Chapter 21 #3
By the time we get back to Willow Creek, the sun is setting and word has already spread through the pack. As we pull up to Hunter's house, Caleb and Rachel are waiting on the porch.
"We heard," Caleb says. "Congratulations on the victory. And we've got security handled. Wade's already positioned at your rental house, Alex is doing perimeter sweeps, and I've got three more pack members ready to rotate shifts."
"Thank you." I'm overwhelmed by how quickly they've mobilized, how seriously they're taking this threat.
Rachel hugs me tightly. "You were amazing today. And don't worry about the threat. No one gets to our family. EnvironTech is about to learn that the hard way."
Inside, we gather around Hunter's kitchen table, and I tell them everything about the hearing. Long's attacks, the panel's decision, the cease-and-desist order.
"This is huge," Rachel says. "I've already got calls from three different news outlets wanting interviews. The story is going national. Major corporation shut down for environmental crimes, small-town researcher takes on corporate giant and wins."
"I don't want to be the story," I protest. "The story should be about the contamination, the cleanup, the protection of public health?—"
"And it is. But you're part of that story whether you like it or not." She pulls out her phone. "I can manage the media requests, make sure you're only talking to reputable journalists, keep the focus on the science rather than the personal drama."
"Do it," Hunter says. "Control the narrative before someone else does."
My phone buzzes again. Another text, this time from a number I recognize—Susan White, the Charlotte Observer reporter who'd questioned me at the town hall.
Dr. Sinclair, I'd like to do a feature on your research and the EnvironTech investigation. Fair, balanced coverage focusing on the science and the environmental impact. Interested?
I show it to the others.
"Susan White is legit," Rachel says. "Investigative journalist, won awards for her environmental coverage. If you're going to talk to anyone, she's a good choice."
"Set it up," I tell her. "But I want to review anything she writes before it goes to print."
"She won't agree to that—journalistic integrity and all—but I can ask for fact-checking on the science parts." Rachel starts typing out a response. "I'll arrange it for later this week. It will give us time to prepare talking points."
We spend the next hour planning strategy—media responses, security protocols, what to do if EnvironTech escalates. By the time Caleb and Rachel leave, I'm exhausted, running on fumes and adrenaline.
Hunter notices immediately. "Bed. Now."
"I should shower first. I feel like I've been in that hearing room for days."
"Then shower. I'll make you something to eat." He kisses my forehead. "You did good today, Ava. Really good. Now let me take care of you."
Under the hot water, I let myself finally process everything. We won. EnvironTech is being shut down. The cleanup will begin. The pack's territory will be protected.
But the threatening text message sits in the back of my mind, a reminder that this victory came with a price. EnvironTech knows who I am now, knows I'm responsible for their shutdown. And they're not happy about it.
When I emerge from the bathroom in Hunter's oversized t-shirt, he's waiting with grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. Pure comfort food.
"It isn’t as good as Caleb’s food," he explains. "But I hope it’ll do for now."
We eat in comfortable silence, and I can feel his concern through the bond, his constant monitoring to make sure I'm okay.
"I'm fine," I assure him. "Really. Today was intense, but we won. That's what matters."
"What matters is you're safe. The victory is secondary." He takes my empty bowl. "Ava, I need you to promise me something."
"What?"
"Promise me you'll take the security seriously.
No wandering off alone to collect samples, no meeting with journalists by yourself, no taking unnecessary risks.
" His blue eyes are intense. "I know you're independent and capable, but right now, you're also a target. Let the pack protect you. Please."
Through the bond, I can feel how important this is to him, how the thought of me being in danger is physically painful for him.
"I promise. No unnecessary risks, and I won't fight the security detail." I move into his arms. "But Hunter, you have to promise me something too."
"Anything."
"Promise me you won't do anything reckless if EnvironTech comes after me. Don't shift in public, don't expose the pack trying to protect me. We handle this smart, not just strong."
He's quiet for a moment, and I can feel the war happening inside him. His wolf wanting to destroy any threat to his mate versus his Alpha responsibility to protect the pack.
"I promise to try," he says finally. "But if it comes down to choosing between keeping the secret and keeping you safe?—"
"I know. You'd choose me. I can feel it through the bond." I tilt my head up to kiss him. "But let's hope it doesn't come to that."
We go to bed early, both exhausted from the emotional intensity of the day. As I'm drifting off, wrapped in Hunter's arms, my phone buzzes one more time.
I almost ignore it, but something makes me check.
It's an email from Dr. Venkatesan with the subject line: URGENT - Environmental Science Journal.
I open it, and my breath catches.
Ava,
The editor of Environmental Science Journal contacted me. They want to fast-track publication of your EnvironTech research given the current news coverage. This would be a major coup. ESJ is one of the top journals in the field.
They're asking for a full manuscript within two weeks. I know that's a tight timeline, but this opportunity doesn't come along often. Let me know if you're interested and I'll send you the submission guidelines.
This could make your career, Ava. Don't let it pass you by.
-Venkatesan
I show Hunter, and he reads it over my shoulder.
"That's good, right?" he asks. "Getting published in a major journal?"
"It's huge. ESJ has an impact factor of 12.
5. That's almost unheard of in environmental science.
Getting published there would..." I trail off, realizing what this means.
"It would establish my credibility beyond any doubt.
Long can call me biased all he wants, but if ESJ publishes my research, that's peer review by the top experts in the field saying the science is sound. "
"So you're going to do it?"
"I don't know. Two weeks is an insanely tight timeline. I'd have to write up all my methods, all my findings, create figures and tables, write the discussion section..." I run my hand through my hair. "It's easily months of work compressed into two weeks."
"I can help. Caleb can, too. Rachel can edit. We'll make it work." He pulls me closer. "This is important, Ava. Not just for your career, but for the case against EnvironTech. Published research carries weight in legal proceedings."
He's right. And suddenly I'm wide awake, my mind already organizing sections, planning figures, structuring arguments.
"Okay," I say. "I'll do it. I'll write the manuscript."
"Tomorrow," Hunter says firmly. "Tonight, you sleep. The manuscript can wait twelve hours."
But as I finally drift off, I'm already mentally drafting my introduction, already seeing how I'll structure the evidence, already planning how to present the research in a way that's both scientifically rigorous and accessible to non-specialists.
EnvironTech tried to shut me down, tried to discredit me, tried to make me too scared to continue.
But all they've done is give me more motivation to make sure the truth gets out.
And I'm not stopping until everyone knows exactly what they've done.