Chapter 39

Olivia’s POV

The acrid taste of bile rose in my throat as I rolled over, my hand instinctively reaching for Elroy's warmth. Instead, my fingers met cold sheets, and I jolted awake. If Elroy was awake then I had overslept, and I had too much to do for that kind of irresponsibility.

A groan escaped me as another wave of nausea hit. Great. Today was shaping up to be a disaster, and I hadn’t even left the bed yet.

I wondered how much if it had to do with Rita’s house arrest ending today.

She could show up anywhere now, any public space was a potential meeting ground. I’d just woke up and the idea already exhausted me.

Once I got dressed I forced down two slices of toast and some water, then started the long walk to the library. I realized how early it was, since very few people were stirring—I guess Elroy had gotten an early start then. That made me feel a little better.

Until I made it to the library and my day managed to take another turn.

Even from outside, the sound of raised voices reached my ears—Elroy and Astor were obviously having it out, and disbelief filled me. This library was public, it was not the place to hash out their weird sibling rivalry where anyone could hear!

I quickly pushed open the heavy oak door, only for my mouth to drop open in shock. I hadn’t expected them to be standing so close, faces red with rage and chests heaving. The air was thick with the scent of aggression.

"What the hell is going on here?" I demanded, sharpening my voice to cut through the charged atmosphere. Both men whipped their heads towards me, surprise briefly replacing the anger in their eyes.

“Well, answer me,” I urged, crossing my arms. “Why are two grown men about to start a fistfight in a public location?” Elroy’s jaw worked as he visibly wrangled back some control, but Astor spoke before he could.

“He’s taking me off the investigation.”

My stomach lurched.

"You're what?" my eyes widened in disbelief, looking to Elroy. I searched his face, desperate for some sign that Astor misunderstood him. I didn’t find one.

Astor's lip curled in a snarl. "He's trying to sabotage the whole thing. We're finally making progress, and now he wants to pull me off?"

"That's not what this is about, and you know it," Elroy growled, taking a step towards Astor.

I moved between them, placing a hand on each of their chests. "Enough! Both of you, back off. Now."

I could feel their hearts pounding beneath my palms, their bodies tense and ready for a fight, and for a moment I wasn’t sure they were going to listen. Fear lanced through me. I was standing between them, if they attacked each other then I was caught in the crossfire.

I knew I was a good fighter, but I wasn’t cocky enough or stupid enough to think I’d get out of that unscathed. Oh, Goddess Above, I could lose the baby. My heart pounded in my ears.

For a long, tense moment, they just glared at each other over my head. Then, slowly, they each took a step back.

"Elroy," I said, keeping my voice level despite the anger bubbling beneath the surface. "Are you removing Astor, or is the council removing Astor?” Elroy looked me dead in the eyes.

“I’m removing him.”

Well, that was the wrong fucking answer.

My eyes blazed with fury as I glared at Elroy. "Are you insane? We're in the middle of a crucial investigation and you want to cut my team in half?”

Elroy shook his head, his voice low and urgent. "No, Olivia, but Astor can’t stay on. There's been talk about you two getting too close, and we have to crush that before it gets out of hand.”

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. Not necessarily because of the rumor, although it was infuriating, but because I suddenly remembered what Rita’s father had said—the seed he had planted in everyone who’d heard him say it. Alpha Elroy has a brother.

That insinuation about Astor being my baby’s father echoed in my mind, just like I knew it was echoing in the ears of every person who’d heard it. I felt the blood drain from my face as the implications sank in.

"Oh shit," I whispered, more to myself than anyone else. A rumor like that could be devastating, could upset the perceived power dynamic between the brothers and change public opinion about all three of us.

All four. If people thought my baby was secretly Astor’s it would change the way people look at them for their entire life. That rumor could get tacked onto their back and taint everything they try to do.

Elroy's lips pursed. "I know it’s bullshit, Olivia. We just need to put some distance between you and Astor for the foreseeable future.”

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. Unfortunately Elroy was right, and all three of us knew it. Even Astor didn’t deny it, even though he looked angry enough to burn down the whole manor.

"Fine,” I sighed, “I get it. But losing Astor now is a huge blow to the investigation. I can’t continue efficiently alone, I need someone with pack expertise.”

A hint of a smile tugged at Elroy's lips. "I've already thought of that. I'll be taking over Astor's role in the investigation myself."

My eyes widened in surprise. "You? But what about your Alpha duties?"

"I'll be handing some of those over to Astor in the meantime," Elroy explained. "It's not perfect, but it’s a compromise that should work for everyone."

My wolf instantly perked up, practically purring at the thought of spending more time with Elroy, but I tried to think past it. There were logistics here, and there was more at stake than my ridiculous emotions. Still, I had wished Elroy was part of the investigation on more than one occasion…

"That... could work," I said, fighting to keep my voice steady. "As long as it doesn't interfere with the progress we've already made. You said you could only transfer some of your Alpha duties?"

“Correct,” Elroy nodded. “There are some things only I can do, but I’m handing the bulk of administrative work to Astor and Sam. That frees up my schedule significantly.”

I nodded slowly, thinking through it. “Alright,” I decided, “that’s the best option we seem to have. Let’s do it.”

Astor's jaw clenched, his eyes burning with barely contained anger. I frowned, feeling for him. He was invested in this case too, being kicked from it must have been very difficult.

Still, his response didn’t make much sense to me. “It’s not like I have much of a choice, now, do I you jealous bastard?”

The words hung in the air, sharp and accusatory and clearly directed at Elroy. My brow furrowed, confusion mingling with the sudden heaviness in the room. I chose to ignore the comment, unsure of its meaning or how to respond, just knowing that I had to cut the tension before it rose back to where it had been when I walked in.

"Astor," I called out as he passed me. "Thank you for all your help so far."

Astor turned back at the door, his eyes flickering to Elroy. I could feel the icy rage radiating from my Mate behind me, like he was trying to warn Astor away. The two men exchanged a look that spoke volumes in a language I didn’t speak, and Astor nodded respectfully at me before leaving the library without another word.

The heavy oak door slammed shut, its echo reverberating through the library. I closed my eyes for a moment, exhaling slowly as I pushed aside the swirling emotions threatening to overwhelm me. There were more pressing matters at hand.

I turned to face Elroy, my nostrils flaring at the potent scent of Alpha pheromones saturating the air. My wolf stirred restlessly within me, responding to the primal call, but I tamped down the urge to get closer.

"For the love of all that's holy, Elroy," I said, my voice rough with fatigue, "dial it back a notch. All the Alpha in the air is giving me a headache."

Elroy's jaw clenched, a muscle twitching beneath his skin. "My apologies," he growled, though he made no move to rein in his scent.

I rolled my eyes, moving to the large mahogany desk that dominated my usual corner. "We don't have time for this testosterone-fueled nonsense," I said, spreading out a map of the territory. "We need you caught up with the investigation so far, and there are Omegas out there who need our help."

Elroy approached, his presence looming over me. "Olivia, about Astor—"

"Not now," I cut him off, my tone brooking no argument. "Whatever's going on between you two can wait. This investigation takes precedence over everything."

I paused, one hand instinctively moving to rest on my still-flat stomach. "Well, almost everything."

Elroy's expression softened slightly at the gesture. He nodded, seeming to collect himself. "You're right, of course. Where do we start?"

I tapped my finger on a pile of notes. “We start by catching you up, and then we have a lead to follow.”