Part D: Chapter 71

There was a loud knocking on my door the next morning and I groaned. What happened to not being left alone? Were people just downright annoying like this and I hadn’t noticed it?

I rolled out of bed and went to open the door only to find Shel standing there with a huge smile plastered on her face as her eyes roamed over my naked torso. “What do you want Shel?” I asked, crossing my hands over my chest. “I specifically told Ivan and Gerald that I didn’t want to be bothered by anyone but it seems like that piece of information didn’t quite reach you.”

Shelly tried to enter but I blocked her entry with my frame. “Like I said, I don’t want to see anyone, not even you.”

Shelly huffed as she crossed her hands over her chest and tried to look inside, no doubt thinking I had someone in there with me when all I wanted was some peace and quiet. “Is there someone in there with you?” she asked coldly. “Was that why you told them you wanted to be left alone so you could do whatever it was you wanted with whoever is inside there with you?”

I smirked as I leaned against the door. “What if I do have someone in there? How is that any of your business little sister?” I asked casually and glanced back inside just to get on her nerves even more. “From what I remember saying, I said I’d take you as my mate but that doesn’t mean you and I will do anything. You wanted the name and position, now you will have it. But leave my personal life out of it.” I pushed myself from the door and stood to my full height. “If that was all you wanted to say, then I best get back to what I was doing before you so rudely interrupted me.”

I turned and was about to close the door and when Shel held it open with her foot. “Why are you doing this to me? Aren’t we supposed to be starting a family soon yet here you are with another woman doing who knows what on the bed we are supposed to be sharing,” she said with a huff but I could see tears brimming in the corners of her eyes.
Old Aidan who cared enough would have been affected by her tears but I no longer cared about anyone and anything. All I cared about was my peace and she definitely was making that harder.

“You keep pushing me away every time, first it was all those other girls and women then that slut Jemila or whatever her name was and now you’re doing it again. Don’t you ever consider my feelings when you do such things?” she wiped the tears that had rolled down her cheeks with the sleeve from her hoodie but honestly, you couldn’t even call it one because it looked like something she picked out from the kids’ section and thought it would make her look better when all it did was make me wonder what the actual hell was wrong with her. “I’ve always tried to be understanding of you and your conquests but lately it’s been getting harder to do even that because it feels like you’re always pushing me away.”

I sighed as I ran my fingers through my hair and then pinched the bridge of my nose, her tears were irritating me. “That’s because I don’t care about you or your feelings. You are just another speck in the dust and I don’t have any time to waste. If you don’t have anything to do, then I suggest helping Gerald with planning and staying the hell away from me. Is that clear enough for you *love*?’ I said and then shut the door in her face.

I took a deep breath as I walked back into my bedroom and straight into the shower. Whatever had made her think I was going to give her the time of day was beyond me. I let the shower run as I stood underneath it letting the warm water run over my body while my head leaned against the wall. Had I made a great decision by choosing her as my mate when I had so many options? I was no longer sure of my own decision but one thing's for certain, I had managed to get everyone off my back and leave me alone long enough to get back to work without any disturbances.

I washed my hair and when I was done, wrapped a towel around my lower half and grabbed another one to dry my hair as I walked back to my bedroom and changed into some sweats and a tank top, I needed to go and blow off some steam by running through the forest.

I knew the door was guarded because I sensed people lurking in the shadows when I had been talking with Shel which meant that I had to use the backdoor so none of them saw me leave or enter. Sometimes, all the decisions that Carter called dumb turned out to be very helpful in times like this. I walked to the front door and peeked through the curtains, seeing shadows moving about from a distance away. Good, they were too busy keeping watch that they wouldn’t see me from the other side given their vantage point. I closed the curtain and walked to my office where I pulled one of the leather books down and a door opened. The door had initially been added as a way for me to move in and out without anyone noticing and it was about to serve its purpose yet again.

I entered through the dark door and it closed behind me as the hallway began to light up with each step that I took until I reached the other door that would take me all the way outside. I unlocked the door with the code and then breathed in the forest air. Finally glad to be away from all that chaos in the pack. Stretching, I heard someone approach but I didn’t flinch because I knew who it was just from their smell. Ah, they were here already, wonderful. That meant I was going to have a great run.

“What took you so long? I was starting to grow impatient with waiting and I hate waiting.”

I rolled my eyes mentally. It wasn’t as if I was that late anyway. “I had things to do,” I replied with a shrug.

“We don’t have time for your games Carmichael, get your house in order would you?”

I rolled my eyes and shook out my hands and legs. “Care for a run? I could use one right about now. Being indoors and dealing with everyone has left me in quite a sour mood.”

“Do you understand the gravity of what is at stake here or are you still playing around as usual?” the person growled at me, hands balled into fists.

“Better than you. I’m going for a run, you can suit yourself and wait for me to get back.”

The person shook their head and we both transformed into our wolf forms and began running through the forest, feeling the crunch of dead leaves beneath me.