Chapter 6 – Shifty

• Olivia's POV
• “I’m sorry, but I’m going to need you to repeat that.” There was no way Alpha Ethan Blackford said he wanted me to be his Luna.
• First, he tried to pay me off to keep quiet about our night together, then we end up in the gossip papers and, and now he’s asking me to Mate him.
• This guy is colder and crueler than I thought.
• “Consider it a business arrangement if you like. Your Pack is in trouble – you are in trouble, Olivia – and I have the money to help. And I…”
• Ethan’s jaw clenched like getting the next words out were physically painful.
• “And I need a Luna. You happen to be the most suitable option. But besides all of that, I know who’s behind the photos and rumors.”
• I waited impatiently for Ethan to continue and drop a name.
• “It’s Chloe. Aiden’s mother. And if we don’t ally together, she’ll do her best to hurt both our packs.” Sincerity.
• He genuinely believed that.
• “Look, Ethan, I appreciate the strategy and all, but this isn’t exactly a good time to have this conversation.”
• My mother’s hospital room door swung open, and we made room for the doctor in the hallway. “Ah, Luna Olivia”
• Doctor Wynter briefly glanced between Ethan and me. Clearing her throat, she continued when he made no move to give us privacy. “It’s fine, Elara.” I told her. I was too exhausted to argue with him about it.
• “Of course. Your mother is stable. She gave us quite the scare, but she pulled through. This time. She’ll want to see you, but I think it’s best we keep her visitors to a minimum.”
• I breathed a sigh of relief and nodded as Ethan discreetly pressed a card into my hand and lowered his voice to speak into my ear.
• “Think it over. I’ll give you three days.”
• But I was already pushing into the room, desperate to confirm with my own eyes that my mother was alive and would be well.
• She looked so frail in the hospital bed, and I had no idea what happened.
• Until I saw the letter from the Alpha Council declaring my one-week deadline clutched in her hand. The anxious look on her face told me this letter was what happened.
• “Going through my junk mail again, mom?” I forced a smile to lighten the mood, but my voice was strained.
• “Why didn’t you come to me, Liv?”
• That was an answer I couldn’t truthfully give her.
• Because since dad died, you’re just waiting to rejoin him and I’m not ready to lose you too.
• “Because there’s nothing to tell. This is just some hoax to scare me. I’m taking care of it; you don’t need to worry.” The lie felt bitter on my tongue.
• If I didn’t fix this, it wasn’t only my Pack I would lose. It would be her too.
• My mind knew Ethan’s proposal seemed like my only option at this point. But my heart raged against sacrificing a mating bond by tying myself to a man who didn’t love or respect me.
• ***
• Unknown Number: I hear you’ve developed something amazing. A perfume that changes its scent based on emotions. Is that true?
• Olivia: Who is this?
• Unknown Number: Just someone who admires innovative work. I’m interested in investing in the formula. I believe it could be revolutionary.
• Olivia: I’m only entertaining serious offers. How did you get this number?
• Unknown Number: I understand your hesitation, but I think we should discuss this in person. My offer would reflect the true value of your work. Tomorrow?
• Unknown Number: I’m not trying to pressure you. Just a quick meeting. No obligations. Let’s say noon tomorrow. I can come to you.
• Olivia: OK. Noon tomorrow. Witch’s Brew Café.
• Unknown Number: Looking forward to it.
• I read over the text message again and knew I was running behind. I still didn’t want to sell my formula, but if this was a real offer then I didn’t need to marry Ethan.
• And if it wasn’t, I didn’t want to be alone in my empty office with whoever this mystery investor was.
• The familiar tingling of the doorbell greeted me with the smell of freshly brewed coffee. And a vaguely familiar young woman seated at a table in the back waved me over.
• “Hi, I’m Olivia. You must be my mystery meeting. Thank you for your patience, Miss...?”
• The question hung in the air with her silent scrutiny. “Grace.”
• “Nice to meet you, Grace. I’m excited to see if we can come to an arrangement. Lunera Beauty has been developing this formula for years and it’s truly something special. I’ve brought the financials and reports of market potential, but I think you’ll be impressed with these samples of –”
• “What’s your relationship with Alpha Ethan?” Grace cut in.
• “Excuse me? My personal life is not up for discussion.” I frowned at her question.
• “No, excuse you. What’s your angle? Do you think using Ethan to get back at Aiden for tossing you away is a good move?” Grace wasn’t even bothering to hide the venom in her voice.
• “You’re just an Omega in Luna’s clothing. Stay away from Ethan.” Grace stood up and towered over me in a weak attempt at intimidation. But I was a Luna.
• Lacing my voice with just a hint of power, I sat back and masked my anger. I didn’t have to stand up to be the dominant one in this situation. “If you’re so curious about me and Ethan, you should ask him. We’re done here.”
• “Gracie, what in the nine hells!”
• A man sharing the same sandy hair and navy eyes as Grace, grabbed her by the shoulders and awkwardly started pulling her away. “So sorry about her, she must have missed her morning dose of anti-bitch juice this morning.”
• “Marlus, let me go! We don’t even know this woman. She could be working with you-know-who. And you –” Her head whipped around to the unmistakable shape of Ethan Blackford looming behind my chair.
• “You don’t even know her. Why won’t she leave you alone, huh? She just jumps from Aiden’s bed to yours; you end up in the papers and cockblocked on Council and nobody else thinks this is shifty?”
• The man dragging Grace away, Marlus, she called him, snorted at the ‘shifty’ pun.
• “Oh, fuck off Marlus. I’m serious!” she seethed.
• Ethan glanced down and met my angry glare with a smile. “Leaving me alone or not is up to Olivia now.”
• Grace’s face twisted in fury as she grabbed the perfume samples I’d worked so hard on and smashed them to the ground. “You’re nothing but a conniving fraud, Olivia!” she screeched, her voice harsh and grating.
• Seeing my hard work destroyed like that sent a sharp surge of anger through me. My wolf stirred, and before I could stop it, a low growl escaped my throat.
• I looked at Ethan, his lips curling into the slightest smile, and I kept my voice calm despite the raging storm inside me.
• “I accept your proposal.”