Chapter 61
Olivia's POV
I stepped into the room, trailing after Ethan. I was shaken up and angry with myself for allowing Aiden to get to me, and I wasn’t going to let Ethan keep me out of this meeting.
Marlus and Kerrick were already seated, a stack of reports spread across the table. Their expressions were grim, reflecting the seriousness of the situation.
I straightened my posture, determined to project calm even as my insides shook with anxiety.
Ethan gestured for me to take the seat next to him. In this moment, I hated how drawn to him I was. I was too tired – physical and emotionally – to acknowledge this pull he has on me.
And I was distracted by the overwhelming rush of emotion from him. I tried to block it out, but it was no use; I couldn’t help but sense it, the simmering anger and unspoken fear he kept buried deep.
My chest tightened, and I quickly refocused, reminding myself to keep my own emotions in check.
“We’ve secured the grounds,” Kerrick began, his voice steady but strained. “But Aiden’s capture complicates things. We don’t know how many Rogues he has, his moves are unpredictable, and Chloe’s involvement only adds another layer of complication.”
Marlus nodded, rubbing his temple. “We’ve got leads to follow, but this kind of chaos breeds instability. And the Council’s already looking for that shit. And if Chloe has more allies... well, we’re walking a razor’s edge here.”
Ethan leaned forward, splaying hands on the table. “Then we tighten the leash. Chloe’s influence needs to be cut off before she recruits more Rogues, and Aiden needs to be publicly disgraced. He dared to go after Olivia.”
His voice was sharp, commanding, but beneath it, I caught the faintest trace of doubt. My wolf stirred again, pushing me to reach out, to soothe. But I couldn’t. Not here, not now.
“We need to hit back strategically,” Ethan continued, his tone harder now. “This Pack can’t endure another attack. Any leads on Rogue activity need to be crushed before they escalate.”
The frustration in the room grew, a tangible weight pressing against my senses. My fingers curled around the edge of my chair as Ethan’s emotions swirled: anger, responsibility, doubt, and so much fear for the people he was trying to protect.
“We can’t afford any mistakes,” Ethan growled, his voice laced with barely restrained fury. His gaze snapped to Kerrick. “Double the patrols. If any Rogue so much as sets foot on either Pack land, I want them neutralized immediately.”
My chest felt tight, my own breath matching the rhythm of his rising anger. I couldn’t stop the flare of my empathy as it latched onto his emotions, amplifying the storm he was struggling to suppress.
“Ethan,” I blurted, my voice softer than I intended.
He turned to me sharply, his expression flickering with surprise. For a brief moment, I felt everything: his exhaustion, his fear, his relentless drive to protect the people he cared about.
It all hit me like a tidal wave, and I inhaled sharply. “Stop doubting.”
Marlus and Kerrick exchanged glances, their attention drifting back to the reports, but Ethan’s gaze stayed locked on me.
“What was that?” he asked, his voice quieter now, but no less intense.
“I just...” My words faltered, the truth stuck in my throat. I quickly scrambled to cover my slip. “I think we should focus on the rogue connections first. For leverage against Aiden to remove him from Council consideration.”
His eyes narrowed slightly, studying me. My pulse quickened under his scrutiny. Did he hear me voice his hidden emotion?
“You’re right,” he said finally, leaning back in his chair, though his expression remained unreadable. “Marlus, prioritize the rogue interrogations. We need names, locations, anything we can use.”
Marlus nodded, taking down notes, but I could still feel Ethan’s attention on me.
As the meeting continued, I forced myself to focus on the discussion, offering input where I could. But the nagging sensation that Ethan had noticed something – something I hadn’t meant to reveal – clung to me like shadows.
When the meeting ended and Kerrick and Marlus left, Ethan stayed behind. His piercing gaze met mine, and I shifted under his scrutiny.
“You’re holding something back,” he said, his voice low and measured.
I opened my mouth to respond, to deflect, but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, I held my ground, meeting his stare with as much resolve as I could muster.
“Everyone’s holding something back, Ethan,” I said evenly. “Including you.”
For a moment, the room was silent. Then, with a subtle nod, Ethan turned and walked toward the door.
“I’m trying, Olivia,” he said without looking back.
As the door closed behind him, I released a shaky breath, my hands trembling at my sides. He didn’t know. Not yet.
But how much longer could I keep this power a secret before Derek used it against Ethan?
Ethan's POV
The drive back to my own office was quiet, but my thoughts were anything but.
Olivia’s voice, her eyes, the way she seemed to know exactly what I was feeling – how had I missed it before? My wolf stirred restlessly, pushing for answers I didn’t have.
By the time I arrived, Marlus was waiting for me outside, and I felt like a tightly wound spring. His sharp eyes immediately picked up on my tension.
“Bad debrief?” he asked, his tone light but probing.
I motioned for him to follow me inside. “Close the door,” I said curtly.
Marlus raised an eyebrow but complied, folding his arms as he leaned against the desk. “Alright, what’s got you ready to chew through the walls?”
I hesitated, unsure how much to say, but the words tumbled out anyway. “It’s Olivia. I think she... I think she might have some kind of gift. Something Derek’s been using against her.”
Marlus didn’t react immediately, his expression thoughtful. “Gift,” he repeated, mulling it over. “Like what?”
“Empathy,” I said, pacing the length of the room. “I’m not talking about being emotionally intuitive. I’m talking about her actually feeling what others feel. She knew exactly what I was thinking in that meeting without me saying a word.”
Marlus let out a low whistle, rubbing his chin. “That explains a lot. Derek’s interest in her. The way she’s been able to keep Packs on her side despite the pressure.”
“Exactly,” I said, stopping to face him. “Derek must have known. He’s been manipulating her this whole time. Using her power to get what he wants.”
Marlus nodded slowly. “It’s a double-edged sword. Empathy like that; it’s powerful, but it’s dangerous. If Derek’s exploiting her, she’s probably carrying more weight than she realizes.”
I clenched my fists, anger surging through me. “She didn’t ask for this, Marlus. And she’s been keeping it from me because she doesn’t trust me enough to share.”
“Can you blame her?” Marlus asked, his voice calm but pointed. “You’ve both been guarding secrets like your lives depend on it. You can’t demand her trust when you haven’t been completely open yourself.”
His words stung, but I couldn’t deny the truth in them.
“What do I do?” I asked, my voice quieter now.
“Prove to her that she doesn’t need to hide,” Marlus said simply. “But carefully, Ethan. If Derek’s in her head, you’ll have to work twice as hard to keep her from his plans, whatever the fuck those are.”
I nodded, resolve hardening in my chest. Olivia might not trust me yet, but I wouldn’t let Derek – or anyone else – manipulate her again.
