Chapter 6 #2
I made several quick decisions in that half second of realization.
She could never know that we were scent matches - it would put both of us in danger.
Her uncle would know where my loyalties would stand, because there was no bond stronger than a scent match.
He would know that I’d tell her everything he’d been doing behind her back, and when he wanted someone gone, he knew how to do it permanently.
All of this passed through my mind within seconds, but Celeste had no idea.
She was still standing there, looking at me with a curious expression before rolling her eyes and walking away.
“Nevermind.” She stated as I watched her pad off in her slippers, clutching the mug.
My entire world had just been turned upside down.
I found my mate. I never even thought I would have one.
I stood frozen, reeling at the sudden revelation that my mate had been right there, in front of me, all along.
From that moment forward, I changed. Everything I did was to protect her.
I made sure to never let my emotions show, especially around Celeste or Gideon.
When he had me work to undermine her, I tried my hardest to make sure that whatever he wanted wouldn’t harm her directly.
And I worked to gather evidence. Gideon had ways to make sure that the estate was never bugged, and for good reason.
He’d occasionally discover a wire inside meant to pick up on private conversations, probably placed by competing industry spies, tabloid journalists, or even his own personal enemies.
He always had to watch his back. But I worked harder, trying my best to find a way to eventually tell Celeste the truth in a way that she would believe.
Arnault had tried to warn her, but he’d ended up dead for it.
And worse, he was framed to be the bad guy.
Gideon only got more devious as time went by.
He’d started building the empire he wanted underneath Celeste's nose.
I knew he had a few people on the board who sided with him who were waiting for the right time to topple her, and put him in charge.
I was sure they were promised riches and power in return for their loyalty.
I waited, trying to find out his ultimate plan so that I could somehow shield Celeste and find a way to get him out of the picture.
But I never knew the entire scope of what he was doing - he was too smart to let me know anything more than the bare minimum of what he had planned.
But the better Celeste was at her job, the more impatient Gideon became.
She was so impressive that it became hard for him to manipulate the board into siding with him. He wanted her gone, and soon.
Things hit a breaking point when he wanted me to finalize plans he had for the Darlington Ball.
He had a scheme put together with an ally to neutralize her.
I was supposed to be an eyewitness to Gideon later that evening, in case the real plan was revealed and he needed an alibi.
After the plan was executed, he would come see me for a drink after, in a place on camera so that he would never be a suspect.
I found this out bit by bit, trying to get more details on his scheme.
One evening, he was going over my role in his office, and I was able to get him to open up.
“I assume something big will go down at the ball?” I asked casually, my heart racing as the possibilities raced through my head. Was he going to hurt Celeste?
“She won’t be making it to the vote, that’s what’s important.
She will be missing for at least a day though.
Prepare to have no comment when the press runs wild with stories of her going on a bender.
” He said with a smile as he scribbled over some documents.
The day after the Darlington Ball was going to be huge - a merger vote would take place that would either cement Celeste as CEO, or replace her with a new one. If she didn’t make it…
I nodded, smiling back as if pleased by the news.
“Yes sir. And after the vote, is it too much to assume that you might be in a different role?” I said with a tinge of eagerness to my voice.
I had maintained my professional, removed attitude most of the time around him, but I was also good at acting like a power hungry hanger-on.
Gideon smiled more, not looking up from his paperwork.
“Let’s just say that Celeste might be out of her position, due to her continuous lapses in judgement. She might come up with some wild tales to excuse her absence, of course.” He chuckled as he finally sat back. He looked excited and pleased at the thought. This was the moment to strike.
“Would it be too optimistic to break out the cognac to pre-celebrate?” I asked, and Gideon simply laughed.
“Please, we’ll need a drink to get through this next week. This has to be pulled off perfectly.” He replied, and I quickly stood to pour us two glasses. Soon, we were several drinks in, which always helped him to open up. He was becoming too bold, too trusting as he neared his ultimate goal.
“So Celeste, what type of stories is she going to spin for an excuse?” I asked, my face eager as I poured Gideon another shot.
“Oh, she’ll be blacked out. She won’t remember drinking, but her room will be evidence enough.” He said, his words getting louder as he slapped his knee in elation at his plan.
“But if she’s knocked out, someone will surely notice. She’ll be the star of the Darlington Ball!” I replied, and Gideon just shook his head.
“No. I’ve arranged to have her removed from the premises and held until the vote is over. She’ll be sedated the whole time.” He looked absolutely thrilled at the prospect, and my stomach churned. Who would be taking my mate?
“Pardon my questions, but how will she be removed from the premises? The Darlington Ball is the most secure event in the province.” I asked with caution.
“It’s all been worked out. One of the best hired packs in the province will get in through the old passageways that lead to the rooms. No one will see.
Celeste just needs to be in her room at the right time.
I’ll be directing her team not to disturb her, so no one will notice she’s gone until after the vote.
” He said, grinning as if he was a genius.
“And they will get her back inside without suspicion?” I asked, looking at him as if he was a genius.
“Of course. Or she’ll turn up somewhere in an alleyway behind a bar.
That would track with her record, anyway.
She’ll soon be someone else's problem. Once she’s out, her claim to the company will transfer to me, and she’ll have no other choice but to find a pack to support her.
Then our real work can begin.” He crowed, and I raised my glass to him, working as hard as I could not to let my body shake with rage.
He was going to force her out of her birthright.
Push her to find a pack to rely on. I had to intervene.
“Sir, you’re a genius, I’ll give you that much.” I said, shaking my head with a smile.
“I told you, stick around and you’ll get very far.” He said as he took a long drink from his glass.
“I’m very much looking forward to the vote.” I replied, but for a much different reason. I was going to make it my mission, no matter how much the odds were stacked against me, to make sure that she made it through unscathed.
I was able, through the wonderful tool of alcohol mixed with Gideon’s ego, to get enough details about the operation.
There were apparently backdoor passages to Celeste’s room at the ball, from which she would be taken.
A hired pack would take her from her room, drugged, and then keep her until after the vote.
But I had plans of my own.