Chapter 30

Grace

A few days passed and to my complete horror, the news of the buyback unfolded alongside reports of the break-in. I couldn’t even read it. The phones at the company were ringing off the hook.

A whirlwind of chaos enveloped us. Stocks were being sold back at an alarming rate and falling, driven by the smear campaign Eason had orchestrated. The campaign portrayed me as a figure of questionable competence, and our beloved Mooncrest pack's future was suddenly cast in doubt.

“The break-in seemed to help,” Charles said.

I groaned.

Navigating the tide of negative publicity was a challenge unlike any I had faced before. My head hurt just thinking about trying to rebuild Wolfe Medical and Mooncrest’s image. The onslaught of rumors and distorted information that were tarnishing both Wolfe Medical and the pack were vicious. I knew that our path to redemption would be anything but easy, but this was the plan I had decided on. I just had to wait it out and hope that it did what I needed it to do.

“You have to hand it to Eason,” he said. “He knows how to run a smear campaign.”

I looked up at him. “Speaking of Eason…. How did you know?”

“Know what?”

“About… his preferences.”

He frowned in confusion and his eyes lit up with understanding. “Instincts.”

“Is... it a big deal in the clans?”

He shrugged. “No bigger than liking women. Why? Is it a big thing among werewolves?”

My lips twitched as I lay my head down on the table. “Yes…”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts before continuing. "Eason has always been open about his identity, but it hasn't been easy for him in our world. Werewolves, in general, aren't very accepting of it. It's seen as a weakness, and he's been... bullied because of it."

Charles' brows furrowed in concern, his eyes reflecting genuine empathy. "Bullied? By other pack members?"

I nodded, my heart heavy with the weight of Eason's struggles. "Yes. Some of the younger wolves, especially those from more traditional families, have been cruel to him. They've taunted him, called him names, and made him feel like an outsider. Eason’s strong, but I know he’s so lonely… He suffered a lot growing up because of it. It’s part of the reason we aren’t running the company together.”

“The pack would have issue with it.”

“It’s about children… Short life spans, having children is important or there’s fear that we’ll die out.”

“The drug should help ease some of that too, I imagine,” he leaned forward, his fingers steepled beneath his chin as he contemplated what I had shared. "I'm sorry to hear that, Grace. It's disheartening to think that discrimination still exists anywhere. "

I sighed, feeling a mix of frustration and sadness. "I know. It's frustrating to see such closed-mindedness, especially when we're all part of the same pack. Eason deserves better. "

Charles hummed. “He does. If he wants to be set up, let me know. There are a lot of candidates. Does he like older men?”

My face burned. “Are you serious?”

Charles' gaze locked onto mine. “Very.”

I smiled softly, grateful for Charles. "Thank you, Charles… and yeah. He hoped you were gay.”

He laughed. “The beard or the hair?”

“No idea, but the muscles definitely help.”

He nodded. “I’ll make a few calls… George wouldn’t be a bad option.”

“You’re kidding!” I said sitting up. “Really?”

“Really.” He reached across the table, placing his hand over mine. "I wouldn’t want to poach him, but he’s welcome in Blackwoods City if he needs to get away.”

As his fingers intertwined with mine, I felt a surge of warmth. Then, I eyed him suspiciously.

“You’re manipulating me.”

His eyes twinkled. “I also mean it.”

I sighed and pulled my hand back. “You’re the worst.”

As the Winter Moon Festival approached, our focus shifted to getting as much of the stocks back in the company ownership as possible and managed the smear campaign. Amidst the chaos, a glimmer of hope emerged as Wolfe Medical managed to successfully offload the materials from Classic Medical and sell the remainder of our existing stock. It was a small victory, a beacon of light in the midst of the storm.

Today made nearly two months since it all started, and we’d know for sure what was going on with the new reports. Charles read through them as I paced.

“Are you ready?” He asked neutrally.

“Just rip the bandage off.”

