82. Getting closer.

"Ah, I see you finally managed to clean up this place. No empty bottles lying around, the office doesn't stink like an alcoholic’s hideout. Good job, my friend," Zander popped down on the sofa, grinning like a movie star.

"I did. Decided that self-pity has to go, if not me- nobody will be able to find her." Eros averted his gaze from the pile of documents and looked up at his friend.

"What has gotten you in such a great mood?"

"It's nothing," Zander replied with excitement, hoping that his friend would ask more. The news was big, but he didn't want to give everything away. He wished for Eros to have some actual curiosity in what he had to say.

"Alright, you got it," Eros groaned. He was used to Zander's childish behaviour, knowing what his friend was expecting him to do by taking one glance at that wide grin on his face.

"I got what, Mister Alpha?"

"Cut it out, Zander. My attention, you got all of my fucking attention. Now, quit grinning like a pig in its own shit and speak. I don't have much time, pretty busy here. The paperwork won't do itself, and in case you forgot- I'm still looking for my missing mate. Entertain me, tell me something good. Don't bother to speak if that's another problem on my shoulders. I'd like to spend my day without a new stick up my ass," Eros stood up and approached the large office window, his eyes traveling over the forest line.

"You know that I'm a gentleman, I would buy a girl a drink before fucking her up the ass. And you, my friend, by any means, are not my type. Should I mention that you're not a woman, or do you remember it without my reminders?" Zander laughed, his friend's facial expression taking the whole situation to another level of entertaining.

"You may leave," Eros growled. He was a patient man, but at times even his patience was put to the test by his best friend. He had a lot of things to take care of, not to mention looking for Eve. So far, he had taken over more than twenty of the nearest packs, nearly losing his mind each time the pack members gathered to meet the new Alpha. As much as he tried, Eros couldn't get rid of the feeling that sooner or later, his eyes would meet Eve's. When she's finally next to him, Eros will chain her to the bed, if needed. That woman is not going anywhere near any door. Over his dead body will she run away again.

"Come on, give me a break. It was just a joke. What crawled up your ass and didn't get out this morning?" Zander chuckled and moved closer to his friend, following wherever his eyes went. Eros kept observing the forest line, and for a while, Zander did the same.

"So, about that news you were willing to tell me," Eros started, the tone of his voice gave out how exhausted he actually was.

"I managed to buy that company you were trying to take over. The main office is located between the cat and human territory, so that wouldn't be an issue. About a twenty-minute car ride away from here." Zander sounded proud. He had a reason to feel that way. Eros had been trying to buy the company for the past month, but since the owners knew about his harsh nature, they always denied his offers. However, Zander was a complete stranger to them, and the older humans gladly sold it.

"How much?"

"Nearly fifty percent less than the price you offered. The miserable humans had no idea that I'm a werewolf. Man, the filth I had to listen to. Their loss, I guess. The company is doing great, but I still don't understand why you would want it. I mean, it's not that I can't imagine you in a suit, walking around and ordering people to do things, but you have more than enough money. Why would you struggle with taking over a company to get more?" Zander placed a hand under his chin- pretending to be deep in thoughts. Of course, everyone knew that there always was a reason for Eros to do something. He must have had a plan, and for some odd reason it involved buying an overpriced company. If Zander didn't involve himself in the matter, Eros would lose a lot of money because of this stunt.

"It's a part of my plan. I had to get that exact company to move to the next stage," Eros smirked.

"Care to tell me a little more about your brilliant idea? I've never considered myself undereducated or stupid, but I really can't get my mind around how you can use a whole company for your good." Zander kept whispering a lot of guesses, some of them making Eros laugh out loud.

"What? Redesigning the whole building into a hot strip club isn't a bad idea, just trying to be a decent adviser."

"That's the thing- the company is where it has to be. Both business and location-wise," Eros moved away from the window. He sat on the sofa where his friend had sat before. Silently, he gathered all details of the plan and smiled at himself. The whole idea was a raw, rushed combination of getting or finding everything at the right time. Buying the company was a risk, but Eros believed it would pay off sooner than expected. This has to be it. the missing piece to the puzzle.

