Chapter 2

• Before Isabella could start reminiscing about the old days, I quickly changed the topic. The last thing I wanted to do was discuss those Alphas. If my best friend noticed the abrupt change in my behaviour, she did not point it out. With a sigh, I turned to my desk, dreading to open the envelopes sitting on top. 
• Most authors want to terminate their contracts, while others are almost on the verge of completing their term. We tried pursuing them, but they are simply not interested in extending the agreement anymore. Then again, we cannot blame them for the way our reputation has fully hit the ground. It's been almost two years since we signed a new book, always trying to think of new ways to improve the company. Nothing has worked so far. 
• Renee and Aryan worked in marketing and designing, their eyes shifting too often in my direction. They have been the only ones in their department who did not give up on us. Yet. I thought under my breath. Even though I was in charge of making decisions, they refrained from talking with me, always going straight to my father. 
• The only thing we were looking forward to was the book fair we planned in two months. It should be the turning point for us and attract investors and authors alike. 
• I cleared my throat, looking up from the screen. "Are the mock designs ready?"
• Aryan blinked, almost startled that I was addressing him. The beta dumbly nodded his head. Like everyone in the pack, they rarely spoke with me unless necessary. Along the way, I got used to it. 
• "So can I see?"
• "Uh..." He hesitated, eyes flickering towards Renee. 
• My face heated up at that, fingers curling into fists. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Isabella busy in her work with headphones over her ears. I was glad for that because my best friend does not hold in her anger very well.
• "Or you can email me," I suggested as a few seconds passed in silence. 
• "Okay."
• "Thank you! I will check it out." 
• A sigh escaped my lips at his answer, and I slumped in my chair, going back to scrolling through the story. Apart from working in my fathers publishing house, I was also freelancing as an editor for some bucks. It was easy money. 
• A few minutes passed by when I heard the familiar footsteps entering the hallway. I was relieved upon seeing my father rush to his office. After the way things ended in the morning, I thought he would be pissed off and sulking somewhere. 
• Before I could stand up, his office door was pushed open, and he motioned the receptionist, Maria, to gather around. She obliged, rushing forward to stand with seven others in the room. What was going on? 
• Folding his hands together, my father took a sharp breath, his eyes red. He raised his head. "I have some unfortunate news to share today."
• Troye, one of the omegas from the group, spoke up, his voice almost wavering. "What is it, Alpha Adam? Are you okay? Is it our company?"
• My heart thudded at that, eyes clenched tight and throat going dry. 
• "No." My father murmured, a tear sliding down his cheek. "It's not our company but our Pack Alpha. He passed away an hour ago."
• I froze as soon as those words washed over my, knees wobbling as I tried to find support. My hand gripped at the arm of the nearest chair as several different voices echoed around me. Unable to keep up, I slumped in my chair, vision blurry with tears. The sound of my blood rushing in my veins, heart thumping loudly in my chest as the Pack Alphas cheerful face flashed in front of my face. 
• Alexander Armani was a good Alpha. Everyone else would agree with my words as he had been one of the best Pack Alpha.  My father and Alexander were good friends, went to the same school and everything. He was also our sole investor and still believed in us despite the company nearing bankruptcy. Unlike everyone who shunned our family, Alpha Alexander was the only one who treated us the same. 
• I thought he was getting better after the last time I met him during pack dinner. Of course, we did not talk much as he was busy, but the Alpha reassured me multiple times that he was fine. Where did it go wrong?
• "I-I can't believe it!" Renee gasped, covering her mouth. 
• "This is horrible!" Someone echoed. 
• "How did it happen?"
• "He was sick for a long time." My father answered.
• "Erin", I felt a hand on my shoulder, the warmth almost making me jump on the spot. Looking up, I saw my father's face as he ran a hand down my hair. It was as if the dam I kept at bay for so long suddenly broke in that very instant. Tears streamed down my cheeks, making me realise that it was the first time I had cried in five years. 
• ***
• The Armani family owned the packhouse, so it was natural for the funeral to be carried there. For generations, their family has been ruling the pack and expanding. They began as investors but soon established an empire that was now operated by Rowan and Reed—the elder sons of Alexander. 
• Their primary source of income was their natural skincare products, in which most of the pack was employed. By the river, the omegas and betas slaved day and night to run the company.
• I raised a hand over my eyes, the bright sun making it difficult to see the huge pack house in front of me. A lump formed in my throat as I stared at the building, a heavy weight settling in my stomach. Every time I stood in front, a strange sort of feeling crept inside me. 
• It's a four-storey house, with grand, painted white windows on every floor with glass panes. There were different trees and plants all over the yard, the front porch of the house painted a deep dark grey, looking as if it was already mourning the loss of our Alpha.
• I could make out a piece of soft music coming from the back, and without dragging it further, we made our way there. I was dreading to step in, draw attention as most pack members already detested being in the same room as me. When Isabella asked me to accompany her, I should have said yes.
• Shaking my head, I tightened the coin in between the fingers. 
• I was here to pay respects to Alexander and should not let these people affect me. 
• With that, I looked down at my clothes; a pair of black boots clad my feet, a short black gown reached my knees. It had a lace neckline, and my scent gland was somewhat too exposed, but it was either this one or spaghetti strap top.
• My mother and sister walked a bit away from me, rushing in early and paying their respects. As my dad followed, I sucked a sharp breath, clenching my eyes shut. 
• As the doors opened for me, I stepped in, sparking murmurs and hushed whispers in the otherwise quiet room. My head was held high as I walked through the hallway, ignoring the eyes that burned holes in my side. I almost forgot to breathe upon seeing the Alpha twins standing at the end. 
• Rowan and Reed Armani stared at me, their identical faces making me feel breathless. Their eyes narrowed as I continued walking in their direction. 
• My best friend was not lying when she said that they looked tall and bulkier. The Alphas had same pointed roman nose, heart-shaped lips and clean-cut jaw. Both the brothers were wearing a black blazer, a somber look on their faces. The only way to tell them apart was the colour of their eyes. Rowan had grey eyes with olive hues but only looked greenish under the sunlight, while Reed had moss green eyes, sharp and piercing. 
• The Luna, their mother, was standing next to them with a blank look on her face. Her eyes widened slightly. Inching closer to them, I bowed down, my chest tightening painfully, words feeling heavy on my tongue. "I am sorry for your loss."
• ***
• So they met finally! I am so excited to write this one as the twists and turns planned are epic :D