Chapter 28: First date
Chapter 28: First date
(Olivia’s POV)
The Northern Territory Medical Center was bustling with activity when I arrived. I’d deliberately chosen a time when I knew the waiting room would be full–more witnesses to my “suffering” meant more sympathy.
“Miss Oasis?” The nurse called, her eyes widening slightly at my appearance. “The doctor will see you now.”
I nodded weakly, making sure to wince as I stood. The scratch on my cheek from Gloria’s attack was minor- barely breaking the skin–but I’d carefully avoided cleaning it, allowing the dried blood to make it look worse
than it was.
“What happened to you?” Dr. Grace Bennett asked when I entered the examination room. As Lily’s aunt, she knew me well enough to be suspicious of my theatrical entrance.
“Gloria Ellis attacked me at the office,” I explained, letting my voice tremble slightly. “I need documentation for
the Enforcers.”
Dr. Bennett raised an eyebrow as he examined the scratch.” It’s only a superficial wound dear, and by your ability it should have healed by now.”
“I know,” I admitted in a low voice, realizing I couldn’t hide it from her.” But I needed it to look …… a little more serious, so I just took wolfsbane pills to slow down the healing.”
Understanding dawned in her eyes. “You’re playing their game now.”
I nodded. “Just this once.”
Fifteen minutes later, I emerged with a completely unnecessary bandage on my cheek and a white medical face mask covering half my face. The mask was particularly effective–it suggested my injuries were too horrific to be seen in public.
At the Northern Territory Enforcement Station, Officer Caleb Hunter was waiting with the surveillance footage from my office.
“The evidence is clear,” he stated, gesturing to the screen where Gloria could be seen throwing objects and lunging at me. “Mrs. Oasis will be charged with assault.”
I lowered my eyes, the picture of a wounded victim. “I just want justice.”
Gloria was brought in, her expression shifting from rage to calculation when she saw my bandaged face and mask. The Enforcers announced her punishment: ten days detention, a substantial fine, and a formal apology
to me.
“I apologize for my actions,” Gloria said stiffly, her eyes burning with hatred.” I’ve been under tremendous stress due to my daughter’s heart failure.”
I nodded solemnly. “I understand. Family illness is difficult.” I paused, then added with false sweetness, “At least you’ll have company in detention. I hear Ambrose was arrested yesterday for public indecency with Vanessa Moore.”
Gloria’s face contorted with fury, but with the Enforcers watching, she could only clench her fists and remain
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Chapter 28 First date
silent.
Back at my company headquarters, I removed the unnecessary bandage and mask, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction. For years, I’d played by the rules while Gloria, Bella, and my father had manipulated the system. Now they were all facing consequences–Ambrose and Gloria in detention, and Bella alone at the
hospital.
“Karma,” I whispered to myself, “is finally catching up to them.”
The next evening, I stood before my closet, contemplating what to wear for dinner with Cassius Shadowcrest. This wasn’t a date–I reminded myself firmly–but a thank–you dinner for his extraordinary generosity.
I selected a cream–colored dress with subtle moonstone accents that complemented my mother’s bracelet. The silk scarf I added would hide the fading scratch on my neck, and a matching headband completed the elegant look.
As I applied a light touch of makeup, my phone buzzed with voice messages from Lily.
“Livvy!” Lily’s excited voice came through. “You won’t believe who just walked into Imperial Moon! The most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen in my life!”
I smiled, applying mascara as I listened.
“I’m not exaggerating,” Lily continued in her next message. “He’s tall, dark, and absolutely commanding. Every she–wolf in the restaurant is practically drooling. Even I’m having trouble maintaining my professional composure!”
I chuckled. Lily had always been dramatic about attractive men, but her standards were impossibly high. If she was this excited, the man must be exceptional.
“He’s in an impeccable dark blue suit that screams custom–made,” her third message detailed. “And his eyes- they’re so intense they could melt steel! He’s sitting in the main dining area waiting for someone, and I swear the temperature rose ten degrees when he walked in.”
I finished my makeup and texted back: “No one is that impressive. You’re exaggerating again.”
My phone immediately rang. I answered while slipping on my heels.
“Livvy!” Lily hissed. “You don’t understand. This isn’t just any handsome wolf. It’s Cassius Shadowcrest!”
