Chapter 194 Unexpected Companion

Chapter 194: Chapter 194 Unexpected Companion

Damian’s POV

The private airport lounge was quiet, insulated from the chaos of commercial terminals.

I sat reviewing project reports on my tablet, but my mind kept drifting back to Aria’s face as I’d left her at the car—the way she’d looked at me, like she was memorizing every detail.

My wolf stirred restlessly beneath my skin, already missing her.

"What time is it?"

Rick checked his watch. "Nine o’clock, Alpha." He knew what I was really asking. "Should be arriving any minute now."

This trip involved the largest cross-continental joint venture in decades—uniting the North American Wolf Council and the Confederation of European Packs, the first formal alliance linking Pack territories across the Atlantic.

Shared trade corridors, resource networks, diplomatic channels between two hemispheres that had operated in near-total isolation for generations.

I was heading out to oversee the launch. The European Alpha King would be there too, which meant politics, posturing, endless ceremonial bullshit.

What made it worse was the addition of a "cultural liaison"—some goodwill ambassador appointed by the European side to document the whole process.

I’d only learned that morning their representative wanted to travel together, starting documentation from departure, and conduct an in-flight interview for promotional materials.

Rick had offered to handle the pickup, but their assistant insisted on meeting us at the terminal directly.

Just as Rick finished explaining, the lounge door swung open. A woman was escorted inside.

Something cold flickered through my chest.

Vanessa Crane.

Of all the fucking people.

My wolf growled low in my mind. *Not her. Anyone but her.*

I hadn’t expected the European Council’s liaison to be Vanessa, though given the Crane family’s political weight, it wasn’t hard to believe.

Her father, Richard Crane, Alpha of Riverside Pack, had spent years cultivating ties with European leadership.

Still. This was going to be a problem.

"Alpha King." Vanessa’s voice was smooth, professional. She stopped a respectful distance away and extended her hand. "I’ll be serving as cultural liaison for this project. I hope we can work together smoothly."

I stared at her hand but didn’t take it. I stared at her outstretched hand but didn’t take it.Instead, I let my gaze sweep over her, cold and assessing.

She was dressed in a practical khaki jumpsuit, her long hair pulled back into a high ponytail. Light makeup. She looked... different.

More composed. Less like the pampered Alpha’s daughter who’d once thrown a tantrum in my presence.

Rick’s anxiety spiked through the Bond link beside me.

"Miss Crane," I said finally, flat. "You were recently hospitalized. This is a demanding trip—rough terrain, unpredictable conditions. I’m not sure you’re suited for it."

She smiled, unbothered, lowering her hand without embarrassment. "I appreciate your concern, Alpha, but I’m fully recovered. I know what you’re worried about.

But I’m here in a professional capacity. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t keep viewing me through that lens."

I’d deliberately avoided Vanessa after her hospitalization. Even when she’d tried to take her own life—an act I knew had been designed to manipulate me—I hadn’t gone to see her.

The Crane family wasn’t the type to let things slide quietly. Richard had tried to leverage his daughter’s "fragile state" to force a meeting, to create some kind of obligation.

If Rick hadn’t moved fast to suppress media coverage, the whole mess would’ve blown up publicly. Vanessa had a history in the entertainment world before stepping into Pack affairs.

If the tabloids had gotten hold of the story, it would’ve painted me as the heartless Alpha King who’d driven a young woman to despair.

Rick had been monitoring her movements ever since, keeping me updated even though I’d made it clear I didn’t want to hear about her.

Apparently, she’d spent the last few weeks reinventing herself. Leveraging the brief media attention to launch a career as a philanthropy advocate.

Live-streamed charity events, high-profile refugee outreach. She’d become a minor celebrity in certain circles.

The Crane family had thrown their considerable resources behind her new image.

And now, apparently, she’d maneuvered her way onto an international infrastructure project.

Unbelievable.

My wolf snarled. *Get rid of her. Send her back. This is our territory.*

But I couldn’t. This was a Council-level project with international oversight, and she’d been appointed through proper channels. Refusing her presence would create a diplomatic incident.

Vanessa seemed to understand she had the upper hand.

She took a seat across from me."I’m only here to document the project," she continued. "If my presence makes you uncomfortable, I’ll minimize our interactions."

Polite. Reasonable. But I could smell the lie beneath it. Her heartbeat stayed steady, controlled, except for the faint spike every time she looked at me directly.

Her scent carried something floral and cloying—anticipation. Excitement.

She wasn’t here just for work.

"Miss Crane," I said coldly, "the project takes priority. Personal feelings are irrelevant. I expect you to conduct yourself accordingly."

Her expression tightened for a fraction of a second before she recovered. "Understood."

She checked her watch, then pulled out a small tripod and camera, setting up with practiced efficiency. "We have time before departure. Would it be all right if I conducted a brief interview? Preliminary questions for the promotional material."

I didn’t refuse.

The moment she pressed record, her demeanor sharpened into something purely professional. Her questions were well-researched, focused entirely on the project’s scope—nothing personal, nothing uncomfortable.

She was good at this. Better than I’d expected. But the unease in my gut didn’t fade.

"Alpha King," she said, glancing at her notes, "this project links Pack territories and human populations across two continents for the first time in generations. How do you plan to address potential conflicts of interest?"

"Clear boundaries and transparent communication," I said evenly. "Every Pack involved has been briefed. This isn’t about dominance—it’s mutual benefit. Anyone who turns it into a power play gets removed from the project."

"And if a Pack Alpha refuses to cooperate?"

"They won’t."

Her lips curved slightly. "You’re confident."

"I’m realistic. No one’s stupid enough to jeopardize international relations over ego."

She nodded, jotting something down. "What about the human populations? They’re not bound by Pack law. How do you ensure their cooperation?"

"By giving them a reason to," I said. "Better infrastructure. Medical access. Economic opportunity. We’re not asking for loyalty—we’re offering a better quality of life. That’s enough."

She paused, pen hovering, something almost like respect flickering across her face. "That’s a very pragmatic approach."

"It’s the only one that works."

She smiled faintly and lowered the camera. "Thank you, Alpha King. That should be enough for now."

I said nothing, just watched her pack up with the same quiet efficiency she’d used to set up.

Rick cleared his throat. "Sir, the jet’s ready whenever you are."

I stood, adjusting my cufflinks, glancing once more at Vanessa. She met my gaze with that same unreadable calm.

"Shall we?" she asked lightly.

I didn’t answer. Just turned and walked toward the door.

This was going to be a long week.