Chapter 78
Olivia's POV
The phone felt heavy in my hand as I stared at Aiden’s name on the screen. A strange mix of frustration and determination swirled inside me.
Aiden’s release was a glaring failure of the Alpha Council’s judgment, and the knowledge that he was out there, likely scheming his next move, set my teeth on edge.
Ethan would only kill Aiden out of instinct, and the Council clearly wouldn’t handle this. It had to be me.
I took a deep breath and pressed the call button. The line rang twice before his voice came through, as smug as ever. I felt sick that I could have ever loved this male once.
“Well, well. If it isn’t my dear Mate turned step-sister-in-law,” Aiden drawled. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Cut the shit, Aiden,” I said, keeping my tone steady. “You and I both know this isn’t a social call.”
He chuckled, low and mocking. “Ah, straight to business. Fine. What is it, sweetheart? Calling to gloat about how your precious Ethan had me arrested?”
I tightened my grip on the phone, my wolf bristling at his tone. “You know why I’m calling. Whatever you’re planning, just don’t. Stay out of Thorne Ridge and stay away from my Pack.”
There was a pause, then the sound of a sharp intake of breath. “Oh, Olivia,” he said, his voice dripping with false pity. “You still don’t get it, do you? This is family business.”
He meant Chloe, but she was clearly using Aiden as much as anyone else. “Why are you Chloe’s lap dog?” I shot back.
His laugh was bitter this time. “Chloe’s plans go far beyond me, but I’ll give you credit, you’ve made things... interesting. That’s why I’ve decided to make Thorne Ridge my own. I’ll bring my Rogues, rebuild the Pack, and take my rightful place as your Alpha.”
“Over my dead body,” I said coldly.
“Careful, Luna,” he warned, his voice dropping to a dangerous tone. “Your Pack isn’t as secure as you think. Neither is the Council.”
This was the kind of information I needed to hear, but I had to tread carefully. Make Aiden feel as if he were in control here.
I shoved down every reaction and forced my voice to sound as confused as possible. “Aiden, I don’t see what the Council has to do with any of this, this was about us.”
Aiden laughed, the sound dark and edged with cruelty. “Oh, sweetheart, you really think this ends with a few Rogue skirmishes and some petty power plays? Let me spell it out for you since you seem blissfully unaware. Chloe doesn’t want Thorne Ridge. She wants the Council.”
I swallowed hard, keeping my tone steady. “The Council? That’s ridiculous. Even Chloe doesn’t have the reach –”
“Doesn’t she?” Aiden interrupted, his voice sharp. “You don’t know half of it. She’s been building alliances, planting seeds of doubt in the Council’s so-called ‘impartial leadership.’ For years. When it’s done, my mother will be the one calling the shots, not Derek or anyone else.”
I stayed silent, letting him keep talking, feeding me the information he thought would intimidate me.
“And here’s the beauty of it,” he continued, his voice dripping with smugness. “When she takes over, there’ll be no room for Ethan. But me? Oh, I’ll be right there. Derek’s precious heir. The next Alpha of Jasper Pack and Thorne Ridge. Maybe even Storm Haven, too.”
“You can’t be serious,” I said softly, trying to sound disbelieving instead of pissed off.
“Serious enough to know my place when the dust settles,” Aiden said. “Thorne Ridge is just the beginning. Chloe’s vision doesn’t stop at Pack borders. And neither does mine.”
“You can threaten all you want, but you won’t win,” I said firmly. “You’re a disgrace to Alphas everywhere.”
Aiden’s voice turned venomous. “You think you’re safe because Ethan protects you. But one day, Olivia, his shield won’t be there. And I’ll be waiting to claim you as mine.”
My pulse quickened, but I didn’t flinch. “You’ll be waiting a long time,” I said, my voice icy. “Because Ethan will end you first.”
There was a moment of silence, and I wondered if I’d struck a nerve. Aiden’s delayed response was filled with hatred, “Let’s not forget, I know all about your little arrangement.”
My stomach churned, but I forced myself to stay calm. “You’ve already lost, Aiden. No one will follow you. The Council sees you for what you are – a liability.”
“Then why am I free?” he countered smoothly.
I didn’t need an answer for that.
“Good luck, Luna,” he said finally, his tone eerily calm. “You’ll need it.”
The line went dead, and I let out a shaky breath, my heart pounding in my chest.
I sat down, staring at the phone in my hand. Aiden’s threats were serious, but they weren’t new. What struck me more was the bitter, almost resigned edge to his voice. He wasn’t just desperate, he was unraveling.
I glanced at the app running on my phone, ensuring it had captured every word.
The room felt smaller than it was, its heavy oak furniture and tall shelves filled with ancient texts lending an air of gravity to the meeting. Kelvin’s piercing gaze followed me as I paced the length of the rug, my nerves barely contained beneath a veneer of calm.
I had rehearsed this conversation in my head countless times, yet the importance of itpressed on me now like never before.
“Alpha Kelvin,” I began, turning to face him. “Thank you for agreeing to meet me.”
He nodded, his expression neutral but kind. “You’ve piqued my curiosity, Luna Olivia. Let’s hear it.”
I took a deep breath, grounding myself. “You know as well as I do that the Council vote will determine the future of not just Ethan’s Pack and mine, but the balance among the Packs as a whole. Chloe and Aiden’s attacks aren’t just personal vendettas, they’re threats to Council stability.”
Kelvin leaned back in his chair, his brow furrowing. “And you’ve come to me because?”
I hesitated, then reached into my bag, pulling out a small recorder. “Because I have proof of Aiden’s plans to destabilize Thorne Ridge and take over the Jasper Pack. This isn’t speculation, Alpha. It’s a direct admission.”
His eyebrows lifted slightly as I played the recording. Aiden’s smug tone filled the room, his words painting a vivid picture of his and Chloe’s ambitions. When it ended, I clicked the device off, the silence in its wake thicker than before.
Kelvin stood, his broad frame casting a long shadow in the dim light. “You’re not exaggerating,” he said, his voice low. “This is a mess that can’t be ignored. And you’re right, leadership must be stable. But it must also be decisive.”
“Which is why I’m here,” I replied, stepping closer. “Ethan and I are stronger together, and we are committed to protecting all Packs from this kind of chaos. But we need your support to make that happen.”
Kelvin studied me for a long moment, then inclined his head. “Ethan has my vote. But one vote won’t be enough, Olivia. Find one more ally – someone who can solidify this. And then you’ll have my public endorsement as well.”
Relief warred with determination in my chest. “Thank you, Kelvin,” I said firmly. “You won’t regret this.”
“I know I won’t,” he said, his tone lightening slightly. “You’ve shown remarkable strength, Olivia. Your father would be proud.”
Emotion swelled in my throat, but I forced myself to nod, keeping my composure. “Thank you.”
There was a steep learning curve, but if I was going be used in this political game, I was going to make some of my own rules.
