Chapter 15 #2
"You shouldn't trust me," I say honestly, and I see surprise flash across several faces.
"Not yet. Trust has to be earned. But I hope you'll trust the evidence.
The data doesn't lie. The contamination is real, it's getting worse, and if nothing is done, it will continue to affect your prey animals, your water supply, and your ability to thrive in this territory. "
"And what do you get out of helping us?" Garrett asks, standing next to Marcus. "What's in it for you?"
I glance at Hunter, who gives me a small nod of encouragement.
"Honestly? At first, it was just about the research.
This is my field—environmental science, contamination analysis.
Finding something this significant, this unusual.
It's the kind of discovery that could define a career.
" I pause. "But that's not why I'm still here.
I'm here because what EnvironTech is doing is wrong.
They're poisoning an entire ecosystem while claiming to be environmental stewards.
And I'm here because I've gotten to know this community, and I want to help protect it. "
"Because you're with the Alpha," Garrett says bluntly.
The room goes dead silent. I feel my face flush, but I force myself to stay calm.
"My personal relationship with Hunter is separate from my professional assessment of this contamination," I say evenly. "The evidence would be the same regardless of who I was dating. EnvironTech is dumping toxic waste. That's a fact, not an opinion colored by personal feelings."
"But you are sleeping with him," Marcus presses. "You expect us to believe that has no bearing on your willingness to help? That you're purely motivated by scientific integrity?"
Hunter tenses beside me, ready to intervene, but I touch his arm lightly. I need to handle this myself.
"I expect you to judge my work on its merits, not on my personal life," I say, meeting Marcus's eyes directly.
Then I remember Rachel's advice and drop my gaze.
"Yes, I care about Hunter. Yes, that makes me more invested in helping this pack.
But it doesn't change the facts. The contamination exists.
EnvironTech is responsible. And something needs to be done about it. "
A woman in her fifties stands up from the middle section. "What are you proposing we do about it?"
Finally, a practical question. "I've prepared a comprehensive report for the EPA—the Environmental Protection Agency.
It documents the contamination, links it to EnvironTech through chemical analysis, and provides evidence of the illegal facility operation.
Once submitted, the EPA will be required to investigate. "
"And you think the EPA will actually do something?" an older man asks skeptically. "Government agencies move slowly. EnvironTech has money and lawyers. By the time anyone acts, they could have cleaned up the evidence."
"Which is why we're also working with investigative journalists," I explain. "Rachel has contacts who are interested in the story. If we can get media attention on this simultaneously with the EPA investigation, it becomes much harder for EnvironTech to cover it up or delay action."
"You're asking us to expose ourselves to outside scrutiny," Marcus says. "EPA investigators poking around our territory, journalists asking questions. How do we know that won't lead to people discovering what we are?"
It's a legitimate concern, and I don't have a perfect answer.
"The investigation will focus on EnvironTech's facility, not on Willow Creek itself," I say carefully.
"My report emphasizes the environmental damage to the broader watershed.
It doesn't specifically mention this community beyond basic geographic context.
And the journalists Rachel is contacting specialize in corporate malfeasance, not supernatural investigations. "
"But there's a risk," Marcus pushes.
"Yes," I admit. "There's always a risk when you involve outside authorities. But the alternative is letting EnvironTech continue to poison your territory indefinitely. That's not sustainable."
Gregory stands from his seat in the front row. "Dr. Sinclair, in your professional opinion, how urgent is this situation? Can we afford to wait and look for a solution that carries less risk of exposure?"
"No," I say bluntly. "The contamination levels are already at dangerous thresholds.
I've documented accelerating degradation over just the three weeks I've been here.
Without intervention, you're looking at serious long-term damage to the ecosystem.
Potentially irreversible within five to ten years. "
The room erupts in conversation, wolves talking to each other in low, urgent voices. Hunter lets it go for a minute, then calls for order.
"Are there other questions for Dr. Sinclair?" he asks.
A young woman raises her hand. "What happens to you after this? After you submit the report and the investigation starts?"
I'm not entirely sure how to answer that. "I... that depends on several factors. My original research timeline was six months, but?—"
"She's staying," Hunter interrupts, his voice firm. "Dr. Sinclair has agreed to continue working with us throughout the investigation and cleanup process."
I glance at him, surprised. We haven't actually discussed this in detail, but he's staring down the pack like daring them to challenge him on it.
"For how long?" someone asks.
"As long as it takes," Hunter says. "And as long as she's willing."
Caleb stands from his seat near the front. "I've worked with Dr. Sinclair over the past week. So has Ethan Wilder. I can vouch for her dedication and her discretion. She's proven herself trustworthy with information far more sensitive than most outsiders ever learn about this pack."
Rachel stands next to him. "I've gotten to know Ava personally, and I can tell you that she understands what's at stake here. Not just environmentally, but for this community. She's not going to do anything to jeopardize the pack."
Their support means more than I expected. I see several pack members nodding, their expressions softening.
But Marcus isn't done. "This is exactly the problem.
You're all so eager to trust her because the Alpha has vouched for her, because his brother and his brother's mate like her.
But what happens when the novelty wears off?
When she realizes how different we really are, how difficult it is to be part of this life? "