Chapter 3 Chapter 3: Enter the Wolfes
Ragnar
The handler provided a car for me and before I know it, I am staring at the golden gates to the Wolfe mansion.
A deep breath escapes my lips as my heart beats triple. “You can’t be anxious now.” I whisper to myself, trying to force some bearing on my sanity. “You’ve waited fourteen years for this.”
After another deep breath, I walk up to the gates as more flashy cars pull up on the driveway.
I’m not inside the mansion yet, but I can see the crowd of influential people trooping in. Rich alphas way up on the social ladder, politicians, businessmen and some pack leaders that I recognize.
The place is swimming with connections, people that can change my life for good if I say the right words. But, everyone here is an ally to the Wolfe family and thereby responsible for everything that happened to my family and the Thornvale pack.
Something I must not forget.
“Can I see your ID sir?” The guard on the other side of the threshold calls out to me, bringing my wandering thoughts back to the present.
He looks at me like I am already a problem. Stern. Dismissive. The kind of stare that meant security was tight, and I shouldn’t try anything.
“Of course.” I force a smile while reaching into my chest pocket. My fingers pull out the fake ID the handler created for me and then I hand it to him with one swift movement.
My heart is beating out of my chest as I watch him look from the card in his hand, to my face.
“Ragnar Ashworth.” He barks into the intercom I only just noticed is hanging on his shoulder. “Fourth grade businessman.”
The handler had to make me lowest grade businessman so it seems like I’m here to kiss up to the rich. I don’t like it but, it’s smart.
The security man steps aside and the air changes as soon as I step onto the landing. The smell of various colognes fill the air, making the already opulent mansion seem even more expensive.
I see him as soon as I step into through the main doors.
Doors that lead into the grandeur of the gala. But, I can’t care any less about the luxury of some jazz music and the buzzing of guests and chauffeurs.
My fists tighten in anger as I watch him, Marcus Wolfe, my enemy, glaze in the greatness he has become; his sons looking just like I thought they would, saddled beside their father like leeches.
My brain immediately tunes out the muffled voices of the crowd as I cross the room in quick strides, just to get a clearer view of my prey.
Damon is reaching for a bottle of champagne, and from the way he glides around the place it’s obvious that’s not his first bottle.
“We’re hosting investors, council elders, and neighboring Alphas. Could you manage one evening without embarrassing the family?” Xander hissed, snatching the bottle from his brother.
“Embarrassing? I merely accepted a few subtle invitations.” Damon grins
“Three employees disappeared from the floor within the first hour. You call that subtle?” Xander clapped back.
Damon smirks, his lips shifting into a grin. “If they’re adults and willing, I fail to see the issue.”
“The issue is perception. You’re representing Wolfe Holdings.” Xavier replied.
Damon shakes his head, the smirk disappearing as he picks up the bottle of champagne again. “No, you’re representing Wolfe Holdings. I’m representing myself.”
“If you’re both finished making spectacles of yourselves, our guests are watching.” Their father cut in, his voice firm.
Our eyes meet and instinctively, I turn away, for fear that I might be the ‘guests’ he is talking about. But then I see a greater audience that seems to be enjoying the show, standing behind me.
Magnus Wolfe sets his wine glass down and walks away, leaving his sons and their mother Genevieve who isn’t worth more than a glimpse.
“You both should know when to act out and when to behave.” She says, her eyes trailing from Xander to Damon.
“He should worry less about my bed and more about this empire.” Damon grunts, his tone dripping with frustration.
He turns around and walks away with the champagne bottle tucked under his arm.
My phone buzzes and I quickly blend into the crowd. I pull it out of my pocket and a text from the handler stares back at me.
‘Rhys is in attendance, don’t do anything that shouldn’t be done.’
I tuck the phone back in before scanning the place in search of the chief protector of the Wolfe family, Rhys Calder; the beta of the Wolfe pack.
Right next to the bar is where I spot him. Standing beside Marcus who is busy having a conversation with some guests.
I don’t get the chance to study him before the lights go off and a loud sound erupts in the air.
A fuse?
It rang out again, sharp and unmistakable.
“Gunshots?!” The word ripped out of me as chaos erupted. People were screaming, running, desperate to find cover.
But there was nowhere to hide.
The lights buzzed and came back on.
We are surrounded. Six of them, masks on and weapons down but ready to fire whoever tries to cross them.
Tight security meant nothing now because I can’t figure out how six people slipped through without anyone noticing.
“If you want to live, don’t move!” One of the men barked, firing a shot to the ceiling causing everyone to crouch with their palms covering their ears, mouths or both.
I can’t care less about a robbery or whatever this is but, I am undercover so I have to do what the crowd is doing.
In an instant, Rhys pushes through the crowd with his men. All of them armed, moving fast.
For half a second it looks like we have backup.
Then the masked men shifts and one of them steps forward, grabbing the woman in front of him by the arm.
Before anyone can react or even understand what’s happening, he presses a gun hard to her forehead.
“Come any closer and I shoot!” he barks.
The hallway went dead quiet.
Rhys’ men freeze mid-step, guns half-raised but no one moves. I figure the girl might be someone important seeing that Rhys is willing to consider her life alongside that of the Wolfe family.
“Who is she?” I whispered to the frightened man kneeling beside me.
His lips part in disbelief and I confirm she is someone of importance, someone I should know.
“That’s Camille Ashford.” He glances up at her and I follow his gaze. “She is to be married into the Wolfe family.”
