Chapter 17:

"I'm here…what was so damn important!" Tyler exclaimed as he stepped into the study of the Cates mansion.

Turning around from the looking at the fire that was burning in the fireplace in a very demanding voice, "close the door behind you Tyler".

After closing the door, Tyler turned around with a cocky grin on his face, "so…are you starting to get lonely…and gonna take me up on my offer?"

"Cut the crap Tyler and take a seat!"

While Tyler took a seat across from the big oak desk, Tyler looked to his left and saw Vivian open the safe that was enclosed in a bookcase and hidden by fake books. The layout of the home was nothing new to Tyler. Growing up with Ruby and being the Cates family "soldier", as Ruby called him, Tyler was familiar with the house and where everything was located. Not only did he have inside connections to the family, Tyler was always determined and power happy that he would precede as Alpha once Willard either stepped down or passed away, so knowing the family secrets and being in the same step, to Tyler only strengthen his position to help persuade the pack that he could be the next Alpha. Marrying Ruby was always Tyler's trump card, however, Tyler or no one else ever anticipated Vivian becoming Alpha, and once she did, Tyler's future as leader was put on hold, for after Vivian steps down Luke will take the role as Alpha.

Turning around, Vivian had a dark red box in her hand. Vivian came immediately over to sit in the seat next to Tyler and Tyler instantly could feel the bad vibe coming off Vivian and came across several thoughts running through her mind, too many to distinguish what was going on in there, he knew that this could not be good.

Angrily, "Tyler you have to get rid of this now!"

Looking at the box and back at Vivian, "its wood Vivian", pointing to the fire place, "throw it in the fire and it will burn."

Still angry and demanding, "NO! Luke has seen this box and has already asked questions he can't ask no more…no trace of this box and the contents of what is in it can ever come out. The quicker it is out of the house and destroyed…the better it is for me and especially even…" Vivian was now doing the pointing, "YOU!"

Confused, "me? What the hell does this have to do with me?" Vivian tossed the box onto his lap, causing him to jolt. Opening the box, Tyler's cocky grin quickly disappeared and his jaw was dropped and his eyes were emotionless. Sifting through the papers in the box, Tyler kept looking at Vivian and then back at the papers. When he came across another familiar paper, he looked back at Vivian and back at the paper again. Quickly stuffing the papers back into the box, Tyler slammed the lid shut. Tossing the box on the desk, Tyler jumped out of his chair, "I thought you took care of this 10 years ago? What the hell are you still doing with that stuff?"

Vivian was now standing in front of Tyler, "I thought we would need it."

Tyler continued to shout, "for what? So we could rat ourselves out! This is our very own paper trail! What the hell would we need it for? So we could lose everything!"

"At the time…we had no idea what the hell what was going on. We were in the dark, but the problem went away and so did the box. That was until Luke accidentally came across it."

"Well Luke must have karma…because her accidentally comes across a lot of things he is not supposed to see."

"What are talking about?"

Tyler realized he just let the cat out of the bag. He would have tried to cover, however, Tyler knew that Vivian was stronger than most other females and would be able pick up Tyler's thoughts. "Vivian I thought you knew…" seeing that Vivian was very confused and frustrated with Tyler's hidden words, "Luke caught you and me at Willard's funeral."

Every emotion that a person can have ran through Vivian. Her only child caught her having sex with Tyler Creed at his father's funeral. Bringing her hand across her mouth to cover her whimpers of shame, "oh my god." A tear rolled down her cheek, "um…what…how do you know that?"

"He confronted me at the wedding. I am guessing he has said nothing to you."

Under her breath, "um…no. I know that he has been acting withdrawn lately but, I thought it was due to Willard." Sitting down in her chair Vivian placed her face in her hands and then leaned back in the chair and rested the side of her face in one of her hands. "I thought this could not get any worse." Vivian realized she had to compose herself and stood in front of Tyler, "get rid of that box Tyler. Not only will I lose everything and everyone…so will you!"

Taking a smirk on his face, "don't make empty threats Vivian, I might lose, but I assure you, you have a hell of a lot more to lose than I do, and let's not forget I was long for the ride."

Realizing that Tyler was attempting a stand off, Vivian knew she could not take that, "Tyler…if I go down so will you, but who do think this town will believe if it comes down to word vs. word…yours or mine?" Vivian realized that she struck a nerve with Tyler, she had used the truth, "get rid of it…and remember I am the Alpha…not you!" Tyler nodded his head in agreement to obey his Alpha and angrily picked up the box and stomped out the door. Watching Tyler exit the door, Vivian grew a smile from ear to ear as for she just received victory, "that's done…now what to do about Luke."