Chapter 19 -Kael 8200 65 vouchers For a short while after Cameron left , I'm buried in the paperwork to finalise our investment in the partnership . But I can't shake off the frustration . Laila ... I can't get her off my mind . The feel of her skin warming beneath my palm ... the trace of her lace underwear beneath that perfectly fitted skirt , and that look in her eyes as she pretends like she doesn't feel my touch , tearing down Cameron's executives without flinching ... Damn ! I didn't realize I could shift so quickly from anger to absolutely intrigued and painfully aroused . Laila ... she's the bane of my existence . After what feels like forever , I'm finally done with the paperwork . I grab my coat and head down to the parking lot where Blake is already waiting with the car . " Where to ? " Blake asks . " Home ." I murmur without thinking . Blake glances at me through the rearview mirror , a knowing smirk lingering on his lips . " You have an appointment scheduled for 4pm . " He reminds . " I'll go ahead and cancel it . " I hum in agreement , glancing down at my wristwatch . It's a little past 3pm . " What's my schedule for the rest of the day like? " " You have a dinner meeting with independent investors scheduled for 7pm . And you're to meet some elders of the Blackwood Pack for drinks by 8. " Blake relays to me . I frown . Those damned old men are constantly sucking up to me . They were just as eager to banish me when I was cast out of the pack . " Where's my wife ? " I ask , my brows furrowing slightly . I dropped her off at home earlier . " Blake confirms . " Home it is " Blake grins . He doesn't argue any further . The drive goes by in silence until finally , he says , " Marie texted . Laila's not home I frown slightly , " Call Marie " Blake places the call immediately and then he reports back , " She's not home . Liam's not at the kindergarten either . Marie called in ... Laila already picked him up . " My brows furrow slightly . Laila doesn't drive . How did she get to Liam's kindergarten and back without calling Blake ? 14:16 Sat , Oct 11 Chapter 19 I pull out my phone , dialing Laila . It rings out . No answer . I call again , but still nothing . Did she ... leave ? I shake my head , suppressing the unease creeping up within me . " Find her . " I order , my voice cold and biting . 52 55 vouchers Blake makes the call . It takes him less than ten minutes before his voice breaks the silence again . " She was last seen entering the Bluewater Department Store . " Bluewater department store ... owned by Alpha Marcus of Blue Howl Pack . The same Marcus I'd sent to the emergency room with a bullet to his thigh . " That's Marcus's territory . " My tone is tight , the unease I tried to suppress growing stronger . " Get me there . Now . " Blake reverses the car , speeding down the road . I dial Laila's number again , my fingers tapping a steady , impatient rhythm on my thigh . No answer . What's Laila doing in Marcus's territory ? Why go halfway across town to the last place a Blackwood should be ? Everyone knows Blackwood and Blue Howl have been at odds for decades . Marcus might be stupid enough to waltz into Cascade , but that's only because Cascade has no pack affiliations or territory restrictions . My hands curl into fists on my lap . Fists clenched so tightly , my knuckles turn white . I can let what happened with Cameron earlier slide . But if she's meeting Marcus , or anyone tied to him behind my back , she's doing more than playing with fire . Not long after , we pull up to the department store . I don't wait for Blake to open the door before I'm already heading out . I scan the bustling store , my eyes narrowed . It takes a few moments , but I finally spot her . She's up in the VIP section , by the fitting rooms . I don't bother with the elevator , taking the stairs up to the VIP floor . I storm over to her . Blake moves close behind me , his eyes wary as he watches for Blue Howl wolves . " No. It's a very particular request ... " Laila was saying to a sales representative . She doesn't see me until I'm in front of her , blocking her way . Her eyes widen for just a second before her brows furrow in confusion . " What are you doing here ? " she asks in bafflement , like she's not the one standing in enemy territory and putting herself in danger , and me in a precarious situation . 14:16 Sat , Oct 11 Chapter 19 My voice is quiet , but there's nothing soft about it . " I could ask you the same thing . " I hiss lowly . Her head tilts to the side , she's clearly unimpressed . " Isn't that obvious ? I'm shopping 55 vouchers " For who ? Marcus ? " I half whisper , half snarl , moving close enough that she has to look up at me . " Or are you looking to provide the media with another scandal ? " Laila's jaw tightens . Her eyes turning cold . " I don't know what you're talking about , but you're out of your mind . " I lean down , so my voice is audible to her alone . " Out of hundreds of department stores , you choose this place ? What happened to Blackwood malls ? Do you have any idea who owns this place ? " Laila frowns , shaking her head slightly . She tries to move past me , but I grab her wrist , pulling her into the empty fitting room nearest to us . I shut the door behind us . " Kael ... " She begins to say but her words fall off as my hand closes around her throat faster than she could react . " Save it ." My grip isn't tight enough to cut off air , but just enough to be a warning and keep her still . Rage burns through my veins , and for a moment, the only sound I can hear is the rapid thumping of her heart . " If you're working with Marcus against me ... I swear , Laila , I will ... " " I'm not . I don't even know who that is ." Laila's voice is calm and collected . She's scared , I can see it in her eyes , terrified even . But there's something stronger than fear in those eyes , something that aggravates me to no end ... defiance . Before I can say anything more , something clatters to the ground between us . My gaze drops to the small , neatly wrapped package . " Let go of me , Kael ." She says , despite her calm facade , her eyes shine with unshed tears , I purse my lips . Slowly loosening my grip . Free from my hold , Laila bends down to pick up the small package . She hesitates , before tearing the wrapper to reveal two identical leather bracelets , with a single dangling charm shaped as a helmet . One is slightly larger , the other is child sized . The bracelets are simple , but extremely familiar . It hits me even before she speaks . " Liam wanted matching ones for his first day of school . I had it made in Ridgeway . I was going to give it to you both earlier today but it was wrongly delivered to Bluewater . " Laila's voice is barely above a whisper . A 14:16 Sat , Oct 11 Chapter 19 startling difference from the bold , outspoken woman in the boardroom earlier today . She exhales slowly , her lips trembling visibly . " I came to pick it up . " She finishes . My hand drops to my side and as the rage subsides , it's replaced by a strange feeling of guilt . 52 55 vouchers " Liam ... will get worried . I'll leave first ." She brushes past me , walking away . She doesn't look back ... not once .