Violet Ashes: The Blood Ridge Alpha - Chapter 66: Chapter 66

After introductions, Ed's team brings out the gift boxes Jonas had prepared for them. The black Obsidian Corp logo is engraved in gold on the black boxes. This is what the Lycans are known for. Luxury. Each box is customized to fit the representative. We had people watching them and taking notes.
Am I going to tell Alpha Barnes that? Hell no. He'd probably be more upset than he is now, and I'm hoping that he thinks I pay enough attention to get him something to his liking. Ed hands me the box, all my new devices came in, and I set it down in front of me.
"We want to thank you all for joining us here at Lycan Tech. I'd like to start by presenting the first collaboration between Obsidian Corporation and Lycan Tech—a gift from us to you. Inside, you will find all of the tools you will need here in the lab or for any work purposes.
"These," I say, removing my glasses and holding them up for them to see. "Are our latest AI assistance software specs. These link up to your phone, and with the LT Life app, the program will learn your preferences. The lenses themselves transition in the lighting settings of your surroundings.
"They are equipped with two ultra-wide HD lenses that can take pictures of whatever is in front of you. They are also great for live streaming. Taking calls, listening to music, and they have some very cool safety features.
"Since they run on the app, they have access to the number one translation software in the world. With a simple voice command, you can get these things to help you with anything you need, including takeout and directions to the nearest bar."
They laugh and open up their boxes to find the case sitting on top. They all look over each other's boxes to see if everyone got the same ones. They didn't. Alpha Barnes lifts the glasses and puts them on. He smirks and puts them back on the case.
"Next, we have the latest Lycan Tech smartphone. These won't be released until late spring. Since our new tech recruits have some pretty cool nerd ideas, the upgrade from the LT 11 to the 12 is significant. It starts with the design of the phone itself."
"Finally got rid of the curves," Marcus smirks.
"That's right. The new design is sleek, sharp, and nearly indestructible. It's strong enough to crack someone's skull open."
"Have you tried?" Alpha Barnes asks.
The Lycans think it's funny because I know at least one of them has seen the footage of Perry and me on missions. They have movie nights to go over the footage.
"Would you be a willing participant? I'd love to try," I shoot back. Everyone at the table laughs.
"These have our freaking names on them," Colt grins. "Why did we need introductions if you know who we are?"
"I don't. The Lycans have eyes and ears everywhere," I say and reach for the watch.
I present the watch, the new stylus, and the tablet. I also inform them of our expectations for the launch and the number of units that have already been ordered. Jonas gave me an estimate of what he thinks they will be compensated for the launch of their investment.
When it's over, they all leave more than satisfied with their reports, and surprise, surprise, Alpha Barnes stays put after telling his brothers to get the hell out of there. He seems upset with all of them. Us.
"You're a completely different person here," he says, sitting back in his chair. Why does he look so good right now? "Happy is a good look on you, Moonlight."
"Thank you?" I roll my eyes.
"I should have consulted you about meeting my team and my brothers today," he says tightly.
I look up from my tablet because the last thing I expected was for him to try to apologize.
"It's work. They don't care about anything else. This is fine. What you did the other night put us and them in danger. There is a reason why I don't want anyone to know."
"Your brother and father. I am aware."
"No, Arsen," I reach over the table to place my hand over his. "Who I am outside, what I do, puts you in danger. And I know you think that you can protect yourself and that you're a badass biker asshole, but things aren't that simple.
"I've seen what can happen to you if I'm not careful; what can happen to me? It terrifies me, and the more people who know, the more dangerous it becomes for us because I don't know who to trust outside of my own people. I need you to trust that I will always have our best interests at heart. You are mine, and I am yours. Just-" I swallow the knot in my throat. "Let me find my footing. I need to get ahead of what's going on before I can take what's mine."
He stares at me for a moment and then turns his hand in mine. We sit here in silence for a moment before he stands up and kisses the top of my head. He leaves without another word, and I think the silence hurts a lot more than him yelling at me.
"Everything is good to go," Ed says, coming in and sitting down beside me. "I can clear the rest of your schedule. I can take care of it myself."
"Do we have any information on what's going on in Thorne Labs?" I ask, looking up at him. I love his little smirk. He places his old tablet on the table between us.
"I thought you'd never ask."
"Edward, you are a perfect moonbeam," I laugh and take it. "Have you been nosing around their offices?"
"Yes, Miss Wilde, and as expected. They are all running around like headless chickens. There is one unexpected variable we didn't see. Riley."
"Riley?" I laugh. "What do you mean?"
"Do you remember the freshman at Nova who was having trouble getting into the new Magique University servers the way we always did?"
"Yeah, Natasha Ollivar. That was before Darren and the King were killed."
"Well, it turns out that the reason behind that is Riley, also known as RedRival26."
The name sends goosebumps down my spine. The only reason I remember RedRival26 is because Perry wouldn't shut the fuck up about killing this casual hacker because of the damage she inflicted on the early Syndicate servers she was putting up. It was the reason why they had to create their unreadable code.
It takes me a moment to process what he just said. I turn it over in my head over and over because there is no fucking way that one of the most dangerous hackers alive is a human, much less a human-like Riley. I sit back and stare at my assistant.
"How did you find out?"
"I have been monitoring the base, the Lycan Queen set up around their system, and the codes match. At first, I couldn't pinpoint it, and I knew you were busy, and this wasn't enough to cause alarm. So, I just kept an eye on it. This morning, this file tried to breach the main firewall," he brings it up on the tablet. "And this code came up," he says, showing it to me and then bringing up a picture. "It's the same exact one used to topple the first server when I first started working for you. It did nothing to the server, but I am willing to bet that they know that whoever created the code around their system is the same person who stopped her all those years ago."
"Good shit, Ed. You are getting a bonus this week," I stand up and place my hand on both sides of his face to kiss him on the forehead. "I'm also upgrading your car. Whichever one you want. I don't care if it's over the top. Get it, you fabulous bitch."