Amber, something’s happened to the bag
(Amber’s POV)
+25 BONUS
I woke up feeling surprisingly refreshed despite yesterday’s ordeal The digital clock on my nightstand showed 8:00 p.m. I stretched lazily, wincing slightly as my shoulder protested the movement.
Dominic wasn’t beside me. The sheets on his side of the bed were cold, indicating he’d been gone for some time.
I sat up, noticing a note on his pillow. His elegant handwriting informed me he had some urgent pack business to attend to and would return as soon as possible. He’d added a simple “Rest well, little wolf” at the end that made my heart flutter.
My stomach growled, reminding me I’d skipped lunch. I slipped into my robe and made my way downstairs, following the delicious aroma wafting from the kitchen.
Florence Harper, our housekeeper, looked up from the stove as I entered. “Good evening, Miss Amber. I’ve prepared some venison stew for you.”
“It smells amazing, Florence,” I said gratefully.
She ladled a generous portion into a bowl, her motherly expression softening as she took in my bandaged shoulder. “Mr. Blackwood called to say you’d been injured. How are you feeling, dear?”
“Better after the rest,” I assured her, taking the bowl with my good hand.
After finishing the hearty stew, I returned to my bedroom. My phone rang just as I was settling back against the pillows—a video call from Paige.
I answered, and her worried face filled my screen. “Amber! Thank goodness! Why didn’t you call me?”
(Paige’s POV)
I’d been on edge since hearing about Amber’s altercation. After successfully negotiating a contract with Elliot from Shadow Peak, I’d checked my messages to find several missed calls from Ryan.
“What happened exactly?” I demanded, studying Amber’s face for signs of distress. “Ryan only gave me the bare minimum.”
Amber sighed, adjusting her position to accommodate her injured shoulder. “It wasn’t that serious, Paige. Just a confrontation that got out of hand.”
“Not serious? You were assaulted!” My voice rose an octave. “And at the police station, of all places!”
“How did you know that part?” Amber looked surprised.
“Ryan told me. What he didn’t tell me is why you were meeting with Sophia Miles in the first place.” I narrowed my eyes. “That seems like a pretty significant detail you kept from me.”
Amber had the grace to look guilty. “It was last–minute. I didn’t have time to tell you.”
“Bullshit,” I said bluntly. “You’ve been keeping secrets, Amber Chase. And after everything we’ve been through, I deserve better.
“1
Amber’s expression softened. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
I sighed, my anger deflating. “I’m just glad you’re okay. But I want the full story now–starting with why Sophia suddenly wanted to meet you.”
“She reached out through her manager, Zara: Said she wanted to discuss a potential collaboration with my photo
hy studio.”
“And you believed that?” I raised an eyebrow skeptically.
Amber shrugged. “It seemed plausible at the time.”
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Amber, something’s happened to the bag
“What’s her real angle? Does she know about you and Dominic?”
“I’m not sure,” Amber admitted. “But there’s definitely something she’s not telling me.”
“Are you planning to maintain contact with her?” I asked, still condemned.
+25 BONUS
Amber shook her head firmly. “No. Whatever professional interest might have had is gone now. After what happened, I can’t trust her.”
I nodded, relieved. “Good. And what about your aunt Iris? Won’t she be furious that her star actress got hurt?”
“That’s… complicated,” Amber said, looking uncomfortable. “I haven’t called her yet.‘
“Amber!” I exclaimed. “You need to tell her before she hears it from someone else.”
“I know, I know,” she sighed. “I’ll call her after we hang up.”
“You’d better,” I warned. “Or I will.”
(Amber’s POV)
After ending the call with Paige, I felt Cora, my wolf, anxiously prodding me. She was right–I needed to call Aunt Iris.
My finger hovered over her contact information for several long moments before I finally pressed dial. Each ring increased my anxiety until her familiar voice answered.
“Amber? This is unexpected.” Her tone was neutral, but I could detect the underlying surprise.
“Hi, Aunt Iris,” I began, suddenly feeling like a teenager again. “I, um, have something to tell you.”
“I’m listening.” Her voice sharpened with concern.
I took a deep breath and explained everything–meeting Sophia, the confrontation at the police station, my injured shoulder. As I spoke, her silence grew heavier.
When I finished, she exploded. “Are you out of your mind? Meeting her without security? Without telling anyone where you were going?”
I winced at her volume. “I had Mason with me-
“Who ended up injured as well!” she interrupted. “Goddess above, Amber, what were you thinking?”
“I’m sorry,” I said quietly.
Her tirade continued for several minutes before she finally paused for breath. “Are you truly alright?” she asked, her voice softening slightly.
“Yes,” I assured her. “The doctor said it’s just a dislocated shoulder. I’ll heal quickly.”
