Chapter 58
Olivia's POV
The high-rise conference room exuded luxury and power, its floor-to-ceiling windows offering a breathtaking view of the skyline.
I sat to Derek’s right, my notebook open in front of me, though I doubted I’d use it. My role here was far less conventional than the average business consultant.
The executives from Lygon Enterprises entered the room, their tailored suits and confident strides signaling they were used to being in control. Derek greeted them with a firm handshake, his Alpha presence filling the space.
“Gentlemen,” he began, his tone smooth and unhurried. “Thank you for taking the time to meet with us. I trust we can come to an arrangement that benefits us all.”
I kept my expression neutral, but as the men took their seats, I let my empathy to reach out. It was a subtle, a gentle probing of the emotions swirling around the room.
Confidence.
Skepticism.
One of them, the younger man to Derek’s left, radiated nervousness. He wasn’t fully sold on this deal.
Derek glanced at me, and I gave a small nod, signaling where his attention should focus. He leaned back in his chair, his movements deliberate while he addressed the nervous man directly.
“Mr. Leighton,” Derek said, his tone deceptively casual. “You’ve built quite a reputation for identifying opportunities others overlook. I imagine that’s why your company has been so successful in expanding into niche markets.”
The man blinked, caught off guard by the direct praise. I felt his guard waver slightly, replaced by a flicker of pride. Derek had him.
“That’s true,” Mr. Leighton replied, sitting up straighter. “But success comes from careful planning, not rushed decisions.”
Derek smiled, a hint of steel behind it. “Of course. That’s why I’ve brought in someone to ensure every angle of this partnership is examined thoroughly.”
He gestured to me. “Olivia is a specialist in evaluating risk and opportunity. I’m confident her insights will put any concerns to rest.”
All eyes turned to me. My pulse quickened, but I kept my voice steady. “The data speaks for itself,” I said, sliding a document across the table.
“This partnership would allow both parties to come out on top. It’s not about rushing; it’s about recognizing the right time to act.”
I sensed their interest shifting, the skepticism softening. Derek took over smoothly, outlining the specifics of the deal while I continued to feel the room.
When the final agreement was reached, the tension dissolved into relief and satisfaction. Derek stood, shaking hands with the executives as they prepared to leave.
Once the room was empty, Derek turned to me, his expression unreadable. “You were remarkable,” he said, his voice low.
I didn’t respond immediately, still processing what I’d done. My empathy had given Derek the edge he needed, and my Pack a small influx of funds, but the underlining wrongness of it gnawed at me.
“This isn’t exactly what I signed up for,” I said finally, closing my notebook.
Derek’s smirk returned, sharp and knowing. “No, but it’s what you’re capable of. And it’s only the beginning, Olivia. Imagine what we could achieve if you aligned fully with me.”
I met his gaze, my stomach twisting. “You mean if I completed the bond with Ethan.”
“Precisely,” he said without hesitation. “A united front between you and Ethan secures my support long-term. And your Pack’s future. This… arrangement could be permanent.”
I swallowed hard, the weight of his words pressing down on me. “You don’t care about Ethan and me. This is about control.”
Derek’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second, but he recovered quickly. “It’s about survival, Olivia. Yours. Ethan’s. The Packs’ With your… gifts, I’m surprised you think emotions don’t factor into that equation.”
Part of me longed for the connection he was pushing for; a bond that would silence the doubts, solidify our alliance, and ease the ache in my chest. But hope was a dangerous poison.
“It’s not me that needs convincing,” I said, my voice quieter now.
Derek’s smirk softened into something almost resembling understanding. “My sons are stubborn, but time isn’t a luxury we can afford.”
As we walked out of the conference room, the city seemed darker, Derek’s expectations an impossible demand.
My wolf stirred uneasily, and for once, I didn’t know if she was urging me toward Ethan or away from everything else.
The crisp air hit me as I stepped out of the building, my heels clicked against the sidewalk as I walked, Derek just a few steps behind. The success of the meeting still lingered, Derek’s sharp words about survival on a loop in my mind.
I barely had time to collect my thoughts before I noticed the subtle flicker of camera flashes in the distance. I tensed, sensing the prying eyes before I saw them.
“Keep walking,” Derek said under his breath, his voice calm but edged with authority.
I clenched my jaw and adjusted my posture, knowing full well what this scene would look like to anyone watching.
Derek, the powerful Alpha, and me, his supposed ‘consultant,’ emerging together from a high-profile business venue. It didn’t matter that our meeting had nothing to do with romance or betrayal. The story would write itself, and I had no way to stop it.
A reporter’s voice broke through the murmur of the small crowd gathered near the sidewalk. “Luna Olivia! Is this a sign of a renewed alliance between Thorne Ridge and Jasper Packs?”
I didn’t flinch, though my heart pounded. Derek’s presence beside me felt like a barrier, but also a reminder of the precarious position I was in.
“No comment,” Derek replied smoothly, placing a hand lightly on my back to guide me toward the waiting car. His gesture, though calculated, would only add fuel to the fire.
The flashes intensified, and I turned my face slightly away, not wanting to give them any more than they already had. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” I muttered under my breath.
Derek’s chuckle was low and amused. “It’s not about enjoyment, Olivia. It’s about optics. Let them wonder. Uncertainty is a weapon.”
I bit back a retort, swallowing the frustration bubbling up in my chest. As the car door closed behind me, I allowed myself a moment to breathe, though the stress remained coiled tightly around my shoulders.
The drive back to my Pack House was quiet, but my mind was anything but. I knew exactly what the headlines would say: confirmation about a rift between Ethan and me, whispers of a budding alliance with Derek.
My phone buzzed in my bag, and I didn’t need to look to know that the gossip was already spreading. Mia would be furious, Ethan even more so.
As I stared out the window at the cars blurring past, a wave of unease washed over me. I had thought I was helping my Pack by navigating Derek’s world, using my empathy to gain an edge. But now, I wasn’t so sure.
When we reached the Pack House, I stepped out of the car, Derek’s parting words lingering like a shadow.
“Perception is power, Olivia. Use it wisely.”
I watched his car drive away, questioning everything I had agreed to. For all my efforts to take control, it felt like I was losing yet another piece.
