Chapter 43
-Maya’s POV-
The soft hum of conversation drifted from the phone pressed against my ear, momentarily pulling
me away from the half-finished sketch on my desk. Natalia’s voice, usually a source offort and
calm, held a tinge of concern that sent a jolt through me.
“Earth to Amaya,” she repeated, her voiceced with amusement.
“S h i t, I’m so sorry,” I blurted out, snapping back to attention. “I wasn’t listening to you.” The
apology tumbled from my lips before! could even process the fact that I had zoned out in the middle
of our conversation. I couldn’t see her, but I could practically picture her rolling her eyes on the other
end of the line.
“Of course you
weren’t,” she replied, a yful scold in her voice. “As I was saying, I don’t know, but I have a bad
feeling about this whole thing. I know your father, Amaya. He’s a ruthless businessman, through and
through but also an s l e. I don’t see him willingly signing away power like that.”
It was as if she was peering directly into my mind, reading the doubts and anxieties that had been
swirling there for days. Natalia had always possessed an uncanny ability to understand me, to
anticipate my thoughts and feelings. It was one of the things! cherished most about our friendship.
“It almost feels like he strong-armed you into it,” she continued, her voice turning serious. “Think
about it. He stands to gain everything from this merger – leading two of the most powerful packs in
the entire city. The influence, the resources…” Her voice trailed off, but the unspoken implication
hung heavy in the air.
I let out a long sigh, the sound echoing in the sudden silence that followed her words. The truth
was, I had been kicking myself ever since I agreed to the merger and I couldn’t help but wonder
why, Ivan had proven himself time and again, standing by me through thick and thin.
“I don’t know, Nat,” I admitted, frustration creeping into my voice. “He hasn’t given me any reason to
doubt him. He’s been nothing but supportive, helpful but still…” My voice trailed off.
“And thewyer, still nothing?” Natalia asked.
I huffed out a breath. “Still nothing. Which isn’t exactly helping my paranoia levels. I mean, how am I
supposed to have a conversation with my father about all this when I can’t even see him?”
A beat of silence followed, then she spoke, her voice calm and measured. “Listen, Amaya, I
understand your doubts. This whole situation is suspicious as hell. But still Ivan has consistently
proven himself to be trustworthy, reliable. I think we are both just overthinking it.”
I chewed on my lower lip, a small spark of guilt flickering to life within me. She was right. Ivan had
been nothing short of amazing these past few weeks. He had helped me navigate the chaos
surrounding my return, provided unwavering support during the whole Petrov debacle, and had
even taken in my children. He just seemed too good to be true.
“He has, hasn’t he? Maybe it’s really all in our heads, “I conceded, the words tumbling out in a soft
murrnur.
“Exactly. Look, I’m not saying you should blindly trust everyone. That would be foolish. But in this
case, give Ivan the benefit of the doubt. He’s earned it, wouldn’t you say?”
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Chapter 43
1 thought back to all the times Ivan had been there for me, the way he had looked at me with
genuine care and concern in his eyes. The evidence, I had to admit, pointed towards his sincerity.
“Yeah, I guess he has,” I finally admitted, a hint of a reluctant smile ying on my lips.
“There you go.” She said, a triumphant lilt in her voice. “Now, how about we get you back to
focusing on those fabulous designs of yours? The world needs your creativity, Amaya, not your
worries.”
“Alright, alright,” I conceded with a sigh, pushing away from the desk and rolling my shoulders back.
The tension had been knotting my muscles, and Natalia’s voice,ced with reason, had finally
managed to loosen the grip. “You’re right. Maybe I am letting the past color my judgment a little too
much,”
Suddenly, a light, teasing voice cut in. “Personal calls aren’t allowed during work hours, are they?”
I jolted upwards, the phone nearly tumbling from my grasp. Startled, I met the gaze of a woman, the
same person who had ushered me the day I interviewed standing in my doorway, a mischievous
smile ying on her lips, her bright green eyes sparkled with
amusement.
“Oh!” I stammered, quickly ending the call and shoving the phone into my pocket. “I, uh, I didn’t
realize anyone was there.” I scrambled topose myself, trying to project a more professional air.
The woman chuckled, a friendly sound that instantly put me at ease. “No worries,” she said, waving
a dismissive hand. “I’m not here to y hall monitor. Honestly, this whole ‘no personal calls thing is
a bit ridiculous. Everyone sneaks in a chat here and
there.”
She sauntered further into the room, extending a hand towards me, “We haven’t had the opportunity
to properly meet. I’m Sarah O’Brien, and let me be the first to officially wee you to Lunar
Designs.”
A genuine smile spread across my face as I grasped her hand. Her grip was firm, and her eyes held
a warmth that was both disarming and inviting. “Seeing that you gave me a boost of confidence
when I interviewed, I am guessing you already know my name,” I replied, returning her greeting.
“And thanks, it’s good to be here.”
“Really good to have you on board,” She dered, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. “We’ve
been needing a fresh set of eyes in the design department for ages. Ms. Edwards can be a bit…
stuck in her ways sometimes.” She winked conspiratorially.
Intrigued, I leaned back in my chair. “Really? She seems nice enough.” Sarah’sment piqued my
curiosity about thepany dynamic.
She snorted. “You don’t need to sugar coat it. She is a force to be reckoned and sometimes she is
scary, not only that, it’s hard for her to embrace change but don’t worry,” she said with a sly grin.
“That’s where wee in, the creative rebels. And with you on our team, we might just be able to
finally shake things up a bit. She went on and on how your designs were different from what she
expected, she wasn’t eager but even she couldn’t deny that your creativity wowed her.”
Her infectious enthusiasm sparked a flicker of excitement within me. The idea of coborating with a
team of passionate designers, even if it meant navigating some corporate politics, suddenly seemed
like a thrilling challenge.
“So, tell me everything.” I said, leaning forward in my chair. “How do things work around here? Who
are the key yers I need to know about? And most importantly, who should I be… mindful of?”
Her eyes gleamed with mischief. “Ah, now you’re asking the real questions,” she said, e
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up, because you’re about to get a crash course in Lunar Designs 101.”
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And with that, sheunched into a detailed exnation of thepany hierarchy, peppering her
narrative with juicy tidbits about the different personalities, unspoken rules, and hidden power
dynamics within the design department. By the time the clock struck lunchtime, I had a much
clearer picture of thendscape I was navigating. More importantly, I had found an unexpected ally
in Sarah.
As we headed out for lunch together, a newfound sense of confidence surged through me. Sure,
there would be challenges, but with Sarah by my side, I felt ready to face them head-on. And who
knows, maybe together, we could even shake things up a bit at Lunar Designs but my stomach
lurched as her yful demeanor vanished, reced by a sudden seriousness.
She stopped me right before the doorway, her hand reaching out to sp my arm. “There’s
something else you should know, Amaya,” she said, her voice low, “The reason I’m so happy you
got this job… well, it’s not just about your amazing designs.”
My brow furrowed in confusion. “There’s more?”
She offered a smile. “We don’t get many like us here at Lunar Designs.
My confusion deepened. “Like you?” I asked, hesitantly voicing the question that hung heavy in the
air.
Her eyes, a bright emerald green just moments ago, flickered then turnedpletely to ck. The
gasp escaped my lips before i could stop it.
They returned to normal, “I’m just like you, Amaya,” she said, her eyes locking with mine. “I am a
werewolf.”