Chapter 77
Olivia's POV
The familiar hum of Lunera Beauty’s lab greeted me like an old friend, a place where I could lose myself in precision and creativity.
After the tension of the Alpha Council, the calm air and rhythmic tapping of my tools against glass felt grounding. But beneath my focus, so many emotions churned: grief, frustration, and a simmering determination to reclaim control.
I stared at the ingredients laid out before me, each one meticulously selected for their potential. Lavender oil for soothing properties. A concentrated serum from wolf’s bane, harmless in microdoses, for its supposed ability to amplify detection in cell irregularities.
It was all theoretical, but theory had never stopped me before.
My mother’s words rang in my mind: Trust your heart, Olivia.
I closed my eyes, letting her advice guide me, and let out a slow breath. She always believed in my ability to lead, not just with instinct but with intellect.
My hands moved methodically, grinding petals into powder, distilling essential oils, and measuring precise drops of extract into the mixture.
I wanted this formula to work. No, I needed it to work. If it could save lives, if it could detect illness before it was too late, it would be more than just a breakthrough. It would be my way of protecting those I cared about.
The memory of my mother’s touch, her reassuring voice even in her weakest moments, pushed me forward. This wasn’t about my Pack anymore. It wasn’t even about Ethan or the Council’s politics.
This was for her, for the legacy of strength and resilience she left behind.
As I mixed the final ingredient, I caught a faint whiff of the concoction – a heady blend of sharp herbs and soft florals. There was a balance to it, something that resonated deeply. It wasn’t just a scent; it was a promise.
The small test strip I dipped into the mixture changed colors almost immediately. My heart skipped a beat. This was progress, proof that I was on the right track.
I scribbled notes furiously, my mind racing with possibilities. Could it work in small doses, applied topically? Or would it need to be inhaled for quicker results?
There were variables to test, controls to establish, but for the first time in days, I felt a spark of hope; a reminder that even amidst the chaos, I had something productive to offer.
The door creaked open, and Mia stepped inside, holding a cup of tea. “Thought you could use a break,” she said, setting it down next to me.
I glanced at her, grateful for the interruption but unwilling to stop. “I’m close, Mia. I can feel it. This formula... it’s going to work.”
She leaned against the counter, studying me with her knowing gaze. “You’ve been running on fumes, Liv. What are you really trying to prove here?”
“I’m not trying to prove anything,” I replied, though my voice betrayed the opposite. “If this can scent illness, save lives… If I could smell sickness the way I smell emotion, maybe mom… maybe she…”
Mia’s expression softened. “She would have still been without her Mate, babes.”
Her words struck a chord, but I pushed them aside. “I need this to work, Mia. If I can perfect this formula, it’s not just about me. It’s about all of us. It’s also about making sure no one feels powerless again.”
Mia nodded, her gaze lingering on me as if she wanted to say more. Instead, she squeezed my shoulder and left me to my work.
As the door closed behind her, I turned back to the mixture, determination coursing through me. The Pack could look to me for strength, but this formula was my way of giving them something tangible. A shield, a weapon, a legacy.
I dipped another strip into the concoction, watching the colors shift. A breakthrough was close; I could feel it in my bones. And when it came, it wouldn’t just be a victory for me. It would be a promise fulfilled for my Pack, for my mother, and for myself.
The phone buzzed on the counter, Derek’s name flashing on the screen. A wave of irritation washed over me, but I couldn’t afford to ignore him. His calls were never casual, and with Chloe under investigation, I needed to answer.
I answered with a sharp, “Derek,” skipping any formalities.
“Olivia,” he greeted, his tone clipped but calm. “I thought you’d want to know; Chloe’s already maneuvering against the Council’s investigation. She’s leveraging her allies, muddying the waters, and, unsurprisingly, framing you as the one pulling strings.”
I gritted my teeth, anger bubbling beneath the surface. Of course, Chloe was spinning the narrative to suit her. “What exactly are you suggesting?”
“I’m suggesting you stop relying on the investigation to sway the Council. It’ll take time, and time isn’t something we have. Focus on the vote. Rally neutral Alphas, secure support wherever you can. Kelvin, in particular, is worth pursuing. His endorsement could tip the scales.”
Kelvin. The quiet but steadfast Alpha had been surprisingly supportive during the last Council meeting. While he hadn’t publicly declared his stance, I’d felt his silent alignment.
“You think Kelvin will back Ethan?” I asked cautiously.
“I think Kelvin is practical,” Derek replied. “Show him that aligning with you and Ethan serves his interests, and he’ll make the right choice. But don’t wait for him to come to you. Reach out. And quickly. Chloe won’t hold back.”
His words hung in the air like a storm cloud, and I hated that they made sense. Chloe was relentless, her schemes far-reaching, and the idea of waiting for the investigation to deliver justice felt naïve.
“Fine,” I said, my voice firm. “I’ll reach out to Alpha Kelvin. But I’m doing this for Ethan, not because you suggested it.” That sounded childish even to my own ears.
Derek chuckled, the sound low and humorless. “Just remember, Olivia, strong alliances win wars, not righteous intentions.”
I hung up without a goodbye, the tension in my chest tighter than before.
The lab was quiet, the scent of my earlier work still lingering in the air. My gaze fell to the formula in progress, a physical representation of my independence and determination.
Derek’s call was a stark reminder of why I was fighting: to protect my Pack, my business, and my bond with Ethan.
As much as I hated to admit it, Derek was right. I couldn’t afford to wait for justice. Kelvin was practical, yes, but he was also fair. If I approached him with transparency and strategy, he might see the value in standing with us.
I grabbed my notebook and jotted down key points to discuss with him: Pack stability, Ethan’s leadership, and the potential benefits of my formulas for all Alphas. It wasn’t solely about loyalty, it was also proving that our vision for the future was stronger than Chloe’s lies.
A soft knock at the door startled me. Mia peeked in, her brow furrowed. “You okay? You’ve been quiet for a while.”
I nodded, though Derek’s words still pressed down on me. “Just... planning. Derek called. Chloe’s pushing back hard, and we need Kelvin’s support before the vote.”
Mia stepped inside, her expression thoughtful. “Kelvin’s a good choice. He’s respected, and his endorsement would carry weight.”
“Exactly,” I said, flipping through my notes. “I’m going to set up a private meeting with him. If I can secure his public backing, it might sway some of the undecideds.”
Mia leaned against the counter, her gaze steady. “You’ll convince him, Liv. You always do. Just remember, Kelvin’s practical. Show him the benefits, and he’ll come around.”
Her confidence steadied me, and I offered a small smile. “Thanks, Mia. I’ll need all the help I can get.”
As she left, I picked up my phone and drafted a message to Kelvin, requesting a meeting. My fingers hovered over the send button for a moment before I pressed it.
This was survival. And I was determined to show Kelvin, and the rest of the Council, that I was more than a convenient Luna. I was a leader, and I wasn’t going to let Chloe or anyone else take that from me.
