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Chapter Twelve

L ina

By midweek, I was well enough to return to the office.

Magnus had deemed it best to keep me safely tucked away at Blackthorn with Stephen after the attack.

He flew to California for the pitch instead.

Back in our shared office, Stephen and I worked along as if Monday’s events had never happened—almost.

Except although I hadn’t believed it possible, I was even more aware of him now.

Each time I caught his earthy, spicy scent, it evoked the memory of how he’d shielded me, while the sound of his voice set off a warmth as I remembered the moment he’d rushed me to the hospital, his tone making me believe I was the only thing that mattered to him: “We’re almost there, Lina. ”

But as Wednesday drew to a close, and Stephen remained absorbed in his work, my thoughts shifted from the past to the palpable tension radiating from him. I knew, even though he hadn’t said anything, he was fixated on the Omega Concord Program, fingers striking the keyboard with renewed urgency.

“Is there anything else I can help with?” I asked, pushing back my chair from my desk so I could see him properly without the wall of plants, hoping he might confide in me about Magnus’s plans .

He blinked, momentarily surprised, then shook his head. “No, thanks. You should go home and rest. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He returned to his relentless typing.

A pang of frustration shot through me. I knew I shouldn’t confess that I’d eavesdropped on his and Magnus’s conversation at the hospital, but the thought of the Omega Concord Program and the harm it could do filled me with determination. “You’re working on the Omega Concord Program, aren’t you?”

Stephen’s fingers halted. He looked up, his green gaze piercing me.

My heart thumped as I wondered whether I’d made a massive mistake in admitting I’d overheard.

But I couldn’t keep silent. What if my helping made the difference in protecting Blackthorn omega wolves from being reduced to nothing but breeders?

“I am,” Stephen finally said. He added, “I can’t allow such an unethical practice to happen in this company and pack.

” He gritted his strong jaw, sweeping his hands through his ebony hair, making it distractingly tousled.

“The fact that it violates shifter rights should be enough to stop it from happening but…” He trailed off, his bright eyes burning with sparks of anger; I’d seen rage in his stare before, like when he’d stood off against the gunmen, but this light in his eyes was a different kind.

It burned with righteous fury, and God help me, he’d never looked so hot.

“But only facts and figures will speak to Magnus,” I finished for him, forcing myself to focus on the serious matter we were discussing.

I felt the weight of our conversation deepen as I implied I knew exactly what kind of man Magnus was.

Trepidation swirled through me. What if he began questioning why I’d ever consider marrying someone like Magnus?

Stephen’s gaze bore into me, and I could see him battling with his own thoughts. “I need enough evidence by Friday morning to persuade Magnus the Omega Concord Program will hurt our company.”

I knew Magnus was back in on Friday, and despite having other things I’d planned to do while the alpha was gone, determination seared through me. “Send me what you’ve got.”

As the week wore on, our days turned into nights, and we combed through data and prepped arguments against the program.

I still couldn’t pass up the opportunity that Magnus’s absence presented to search the Blackthorn offices for possible places where my mother was being held.

Two floors were closed for renovation, and late on Wednesday and Thursday night, after Stephen had left, I doubled back, checking for any hidden rooms or signs of comings and goings.

But other than evidence of workmen, I came up empty.

Friday morning and our meeting with Magnus came too swiftly. The alpha’s surprise at my presence was overshadowed by the hardness in his eyes as they flicked to Stephen. From that one look, I garnered Stephen hadn’t told his father I was in the loop about the program.

Magnus schooled his features as he said, “I didn’t realize I’d have the pleasure of your company, too, Lina?”

I waited a beat, wondering if Stephen was going to say that I’d overheard their conversation in the hospital.

“As future luna of our pack, I thought it only right for Lina to be brought in on this,” Stephen said.

Magnus nodded, but I knew that even as luna, he believed I had as little right to be involved in this decision as he believed the omegas had in general.

