Chapter 12: An Unexpected Opportunity
Chapter 12: An Unexpected Opportunity
(Olivia’s POV)
“Bella doesn’t love you the way you think she does,” Lily said bluntly, her eyes fixed on Graham. “Her so–called feelings are just a calculated ploy to hurt Olivia.”
Graham’s jaw tightened. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. You’re Olivia’s friend, of course you speak
for her from her standpoint. I don’t believe a word you say.”
“Don’t I?” Lily crossed her arms, leaning against my desk. “Bella is manipulating you, and you’re falling for it
completely.”
I sat back in my chair and watched the exchange, suddenly feeling that my office was a little too small for the three of us.
“Bella is sick,” Graham insisted, his voice dropping to a defensive growl. “She’s fighting for her life. She’s not
capable of the kind of manipulation you’re suggesting.”
Lily let out a shrill laugh.” Are you serious? That girl certainly isn’t being manipulated by anyone. She may be dying, but she still has the energy to play tricks. Your mind has been completely lost to the scent of her
misdirection.”
Looking at Graham’s defiant expression, I felt the sting of his stupidity.I couldn’t help it–a small, bitter laugh escaped my lips. Graham’s head snapped toward me, his eyes narrowing.
“You find this funny?” he demanded.
“What’s funny is how blind you are,” I replied, my voice steadier than I expected. “Bella has been playing you from the beginning.”
Graham’s nostrils flared, his wolf clearly agitated beneath the surface. “I didn’t come here to be insulted.”
“No, you came here expecting me to roll over and play the forgiving ex–mate for the sake of your comfort,” I
shot back.
He turned toward the door, clearly ready to storm out.
“Before you go,” Lily called out, her voice deceptively casual, “you should know that Bella and Gloria were overheard at Northern Territory Medical Center discussing their little scheme.”
Graham froze mid–step. “What?”
“My aunt, Dr. Grace Bennett–you know, the Chief Healer overseeing Bella’s care? She accidentally overheard them plotting.” Lily’s smile was razor–sharp. “Turns out your precious dying Bella was quite animated when discussing how she’d manipulated you.”
Graham turned slowly, his expression thunderous. “You’re lying.”
“Why would I bother?” Lily shrugged. “Ask Dr. Bennett–yourself if you don’t believe me. Though I doubt she’ll confirm it officially–medical ethics and all that.”
Graham’s phone buzzed loudly in his pocket. He pulled it out, glancing at the screen. I could see Bella’s name
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–“Bella“-fashing on his display.
His expression softened fractionally, though confict still clouded his features. He looked at me, then at Lily,
clearly tom
Take care of Little Livvy,” he muttered to Lily before turning to leave.
Lily scoffed loudy. The audacity! You don’t get to call her that anymore, and she certainly doesn’t need your
concer
Graham shot her a final glare before answering his phone and striding out of my office.
“Unbelievable Lily muttered as the door closed behind him.
Iedialed slowly, feeling Rke I’d been holding my breath for hours. ‘Let’s get out of here.*
Outside, the night air felt cleansing against my skin. We hurried to Lily’s car, both of us scanning for any
lingering paparazzi.
Once safely inside with the doors locked, I leaned back against the headrest. “Everything you said about Bella
was true.
“Of course it was, Lity replied, starting the engine. I wouldn’t make that up.”
“Do you remember her eighteenth birthday celebration?” I asked, memories flooding back ‘when she publicly
declared her love for Graham?”
Lily nodded grimly. “Everyone thought it was just a teenage crush.*
It wasn’t, I said quietly. “Looking back, it was the first move in her game.”
1 think she initially wanted him just to spite you,‘ Lily said, pulling into traffic. ‘But somewhere along the way, her obsession twisted into something she calls love.”
I stared out the window at the passing city lights. “Your aunt really overheard them?”
‘She did. Said Bella is the most difficult patient she’s ever had–constantly demanding, manipulative, throwing tantrums when she doesn’t get her way.
That explained Graham’s behavior in my office earlier. “He’s probably exhausted from dealing with her. That’s why he came to me–not because he wants reconciliation, but because he needed a break from her drama.”
“Don’t you dare even think about taking him back, Lily wamed, glancing at me sharply.
I wouldn’t dream of it,” I assured her. Tm more worried about Moonlight Designs right now. This scandal
could ruin everything I’ve built.”
Lily’s expression softened. “Don’t worry about that. I’ve already contacted some Pack PR experts I know. They’re handling the online backlash.”
“You did?” I turned to her, surprised.
“Of course. What are friends for? She smiled. “By tomorrow, this will all start blowing over. Trust me.”
Two days later, Lily’s prediction proved accurate. The storm of negativity surrounding me had almost completely dissipated. The werewolf community’s attention had already shifted to new scandals–a group of rogue omegas causing trouble in the Eastern Territory and some political maneuvering between rival packs.
I can’t thank you enough, I told Lily as I handed her several garment bags containing exclusive outfits from
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Chap 12 An Unexpecte
Moonlight Designs‘ latest collection.
She peeked inside one bag and gasped. “Olivia, this is too much!”
“It’s not nearly enough,” I insisted. “Your connections saved my reputation.”
Lily hugged me tightly. “That’s what pack sisters are for.”
The irony wasn’t lost on me that the controversy had actually boosted Moonlight Designs‘ visibility across the territories. Our website traffic had increased tenfold, and while many visitors initially came to leave angry comments, they ended up browsing our collections instead.
Blair showed me the latest sales figures on her tablet. “Orders are up 300% from last week. The ceremonial attire line is completely sold out, and we have a waiting list for custom designs,”
I scrolled through the numbers, hardly believing what I was seeing. “This can’t be right.”
“It is,” Blair confirmed. “Turns out your designs offer something the international luxury brands don’t-
authentic werewolf cultural elements at more reasonable prices.”
For the first time in days, I allowed myself to smile. The professional success felt particularly sweet after everything that had happened. More importantly, I felt free–truly free from Graham Storm and all the expectations that had come with our planned mating.
Blair cleared her throat, interrupting my thoughts. “There’s something else. We received a call from
Shadowcrest Estate.”
I nearly dropped the tablet. “The Shadowcrest Pack’s ancestral home?”
Blair nodded, her expression serious. “Their head housekeeper extended a formal invitation for you to visit personally. Apparently, Madeline Shadowcrest requires a custom ceremonial gown for her sixtieth birthday
celebration next month.”
I blinked, momentarily speechless. The Shadowcrest Pack was notoriously private and immensely powerful. Their military strength was legendary among werewolves, and their bloodline was considered one of the
purest in the Northern Territory.
“Madeline Shadowcrest–Cassius Shadowcrest’s mother?” I asked, wanting to be absolutely certain.
“The very same,” Blair confirmed. “This could be a significant opportunity, Olivia.”
I took a deep breath, composing myself. “Tell them I accept the invitation. I’ll need to prepare a portfolio of
my best ceremonial designs.”
As Blair hurried off to make the arrangements, I stood by the window, looking out at the city below. After days. of chaos and humiliation, this prestigious commission felt like vindication. Perhaps the failed mating
ceremony had been a blessing in disguise–freeing me to pursue opportunities I might never have considered while tied to Graham and the Storm/Pack.
The Shadowcrest Pack’s invitation wasn’t just a commission; it was a new beginning.
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