OliviaThe conference room buzzed with energy and purpose as I, alongside the PR team, gathered around the large, polished oak table. It was the fourth day of our auction preparations, and I had become more accustomed to the team.Papers, laptops, and cups of coffee were scattered across the surface, a testament to the long hours we'd been putting into organizing the auction. Sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting a warm glow over the scene. The atmosphere was a blend of focus and creativity, an exciting departure from the everyday routine.The word was vigorous, but it was one of the most fulfilling things I had ever done. I enjoyed getting along with the team, too. Everyone was nice, and it felt good to finally be a part of something outside the home for the first time in what seemed like forever.For starters, there was Joshua, the youngest out of the group. He was interning during his freshman year in college, but it was clear that he was cut out to be a valuable member of
OliviaI was just about to come up with a retort to Vanessa’s obvious hatred of me when the door suddenly flung open, causing all of us to jump and whirl around.“I need everyone but Olivia to leave the room, please.”Nathan stood in the doorway, his eyes wild. My own eyes widened as soon as I saw him; I knew that he had his interview with the Alpha association today, but it seemed as though something was wrong.As the others filtered out of the conference room, leaving Nathan and me alone a moment later, a heavy silence settled between the two of us. The tension in Nathan’s shoulders was palpable, his usual confident demeanor replaced by a look of deep frustration and concern.“Is everything okay?” I asked softly, taking a tentative step toward him. “Is it about your interview?”He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “It’s, uh… It’s complicated, Liv,” he said, his voice sounding hoarse and weary. “The interview went okay, I think, but… Liv, they want us to raise a lot of money f
OliviaIt was early the next morning, and I had just called the PR team for an impromptu meeting to discuss the lofty goals that the Alpha association had set for us.We were gathered around the conference table once again, a tray of coffee and pastries placed in the middle. I had picked it up on my way in this morning, figuring that it would help to soften the blow that was certain to knock most, if not all, of them out of their chairs.“Everyone,” I began, clasping my trembling hands together. “There’s been a significant development regarding the auction. We’ve… We’ve been challenged by the Alpha association to raise a staggering amount of money—a hundred thousand dollars.”A collective gasp echoed around the table. Everyone began glancing around incredulously, clearly trying to tell if I was playing a prank on them or not.“You’re serious?” Ashley asked, her voice quieter than usual.I nodded. “I am,” I said. “Look, I know it’s a lot, but—”“Sorry, Luna, but… how the hell are we su
OliviaThe atmosphere in the conference room was still charged with the remnants of Vanessa’s outburst, but there were other, bigger fish to fry today. With the date of the auction looming close and a seemingly impossible feat waiting just around the corner, there was no time to be worrying about petty arguments and hurt feelings.There was a long silence in the room as I considered the short-lived suggestion about Dianna Miller, the local artist. The others were skeptical and had mentioned that she was a recluse, but the idea still intrigued me.I couldn’t shake the feeling that reaching out to Dianna might be our only shot at success if we were going to earn enough money to impress the Alpha association.“Look, I know it’s a long shot,” I began, addressing the team, “but selling one of Dianna Miller’s paintings at this auction could actually be a huge help when it comes to helping us reach our goal. I really think we should at least try to reach out to her.”Laurie shook her head al
OliviaAs I pulled back into the villa’s driveway a little while later, I felt a sense of defeat wash over me. Dianna Miller, the famous artist who I had thought might just be the key to making this ill-fated auction a success, had refused to see me.“I guess I should have known it would wind up like this,” I muttered as I pulled the key out of the ignition and headed inside, where Clint was waiting for me with the twins in the living room.As I entered the house, Clint looked up from where he was comfortably reading a book in a plush armchair. The twins were happily playing in their playpen with a new set of blocks that I had just bought for them.“Hey there, young lady,” Clint said as he climbed to his feet, using his cane for support. “You look exhausted.”“That’s putting it lightly.” I scoffed. “It’s been a long day. How were the twins?”“Angels, as usual.” Clint cocked his head. “Want to talk about it?”I opened my mouth to speak, but then shut it again and shook my head, offerin
OliviaThe next day dawned with a mixture of anxiety and hope. Nathan and I, with the painting carefully wrapped in the backseat, drove to the local appraiser’s office. The quaint little shop, nestled between the bakery and the florist, showcased all kinds of antique items in its large windows.“Ready?” Nathan asked as he pulled up to the curb and glanced over at me.I nodded. “Ready.”As we entered, the bell above the door jingled and announced our arrival. The appraiser looked up from behind the counter; he was wearing a pair of magnifying goggles that made his eyes look tiny through the glass, and was holding what looked to be some sort of precious stone in his hand.“Good morning, Alpha Karl and Luna Olivia,” the older man said with a surprised look on his face. He lifted the goggles and placed them on his head to reveal a pair of deep-set, kind eyes. “Is there anything I can help you with?”Nathan and I exchanged a quick glance before Nathan approached the counter with the painti