I froze. “What?”
“Cassius Shadowcrest! THE Cassius Shadowcrest! Alpha of the Shadowcrest Pack! He’s here, in my restaurant, apparently waiting for someone. Please tell me it’s not for you?”
My heart skipped a beat. “I… yes, we’re having dinner.”
There was a moment of stunned silence before Lily shrieked, “WHAT?! How? When? Why didn’t you tell me it
was HIM?”
“I did tell you I was having dinner with Cassius Shadowcrest,” I reminded her, suddenly feeling nervous. “Yes, but I didn’t think you meant THE Cassius Shadowcrest! Do you know who he is? Really know?”
I frowned. “He’s the Alpha of the Shadowcrest Pack.”
“He’s not just any Alpha!” Lily’s voice rose in pitch. “He’s the most eligible bachelor in the Northern Territory! His family controls the entire military industry for werewolves! And he just spent three hundred million
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Chapter 28 first date
dollars on a bracelet for you!”
My cheeks warmed at the reminder. “It was a business transaction. I’m going to discuss repayment tonight.”
Lily snorted. “Sure, ‘business.’ Livvy, wolves like Cassius Shadowcrest don’t spend that kind of money without reason. And they certainly don’t dine alone with unmated she wolves unless they’re interested.”
“That’s ridiculous,” I protested, though my wolf preened at the suggestion. “He’s just being kind.”
“Kind?” Lily laughed. “Alphas like Shadowcrest aren’t ‘kind‘ without reason. They’re strategic. Everything they do has purpose.”
I glanced at my watch. “I need to go. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Wait!” Lily demanded. “You can’t just drop this bomb and leave! How did you even meet him? What’s going on between you two? Is this why Graham’s been acting so strange lately?”
“I really have to go,” I insisted, grabbing my purse. “I’ll explain everything later.”
I ended the call despite Lily’s protests and headed for Imperial Moon Restaurant, my thoughts swirling. Was Lily right? Did Cassius Shadowcrest have ulterior motives for helping me?
The restaurant was bustling when I arrived. I spotted him immediately–it was impossible not to. Cassius Shadowcrest commanded attention without effort, his powerful aura drawing every eye in the room.
He sat at a corner table, his posture relaxed yet authoritative. The dark blue suit he wore emphasized his broad shoulders and fit his athletic frame perfectly. His features were striking–strong jawline, penetrating eyes, and an expression of calm confidence.
My phone rang again. Lily.
“I’m here now,” I answered quietly. “Can I call you back tomorrow?”
“He’s still here!” Lily whispered frantically. “Livvy, do you realize who you’re having dinner with? That’s Cassius Shadowcrest! The Alpha who single–handedly negotiated peace between the Eastern and Northern Territories after decades of conflict!”
I glanced toward Cassius, who had noticed me and was now rising from his seat. “Yes, I know who he is.” “He’s the wolf who expanded Shadowcrest Industries by 300% in just five years! The Alpha who donated fifty million to the Territory Orphanage last winter! The man who just spent three hundred million dollars on a bracelet for you!”
My cheeks burned as Cassius approached. “Lily, I really need to go.”
“Wait! Is he courting you? What’s going on? You have to tell me everything!”
Cassius was now standing before me, his presence even more imposing up close. His scent–pine forests after rain with hints of amber–wrapped around me, making my wolf stir with interest.
“I’ll call you tomorrow,” I promised Lily, then ended the call.
“Olivia,” Cassius greeted, his deep voice sending an unexpected shiver down my spine. “You look lovely.” “Thank you,” I managed, suddenly feeling flustered. “And thank you for coming.”
He offered his arm with old–fashioned courtesy. “Shall we?”
As we walked toward the private VIP room, I felt every eye in the restaurant following us. Whispers erupted in
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our wake, and I caught fragments of conversation:
“Is that Olivia Oasis with Cassius Shadowcrest?” “The Alpha of the Shadowcrest Pack?” “Wasn’t she supposed to mate with Graham Storm?”
My phone buzzed again with messages from Lily:
“OMG HE’S WALKING WITH YOU!” “EVERYONE IS STARING!” “CALL ME THE SECOND YOU GET HOME!
H
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