As we presented to Magnus, Stephen and I both took different topics, exhibiting how the Omega Concord would prove inefficient and detrimental to Blackthorn Corp.

“I thought we’d start with employee morale and company culture,” I said as I opened the various case studies, presenting shifter companies treating their employees fairly and with respect.

“You can see Ashford, Glen Cove, and Woodhaven’s productivity and retention rates for their employees are parallel to our own.

These three New York packs offer good comparatives with which to measure our own percentages. ”

Stephen’s firm voice took over as he cautioned Magnus about the potential backlash from the shifter community by bringing in the Concord Program.

“The Hamilton Pack in Ontario suffered from a ten percent drop in their shares once they’d implemented a similar program ten years ago.

The Gladwin Pack in Michigan, too, tarnished their company’s public image with their breeding program.

” Stephen pulled up a report on the company being boycotted and a report on their business going into administration, making Magnus’s bushy brows gather together.

I chipped quickly in to build on the negative repercussions the omega-breeder program had caused in these two packs and companies.

“Although the program might bring short-term gains, it undermines the company’s long-term sustainability.

You can see here that by exploiting this segment of the workforce, a high proportion of the talented individuals within these companies left.

” I drew up the graph showing Hamilton and Gladwin’s high employee turnover.

I glanced at Magnus, whose frown had deepened considerably over the course of the presentation. “Alpha, we understand the pressure to increase profits, but we need to consider the long-term impacts of the Omega Concord Program.”

Stephen nodded in agreement. “Utilizing our employees in this way may yield short-term gains, but it’ll cost us significantly in the long run. Public backlash, low morale, high turnover of staff—these factors could be devastating to our reputation and our bottom line.”

Magnus stopped and narrowed his eyes. “You really think shifter high society cares about omegas?”

“Yes,” I said before Stephen could. “The facts speak for themselves. Their suffering will resonate beyond our pack. We could lose valuable partnerships and face protests. This won’t just impact us within Blackthorn Corporation and our pack but will be felt throughout shifter society at large.”

Stephen interjected, “Whereas a company known for its ethical stance will attract innovative talent, boost employee satisfaction, and allow us to continue to lead the market.”

“Very well, let’s call it there,” Magnus said, his voice dipping low, sending an icy chill creeping down my spine as I wondered whether all our research had been in vain.

“I want projections on retention and profits by the end of the day with and without Concord before I finalize my decision.” Magnus added, “And let’s not put both of you on this today.

I think enough resources have been swallowed up by the Concord Program, don’t you?

You’d be much better getting on with some work on Lenidex, Lina,” he commanded.

I nodded. “Of course, Alpha.” I fought the flurry of apprehension churning through my gut. Was Magnus just annoyed that I’d been working on the Concord Program because he wanted to instigate it in the pack, or was he suspicious of Stephen and I working so closely together?

Nervousness fluttered through me as I returned to our office, but I reminded myself that Magnus hadn’t been here for the last two days.

The rest of the day, Stephen put together the projections Magnus had requested while I worked on Lenidex.

That evening, Magnus’s sharp rap sounded on the door. He stepped in, a slight crease forming on his brow.

Stephen stood up quickly, gesturing to the sofas by the window. “Alpha, please have a seat.”

“No, I won’t be staying long,” Magnus said.

Anxiety twisted through me. His reaction gave nothing away as to whether Stephen’s final projections had cinched the outcome we wanted.

Finally, he put us out of our misery. “I’ve decided to put a pin in the Concord Program,” he announced, his voice tinged with begrudging reluctance. “Your figures were very convincing, Lina.”

I felt a small flicker of triumph, and yet, I was disappointed as Magnus’s presence meant I couldn’t share the feeling with Stephen. But the important thing was that the immediate threat of the program had thankfully been staved off, if only temporarily.

Magnus’s dark stare went to me for a moment, and he added, “You should come home and rest, my dear. You look tired.”

I smiled, trying to give my expression a warmth I didn’t feel. “I was just going to head home. Would you walk me out?”