actually had fun. My secretary gave her some coffee and juice and left a plate of donuts and other pastries and she just kept eating while we kept talking. Many thought she wasn't listening.

"Hope, do you have anything to say?" I asked her after the presentation.

"The marketing strategy for your wine. What age group are you trying to market for?" She asked, not looking at me. She was busy spreading some cream cheese on a bagel.

"21-25 age group. Why?" I asked her.

"That age group doesn't particularly like wine. It would be better if you market to the late 20's to early 30's age group. They're the ones transitioning from beer and tequilla shots to a more refined way of drinking," she explained while licking off some cream cheese from her finger.

"How do you know that?" I looked at her with disbelief. She shrugged her shoulders.

"Movies," Hope answered. She had a valid point.

"She's right. Start marketing to the older age group," I instructed my marketing team. My secretary places my schedule in front of me and I scan through it. We need to be back at the territory by the 3rd for my birthday so I have to finish what I can. I look at the long list. Some were invitations for Mrs. Hope Ulrich. "Sir, they just kept calling for Ms. Hope. There's actually more, but I filtered the other ones out," my secretary said, obviously flustered.

We adjourned and I asked Hope to get dressed in more comfortable clothing. I told her we were going to the winery to sample some wine. She asked if she could throw away her stilettos, which my secretary heard and giggled at, and I told her we still had some more events we needed to grace now that she is Mrs. Ulrich. I had Oliver escort her upstairs while I stayed at the office to finish signing all the documents that needed signing. I also had a talk with my lawyers about Hope's fortune. They were very happy to hear more money would be pouring into our company.

When she came down, she was in her favorite pair of boot cut jeans, black boots and a silk 3/4 sleeves blush white blouse which was in a french tuck. Her hair was up in a messy bun and she had aviator shades on. I heard my secretary sigh when she saw Hope enter the office and she quickly took out her phone to take a picture while Hope leaned on my doorway. I secretly took a picture of her too. Screensaver. I was saving her photo when my phone suddenly starts ringing. It was Mark.

Mark informed me the she-rogues were from a pack up north. Which one, he still had to confirm. His guess was one of the packs of the five friends. The she-rogues were being injected with male hormones to make them stronger, faster and more lethal. The she-rogue in our custody was a new recruit who only came of age recently. They were tasked to distract and divide. A few well-trained she-rogues accompanied them so they would not escape the group. As part of their training, they were tortured as a form of mind-conditioning. They were taught all the pain they were experiencing was because of the daughter of Adella. If she dies, they will be set free.

"Find out which pack is harboring the she-rogues. I also have someone looking for answers. The more information we have, the more we know how to defend ourselves," I told Mark.

"Copy, Alpha. I just saw Luna Hope's picture on the net. Why would you want people to know she's alive?" Mark asked.

"So people will know she's part of an organization which has done good in this world. People will keep her safe knowing if she dies, changes will happen," I explained to him.

"I don't know, Alpha. The Rogue Lord might already have someone there in Seattle."

"The Rogue Lord is not stupid to try anything with the media following Hope's every move. I have already received messages from other packs of the country and over the world. They have pledged their allegiance to the woman who has helped them all these years."

"I get it. Unspoken alliances. Damn. I didn't know it was Hope's money being used to develop packs. The High Elder is a wise man," Mark said.

"Very wise. He made sure no one would turn their back on the help which was given to them without conditions. A few of my staff have already voiced out their gratitude to Hope."

I look at her at my doorway and I see a crowd of my employees already speaking to her. She was blushing from the attention.

"Keep me posted. I'm bringing Hope to sample wine," I said.

"She's not of drinking age yet," Mark reminded me.

"No one will have to know except us. Maybe if she can give me some of her ideas, I can produce a wine that may rival our competitors."

"Don't get her too drunk. First time drinker and all that."

"Don't worry. I'll keep her safe, Mark." I assure him.

"At least everyone knows your taken. The boys don't have to fight off women at your penthouse. Later, Alpha." He chuckled and hung up.

It was time to disperse the crowd. I stood up from my desk and walked towards Hope.

"Don't all of you have work to do?!" I yelled.

My employees bowed their heads and uttered their apologies. Hope waved good-bye at them. "I'll see you guys tomorrow," she said with a smile. "You all set, Alexander?" Hope asked, glancing up at me.

I give her a kiss on her cheek. "Let's go before I put you on top of my office desk." She playfully slaps me on the arm.

I laugh and put a possessive arm around her. Why can't business and pleasure mix?


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(The Rogue Lord POV)

My Butler hurried through the Grand Hall to where I sat.

"Sire, there's been a development. The daughter of Adella has made her debut," he said, bowing low.

"And?" I growled, frustrated.

"She is the CEO of Stella Foundation. The foundation over the years has been providing financial aid to wolf packs as well as humans around the world. Unfortunately, packs who have remained neutral have now pledged their alliances with the daughter of Adella and to Alpha Alexander as well. Hope, that is her name, my Lord."

"Hope? The Destined One is named Hope?" The Grand Hall shook with my laughter. "Where is she now?"

"Seattle, Sire. The media has been following her every move."

"The daughter of Adella has now acquired the Brandt fortune and the allegiance of the packs. She is smart. I have underestimated her. This new development does not interfere with our plans to exterminate Midnight Moon. We will proceed as planned," I said.

"Sire, there is another, ah, complication." I disliked bad news.

"WHAT?!" I yelled.

"The daughter of Adella has been placing protection charms around territories, Sire. As her mother did once before."

"'And has she placed a protection charm over Midnight Moon?" I asked.

"No, sire. There is no information of the daughter of Adella ever setting foot on their territory," he answered.

"Good. They have no idea of our plans. Alert our spies at Midnight Moon. Have them bring word if the daughter of Adella arrives. Where is the Dark Witch?"

"Sire, she is at Black Shadow territory," he replied.

"Tell her I want to see her. She needs to place a spell which will repel a protection charm if need be," I told him.

"Right away, Sire," he said. Then he bowed and left.

There is nothing that will stop me. Not even the daughter of Adella. I will see to it all their hopes will be squashed.

There will be no HOPE.