The Arena novel Chapter 51

Once I realized that Tana was Ms. Blaze, I made sure that Bastian hadn’t actually slept with her, and I told him I better never hear him talking about her fantastic body again.

“Of course, Alpha. But it does make sense.” I snarl at him.

“What I mean is,” he says quickly as I take an aggressive stance, “my pull to her. It never felt sexual, it felt … protective. Same with her daughter. If she’s our Luna, then it makes sense that I would feel the need to protect her, even if I didn’t realize who she was.”

For the next week, I become increasingly aggravated that I don’t hear from her. I was on the verge of driving to the human city and tracking her down when she called. And time with her and her daughter, even if she still remains in her dragon form, is great. But I want more. I want my mate in my life.

But then I realized that I had a whole other reason to contact her. And I know that my account is her favorite account, so it’s a calculated risk when I call her to tell her I want an in-person meeting.

What shocks me most is when she called back on Wednesday evening, telling me she figured out where my money is going. I wanted to know right away, but Tana is probably right to wait. She wants my accountant there, and I know my mate will be able to nail him to the wall.

I call the accountant and tell him I need him at a meeting in the city on Friday morning and that he can meet us at the hotel at 8:00 am. I tell Bastian we’re going the day before; not to be a stalker, but I want to make sure it’s Tana. I don’t want to go into the meeting expecting to see her, only to be disappointed and unable to focus.

Thursday afternoon, we head to the city, leaving Galen in charge. I follow Bastian’s directions to a skyscraper in the center of the city. As we pass the building, he points at it. “She’ll come out of that door,” he says, so I circle around until I find a parking spot.

Thankfully, there is a diner across the street. We go in, get some food and coffee, and we wait. I’m sitting by the window watching the building, sipping my coffee, when I see her. I’d know my mate anywhere, but I’ve never seen her like this. She is all business in a navy-blue skirt suit with a baby blue button-down top underneath her jacket, and navy high heels. Her thick red hair is in a ponytail falling down her back. She’s breathtaking, and I’m up and moving before I even realize it.

“Alpha?”

“That’s her,” I say, walking out of the diner and following her. She’s taking long, confident strides through the throng of people. It’s hard to keep up with her as I’m going against the flow of people on my side of the street and trying to keep my eye on her.

I almost miss it when she ducks into a building not far from her office. I look up and realize that this is most likely the tallest building in the city. I smile. She’ll have the penthouse apartment, so she and Little Red can easily take flight when they want or need to.

I turn, looking around, and see a hotel directly behind me, across the street from her apartment. It’s not as tall as Tana’s building, but it will do. Bastian comes jogging up to me.

“This is her building. Get us rooms in this hotel for three nights. I want to be on the highest floor they have, facing this street.” I turn to look at him. “Make it happen, no matter the cost.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

As I walk back to get the car, I text the accountant, telling him where to meet us. We’ll be able to walk to the meeting tomorrow, which is even better. I take the car, pull up to valet parking, and have them take our bags. Bastian comes out, giving them our room numbers, and we head up to our rooms. I spend the rest of the evening on the small balcony, watching her penthouse. At one point, I swear I smell her scent and it looks like birds fly in and out of her penthouse throughout the evening.

I sleep with the window open and when I wake, I look up at her penthouse, smiling. I imagine today is going to be quite startling for her when she realizes I now know who she is.

I meet Bastian downstairs in the hotel restaurant as we wait for Nolan, the attorney. I’m glad I can finally end his sniveling life. He’s stolen too much money from me. His life ends today, but not before I find out where my money is going.

When he arrives, I ask him if he’s brought the financials I’ve asked for. He is asking again what this is about.

“It’s an investment meeting. I need to bring more money into the pack, and I’m looking to invest in another company.” I needed an excuse to have him bring my financials, and the possible acquisition of another company was the best I could come up with on short notice.

After breakfast, we walk to the building that houses Tana’s office. I catch her scent in the lobby, and when we get off the elevator on her office floor, her scent is even stronger. I announce us to the bird shifter manning the front desk, and as she guides us to a room, Tana’s scent gets stronger and stronger.

I know I’m smiling when I walk into the room, and her look of absolute shock is priceless.

“Good morning, Ms. Blaze.”

Her mouth opens and closes several times as she blinks at me.

I continue walking toward her, holding out my hand. “I’m Mr. Thierry. It’s nice to finally meet you face to face.”

“Cedric,” she whispers.

“Hello, Tana.”

“Sovereign Unlimited is your company?”

“It is.”

I continue holding her hand, and she continues to shake it, staring at me until someone clears their throat. I turn and see Nolan stepping up, extending his hand. “I’m Nolan Silo, Mr. Thierry’s accountant.”

I watch as Tana’s shock at seeing me changes instantly, and her focus zeroes in on Nolan. Interesting, I can’t wait to see what she’s found.

She looks up and smiles at Bastian. “Mr. Dolph, it’s nice to see you again.”

“You as well, Ms. Blaze.”

She turns. “This is the Executive Account Manager, Mr. Rime. He will be sitting in on our meeting today.”