Chapter 25: This is the gift I gave you
Chapter 25: This is the gift I gave you
(Olivia’s POV)
The auction hall fell into stunned silence as Cassius Shadowcrest’s voice echoed through the space.
My despair transformed into elation in an instant. The moonstone bracelet might not be mine yet, but it was in Cassius Shadowcrest’s possession–the best possible outcome I could have hoped for.
I offered him a grateful smile, my wolf purring with satisfaction beneath my skin.
“Three hundred million dollars!” The auctioneer’s voice broke through the silence, his excitement palpable. “Any higher bids? Three hundred million once, three hundred million twice, three hundred million three times!”
The auctioneer paused dramatically, scanning the room for any last–minute bidders.
“Sold! The new owner of this rare moonstone healing bracelet is–Alpha Shadowcrest!”
The crowd of werewolves erupted in applause, their gazes drawn to the second floor where Cassius sat, composed and regal. His expression remained unreadable, but there was something in his eyes when they met mine–a promise, perhaps.
“That’s the Alpha of the Shadowcrest Pack,” whispered a she–wolf behind me, her voice filled with awe. “The most powerful Alpha in the Northern Territory.”
“And that Beta beside him–isn’t he the owner of the Crescent Moon Auction House?” another voice chimed
- in.
“Yes,” her companion confirmed eagerly. “The Shadowcrests have connections everywhere. Nothing happens in this territory without their knowledge.”
I couldn’t help but feel a surge of hope. If anyone could keep my mother’s bracelet safe, it would be Cassius
Shadowcrest.
I watched as the moonstone bracelet was carefully placed in a velvet box by the auction staff. My heart raced with anticipation.
A distant dream formed in my mind–perhaps someday, after my business thrived, I could repurchase it from
him.
It was a foolish thought, but it gave me comfort.
Minutes passed, but Cassius didn’t appear. Instead, I spotted his secretary, Jason Miller, making his way through the crowd toward me.
The room hushed as people realized something unexpected was happening. Conversations died mid–sentence as all eyes turned to follow Jason’s path.
Jason stopped directly in front of me, his posture formal and professional. The silence was so complete I could hear my own heartbeat.
“Alpha Shadowcrest’s instruction is to present this moonstone bracelet to Miss Oasis,” he announced, his voice clear and carrying to every corner of the room.
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Chapter 25 This is the gift
The room erupted in astonished whispers. Werewolves from various packs turned to stare at me, their expressions ranging from envy to curiosity to outright hostility.
“Did he say what I think he said?” someone gasped.
“Three hundred million as a gift?” another voice marveled.
“Who is she to him?” a third demanded.
Bella’s face contorted with shock and jealousy. Her pale features flushed with angry color.
“What…what’s going on?” she stammered, her voice rising shrilly. “A 300–million bracelet, as a…a gift?”
Her eyes bulged with fury as she gripped the armrests of her wheelchair so tightly her knuckles turned white.
Graham stood frozen beside her, his amber eyes wide with disbelief. His scent betrayed his confusion and something else–perhaps regret?
“This can’t be happening,” he muttered, running a hand through his hair. “This can’t be real.”
I was equally stunned, unable to form words as Jason held out the velvet box containing my mother’s bracelet. My wolf howled with joy inside me, recognizing the return of our heritage.
“Miss Oasis?” Jason prompted gently when I failed to respond.
My hands trembled as I regained my composure. I glanced toward the private box where Cassius had been standing only moments before.
It was empty now. He had vanished, though his scent–forest and wild grass–lingered in the air. “Secretary Miller, this is too precious, I…” I stammered, feeling unworthy of accepting such a lavish gift. My wolf whined anxiously beneath my skin, urging me to take what was rightfully ours. But three hundred million dollars was an astronomical sum, even for an Alpha of Cassius’s standing.
“Miss Oasis, these are Alpha Shadowcrest’s orders,” Jason insisted firmly, his expression brooking no argument. “If you have any questions, communicate with Alpha Shadowcrest directly–please accept it.” His tone left no room for argument. With trembling hands, I reached for the velvet box, feeling its weight- both physical and symbolic–as it passed into my possession.
