LOGINBy the end of the week, Matthew was in the county jail.
Elaine sat with Harriet in the living room of the latter’s home, reviewing paperwork. She’d found out the other day what had happened. Aaron had taken things into his own hands. Had done what she recommended. Matthew had been stripped of his rank and would be spending some time…reflecting.
It would do him good.
Growing up, Matthew had always had a penchant for throwing hands first and asking questi
Elaine went quiet.She didn’t rightly know what to say to that. Of course, she knew Liam liked her, and she’d be lying if she said she hadn’t thought about it, but…But actually confronting the idea of it was different than just thinking about it. Especially given the circumstances Elaine found herself in. Ones that wouldn’t allow for anything lasting.The silence stretched.Nancy didn’t seem to mind at all, simply letting what she said settle. Liam seemed appalled.“I…” Elaine began, then trailed off. She suddenly stood up. “Excuse me a moment. I need to use the restroom.”It was a flimsy excuse at best but she turned and quickly headed toward the back of the restaurant. Liam watched her go before turning his focus solely to his mother. He leaned against the table. Stared.Nancy met his gaze with a calm one of her own. “What?”“Why did you sa
Elaine stood, stunned. She stared at Nancy while her mind struggled to catch up with this revelation. Nancy was Liam’s mother?She whipped her head around to Liam, who gave her a nervous sort of smile. He’d known all this time. Of course he’d known all this time! Why hadn’t they said a thing? Why the secrecy?Ayla’s entire argument crumbled before her. She couldn’t argue there had been an affair when Liam’s own mother knew far more than she did. They’d likely been sharing the same rental, so she would know.“Well, I…um…” Ayla stammered.Nancy took a step toward her. “I’d ask that you leave. And try not to embarrass yourself further. Obviously, these rumors are false…wouldn’t you agree?”Ayla swallowed, glancing around at the group of people now all staring at them. She cleared her voice and nodded. “Right, well…maybe I was
Elaine walked briskly through the hallway, clipboard in hand. A few caterers hurried past her, finalizing the dinner for tonight and getting the appetizers ready. People were already starting to arrive.She quickened her pace, hurrying through the doors and into the event center’s main room. She glanced around. Two dozen tables were organized around the main floor. Along the walls on either side were information banners or displays, detailing everything people would need to know about the foundation.It was almost surreal.To think it was all starting to come together at last.She spotted Nancy and Liam at one of the tables and walked up to her. “Glad you’re here.”Nancy looked up with a smile. “I wouldn’t miss. We’ve all been anxiously awaiting this day.”“Still don’t have your own building yet,” Liam mused as he lifted a wine glass to his lips.“The paperwork is
Elaine stood just outside the Council room chambers. She paced in front of the gathered Alpha’s. Twisting her hands together. This was it. She had the support she needed yet it still all came down to the Council’s decision.She glanced around the gathered group. Alex, Volk, Liam. Even Nancy was here. Only one was missing.“Where is Adrian?” she asked.Nancy cast a quick look around. “He should be here any moment. We were discussing the details of today last night.”Elaine nodded. So he was simply running late. That was okay. They still had what, five minutes until they would be called inside? She paced again.“Elly,” Liam said. “Calm down. He’ll be here. Even if he isn’t, you still have the support of the Alphas. The Council won’t say no.”“You don’t know that,” Elaine said. Then took a deep breath. “I’m just nervous.”&ld
Ayla couldn’t let this stand.Elaine made her look like a fool. A complete and utter fool, and now she was certain to be the laughing stock of the pack. Worst of all, she hadn’t gotten the chance to announce her intentions of taking over Elaine’s foundation. The time had long since passed now, Elaine had gotten Volk’s support.She’d simply have to open one of her own.And, perhaps, poach a few of Elaine’s own investors. Which was why she was here today, meeting with Nancy and Adrian.Ayla sat at a table in some restaurant she’d thought looked fancy enough for something like this. Italian. Expensive. The perfect place for a little meeting with Elaine’s investors. It hadn’t been easy to get them here. But a little lie about her concern for Elaine had finally managed to convince them.Ayla looked up as Adrian was the first to arrive. She smiled.“Alpha Adrian!” she greeted, motio
The dance came to an end and Volk stepped back, bowing deeply to her. Elaine curtsied herself.“A pleasure,” Volk said.“I’m surprised to say I didn’t entirely hate it.”Volk smirked. “You dislike dancing?”“Only because I’d never had a capable partner.” Elaine cast a glance over the crowd, as if she could see Lucas somewhere among them. “Though I find it’s not half bad.”“Then you might indulge me with another dance,” Volk said.Elaine turned to him.But he did not pull her into another dance, not yet. He instead offered his arm and she took it. “Later in the night, of course. As it would seem we have something more pressing to discuss.”Elaine took his arm and he led her away from the floor. Finally they were getting to what she’d come here for. Her foundation.Volk led Elaine toward the edges of the crowd,