“Good.” She sighed heavily. “You scared me, niece.”
The genuine concern in her voice made my throat tight with emotion. “I know. I’m sorry.”
“As for Sophia,” Aunt Iris continued, “I’ll handle that situation. You focus on recovering.”
After we hung up, I felt strangely lighter. Despite her anger, Aunt Iris had been worried about me. She cared.
The realization filled me with unexpected joy. I climbed out of bed, needing to move,
to expend some of this sudden energy.
I was in the middle of a cautious stretching routine when Dominic returned. His eyebrows shot up as he found me attempting to touch my toes.
“What are you doing?” he asked, concern evident in his voice. “You should be resting.”
2/5
Amber, something’s happened to the bag
+25 BONUS
I straightened, unable to keep the smile from my face. “I’m too happy to rest.”
Dominic moved closer, his blue eyes searching mine. “Happy about what, exactly? And should you be exercising with that
shoulder?”
“Dr. Bennett said light movement was fine,” I assured him, though I wasn’t entirely sure that’s what the doctor had meant.” And I’m happy because I just spoke with my aunt Iris.”
“The film director?” Dominic looked surprised. “I thought you two weren’t close.”
“We weren’t,” I admitted. “But she was so angry when I told her what happened–the good kind of angry, you know? The kind that comes from caring.”
Understanding dawned in Dominic’s eyes. “She was worried about you.”
“Exactly!” I beamed at him. “She yelled at me for a full five minutes about safety and responsibility.”
Dominic’s lips twitched. “And this makes you happy?”
“It does,” I said softly. “Because it means she loves me, even if she doesn’t say it.”
His expression softened as he drew me into a gentle embrace, careful of my injured shoulder. “Of course she does. How could she not?”
I looked up at him, struck by the tenderness in his gaze. “Thank you,” I whispered.
“For what?” he asked, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.
“For being kind. For supporting me. For…” I hesitated, then finished in a rush, “For loving me.”
His eyes darkened with emotion. “Always,” he murmured, before lowering his lips to mine.
The kiss was gentle at first, mindful of my injury, but quickly deepened as passion overtook caution. My good arm wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer as his hands settled at my waist.
We were interrupted by my phone ringing shrilly from the nightstand. I groaned in frustration as Dominic pulled away, his breathing uneven.
“You should answer that,” he said, his voice husky. “It might be important.”
I glanced at the screen and frowned. “It’s Henry. At this hour?”
It was barely 6 a.m. My brother rarely called me, and never this early.
“Amber,” Henry’s voice was tense when I answered. “Something’s happened.”
“What’s wrong?” I asked, immediately alert.
“It’s the Chase Group. We’re in trouble.” He sounded unusually stressed. “Moonlight Realty is facing a crisis.”
Moonlight Realty was one of Chase Pack’s subsidiary companies, focused on real estate development. “What kind of crisis?” I asked.
“Someone’s accused us of using silver–contaminated materials in the new Riverside Heights development. They’ve sent evidence to a reporter named Hunter.”
My blood ran cold. Silver contamination was a serious accusation in werewolf society. Even trace amounts could cause severe reactions in our kind.
“Is it true?” I demanded.
“I don’t know,” Henry admitted. “But the executives tried to handle it themselves. They offered Hunter money to drop the story.
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ས་
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Amber, something’s happened to the bag
“Let me guess–he refused?”
+25 BONUS
“Worse. One of our executives threatened him physically when he wouldn’t take the bribe. Now Hunter’s even more determined to publish, and word is spreading among the owners.”
I closed my eyes, imagining the fallout. “The pack buyers are panicking.”
“Exactly. Father is concerned about both the reputational damage and the financial loss. He wants Dominic’s help.”
I glanced at Dominic, who was listening intently to my side of the conversation. “How can Dominic help?”
“Hunter respects him. Father thinks Dominic might be able to convince him to delay publication until we can investigate properly.”
“And Father sent you to ask Dominic for this favor?” I asked skeptically,
Henry sighed. “He tried to meet with Dominic himself, but Dominic’s schedule was full. So he sent me to try, but I couldn’t get an appointment either. That’s why I’m calling you.”
I looked at Dominic again, raising an eyebrow in silent question. He nodded slightly.
“I’ll talk to him,” I told Henry. “But I can’t promise anything.”
After Thung up, I turned to Dominic, who was watching me with an unreadable expression.
You heard?” I asked.
He nodded. “Most of it.”
“Will you help?”
A small smile played at the corners of his mouth. “That depends. How badly do you want more territorial rights within the Chase Group?”
My eyes widened as I realized what he was suggesting. “You’d use this situation to negotiate for me?” Dominic’s smile grew more pronounced. “It seems like an opportune moment, doesn’t it?”
