Getting away with the Alpha's Pup

Chapter 87

Cherry

Walking back towards the gate, my wolf and I struggled as we fought the urge to look back at Dylan.

Bitterness rose in my chest as I chewed over the news that Dylan got his memory back.

Just as my foot was about to step upstairs, the phone in my hand vibrated. It was from Bill, asking me to his office.

“What can I do for you, Alpha Bill?” I was nervous, for fear he might ask about what happened outside the house just now.

“Just Bill. Call me by my name, Cherry." He gestured me over. "I got a gift for you.”

“A gift?” My feeling turned surprised from being nervous.

Bill opened a drawer on his office desk, and then handed me a folder.

Silence fell between us as my eyes landed on the document.

“Cherry Apparel...H-How do you know that I used to...?” I stuttered in disbelief.

"I just know. Remember I told you that I can find out whatever I want to know?" Two charming dipples appeared on Bill's face. "It'll be Lune's loss if I leave your design talents idle."

Overwhelmed by this huge surprise, I jumped straight into his arms.

Our eyes met when the clock on the wall struck. Only then did I realize what had just happened.

“Oh, I'm sorry. I-I didn't mean to... I-I think I was just overjoyed.” I stuttered when senses came back to me. "But I don't think I can accept it. It's just too much."

"Of course you can! You'd become my Luna one day. And this is just an appetizer.”

“Y-Your Luna?” I was startled as he brought up this topic again.

“Don't get me wrong, Cherry. I'm not pressuring you here." He looked at me gently. "I'll wait until you finally agree to be my mate.”

A great weight was taken off my mind after hearing Bill's words.

"Fine, I'll take it. But the earnings from the store will be used for charity." I proposed after thinking it over.

"Not a problem." Bill was glad that I accepted his gift and thanked him before leaving.

"Cherry!" He shouted behind my back just as I was about to step out of his office.

"Hmm?"

"Do you feel like going for a drive?" Bill proposed. "Fresh air could pep you up a bit."

"Sure." I was grateful for his idea. I did need to shrug the past behind and get ready for a new start.

*********

Basking in the pleasant breeze in the passenger seat, I drifted into sleep.

My eyes had been tightly closed until the car jerked to a halt.

"Chihuly Exhibition?" I couldn't believe my eyes when I turned around and saw Maisy in my store across the corner.

"You miss it?" Bill beamed at me.

"Thank you so much for taking me here, Alph..." I stopped when Bill shot me a stern stare.

"This means a lot, Bill." Catching on his cue, I corrected my choice of words when addressing him.

"My pleasure. Your eyes are twinkling with merriment, Cherry. I want to see it every day."

"But this store doesn't belong to me any longer." I cracked a smile at Bill's words, gazing at Maisy's lonely figure. "And its business seemed to take a nose dive."

Falling into a trance, I didn't snip back to reality until Bill patted on my shoulder.

"Can you do me a favor, Cherry?"

"Sure! Anything!" I nodded immediately though having no clue what I, in this dire condition, could do for him.

"I want to buy this store from Dylan. And I want to hear your idea about this plan." Bill looked serous.

"You want to buy it because of me?!" I wasn't expecting this from him. "Look, I'm really grateful about it if that's the case. But you don't have to because it would make things complicated..."

"You worry about Dylan?" As if seeing through my mind, Bill asked.

"I-I...just don't want to strain the tension...between the packs and among us." I trailed off while trying to figure out what I really wanted.

I wanted to have this store back for sure, as it carried my dream and shared the best memories of my life. Yet I didn't want to become an enemy against Starsmoon. I was born and raised there. I had my best friend there...

"You don't have to worry about that, Cherry. I didn't mean to provoke Dylan or take advantage of Starsmoon here." Bill assured me as I was struggling over his proposal.

But with its business shrinking after what happened to you and Dylan, the pack does become weaker. It's badly in need of money. It could help if I buy this store from Dylan."

Noticing that I didn't give a response, Bill continued. "But I do have my own agenda in this."

Fear somehow surged in me as I cast a speculative look at Bill.

"The earnings from this store will be used to aid shifters in need from all packs in this region. In my name." Bill looked into distance with great confidence. "This will be my first step to building an empire on this land."

"I see." I nodded numbly after figuring out his ambition.

"I need you to be part of my negotiation with Dylan, Cherry." Bill turned to me and declared suddenly.

"Me being part of it?" I was clueless about his intention.

"Yes. I don't want to provoke Dylan, or force this deal if either you or Dylan are not okay with my offer." Bill nodded.

"As you can tell, I wish to rule across this region. But I'm not doing this out of the obsession for power. It's just I'm sick of seeing wars between packs claim innocent lives. Life has been hard for shifters as we face threats from humans. It's time that all packs unite as one and try live in peace with human."

Impressed by Bill's vision as a leader, I couldn't even utter a single word.

"So you'll be in this together with me?" Bill's eyes beaming with excitement as I nodded at him in hearty agreement. "I'll call and invite Dylan over."