Chapter 32: Shameless Graham
Chapter 32: Shameless Graham
(Olivia’s POV)
“Five million dollars in three days? Absolutely not,” I said, staring directly into Tyler’s eyes.
My cousin’s face flushed with anger. “You have to help us! This is your fault!”
“My fault? How exactly is your father’s financial mismanagement my responsibility?” I kept my voice level despite the rage building inside me.
Tyler leaned forward, a smirk forming on his lips. “Come on, Livvy, we all know you’ve got two powerful Alphas wrapped around your finger. Either your ex–mate Graham or that Shadowcrest wolf who bought your mother’s moonstone bracelet would hand over this pocket change without blinking.”
I felt my wolf bristling beneath my skin at his presumption. The audacity of this entitled pup thinking I would
use my connections for his benefit!
“First of all, Graham and I are enemies now. And second, the 300 million for the moonstone healing bracelet was a loan from Cassius Shadowcrest, not a gift,” I clarified, my voice firm despite my inner turmoil.
“A loan?” Tyler scoffed. “No one loans 300 million without expecting something in return. What did you offer
him, cousin?”
My hand tightened around my pen until I heard it c***k. “That’s none of your business. I’ll find a way to raise the money, but I need time.”
“Three days,” Tyler repeated, standing up. “Or my father dissolves the bond with my mother.”
Before I could respond, Blair’s voice came through the intercom. “Miss Oasis, Mr. Storm is here to see you. He
says it’s urgent.”
I closed my eyes briefly, wondering what cosmic force was punishing me today. “Send him in.”
The door opened, and Graham walked in with his usual confident stride. He paused when he saw Tyler, then smiled in recognition.
“Tyler Brooks,” Graham greeted warmly. “It’s been a while.”
Tyler’s demeanor instantly changed, his hostility replaced with fawning respect. “Mr. Storm! What an honor to see you again.”
I watched this transformation with disgust. “Graham, what are you doing here?”
Graham ignored my question, focusing on Tyler. “I couldn’t help overhearing your conversation. Financial troubles with the Brooks Pack?”
Tyler nodded eagerly. “Yes, sir. We need five million to stabilize our situation.”
“I’d be happy to lend the money in Olivia’s name,” Graham offered smoothly. “Consider it a gesture of goodwill between our packs.”
Tyler’s eyes lit up. “That would be incredible, brother–in–law!”
“He is not my mate anymore,” I snapped, bristling at the false association.
< Chapter 32: Shameless Gr….
The realization hit me like a slap. Tyler hadn’t come to me for help–he’d come to exploit my connections. And Graham’s timely arrival was too convenient to be coincidence.
“Tyler, I promised to find the money within three days, and I will,” I said firmly. “Now please leave. I need to speak with Mr. Storm privately.”
Tyler hesitated, looking between Graham and me.
“Go,” I ordered, my posture rigid with barely contained anger.
After Tyler reluctantly left, I turned to Graham. “What game are you playing?”
Graham settled into the chair Tyler had vacated, looking perfectly at ease. “No game. I genuinely want to help.”
“Why? What’s in it for you?” I demanded.
“I don’t want to see you struggling, Little Livvy,” he said, using my old nickname that once signified our closeness.
The familiar endearment that once warmed my heart now felt like an insult. “Don’t call me that. Ever.”
Graham sighed dramatically. “You’re making this harder than it needs to be. I’m offering to solve your problem.”
I studied his face, sensing the deception beneath his concerned expression. “What’s your real purpose for being here, Graham? It wasn’t to help Tyler.”
His expression shifted, the mask of concern falling away. “I’m worried about you, Olivia. Specifically, about your relationship with Cassius Shadowcrest.”
“My relationship with Cassius Shadowcrest?” I repeated incredulously.
“You’ve been seen with him multiple times now,” Graham said, his voice hardening. “Have you forgotten what
the Shadowcrest Pack did to our allies?”
I laughed without humor. “Our allies? There is no ‘our‘ anymore, Graham. And the past territorial conflicts between packs are none of my business.”
“So you’re just going to ignore history?” he demanded. “Ignore the suffering they caused?”
“Are you jealous, Graham?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “Because it sounds like you’re jealous.”
His jaw tightened. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Your conflicts with Cassius Shadowcrest stem from your own inability to secure hunting territories and business contracts,” I stated bluntly. “Not from any fault of the Shadowcrest Alpha. The Shadowcrest Pack won those territories fairly in combat. Your pack just wasn’t strong enough.”
Graham’s wolf energy flared, his eyes momentarily flashing amber. “How dare you! I fought in that war!! nearly died!”
“And who saved you?” I shot back, rising from my chair. “Who gave you multiple blood transfusions when you were bleeding out? Me! And how did you repay me? By abandoning me on our mating day!*
Graham stood as well, his face flushed with anger. “I had no choice! Bella was dying!
“She’s still dying, according to you,” I retorted. “Yet here you are, more concerned about my relationship with
<Chapter 32: Shameless Gr…
Cassius Shadowcrest than your sick mate–to–be.”
“Are you his mate–to–be now?” Graham demanded. “Is that why he spent 300 million on that bracelet?”
The accusation hung in the air between us. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart.
“My relationship with Cassius Shadowcrest is none of your business,” I said finally. “Just like your relationship with Bella is none of mine.”
Graham’s expression softened, his tactics shifting. “Olivia, I’m just trying to protect you. The Shadowcrest Pack is dangerous.”
“I don’t need your protection,” I replied coldly. “I needed it when we were supposed to be mates, but you chose
Bella instead.”
“I did what was right,” Graham insisted. “Bella is dying. By helping her, I was helping you accumulate good
favor with the Moon Goddess.”
I stared at him in disbelief. “Excuse me?”
“The Moon Goddess rewards those who show mercy to the dying,” he said solemnly. “I was thinking of your
future.”
Something snapped inside me. My wolf raged beneath my skin, clawing to get out and tear into this hypocrite standing before me.
“Get out,” I growled, my eyes briefly flashing their wolf color. “Don’t you dare invoke the Moon Goddess to justify your betrayal.”
Graham took a step back, momentarily intimidated by my outburst. Then his expression changed, becoming
conciliatory.
“I’m sorry,” he said, raising his hands in surrender. “That was insensitive of me.”
I didn’t respond, still fighting to control my wolf’s fury.
“Actually, there is something else I wanted to discuss,” Graham continued cautiously. “It’s about the moonstone healing bracelet.”
Of course. The real reason for his visit.
“What about it?” I asked warily.
“I was hoping I could borrow it for Bella,” he said, his voice gentle. “The moonlight properties in that stone could ease her pain.”
I couldn’t believe his audacity. “You want to borrow my mother’s bracelet for Bella?”
“Just temporarily,” he assured me. “I’ll pay you well for its use–say, 5 million dollars? That would solve your problem with Tyler.”
The thought of my mother’s sacred heirloom being used by the she–wolf who stole my mate–to–be made my blood boil. Bella, wearing my mother’s bracelet, after already taking my ceremonial gown and jewelry collection?
“I’ll pay you well for its temporary use,” Graham continued, mistaking my silence for consideration.
I was stunned by his audacious request, bristling at the thought of my mother’s sacred heirloom being used
< Chapter 32 Shameless Gr
by the she–wolf who stole my mate–to–be.
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< Chapter 33 The Loan Trap
Chapter 33: The Loan Trap