The moment my fingers closed around it, a sense of rightness washed over me. This belonged to me, to my
bloodline.
“Please convey my gratitude to Alpha Shadowcrest, Secretary Miller,” I managed to say, my voice steadier than I felt.
Jason nodded once and departed, leaving me standing alone with all eyes in the auction house fixed upon me. The whispers grew louder, speculation running wild about my connection to the powerful Alpha Shadowcrest.
“They must be secret lovers,” one woman whispered not–quite–quietly enough.
“No, it’s a business arrangement,” her companion argued. “The Shadowcrests never do anything without purpose.”
Bella’s face had turned an alarming shade of red. Despite her illness, she pushed herself up from her wheelchair, her eyes flashing with rage.
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“Olivia!” she shouted, drawing even more attention our way. “When did you get to know Alpha Shadowcrest?”
Her voice quivered with barely contained fury. Even in her weakened state, her jealousy gave her strength.
“How did you trick him into buying that bracelet for you?” she demanded, pointing an accusatory finger at me.
“What kind of game are you playing?”
I clutched the velvet box containing my mother’s moonstone bracelet, feeling its energy resonating with my own. This piece of my heritage, lost for so long, had finally returned to me through the most unexpected
means.
“None of your business,” I replied coolly, my wolf purring with satisfaction at putting Bella in her place. Bella’s face crumpled in defeat. She turned to Graham, tugging at his sleeve like a petulant child. “Let’s go!” she demanded, her voice rising hysterically. “What are we still doing here? I didn’t get what I
wanted!”
Graham remained rooted to the spot, his scent betraying his shock at Cassius Shadowcrest’s intervention. His eyes kept darting between me and the velvet box in my hands.
“How do you know Cassius Shadowcrest?” he finally asked, his voice low and intense. “What’s going on
between you two?”
I turned away from them both, my head held high as I made my way toward the exit. My wolf barked happily inside, celebrating our victory.
Once in the hallway, I paused, wondering if I could catch Cassius before he left the Crescent Moon Auction House. I needed to thank him properly, to understand why he would make such an extravagant gesture.
I searched the hallways and rest areas, my enhanced werewolf senses seeking his distinctive forest and wild grass scent, but he was gone. The Alpha had made his statement and departed, leaving me with questions that only he could answer.
As I made my way back down the hallway to the front door, an argument in one of the rooms caught my attention. The familiar sounds made me slow down and eavesdrop on every word.
“You regret our engagement, don’t you?” Bella’s voice was shrill with accusation. “You still have feelings for
her!”
“That’s ridiculous,” Graham countered, though his voice lacked conviction. “I’ve sacrificed everything for you, Bella. My reputation, my standing with the pack elders, even my friendship with Olivia.”
“Friendship?” Bella scoffed, her laugh bitter and cutting. “Is that what you call it? Then why did you insist we come to this auction? You knew she would be here!”
“You wanted the bracelet,” Graham reminded her, frustration evident in his tone. “You said it would help with your condition.”
“Don’t pretend this was about me!” Bella’s voice rose dangerously. “You arranged this so you could see her again!”
“And what about you?” Graham’s tone hardened, an edge I rarely heard from him emerging. “Why are you so desperate to have me as your mate? Is it because you actually love me, or because you want to hurt Olivia?” “How dare you question my feelings!” Bella shrieked. “After everything I’ve endured, everything I’ve suffered!”
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Chapter 25 This is the gift.
The argument intensified, their voices overlapping until suddenly there was a different sound–a wet, choking cough followed by Bella’s gasp.
“Bella!” Graham’s voice was panicked now. “Your medication–where is it?”
The door to the room was suddenly yanked open and I saw Bella collapsed on top of Graham, blood dripping from her mouth. Graham held her tightly in his arms, his face pale with worry.” Hang on, I’m taking you to the
hospital.”
Graham looked up and spotted me standing outside the door, embarrassed to be caught eavesdropping, I pulled out my cell phone.
“Do you need me to call the territorial medical center?” I asked.
