Chapter 41

Grace

Beside me, Eason was diligently working his own contacts, his fingers flying across the keyboard as he sifted through information. I was almost envious of how easy it seemed to be for him and more than proud. Eason had always been good with people and technology. He was far more likable than me ever since we were younger. If it wasn’t for the prejudice of werewolves, I would make him my beta without a thought.

Well, if I was sure that he would accept the position, anyway.

"Eason, any luck?" I asked, my voice tinged with exhaustion as I hung up from yet another unhelpful call.

He hummed.

"I've managed to dig up a bit of information from my sources. It seems that the board members involved in the embezzlement trial mentioned Charles during their discussions. They didn't outright name him, but the details they provided could be a problem.”

“Of what kind?”

“People have been speculating why the Lycan King hasn’t shown up in the news or any media lately. Given his change in appearance, it wouldn’t take much to connect the two if someone looks at him long enough.”

My heart sank at his words. So, it was only a matter of time before they connected the dots and realized that the Lycan King was helping me fix Wolfe Medical. The hate mail and the general discontent would only grow if they found out.

When they found out.

"Did they mention anything else?" I asked.

Eason leaned back in his chair and shook his head.

"Not much. It seems like they were more focused on discussing the financial discrepancies between the company and the pack and the fallout from that. But the fact that Charles came up suggests that they’re not going to stop until they find out who he is.”

“But I didn’t tell them a name.”

Eason shrugged. “What about the rest of the company? How many people know who he is?”

I shook my head. “Not many, I think, but I can’t be sure.”

It was a ticking clock, no matter how I looked at it.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair in exasperation. "Is there any way we can stop this from getting much worse?”

"I'm doing my best to track down any leads, Grace. But we're up against an organized effort, and it won't be easy."

I knew he was right. That didn’t mean I had to like it.

"Keep digging, Eason," I said. “If we let it get any worse, we’ll have a real problem…”

“I know…” He glanced at me. “Speaking of a problem. Are we going to talk about all of this any time soon?”

I sighed and scrolled the internet for the next number to call. “Maybe over a huge slice of cake and some good wine.”

“Deal.”

As I watched Eason continue his research, I couldn't shake the feeling that the challenges we faced were far from over. The realization that Charles' identity was on the brink of being exposed added a new layer of anxiety. No one was going to be happy about it. With the Winter Moon Festival approaching, I knew that the pack's eyes would be on us. It was more likely than not that it would get out before we were ready for it.

“If this breaks earlier than we’re prepared for, then what?” I asked.

“Spin it.” I frowned. “If it breaks that he’s a lycan, we tell the world all about the mess Devin made and the fact that a lycan with authority is helping to clean it up. If we don’t have to reveal that Charles is the Lycan King, we won’t, but I think I can spin it to be to our favor.”

I blinked at him, watching him type.

“Reparations from the father or something,” he waved his hand vaguely. “I’m working on the wording.”

"That might just work," I said, smiling at him. "You’re… scarily good at this.”

He flashed me a grin. “You called me for a reason, Dr. Mad Science.”

I chuckled. “What else, Mr. Popular?”

" We can frame it as a redemption story. Devin corrupts several members of our society, and Charles is stepping in to make things right. It's a narrative that could resonate with the public, especially if we get him to give a press conference and break the Lycan lawsuit against Devin. "

He tilted his head. “Could help make some new policies appear up in the President’s office about how the Bank and all that is managed. I’ll need full access to the case to spin it right, but that’s the direction I’m thinking.”

I considered his words, the gears in my mind turning as I weighed the potential benefits against the risks. On the one hand, it was a way to use the negative publicity to our advantage, and on the other, it carried the danger of drawing more attention to the pack's internal struggles.

"But won't that also highlight our vulnerabilities? Won't it make us look even more incapable of handling our affairs?"

He scoffed. “Too late for that.”

I winced. “You could have softened that.”

“You’re not paying me. I’m your brother. Pay someone to sugarcoat it.” Eason typed a long stream of words and rolled his neck. “You don’t know what you’re doing, but if you try to hide it, it’s only going to make the smear campaign slide in the direction you don’t want it to go. It would be better to show that you’re not hiding from your mistakes that you’re learning. Everyone loves an underdog story. You’ll have to deal with the general women can’t be good alphas bullshit, but once you drag Wolfe Medical and Mooncrest out of the gutter, you’ll have a lot more support.”

I blinked and shook my head. “I guess I should trust the experts.”

“Definitely.” He paused. “The actual experts.”

I scowled at him. “And how do we ensure that this narrative gains traction?"

“The Festival is a good start. End of the year financials, maybe take to some of Dad’s old ways of doing things in the going back to the basics way. I say we regroup with Charles when he gets back. This isn’t just your problem after all.”

The sound of the front door opening and closing pulled me out of my seat, and my heart raced with anticipation. I headed to the entrance, my eyes locking onto the figure that entered. Charles stood there, shrugging out of his coat and dusting the snow from his hair. His gaze settled on me, and a smile took over his face.

"Grace," he said, his voice a mixture of relief and longing.

My name had never sounded so good. Without hesitation, I closed the distance between us, my arms wrapping around him in a tight embrace. It should have felt awkward, but I was so relieved to have him back.

"You're back," I murmured, my voice muffled against his chest.

His arms encircled me, holding me close as if he couldn't bear to let me go.

"I missed you, too," he admitted his words a whisper against my hair.

I tilted my head back slightly to look up at him, our eyes meeting in an unspoken understanding. He tucked a lock of hair behind my ear.

"We have a lot to catch up on.”

He chuckled softly, a sound that resonated deep within me. "Indeed, we do."

I led him back into the living room where Eason was. Eason cocked an eyebrow at us, smiled, but he said nothing.

“Eason has a plan.”

Charles sank onto the couch across from us. “I love a good plan.”

Eason explained his plan. Charles listened intently, his expression thoughtful as he absorbed the details.

“What do you think?”

"That I should poach you when this is over,” Charles grinned. “I know a bar or two where you’d be popular.”

Eason’s face turned bright red. I huffed. “Not allowed!”

Charles chuckled. “We’ll see. I think it's a solid strategy, all told. What do you need from me?"

Eason gave him a grin, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "For you to get a good wig if it’s not growing fast enough and spray on a beard.”

He laughed. "Not on your life on either account.”

Eason laughed. “Well, then you’ll have to stay out of the limelight for a little while… I’m sure you and Grace can find something to get up to until it grows back.”

I glared at Eason as my stomach flipped. He gave me an innocent look.

“I’m sure Cecil will be up to building another castle soon.”

Charles snickered. “You wait until I find you a boyfriend, Eason. I’m sure Grace will return the favor.”

“Unlikely… unless you have a twin brother who is gay.”

“Eason!”

Charles burst into laughter. Before I could say anything else, a knock sounded on the door.

I turned my head to look at the doorway, wondering who it could be.

“I’ll get it.”