Chapter 51
Olivia's POV
I stood in the center of the training yard with Mia, watching as my Pack warriors sparred under the fading light. Their dedication was a small source of comfort amidst the chaos swirling in my mind.
But even here, the tension was palpable. Everyone knew the stakes of the upcoming vote, and the unease rippled through the Pack like a current.
I ran a hand through my hair, my wolf stirring restlessly inside me, an ache blooming in my chest.
Go back, she urged. Be with him.
But how could I? Every time I tried to make sense of where we stood, another obstacle appeared. First Isabella, now Gideon’s contract, and always Aiden’s shadow lurking in the background.
I’d thought Ethan and I were building something real, but the cracks in our bond felt wider than ever. If I went back now, what would I even say? And would he tell me the truth, or would I have to claw it out of him?
“Liv, you good?” Mia’s voice broke into my thoughts.
I sighed and turned towards her. “Everything feels like it’s falling apart. Derek’s breathing down my neck, Ethan won’t talk to me, and now Gideon’s gone behind me back with this stupid contract.”
Mia’s voice softened, a rare thing for her. “You’re carrying too much, babes. Derek could be a great back up plan but whatever deal he’s offering, it’s not worth your sanity.”
“I know,” I murmured, though doubt lingered. “But what if he’s right? What if completing the bond with Ethan is the only way to stabilize everything?”
She scoffed. “And what does Ethan think? Oh, wait – he’s too busy brooding to actually talk about his feelings, isn’t he?”
A bitter laugh escaped me. “That’s about right.”
Mia didn’t hesitate. “You’ve got to stop letting them get to you. Derek, Ethan, all of them. You’re Olivia Fucking Hartwyn. You’re the Luna of this Pack. Don’t let them take that from you.”
Her words hit something raw inside me, and I felt a renewed sense of conviction. But the final vote replayed in my mind, and I felt the ground beneath me shift.
“The Council vote,” I said quietly. “If there’s another tie, Ethan and Aiden will fight to the death.”
She went silent for a beat. “Shit. I just kind of glanced over that. They can’t be serious?”
I swallowed hard. “Dead serious, no pun intended. And no matter how frustrated I am at Ethan I don’t want to see him get hurt.”
Mia’s sigh was heavy. “You’ve got to talk to him. Figure shit out before it’s too late.”
My wolf stirred again, urging me toward a conversation I wasn’t ready to face.
“Luna,” one of the warriors called out, drawing my attention. I turned to see Kerrick, his brow furrowed as he studied me. “You seem troubled.”
“Just a lot on my mind,” I admitted, offering a faint smile. “But seeing you all train reminds me of why we fight; to protect what matters.”
He nodded, his gaze steady. “We’re ready, no matter what comes. But your leadership is what holds us together. Never forget that.”
His words and the pulse of confidence gave me a flicker of strength. But even as I stood here among my Pack’s fierce protectors, I couldn’t ignore the gnawing dread that something bad was going to happen.
When the sun had started to set and the training grounds were quiet, a courier arrived with a note from Derek. The envelope was unassuming, but the contents felt anything but.
“A $50,000 retainer has been wired to your accounts. Meet me at this location, 9pm sharp. Your services are required. – Derek.”
The implication was clear: he was calling in my favor, and I had little choice but to answer. The meeting spot was a high rise in the financial district just outside the border of Pack territory.
Derek stood waiting in the lobby, his tailored suit fitting right in. He looked up as I approached, his expression unreadable.
“Olivia,” he greeted, his tone smooth but with an undercurrent of expectation. “I knew you’d come.”
I crossed my arms, standing a few feet away. “Why am I here?”
He chuckled softly, stepping closer. “Straight to the point. I admire that about you. But tonight, it’s not about what I want; it’s about what you can offer.”
My stomach twisted, not used to others knowing about me. “Is this a test?”
“Of sorts. You have a gift that could sway the Council in ways no speech or show of strength ever could. I need to know how deeply this gift runs. Come.”
I gritted my teeth and followed Derek up to the meeting room where Derek sat casually at the head of the heavy wooden table, a picture of control.
But I could feel his attention like a spotlight on me. Across from us sat a man with the build of a seasoned warrior and a gaze that seemed carved from stone.
“Alpha Jacob Calder,” Derek began smoothly, gesturing toward me, “this is Olivia. I thought it fitting she join us, given her role in shaping Ethan’s vision for the Packs.”
Something about this Alpha prickled at the back of my mind, but I shoved it aside.
Jacob’s sharp eyes flicked toward me, assessing. I straightened under his scrutiny, determined not to show any hint of unease.
His tone was neutral but heavy with unspoken judgment. “An unmarked Luna. Bold move, considering the current... instability.”
I bristled but held my tongue. “I’m here because I believe in Ethan,” I said evenly, keeping my tone diplomatic. “And I suspect you share some of the same concerns about Aiden.”
Jacob’s expression didn’t shift, but a flicker of doubt rippled beneath the surface. “Concerns?” he repeated, his voice edged with skepticism. “I have no concerns, Luna. Only facts. Ethan’s past is messy, and his future is far from certain.”
My wolf stirred uneasily, but I forced a calm smile. “Every leader has a past. What matters is how they use it to shape the future. Isn’t that why you’re here, to decide which future aligns with your Pack’s interests?”
Jacob leaned back, crossing his arms. “And what do you know of my Pack’s interests? Or my position, for that matter?”
The challenge in his tone struck like a flint, sparking the faintest tendrils of fear in the room. But beneath it, I felt something else – a simmering unease, almost desperation. He wasn’t as steady as he seemed.
“I know you value security,” I said carefully, letting my empathy guide me. “You’ve worked hard to ensure your Pack’s safety, but it hasn’t been easy. Rogues, perhaps?”
His jaw tightened, a flicker of surprise flashing in his eyes. Derek’s subtle glance told me I was on the right track.
“I’ve seen the lengths leaders will go to for their Packs,” I continued. “I imagine it’s hard to trust anyone who might gamble with that security.”
Jacob’s hand gripped the armrest of his chair, his mask cracking just slightly. “Trust is earned, not gambled,” he said, his voice quieter now.
“Exactly,” I replied. “And Ethan understands that. He knows your Pack’s stability isn’t negotiable. That’s why he’s working to build alliances based on mutual respect, not coercion.”
Jacob studied me for a long moment, the weight of his stare pressing against my resolve. “You make a convincing case,” he said finally, his tone begrudging. “But convincing words don’t equal results.”
“They’re a start,” Derek interjected smoothly. “And we both know results are exactly what Ethan will deliver.”
Jacob rose slowly, his movements deliberate. “I’ll think on it,” he said, his gaze lingering on me before shifting to Derek. “You’ve got yourself a sharp ally, Derek. Let’s hope she doesn’t dull easily.”
As the door closed behind him, I exhaled, my hands trembling slightly. Derek’s smirk was faint but unmistakable. “Not bad,” he said, his tone laced with approval. “You’ve shown yourself skilled, Olivia.”
His words sat heavy in the air as I left, feeling both a strange pride and a twinge of fear at the unknown consequences of proving my worth.