Olivia“Dianna?”The name escaped my lips before I could stop myself. The door had creaked open, revealing an older woman with wisps of gray hair framing her face. She wore a pair of paint-covered overalls, beneath which she wore an equally-paint-stained orange sweater.Her eyes, wide with shock, were fixed on the painting I held in my hands. As our gazes met, a moment of silence passed between us, heavy with unspoken questions. Somehow, something about this painting that had been hanging over my mantle at home had struck a chord within her.I just hoped that it was a good chord.“Where... where did you find that painting?” The artist’s voice trembled as she spoke, betraying a vulnerability that contrasted sharply with the reclusive, almost mythical figure the town had painted her out to be.I swallowed. “My husband... He got it at a yard sale,” I explained, still somewhat stunned by her sudden appearance. “It’s been hanging over our mantlepiece for ages now.”She scoffed. “A yard sal
OliviaI stepped out of Dianna Miller’s house that day with the scent of oil paints in my nostrils and a newfound sense of hope in my chest.“Dianna,” I said as I stopped on her porch, “thank you so much for talking to me. And thank you again for donating those paintings to the auction; it’s going to make a world of difference.”Dianna nodded, flashing me a warm smile. “I’ll admit that it was nice to have such a sweet young lady to talk to,” she said. “Most people who come by here just want to line their own pockets in some way or another; get a photo, ask me questions for their book, you name it. But you…”“I just want what’s good for our pack,” I said. “We need the help of the Alpha association if we’re going to grow and rebuild after everything our pack has been through, and that’s why this auction is so important.”“Of course,” Dianna said softly. “Feel free to stop by anytime. It does get awfully quiet around here.” She paused, her gaze sweeping over the austere landscape around
OliviaI gripped the edges of the podium, my knuckles whitening from the strain as I stared out over the sea of faces. All eyes were trained squarely on me, awaiting my words. But I was frozen.A tremor of nausea wormed its way up my throat as I stared out at them. What was I thinking—how could I have ever agreed to this? Speaking to crowds had never been my forte; that was Nathan’s arena, not mine. I was just the woman behind the scenes, the young mom who had never gone to college, the one who had been handed her job by her husband…Suddenly, a flicker of motion off to the side caught my eye—Nathan, standing just at the edge of the stage with his arms folded across his chest. Even from this distance, I could feel the weight of his steady gaze, that piercing Alpha stare that always seemed to see straight into the depths of my soul.He must have sensed my faltering because, slowly, deliberately, he offered me the faintest of smiles and a single, reassuring nod.And just like that, the
Olivia I looped my arm through Nathan’s as we stepped down from the podium, the applause from the crowd and the flashing of cameras having finally subsided after what felt like an eternity. “It’s over,” Nathan beamed, giving my arm a squeeze. “That wasn’t so bad.” I couldn’t help but grin back at him. “No, it wasn’t. You were great up there.” And he really had been great; the press conference had been an overwhelming success—any lingering doubts or trepidation we had harbored before had been utterly blown away by the sheer force of the crowd’s enthusiastic response. For so long, it had felt like we were fighting this battle alone, like the victims who had suffered under Dan’s horrific operation were little more than nameless, faceless casualties. But today, we had finally given them a voice. Their stories had reached the masses, had resonated and struck a chord with everyone who watched. Nathan had handled all of the questions that were thrown his way with poise and ease
OliviaI rapped my knuckles lightly on the door to Nathan’s office. A moment later, his voice called out, “Come in.”Stepping into the room, I placed my hands on my hips upon seeing the scene in front of me: Nathan was standing in front of the mirror, his shirt still untucked and his tie loosened. His desk was a mess of papers and folders, and it was clear that he had been checking over his notes last-minute before the press conference.
OliviaI wiped a bead of sweat from my brow, slowly turning to survey the progress that had been made in the park. The banners we had hung were a bold purple color, signifying our support of the women who had been affected by the trafficking ring.I couldn’t help but smile a bit as I looked at our progress. With the press conference today, followed by a festival to help raise funds for the shelter we were building, the park was bustling with activity as our pack members worked hard
NathanI leaned back in my chair with a weary sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose in a futile attempt to stave off the encroaching headache. Spread out on my desk was an array of file folders, legal pads scrawled with notes, and printed transcripts—a minefield of information that would need to be carefully navigated on the day of the upcoming press conference.It had been two weeks since Dan and Montgomery’s bodies were found in the confinement pit, and it had been a dizzyin
OliviaMy hands shook uncontrollably as I stepped up to the edge of the pit, clutching the metal grating until my knuckles turned white. A thick, cloying stench wafted up from the darkness below—the unmistakable reek of death and decay.Despite the waves of nausea already roiling in my gut, I leaned forward for a closer look.
OliviaThe air coming through the open windows smelled like the fresh sea breeze as we made our way from room to room, touring every nook and cranny of the newly completed cottage. It was perfect—cozy and quaint, while still boasting all the modern amenities one could want. But more than that, it was a sanctuary, a haven.A fresh start.
OliviaThe sound of power tools outside streamed in through the window while I folded the laundry, a distant backdrop to my swirling thoughts. I had grown used to the sound, and actually kind of enjoyed it. It was a reminder that life went on, that our family was growing.It had been a couple of weeks since I had made the decision to take a temporary leave from work in order to really focus on my family—on rebuilding that long-severed bond with my mother—and I was glad I did.
NathanI couldn’t stop the rage from simmering just beneath the surface as I made my way through the darkened forest toward the confinement pit. No one knew I was here—I was coming under the cover of night, my hair and face concealed by a hood.But I had to come. I couldn’t stop thinking about Dan and Montgomery, and I needed to see them.