Chapter 25
Ethan's POV
The weight of the Alpha Council’s stalemate loomed over me as I stared out the window at the darkening sky. Tension crackled around me, my power leaking out with my frustration.
There were ten days until the next round of voting, and every second felt like a countdown to a confrontation. I could practically taste the bitterness of Derek’s abstention on my tongue, and it fueled my hatred for my father even more.
Marlus dropped a stack of papers on my desk, the remnants of our last strategy session still evident in the way his brow furrowed with concentration. “We need to flip someone,” he said, his voice steady.
“Yeah,” I replied, forcing calm into my tone. “We need a plan to flip Aiden’s votes. The last thing I can afford is another tie.”
Marlus nodded, taking a seat across from me. “Agreed. I’ve been thinking about who we can sway. The Northface Pack has always had a soft spot for you; maybe we can leverage that.”
“Right, but Alpha Kraven also has a vested interest in Aiden's ascension,” I shot back, running my hands through my hair. “If I don’t find a way to appeal to his interests, he’ll side with Aiden again.”
Marlus leaned forward; his eyes sharp with determination. “We need to exploit Aiden’s weaknesses. He’s arrogant, and that’ll be his downfall. If we can get even one of his supporters to see that, we might have a shot.”
I considered his words, the tension in my shoulders easing slightly. “What about Derek? His abstention threw everything into chaos. We need to know why he did it.”
Marlus shook his head. “Derek’s unpredictable. He thrives on manipulation. If we can convince others that he’s playing both sides, we can make his influence a liability.”
I felt a mix of admiration and frustration for Marlus’s rationalization. He was my Beta, my closest friend. “I spent years trying to escape his shadow. I won’t let him dictate the future of my Pack.”
“Then let’s make sure he knows it,” Marlus said, a hint of a smile creeping onto his face. “We’ll gather intel on his alliances. If we can expose any cracks, it’ll weaken his position.”
I nodded, that spark of resolve growing within me. “We can’t let this slip away. Not again. I will not let Aiden take this from me.”
Marlus leaned back, hesitating before he made his next comment. “You also need to ensure Olivia feels secure. She’s a key player in this, whether she wants it or not.”
“Right,” I said, the mention of Olivia pulling my thoughts in a new direction. “She was fearless, and that could work in our favor. But I don’t want her caught up in my father’s plan, whatever it is.”
Marlus crossed his arms, his expression serious. “Keep her close, Ethan. She’s technically our Luna, she deserves to know the risks.”
I clenched my fists, determination hardening in my chest. “I won’t let anything happen to her. She’s mine to protect.”
Marlus nodded, his eyes reflecting the weight of our shared mission. “Then let’s get to work. We have ten days.”
I paced the floor of my office, my mind turning over the plan Marlus and I talked through. After everything that had happened with my father, I felt like I was standing on the edge of a cliff.
Olivia had faced my father without flinching, a fire in her that both thrilled and angered me. She had stood up to Derek, a member of the Alpha Council, and her defiance had struck a chord in the room.
But now, I worried about the fallout. And this protective need growing inside me.
The soft knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts and Olivia stepped inside, her expression a mix of determination and concern.
“Ethan,” she said, her voice steady as she closed the door behind her. “We need to talk about what happened at the Council meeting.”
“Yeah,” I replied, gesturing for her to sit. “I’ve been thinking about it too. Your challenge to Derek –”
“– was reckless,” she interrupted, her brow furrowing. “I know that. But I couldn’t just stand there and let him dismiss us. Not voting at all is almost as bad as voting for Aiden.”
“I can admire that need for defiance,” I said, feeling a swell of pride. “But you have to understand, he’s not just an Alpha, he’s my father. He won’t take kindly to being challenged, especially not by you.”
Olivia’s eyes hardened. “I’m not afraid of him, Ethan. I know he’s powerful, but I won’t let fear dictate my actions.”
I clenched my fists, feeling the anger bubbling just beneath the surface. “It’s not just fear. It’s about the reality of our situation. If he decides to retaliate, it could put both Packs in danger.”
Olivia took a step closer, her gaze unwavering. “And what about you? I know you hate him for some reason, but he’s still your father. If he can be swayed, it might help our cause.”
The tension between us crackled, and I felt the walls I had built around my feelings start to crumble. “Aligning with him would only benefit him, not us,” I replied, my voice strained. “He’s not someone to be trusted.”
“But can he be manipulated? What if we can turn him against Aiden?” she pressed, her enthusiasm palpable.
I shook my head, frustration coursing through me. “You don’t know what you’re asking. He’s cunning and ruthless. He won’t hesitate to use you as a weapon against me if it suits his purpose.”
Her expression dropped, and for a moment, I wondered if I had pushed too far. “I can handle myself, Ethan. I’m not some fragile damsel in distress. We’re allies, and I’ll stand alongside you.”
The fire in her voice stirred something deep within me. “This is bigger than both of us now. You taking unnecessary risks is a distraction.”
Olivia stepped closer, her eyes piercing through my defenses. “Then let’s work together. Let’s find a way to outsmart your father and Aiden. We can’t just sit back and wait for them to make their next move.”
I felt the heat of determination rising within me. “No, we can’t.”
“Then let’s work together,” she said, a spark igniting in her eyes. “We can find a way to knock them down a peg and get you that seat.”
I felt a rush of unexpected emotion. Here she was, willingly casting aside the most obvious path to power; one that could almost guarantee her an out to our arrangement if she just aligned herself with my father.
But Olivia’s defiance told a different story, one that went beyond ambition or political gain. She was here, at my side, willing to deepen our alliance and face down not just Aiden, but my father too.
For the first time, I questioned my own assumptions about her motives and loyalty. She had chosen in a way I never expected.
And that choice... it might just change everything.
