Chapter 26: How can I repay him?
Chapter 26: How can I repay him?
(Olivia’s POV)
Without a word, Graham turned and rushed out, Bella’s limp form cradled in his arms. Blood still trickled from her mouth, leaving a trail of crimson droplets on the polished floor.
I stood frozen, clutching the velvet box containing my mother’s moonstone bracelet. Why had he looked at me with such venom? Did he resent me for preventing him from spending two hundred million dollars he likely didn’t have?
My wolf stirred beneath my skin, confused by the conflicting emotions–triumph at reclaiming our heritage, concern for Bella despite our history, and bewilderment at Graham’s reaction.
The auction house was still buzzing with whispers about Cassius Shadowcrest’s unexpected intervention. I slipped away before anyone could approach me with questions I couldn’t answer.
The drive back to Riverdale was peaceful, giving me time to process everything that had happened. The moonstone bracelet rested in my lap, its energy pulsing gently through the velvet box. After years of searching, my mother’s precious heirloom had finally returned to me–through the most unexpected means. My first stop wasn’t home or the office, but Moonlight Memorial Cemetery. The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the rows of headstones as I made my way to my mother’s grave.
“I got it back, Mom,” I whispered, kneeling beside the simple marble marker. “Your bracelet–it’s home now.”
I opened the velvet box, allowing the sunlight to dance across the pure white moonstone. Its warm glow seemed to intensify as I held it near my mother’s resting place.
“You wouldn’t believe how it happened,” I continued, tracing the cool stone with my fingertips. “Cassius Shadowcrest–yes, that Shadowcrest–he outbid everyone. Three hundred million dollars, Mom. And then he just… gave it to me.”
The enormity of the debt I now owed Cassius Shadowcrest weighed heavily on my mind. Three hundred million dollars was an astronomical sum, even for someone of his wealth and status.
“I have to thank him properly,” I told my mother’s grave. “And figure out how to repay him.”
My wolf paced anxiously beneath my skin, both eager and nervous at the prospect of seeing Cassius again. There was something about him that called to both woman and wolf, something I wasn’t ready to examine too closely.
After saying goodbye to my mother, I drove to Moonlight Designs headquarters. The moment I walked through the door, the usual office chatter died down, replaced by hushed whispers and curious glances.
“Good morning,” I greeted, trying to act normal despite the strange atmosphere.
My colleagues responded with unusual enthusiasm, their eyes bright with curiosity. Something was definitely
off.
Blair hurried over, tablet in hand. “Olivia! You’re finally here!”
“What’s going on?” I asked, noticing how everyone seemed to be watching us. “Why is everyone acting so
1/4
Chapter 26 How can I rep…
weird?”
Blair pulled me into my office and closed the door. “You haven’t seen it? The video from the auction yesterday is all over pack social media!”
My stomach dropped. “Video? What video?”
“This one,” Blair said, tapping her tablet screen. “Someone recorded Alpha Shadowcrest’s three–hundred–million bid and him instructing his secretary to give you the bracelet.”
The video showed exactly what had happened–Cassius standing tall and commanding in his private box, his voice carrying across the auction hall as he placed his bid. Then the camera panned to capture Jason Miller presenting me with the velvet box, followed by Bella’s outraged reaction.
“It’s gone viral,” Blair explained. “Everyone in the Northern Territory packs is talking about it. They’re saying you and Alpha Shadowcrest must have some kind of… relationship.”
My wolf bristled at the suggestion. “That’s ridiculous! I barely know him.”
“Then why would he spend three hundred million dollars on a bracelet for you?” Blair asked, her eyes wide
with curiosity.
“It was my mother’s bracelet,” I explained. “He must have known how important it was to me. But I’m going to repay him–every penny, with interest.”
Blair’s eyebrows shot up. “Repay three hundred million? Olivia, that would take decades, even with Moonlight Designs‘ success.”
“I’ll figure something out,” I insisted, my wolf pacing restlessly beneath my skin. “I won’t be indebted to anyone, not even Cassius Shadowcrest.”
Blair checked her phone again, frowning. “That’s strange. The video… it’s gone. It’s been removed from all the pack communication networks.”
I blinked in surprise. “All of them? How is that possible?”