“You’ve managed to generate enough revenue to cover payroll, settle some looming debts, and acquire a substantial portion of the stock that had been put up for sale. A few more weeks and you’ll be delisted and then you can focus on getting the few remaining stocks out of those last shareholders.”

“Really?”

I took the report and couldn’t help but grin as I read it. My heart swelled with a mixture of relief and elation. The journey had been arduous, the obstacles aplenty, but it worked. As the significance of our achievement sank in, a sense of gratitude washed over me. The road ahead was still filled with uncertainties, but in this moment, we had reason to celebrate. The Winter Moon Festival was just around the corner, a time of unity and renewal for everyone. And now, it carried an added layer of significance: we would really be okay.

“I think this calls for a celebration,” he said.

“Oh, but…”

"Come on, Grace," he urged, a playful glint in his eyes. "You’ve managed to turn the tide. You deserve a little celebration."

I relented, a reluctant smile tugging at my lips. "Alright, but let's not get carried away. We still have a long way to go."

“Great. How about dinner in? I’ll show you and Cecil some real lycan cuisine?”

I smiled and nodded. “Sounds great.”

I hadn’t been prepared for what he meant by lycan cuisine. When we arrived back home, a delicious aroma hit my senses. My tummy rumbled in response.

Upon reaching the kitchen, I was taken aback. Cecil was already seated at the sprawling, formal dining table, a smorgasbord of delectable dishes spread before her.

Kelly wiggled her eyebrows as she came to sit. “So glad to be invited, Alpha Wolfe.”

“Invited?”

“Oh yeah, Chef Roberts arrive about an hour ago, hustled me out of the kitchen and started making all this food.”

She laughed, pointing toward the sounds in the kitchen.

I turned to Charles, my eyebrows raised in curiosity. "Who is he?"

His eyes twinkled with mischief. "Oh, Chef Robert. He's been my personal chef for a decade now. He taught me everything I know, so who else could I call?"

I shook my head. “That really…”

“I’m starving!” Eason called coming into the room. “I heard we’re having fancy lycan in celebration!”

He went over to kiss Richard’s tiny cheek. “Except for you.”

“Him too,” Charles said. “Though… more of a liquid version.”

He led me to sit down and pushed me up to the table. It all seemed a bit much but Charles popped open a bottle of wine and poured me a glass.

“Enjoy it. You deserve it. Lycan wine.”

I tried to protest, but I couldn’t. Everyone seemed so happy. It was the first time in a long time that we’d all been at a table together.

When I took the first bite, my skepticism melted away. Each dish was a work of art, the flavors bursting on my palate, each bite better than the last. My eyes closed in sheer bliss as I savored the taste, a contented sigh escaping my lips. I reached out for more, my taste buds tingling in anticipation.

"Wow, this is amazing!" I said, going for a second helping. Charles chuckled at my enthusiasm, and I couldn't help the blush that rose to my cheeks.

Cecil eagerly ate as Charles filled her plate. I watched with joy as her face lit up with every bite, her enjoyment mirroring my own.

Richard babbled happily at whatever Kelly was spoonfeeding him as she ate. The meal was so delicious. I drank so much wine, I could barely stop myself from laughing. Eason and Kelly took the kids up after dinner. Chef Roberts vanished somewhere into the house and Charles and I sat on the couch, enjoying the fire and the last of the wine.

“About what you said to Devin…”

“I’m serious. I hadn’t expected your ultimatum, though.”

I scoffed. “Kind of presumptuous”

“Cecil is right. You would make a great Lycan Queen, you’re already a great alpha…. Think about having your own throne room.”

I scoffed. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Think about Richard growing up learning to control his power, and Eason finding love…”

My heart melted as I looked at him.

“It’s… more than I could ever dream.”

He smiled. “It’s possible.”

The atmosphere between us shifted. It was thick with unsaid words and unfulfilled promises. Our faces were mere inches apart, our breaths mingling. I could see the desire in his eyes, his gaze searing into me. I saw the hesitation in his eyes.

“I’m sorry,” he

Then, he pulled me close, pressing our lips together in a searing kiss.