Chapter 0003

Olivia's POV

The pit of dread I’ve had since I hung up the call with Mia just kept growing. I knew whatever was waiting for me was going to be bad.

Lunera Beauty was my passion. I knew there were those in the Pack that thought I shouldn’t have a career, that being the Luna should be enough. I also knew people thought makeup, fragrances, and other high-end beauty products were frivolous compared to Pack business.

But to me, it was my one freedom.

Mia waved me into the conference room, and I blanched at the grim look on her face.

“Our accounts show a massive deficit. Babe, we’re a debt-ridden shell of a company. And…” She hesitated and my stomach dropped. “… and the Pack’s accounts are the same.”

“That’s not possible.” I shook my head in denial. “We’re set for our most profitable quarter yet, and the Pack is completely separate from L.B. There’s enough money in both.”

“Look, it’s all here.” Mia passed me a file and I felt my blood boil looking at the proof.

Aiden’s signature was on everything.

I was seeing red. “How the fuck did this happen?!” I knew it wasn’t Mia’s fault, and yelling at my best friend wasn’t helpful, but I was past reason.

“It’s legit. Last quarter we restructured so you could focus on product development and brought Aiden on to run the operations and prep for him stepping up as Alpha, as… your Mate.”

Mia’s tone had softened, but her eyes were hard with anger and betrayal.

A wave of emotion hit me with the realization that Aiden’s betrayal had gone beyond breaking my trust by cheating with Amelia. Now he betrayed my Pack and my business. And I let it happen.

The weight of guilt and responsibility pressed down like a physical thing. My body collapsed into a chair as my mind raced with the consequences of Aiden’s actions.

If Lunera Beauty couldn’t cover the financial gap in Pack funds, the Alpha Council would disband Thorne Ridge Pack as weak. My people would be divided among other Packs, assuming they would welcome new members.

No Pack would welcome a disgraced Luna. I would be a lone and vulnerable wolf. Or I’d be in servitude to the Alpha Council to be married off and bred to some asshole Alpha… like Aiden.

Did Aiden plan to take over my Pack without me? Or with Amelia? That thought was gasoline on my burning anger.

“Mia, I’m sorry. I should have listened to you. I shouldn’t have trust –” My apologies were cut short as Amela strode into the room and sat herself next to me, ignoring Mia completely.

“Oh, Olivia, I'm so sorry you felt hurt by all of this. I'm sure you'll understand I never intended to cause any rift between us. Aiden was just so worried about me that he had to pause the wedding and take me to the hospital..."

Mia rolled her eyes before she snapped at Amelia “Get out!”

I saw the crack in Amelia’s arrogant mask before she leaned in to whisper into my ear, “If you beg me, I might help you out of this whole mess.”

My wolf forced herself to the surface with a low growl and I snapped my teeth next to Amelia’s throat. “Get used to disappointment, Amelia.”

I let my Luna energy seep out as I rose to stand above her “Now, get out of my sight.”

Amelia’s face contorted into a sneer as the power of my command forced her to lower her head into submission. And she obeyed.

***

In the last week I’d exhausted every available option that Mia and I could come up with to raise funds. From bank loans to calling in favors, it was all dead-end. Meeting Kelvin at his office was my last hope.

“I’m really sorry, Olivia, but I can’t loan you the money. I just can’t afford to cross Aiden." Regret dripped from Kelvin’s every word.

I sighed and offered him a bitter smile. “Come on, Kelvin, you knew my father, and you know Aiden won’t take his seat on the Alpha Council.”

Truthfully, nobody knew that, but I just wouldn’t believe it. I was trying to manifest here.

“And you know I have to be hands-off. Until that leadership seat is filled any member acting for or against any candidate is tantamount to favoritism. And I’d have to recuse myself from voting.”

My laugh was bitter “Yeah, and potentially piss off the next leader. I get it, Kelvin. Thanks for seeing me anyway.”

“I wish I could help, Liv, I really do.”

I believed him, but still let my frustration show in the way I slammed the door on my way out.

The crisp Autumn air was soothing as I walked towards Witches’ Brew, the local coffee shop, to meet with Mia and figure out if we had any next steps.

Caught up with my thoughts, I barely registered my phone ringing, answering it on autopilot. “Hello? This is Olivia.”

“Hey sweetheart, how have you been?” Aiden’s voice dripped with mock concern.

“Don’t hang up,” I hated that he knew me at all, because that was exactly what I was about to do. “I still have feelings for you, and I want to work something out.”

My brain short-circuited and I stopped in my tracks.

“If you agree to be my mistress, I’ll let your Pack off the hook.” I couldn’t believe the nerve of this man. I couldn’t believe I ever loved and trusted him.

“Go to Hell, you bastard!” I seethed through the line, hung up on him, and threw my phone back in my purse.

The chime above the shop door jingled and my head shot up in fight or flight mode. I’d made it to Witch’s Brew and Mia was holding the door open for me with a look of concern on her face.

“Heyyyy, Liv. Everything okay?”

Nothing was okay, but I needed to focus. “Yeah, just Aiden trying to extort me into being his Mistress in exchange for helping the Pack. Asshole.”

Mia’s eyes went wide in surprise, and I noticed the newspaper in her hand.

“What’s that? You never read a physical paper.”

“Well, I have an idea, but it’s absolutely insane.” Mia grabbed my elbow and pulled me around the corner for some privacy. “There’s one more person who could help us, so hear me out.”

She shoved the newspaper into my hands and pointed one perfectly manicured nail at the image on the front page featuring Alpha Ethan Blackford at a charity event two nights ago.

My mouth watered remembering the wildness of his kisses. He looked really good dressed in a tailored tuxedo.

“We have no direct ties to the Storm Haven Pack, no ties to Ethan himself, and since he’s on the list for the empty Alpha Council seat, he can’t vote. There’s no conflict if he works for or against Aiden…”

Mia kept on about the virtues of the Storm Haven Alpha as an ally, oblivious to my internal conflict and traitorous body’s reactions. I never planned to see him again, but my clenching pussy clearly had other plans.

“... Olivia, are you listening? Ethan’s perfect!”

“Yeah, I’m listening. But I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Bullshit, it’s a great idea!” To prove her point, Mia pulled out her phone and started to g****e info on Ethan while I mentally calculated the merits of being a lone wolf.

Mia’s gasp pulled my attention to the article headline she had found online.

“So much for not having ties, Liv. What’s this?”

‘ELIGIBLE BACHELOR ETHAN BLACKFORD FINALLY CAUGHT?’

My eyes tried to scan the article, but I couldn’t tear them away from the blurry clickbait photos taken through the opening through familiar hotel curtains.

Splashed across the national gossip news for all to see were my legs wrapped around Ethan’s waist, him palming my ass while we’re locked in a passionate kiss. Like we were lovers who had been starved of each other’s touch, desperate for it and desperately in love.