“Only someone with significant influence could manage that,” Blair said slowly. “Someone like…”
“Cassius Shadowcrest,” I finished for her.
I calmed slightly at this realization. He had not only helped me reclaim my mother’s bracelet but was now protecting my reputation by removing the video that had sparked the rumors.
“Maybe I’m overthinking this,” I said, more to myself than to Blair. “Maybe it was just a simple act of kindness.”
Blair gave me a skeptical look but didn’t argue: “Whatever his reasons, Alpha Shadowcrest has certainly made an impression.”
I nodded, my mind already formulating a plan. I needed to thank him properly and discuss repayment terms. It was the honorable thing to do.
Back in my office, I held my phone, hesitating and struggling for a while, my wolf pacing anxiously beneath my skin, not knowing whether I should take the initiative to contact him to express my gratitude. After thinking about it, based on my consistent principles, I decided I still needed to thank him. Receiving another Alpha’s favor and expressing gratitude is the most basic pack courtesy. Whether they accept it or not is their
2/4
Chapter 26 Mow can I rep
business, but I must make a gesture.
So, I took out Jason Miller’s business card that he gave me when I left the Shadowcrest Pack Military
Research Facility that day, and solemnly called him.
“Hello, Miss Olivia.” It was Secretary Miller who answered the phone.
I instantly understood that this might be Alpha Shadowcrest’s business phone. With his status, it’s
impossible to give out his private contact information everywhere.
“Hello, Secretary Miller. Alpha Shadowcrest did me a big favor yesterday. I want to thank him in person. Is it convenient?” I got straight to the point and directly stated the purpose of my call.
“Please wait a moment, Miss Olivia. I’ll go and ask.”
“Okay.”
Yesterday at the auction, Secretary Miller kept calling me ‘Miss Oasis, obviously to highlight my identity as the legitimate daughter of the Oasis Pack and to deliberately irritate Bella. Today, in private, he called me Miss Olivia again. Obviously, he knew about my disgust towards the Oasis pack.
I couldn’t help but sigh, how come everyone around Cassius Shadowcrest is so nice! In the few seconds I was distracted, there was a sound from the other end of the phone, and then a deep, clear voice came into my
ear:
“Miss Olivia.”
“Hello, Alpha Shadowcrest.” I immediately sat up straight, my wolf suddenly alert and attentive, speaking with extra respect and a smile.
“Yesterday at the auction, you did me a big favor. That moonstone bracelet was my mother’s relic and is of great significance to me. Thanks to you, I was able to get it back. If it’s convenient for you, I’d like to invite you to dinner to express my gratitude, and also discuss how I can repay you. Also, the twenty million I borrowed earlier, I didn’t use it. I can return it to you immediately, with interest.”
I said a long speech, and after I finished, I waited for his reply. With Alpha Shadowcrest’s status and busy schedule, I don’t think he would have time to have dinner with me. I’m just expressing my sincerity.
“Wait a moment,” he replied after listening.
“Oh, okay, no rush.” I was very enthusiastic, but also guilty and embarrassed. He must be very busy now, and my call probably interrupted his work.
I vaguely heard him asking Secretary Miller something, and then instructing something, as if arranging for someone. Then, his voice came through clearly again.
“When?”
“Huh?” I was stunned, not understanding what he meant.
He seemed to chuckle and asked again, “I said you’re inviting me to dinner, when?”
I was overjoyed! He actually agréed! Agreed! My mind buzzed, and my wolf practically danced beneath my skin. I quickly thought, “That…tomorrow is Friday, is tomorrow night okay?”
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll make a restaurant reservation and let you know.”
L
ດ
3/4
Chapter 26–How can i rep
“Okay.”
My heart beat out of rhythm, like small water droplets bouncing randomly on a drum surface. I even felt a
subtle sense of happiness and joy. Just as I was about to hang up, Alpha Shadowcrest called me again.
“Do you have any other instructions, Alpha Shadowcrest?”
“Take down my private number, so it’s convenient to contact tomorrow.”
Oh my god! He’s going to give me his private number too?
“Oh, okay, okay!” I quickly found a pen and paper from the table and wrote down his phone number.
“See you tomorrow, then.”
“See you tomorrow.”
I hung up the phone and sat there, reveling in the moment…
