Chapter 19: Fundraising Campaign
Chapter 19: Fundraising Campaign
(Olivia’s POV)
I woke up confused. The car had been parked for who knows how long.
“Miss Oasis?” A voice called softly from outside.
I sat up quickly, smoothing my hair. Russell Parker stood beside the car, his expression patient.
“I’m so sorry,” I stammered as he opened the door. “I didn’t mean to-”
“Please don’t apologize, Miss Oasis,” Russell Interrupted gently. “Alpha Shadowcrest specifically instructed us not to wake you. He noticed your fatigue and wanted you to rest.”
My cheeks burned. Cassius had seen how exhausted I looked? What kind of impression was I making on the
notorious Shadowcrest Pack?
“That’s very considerate,” I managed, gathering my portfolio with shaking hands.
Russell smiled reassuringly. “The Alpha has excellent instincts about people’s needs. Shall we proceed to the
manor?”
Inside the elegant sitting room, Madeline Shadowcrest examined my design sketches with keen interest. Despite approaching sixty, she possessed an ageless beauty.
“These traditional pack symbols are exquisite,” she murmured, tracing the patterns. “You’ve captured our heritage perfectly.”
Relief flooded through me. “I wanted to honor the Shadowcrest Pack’s ancient traditions while creating
something uniquely yours.”
I spread fabric samples across the table. “Moonstone silk for the base, with silver threading for the pack symbols. The combination will enhance your natural authority.”
“Magnificent,” Madeline breathed, running the silk between her fingers.
We discussed adjustments and timeline details. Madeline’s kindness surprised me. I’d expected intimidation,
but her warmth put me at ease.
“You must join us for our venison feast tonight,” she offered. “The pack would be honored to have such a
talented designer.”
“That’s incredibly generous, but I have a prior commitment with my grandmother Eleanor Brooks.”
Madeline’s expression softened. “Family comes first. Perhaps another time.”
As I prepared to leave, Walter Jenkins appeared. “Miss Oasis, Alpha Shadowcrest has returned. He’s in the entrance hall if you’d like to greet him.”
My wolf stirred beneath my skin. I tried to ignore the flutter of anticipation.
Cassius stood near the grand staircase, still in his business suit. When he saw me, his face lit up with
genuine pleasure.
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“Olivia,” he said warmly, crossing the marble floor. “How did your meeting with my mother go?”
“Very well,” I replied, acutely aware of how his presence filled the space. “She’s been wonderfully accommodating.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” His silver eyes studied my face with concern. “You look rested. I hope the drive wasn’t too taxing.”
Heat crept up my neck. “Actually, I owe you an apology. I fell asleep during the ride and kept your staff waiting.”
Cassius shook his head dismissively. “You needed the rest. I could see the exhaustion in your eyes.”
The memory of our previous encounter flashed through my mind. The way he’d stood so still while I worked, the warmth radiating from his skin.
“The timeline for your mother’s gown is quite manageable,” I said quickly. “I should have everything completed well before the celebration.”
“Don’t push yourself too hard,” Cassius said gently but firmly. “Quality matters more than speed. My mother would rather wait than have you compromise your health.”
His consideration caught me off guard. Graham had always pressured me to work faster, meet impossible
deadlines.
Cassius personally escorted me to the car, opening the door himself. The gesture was remarkable–Alphas of
his status rarely performed such courtesies for wolves outside their pack.
“Safe travels, Olivia,” he said as I settled into the seat.
I watched through the rear window as we pulled away. Cassius remained standing on the steps, watching
until we disappeared from view.
The drive back gave me time to process what had happened. Cassius Shadowcrest’s impeccable manners
and inherent nobility were unlike anything I’d experienced.
Graham had never shown such consideration. Even during our best times, he’d focused primarily on his own
needs.
But Cassius was different. He noticed my fatigue and instructed his staff not to wake me up, very detailed
and considerate, which says a lot about him.
His elevated status as one of the most powerful Alphas should have intimidated me. The Shadowcrest Pack’s ancient bloodline and military strength were legendary.
But somehow he always gave me the feeling that I’d known him for a long time, and my wolf always stirred in
my head whenever he showed up.
What exactly was he trying to do? I/shook my head, trying to clear it of those dangerous thoughts. Whatever I was feeling was pointless. The difference in our status between the outcast of the fading Oasispack and the
heir to the ancient and honored pack was vast.
Eleanor Brooks‘ house welcomed me with the scent of home–cooked venison. My grandmother’s warm embrace immediately soothed my conflicted emotions.
“You look tired, sweetheart,” she observed, leading me to the dining room where Aunt Diane was setting the
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table.
“Just busy with work,” I replied, accepting a plate of venison stew.
During lunch, the conversation turned to my mother’s moonstone bracelet. The charity auction was approaching rapidly.
“Have you secured enough funds for the bidding?” Diane asked carefully.
I hesitated, then decided on a partial truth. “I sold my den to Graham for a substantial sum. That should cover most of what I need.”
Eleanor nodded approvingly. “Good. That place held too many painful memories anyway.”
After lunch, Diane pulled me aside while Eleanor rested.
“How much are you still short?” she whispered.
I sighed and dropped the pretense. “Still short by fifteen million. The starting bid is thirty million, and it might go even higher.”
Diane’s eyes widened, but her expression remained determined. “I can contribute two million. It’s my savings combined with some family funds I’ve been managing.”
Gratitude overwhelmed me. “Aunt Diane, I can’t accept that much-”
“Yes, you can,” she interrupted firmly. “That bracelet belongs in our family. Your mother would want you to
have it.”
“I’ll pay you back with interest once Moonlight Design stabilizes,” I promised.
“We’ll discuss repayment later,” Diane said, waving away my concerns. “Family helps family.”
Back in my apartment that evening, I calculated my resources again. Graham’s payment, my savings, Lily’s
potential loan, and now Aunt Diane’s contribution brought me to eighteen million dollars.
I still needed twelve million more.
Time was running out before the charity auction. Selling shares in Moonlight Design Company was an
option, but finding buyers quickly enough seemed impossible.
My phone sat on the coffee table, Ambrose Oasis‘ contact information glowing on the screen. The thought of asking my father for help made my stomach churn, but I was running out of alternatives.
Ambrose had destroyed my mother’s happiness and stolen my grandfather’s business empire. He’d chosen Gloria over his first mate, abandoning his responsibilities as both husband and father.
But he was also the only person I knew with access to that kind of money on short notice.
I stared at the phone, my finger hovering over his number. Swallowing my pride felt like choking on broken glass, but my mother’s bracelet was worth any sacrifice.
I had to ask my father Ambrose for help.
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