"I don't understand. You're so secretive it's hard to figure you out, man. Back in the day, when we were kids, I could guess whatever was on your mind, predict your actions and all that. But now, I keep feeling surprised by each step you take," Zander shook his head. The new Alpha knew that his secret actions could hurt his best friend. For years, the man was the only one Eros could ever trust. They knew everything, all details about their lives, but now he was breaking the circle. The only thing which made Eros worried was the possibility of Zander thinking that the trust had gone. He didn't keep quiet because there was no trust. No. He was secretive to avoid any unpleasant surprises. Gaining way too many enemies isn't a thing to be proud of, especially with a missing mate somewhere. God knows where.

"I have to be careful, no matter what I do, dude. I didn't intend to come off as a fucking secretive asshole, but this was a pretty big thing for me. Since you helped me to deal with the first phase, we will move to the next step, shall we?" Despite how long the Alpha tried to hide everything, something in him kept pushing him to let Zander join. There was nobody else, besides Balthazar and Mary, for Eros to trust. Of course, there was Eve- but who knew where was she and what was she doing? The suspense was killing him. Balthazar left a week ago, promising to return as soon as possible, but Mary had been absent for a long while. Eros was left with a pack, his mother, and Zander. Out of everyone, Zander was the only person to trust.

"What's the plan, for fucks' sake?" Zander groaned, grabbing the sides of his head in frustration. He hated when people had secrets from him, and Eros knew that, yet still kept teasing the curious male.

"Who is my mate?" Eros suddenly questioned his best friend, acting like he didn't know the answer to his question.

"Eve," Zander rolled his eyes. The man was starting to believe the rumors going around, seeing how Eros was acting like an Alpha; he could imagine the crazy King they'd have.

"I know her name, stupid. I asked you who she is now.” It was Eros who rolled his eyes, but his action was one of pure irritation. He started feeling that nobody was listening to what he had to say.

"I have no idea where the fuck you are going with this bullshit. I don't know- a woman? A human? A fucking breathing bag of flesh? What do you want me to say?" Zander groaned. He was getting pretty close to punching his best friend, which by the law would be a crime now. Eros is his Alpha; soon, he will be the King. And who, in their right mind, would have balls big enough to punch the damn King?

"She's a human, you asswipe. You bought a company on the territory borders between cats and...?"

"Humans." Zander gasped, finally getting the idea as to why Eros needed the company.

"Exactly. I've been taking over the packs, extending ours, yet I didn't attack?" Instead of explaining everything, Eros tried to lead Zander closer to the answer.

"You didn't attack human territories. Holy shit, dude, you're a genius," Zander laughed, the idea behind his friend's actions finally becoming clear.

"I can keep on running around the territories like crazy, but by spending more time there, I might find the one hiding right under my nose. I tried to be secretive because fucking walls tend to have ears, and I don't want any information carried out of this pack. If Eve doesn't know, she will jump right into the spiderweb. If she knows, there's no guarantee that she won't avoid that place. I mean, it's a long shot, but who knows- sooner or later, she might need a job. The first place she will go to will be a human territory, and the company happens to work in her field," Eros smirked, well too aware of how brilliant his idea was. His mate could keep on hiding for years; in the meantime, he would keep on extending the company until sooner or later she might end up working under him- literally under him. Just the thought of Eve made the bulge in his pants grow. Eros shifted his body into a more comfortable position as a low growl formed in his chest.

"You should get laid; this whole situation isn't doing you any good. Just one quickie to get your head back in the game- that's all. Nothing big." Zander suggested. This was one particular thing Zander kept repeating to his best friend each day.

"I will as soon as Eve comes back home. I'm not the same man anymore; you have to understand that much. Before Eve I would gladly fuck any attractive woman coming my way, but now I can't. If it's not her panting and moaning in my bed, I’d rather stay alone. Now, please excuse me. I have to change out of these clothes and drive to the company. It's still early, about the time when all employees meet their new boss."
Eros left the office without looking at his friend. The next step of his plan was clear- introducing himself by a fake name to make sure that nobody would raise suspicion. He chose the best suit he owned, took a quick shower, and shaved the stubble from his face. After ten minutes, he was ready to go. For some reason, Eros hoped that Ares would finally speak. His beast had kept hidden, mute, and numb for more than a month. As much as the man tried to bring him out, even using anger- it didn't work. Eros silently promised him that Eve would come back home repeatedly, but the beast grew sick of empty promises. He was giving up, feeling that their bond weakened, meaning that Eve had strong feelings for someone who wasn't him. Eros sat in the car, started the engine, and sped out of the territory, heading for the building which might be the main bait for Eve to be near him. Hopefully, she's getting closer.