Chapter 47: Chapter 47

"There should be ninety-nine," I say. “There have been media interviews in which AlphaStevens had said that there would be a total of ninety-nine projection ads, representing the love of ninety-nine lifetimes.”

“That’s quite the campaign,” Jason says mildly. But I know that tone.

“Yes,” I agree. And it has certainly elevated Ms. Atkinson. She’s a popular actress, but it’s been reported that she’ll have several leading roles in the next year.”

Jason despises the presence of wolves in the media. Needless exposure, he always says. For work or business affiliations, sure, but these days, too many wolves just wanted to be in the spotlight.

"Remove all of them," Jason says.

"All of the ads?”

"All of them," Jason repeats with certainty.

“Okay, sir.” My reply is automatic but my wheels are turning.

Had Sean or maybe Lily offended Jason in some way? When Jason had been engaged to Jennifer, it had marked a strong political marriage, with the promise of incredible financial gains for both. Of course, the Stevens had far more to gain. Reed Pack didn’t need them or their assets. But Jason had made no comments about the Stevens/Atkinson wedding, he had even accepted the engagement invitation from Sean’s family.

I’m puzzled. Then another thought occurs to me…

Could it be that Alpha Reed wants to withdraw the engagement ads because... of Grace?"

The idea is shocking.

Would Jason do that for a woman? Not even for the sake of Jennifer, who was going to be his luna, had Jason ever offended anyone in the supernatural world. And that’s what a move like this would do…

it would send shockwaves through the wolf community.

Because it wouldn’t just be the ‘engagement’ that Jason was rejecting, but the merger of these two packs.

What did this woman, Grace, mean to his boss? Grace drove the car that ended Jennifer’s life.

I don’t understand. Not at all.

“Is there a problem?” Jason asks. He’s watching me carefully.

My loyalty is to my Alpha. My pack. My species.

It is not my place to question his motives or his authority.

I bow. “No Alpha.”

I leave the office quickly.

* * * * * * * * * * *

EVELYN I’m standing in the corridor of the hotel that Pack Stevens owns. I’ve been in the lobby for a few hours, dividing my time between the lobby bar and the sitting area in the entry to make sure I could intercept Sean.

The minute I see him descending in the glass elevators, I make my move.

And it’s about fucking time.

I walk into his pack and then smile and act like I’m surprised to see him. “Sean! What a pleasure it is to see you! It’s been so long…”

He freezes. His eyes dart around the hotel lobby. Maybe he expects my sister Grace to be hiding behind a planted tree.

“You look well, Evelyn,” he says carefully.”

When he steps to the side intending to walk around me, I pivot so I’m going in the same direction and I slide my arm through his.

I notice the odd looks we’re getting and I realize that such a move might be taken out of context by his new fiancee, but that’s a risk I’m willing to take. And, perhaps a card I can play later.

"Sean... I know it’s been so long. And we really lost touch when things went so tragically wrong with Grace’s accident.”

He stiffens beside me.

Well, it’s the elephant in the room, no point in ignoring it.

“But all of that is in the past now,” I say. “Grace is making amends and trying to reacclimatize to society.

I know she regrets all the pain and suffering she caused you.”

Sean looks at me oddly.

He’s as handsome as most actors and even more so attractive, because he is a wolf. And something of his more animalistic nature gives him a charisma that humans can never hope to achieve.

“Evelyn, your sister maintains her innocence to this day. An innocent luna was killed. My family and pack could’ve been damaged by the blowback from Alpha Reed.”

He’s still angry.

“Yes,” I agree. “It is a terrible thing that happened.”

He scoffs.

We’re almost to the door now, and I know my time is limited.

“You understand then how one person’s actions can cast such shadows as to damage the good of others. I, too, find myself in this position, Sean. I had a bright future. Your pack’s company offered me a casting that would have helped my pack significantly.”

His eyes narrow.

“That’s what we do, right? As wolves. We support each other. Make choices for the betterment of our species.”

“Your sister didn’t. Despite all the evidence stacked against her. She kept saying that she had been wronged! She refused to admit her guilt. And I stupidly almost believed her.”

I nod. “I know. She fooled us all.” I rest my hand on his arm. “It’s so hard when the people closest to our hearts betray us.”

He nods.

“You have a lot of nerve coming here!” a shrill voice screams.