< Chapter 23 Kindness and
Chapter 23: Kindness and Malice
Chapter 23: Kindness and Malice
(Olivia’s POV)
I looked into Cassius‘ silver eyes with a surprising gentleness. He was back to the gentle gentleman I had met at Shadowcrest Manor, no longer the stern Alpha he had been when he had just admonished the pack members.
“Alpha Shadowcrest, thank you for seeing me on such short notice,” I said formally, my posture automatically shifting to show appropriate respect.
A slight smile touched his lips. “Please, call me Cassius. There’s no need for such formality between us,
Olivia.”
Vincent Hayes finished tidying some papers on Cassius’s desk before quietly excusing himself. The soft click
of the door closing behind him left me alone with the powerful Alpha.
My nervousness intensified. I’d come here with a bold request, and now that the moment had arrived, I found
myself hesitating.
Tell him the truth, my wolf urged. He can smell your anxiety anyway.
Cassius gestured toward the chair across from his desk. “Please, sit. You seem uneasy.”
I sank into the offered seat, my fingers fidgeting with the strap of my handbag. “I apologize for my
nervousness. It’s just-”
“You mentioned something about the design for my mother’s celebration?” he prompted gently when I
faltered.
The kindness in his voice made my deception feel even worse. I took a deep breath and decided to be honest.
“Actually, that’s not why I’m here,” I admitted. “I lied to get an appointment with you, and I apologize for that.” To my surprise, Cassius didn’t seem the least bit perturbed. He simply nodded, as if he’d known all along. “I suspected as much,” he said, rising from his chair to approach a small bar cabinet in the corner of his office. “Would you like some wine? It might help with the nerves.”
His consideration touched me. “Yes, thank you.”
Cassius poured two glasses of deep red wine, handing one to me before returning to his seat. “Now, why don’t you tell me why you’re really here?”
The wine was rich and smooth, warming me from within and giving me courage. “I need to borrow money,” I said bluntly. “A significant amount.”
Cassius took a sip of his wine, his expression revealing nothing. “Go on.”
“My mother’s moonstone bracelét is being auctioned at the Crescent Moon Auction House tomorrow,” I explained, the words tumbling out faster now. “It’s a family heirloom with powerful healing properties. It sold during a financial crisis years ago, and I’ve just discovered its whereabouts.”
Cassius set his glass down, his full attention on me. “And you need funds to purchase it.”
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Chapter 21 Kindness and
“Yes,” I confirmed, relieved that he understood so quickly. “It’s not just jewelry to me. It’s a connection to my mother, to my heritage.”
“How much do you need?” he asked directly.
I swallowed hard. “I’d like to borrow 20 million dollars if I could. “That gives me an extra 8 million to deal with
the calls at the auction.
I prepared myself for rejection, not realizing that Cassius nodded briskly. “Consider it done.”
I blinked, certain I’d misheard. “Excuse me?”
“I said, consider it done,” he repeated, his tone matter–of–fact. “I’ll have the funds transferred to your account
immediately.”
My mouth opened and closed several times before I found my voice again. “Just like that? Without any questions?”
Cassius’s lips curved into a slight smile. “You’ve already explained your reasons, which I find perfectly valid.”
I reached into my bag, pulling out the documents I’d prepared. “I’ve drawn up a contract. My company, Moonlight Designs, will serve as collateral. I can repay the loan over five years with interest rates higher than the Northern Territory Pack Bank offers.”
With a wave of his hand, Cassius dismissed the papers. “That won’t be necessary.”
“But-“I protested.
“Olivia,” he interrupted gently, “I don’t need a contract. Your word is sufficient.”
I stared at him, bewildered by his trust. “Why would you do this for me? We barely know each other.”
A hint of amusement flickered in his silver eyes. “Let’s just say that no one would dare default on money owed to an Alpha of the Shadowcrest Pack.”
There was something else in his gaze, something I couldn’t quite decipher, but before I could analyze it further, a knock sounded at the door.
Vincent Hayes entered after Cassius’s acknowledgment. “Alpha Shadowcrest, the representative from the Northern Territory Wolf Pack Council has arrived for your meeting.”
Relief and gratitude washed over me as I realized I’d succeeded. I rose quickly from my seat. “I should go. Thank you, Cassius. I don’t know how to express my appreciation.”
Cassius stood as well, his tall frame commanding even in this simple gesture of courtesy. “Your scent already reveals it,” he said with a slight smile. “You entered my office distressed and are leaving joyful. That’s thanks enough.”
My cheeks warmed at his observation. Werewolves could indeed detect emotional changes through scent, but it was considered polite to pretend not to notice.
“I’ll need your account details for the transfer,” he added.
I quickly wrote down my information on a notepad he offered, then made my way to the door. “Good luck at the auction, Olivia,” Cassius called after me. “I hope you reclaim what’s rightfully yours.”
The sincerity in his voice stayed with me as I left the building and drove away from the Northern Territory
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Chapter 23 Kindness and
Weapons Development Facility.
By the time I reached the main road, my phone pinged with a notification. Twenty million dollars had been
transferred to my pack account.
I pulled over to the side of the road, tears slipping down my face involuntarily, Cassius‘ kindness and generosity making me feel a warmth I hadn’t felt in a long time, in contrast to Graham’s decisive refusal.
After returning home, I managed a few hours of restless sleep before preparing for the journey to the auction.
This auction felt different from previous ones I’d attended with Graham. Back then, I’d been a carefree observer, admiring ancient pack artifacts without personal investment.
Today, I carried the weight of responsibility–to reclaim my mother’s legacy and honor her memory.
The Crescent Moon Auction House was already bustling when I arrived. I found my assigned seat, exhaustion suddenly washing over me as I sat down. The constant stress of recent weeks had taken its toll, and for a moment, I closed my eyes, gathering my strength for what lay ahead.
A commotion nearby drew my attention. I turned to see Graham pushing Bella in a wheelchair, her frail form looking even more diminished under the bright lights of the auction house.
My stomach clenched with anger. Of course they would be here. Bella had always coveted what was mine, and Graham had always enabled her.
“You forced your sick body to come here just to rob me again?” I said, unable to contain my bitterness. “Aren’t you afraid you’ll get even sicker and die right here?”
Bella’s eyes widened with feigned innocence. “Olivia! What a surprise to see you here. Graham just brought me to look around casually. I had no idea you’d be attending.”
“Bella was feeling cooped up in the hospital,” Graham hurriedly explained. “She’s not here for the moonstone bracelet, I assure you.”
Bella nodded weakly. “Why would I want an old piece of jewelry?”
The false innocence in her voice made my blood boil. We both knew she was well aware of the bracelet’s healing properties for werewolves. Her mother, Gloria, had tried to get her hands on it multiple times over the years, constantly inquiring about its whereabouts.
I glared at them coldly, irritation building within me. Bella’s appearance had complicated everything, creating uncertainty where I’d finally found hope.
What if the thirty–eight million dollars wasn’t enough? What if Graham and Bella joined forces again to outbid me, just to spite me?
The thought of losing my mother’s bracelet a second time, especially to Bella, was unbearable. I gripped the auction paddle in my hand, determination hardening within me.
I would not let them win. Not this time.
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