Dominic’s POV
:
42
Morning sunlight filtered through the blinds of my office as I reviewed thetest medical report Dr. Winters had sent over. It had been nearly twelve hours since I’d found Reba unconscious in that stairwell.
My phone rang, Marcus’s name shing on the screen. I answered before the first vibrationpleted.
“Mr. Sterling,” his voice carried a note of relief. “She’s awake and more alert this morning. The doctors say she’s responding well to treatment.”
My fingers tightened around the phone until the case creaked. “How is she?” The words came out clipped,
controlled.
“Still weak, somewhat disoriented. Dr. Winters says this is normal progression for a concussion of that severity. She’s been asking for you.”
A momentary softening moved through my chest, my breathing easing slightly. The sensationsted exactly three seconds before rage reimed its territory, sharper and colder than before. My vision altered, the edges of the room taking on the electric blue rity that signaled my wolf rising close to the surface. I could feel my pupils dting, my senses heightening.
“I’ll visit her soon,” I said, my voice unnaturally steady. “After I handle something first.”
I ended the call and swiveled to myputer, back straight, shoulders set with purpose. I pulled up the invitation list for the Silver Moon Shadow quarterly charity g scheduled for tonight. My fingers tapped a precise rhythm against the desk as <b>I </b>scanned the names. The event was our pack’s most prestigious social gathering, attended by every prominent werewolf family in the region. Media coverage was extensive, with photographers from both human and werewolf publications vying for exclusive shots of the city’s elite.
I leaned forward, nostrils ring slightly. Perfect.
I pressed the inte, the movement deliberate. “Sarah,e in please.”
A human employee appeared momentster, notepad in hand. “Yes, Mr. Sterling?”
“Add Elizabeth Collins to the program as a special guest speaker for tonight’s g. Topic: “Traditional Values of an Alpha’s Mate.‘ ce her directly after my opening remarks.” My voice remained level, but the temperature in the room seemed to drop with each word.
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Sarah’s eyes widened slightly she knew enough about pack politics to recognize the significance – but she merely nodded, her gaze dropping in deference. “Anything else, sir?”
“Have the tech team prepare the multimedia system for a special presentation. Tell them I’ll provide the content myself before the event.” I dismissed her with a slight incline of my head.
20:39 Wed, <b>Sep </b><b>24 </b>
42
Once she left, I made three calls in rapid session. Within minutes, my office filled with key members of my inner circle: Marcus, who had returned from the hospital; Raymond, my head of security; and Vivian, my chief of public rtions. They arranged themselves before my desk, standing rather than sitting, awaiting direction.
“I want everything,” I told Raymond, my voice steady and cold. My hands rested t on the desk, perfectly still. “Every frame of security footage showing Elizabeth entering and leaving Sterling Tower yesterday. Every angle of the stairwell. I want audio if it exists.”
Raymond nodded once, sharply. “We’ve already pulled most of it, sir. There’s clear footage of her following Ms. Brown into the stairwell and leaving alone approximately seven minutester. The stairwell cameras caught portions of the confrontation, though some of the audio is muffled.”
“Good. Edit it professionally. I want it seamless but authentic. No one should question its validity.” I turned to Vivian, fixing her with an unwavering stare. “Contact every major media outlet. Make sure they have photographers and reporters at the g tonight.”
Vivian’s eyes gleamed with understanding. “Social media coverage too?”
“Maximum exposure,” I confirmed, each syble precise. “Every tform.”
Marcus watched me, his posture alert but expression cautious. “The Collins family has significant influence. This will create serious political ripples within the pack hierarchy.”
“I’m counting on it.” I leaned back in my chair, fingers steepled before me, elbows resting on the armrests in a position of absolute control. “For too long, certain families have believed their bloodlines ce them above ourws. It’s time for a reminder that no one–absolutely no one–attacks what’s mine without consequences.”
When they left to execute their tasks, I reached for my phone again. Elizabeth answered on the second ring, her voice breathy with excitement.
“Dominic! I was just thinking about you.”
“Elizabeth,” I kept my tone warm, measured, though my free hand curled into a fist against my thigh. “I’m calling about tonight’s charity g.”
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